Cleaning drum and method for cleaning rod-shaped articles

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for cleaning perforated hollow segments with perforation openings of multi-segment articles or rod-shaped articles, with receptacles for the rod-shaped articles, a compressed air source designed to supply the rod-shaped articles with compressed air, at least one air supply opening (4061), connecting means (4062), in particular sealing caps, which are arranged on the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) and are designed to connect the at least one air supply opening to the rod-shaped articles arranged in the receptacles, in order to supply a flow of compressed air to the end face of the rod-shaped articles in order to remove impurities from or of the rod-shaped article.in particular to blow out contaminants from the perforation openings of perforated hollow segments of rod-shaped articles or multi-segment articles. To prevent blown-out contaminants from interfering with other processes and contaminating the device or articles, the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) has a suction device to extract the blown-out and / or expelled contaminants.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning drum and a method for cleaning rod-shaped articles used in the tobacco processing industry. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a feeding device for feeding these article rods.

[0002] In the tobacco processing industry, a wrapping process for cigarettes or heat-not-burn (HnB) products, or for multi-filters, is common. When using special papers, such as hydrophobic papers or papers with a certain thickness, or when using paper tubes in multi-segment products, processing with laser units, especially for perforating the multi-segment products, generates a large amount of dust and contaminants. This dust and these contaminants soil the machine in the vicinity of the production site. Additionally, the perforation process causes dust and contaminants to accumulate, for example, in hollow segments, which are difficult to clean, and these contaminants can then be distributed throughout the equipment during further production.Cleaning the products improves both the quality of the rod-shaped products, as there are fewer or no impurities in the product or rod-shaped item, and also reduces impurities in the manufacturing machine.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for improving the perforation process of a rod-shaped article for the tobacco processing industry in order to achieve an improved quality of the rod-shaped articles.

[0004] The problem is solved by a cleaning drum for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for cleaning perforated hollow segments with perforation openings of multi-segment articles or rod-shaped articles, with receptacles for the rod-shaped articles, in particular troughs that can be pressurized with negative pressure, preferably evenly spaced apart from one another, particularly preferably with a division of at least 4pi, 6pi, 8pi or 10pi, preferably the cleaning drum has a metal shell, a compressed air source, preferably stationary, which is designed for pressurizing the rod-shaped articles with compressed air, in particular for pressurizing them with compressed air at the end face, at least one air supply opening, in particular an air supply slot, connecting means, in particular sealing caps, which are arranged on the cleaning drum and are designed to allow the at least one air supply opening to be opened, preferably sequentially.to connect to the rod-shaped articles arranged in the receptacles in order to supply a compressed air stream to the end face of the rod-shaped articles in order to remove impurities from or out of the rod-shaped article, in particular to blow out impurities from the perforated openings of perforated hollow segments of the rod-shaped articles or multi-segment articles, characterized in that the cleaning drum has a suction device in order to extract the blown-off and / or blown-out impurities.

[0005] Cleaning the rod-shaped articles improves their quality, as they contain fewer impurities. Additionally, contamination in the vicinity of the perforation devices and downstream processing is prevented, since the contaminants are extracted promptly after the perforation process.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the extraction is designed as an externally arranged extraction hood and / or as extraction openings leading into the interior of the drum, in particular extraction channels.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has a wobble device to connect the connecting means, in particular the sealing caps, to the ends of the rod-shaped articles.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has a measuring station M1, preferably designed to determine the tensile resistance of the rod-shaped articles, and / or a measuring station M2, preferably designed to determine the tightness of the rod-shaped article, and / or a measuring station M3, preferably designed to determine the degree of ventilation.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has two rows, namely row A and row B, of adjacently arranged receptacles, in particular receiving troughs, in order to convey the rod-shaped articles in two adjacently arranged rows transversely axially, and preferably row A of receptacles is assigned a preferably separate suction device and row B of receptacles is assigned a preferably separate suction device.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the receptacles, in particular the receiving recesses, have interruptions, preferably two interruptions, in order to keep longitudinal axial sections, in particular the end sections and / or the sections which have perforation openings, of the rod-shaped article free from contact.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of a cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has air guidance elements to guide or redirect the blown-off and / or expelled contaminants to the extraction device, in particular the air guidance elements are arranged adjacent to the interruptions of the intakes.

[0012] The problem is also solved by a method for cleaning rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for cleaning perforated hollow segments of multi-segment articles or rod-shaped articles, comprising the following steps: transverse axial conveying of the rod-shaped articles, in particular in receiving troughs that can be pressurized with negative pressure; in particular connecting, in particular by means of sealing caps, the end faces of the rod-shaped article to a compressed air source in order to supply a compressed air stream to the end faces of the rod-shaped articles, preferably in order to remove impurities from or of the rod-shaped article; pressurizing the end faces of the rod-shaped articles with compressed air, preferably with a pressure between 100 mbar and 200 mbar, characterized in that the blown-off and / or expelled impurities are extracted.in particular the contaminants blown out of the perforated openings of hollow segments of rod-shaped articles or multi-segment articles.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the extraction is carried out by means of an externally arranged extraction hood and / or by means of extraction openings, in particular extraction channels, formed into the interior of the drum.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the joining of the end faces of the rod-shaped articles is carried out by longitudinally axially displacing the sealing caps, so that the sealing caps overlap the end faces of the rod-shaped articles.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that, particularly during transverse axial transport, the tensile resistance of the rod-shaped articles and / or the tightness and / or the degree of ventilation of the rod-shaped articles is determined.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the method is carried out in two lanes, wherein the rod-shaped articles are arranged in two rows longitudinally side by side.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the blown-off and / or expelled contaminants are guided or deflected by air guide elements before extraction.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the rod-shaped articles have a hollow tube segment with a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, particularly preferably between 0.45 mm and 0.8 mm, are in particular designed as paper tubes, and / or have perforation holes with a width of at least 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.05 mm and / or of a maximum of 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm.

[0019] Another task is preventing or minimizing contamination in a machine for manufacturing rod-shaped articles.

[0020] The problem is solved by a feeding device for feeding article rods with a supply, in particular a magazine, a cutting drum for cutting the rod-shaped articles into article rod segments, and at least one drum downstream of the cutting drum for conveying the article rod segments, characterized in that a collection container for collecting particles and / or article rod segments is arranged adjacent to the cutting drum and / or adjacent to the at least one drum, in particular the drum directly downstream of the cutting drum.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of a feeding device is characterized in that the collection container has a suction system for extracting the particles and / or article rod segments, and in particular, the collection container is connected to a pipeline for conveying the particles and article rod segments away. A preferred embodiment of a feeding device is characterized in that the collection container is designed to be extendable, in particular as an extendable drawer.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of a feeding device is characterized in that the collection container has a distance A_ABF in the radial direction of the cutting drum or drum of less than 20 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of a feeding device is characterized in that the collection container has an opening for collecting the particles or article rod segments and the opening is assigned to an angular range of the cutting drum or the drum which is less than 120°, 90° or 75°.

[0024] The invention is further described with regard to embodiments which are illustrated by the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a machine for the production of multi-segment articles, Fig. 2 a part of the tack device, Fig. 3 to 6 recordings of the conveyor device P, Fig. 7 a detailed representation of the material web supply device, Fig. 8a, Fig. 8b a cross-section of a tacked and wrapped segment group with crimped material web section Fig. 9 a cross-section of a crimped material web, Fig. 10 an embodiment of a crimping roller of a crimping unit, Fig. 11 an embodiment of a crimping roller of a crimping unit, Fig. 12 a top view of a processed material web, Fig. 13 a cutting device with a pressure-relieved cut, Fig. 14 a cutting device with a pressure-loaded cut, Fig. 15 a cutting device with a pressure-relieved cut in the first encapsulation module, Fig. 16 a cutting device with a pressure-relieved cut in the second encapsulation module, Fig. 17 a cleaning drum, Fig. 18 a cross-section of a cleaning drum, Fig. 19 a side view of a cross-section of a cleaning drum, Fig. 20 a side view of a cleaning drum Fig. 21 Feed module with collection container and Fig. 22 Detailed view of a drum with collection container.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a machine 1 for manufacturing rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry, namely multi-segment articles 530, multi-segment smoking articles 531, or multi-segment intermediate products. The machine 1 comprises an assembly module 100, a first wrapping module 200, a second wrapping module 300, and a test / transfer module 400. The machine 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 has a data connection to the assembly module 100, the first wrapping module 200, the second wrapping module 300, and the test / transfer module 400.

[0026] The assembly module 100 has a feed module A 120 and a feed module B 130 for providing article bar segments 520 and 521, respectively. In the Fig. Figure 1 shows only two feed modules 120 and 130, but such a machine 1 can also have more than two feed modules 120, 130, for example 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 feed modules.

[0027] Feed module A 120 comprises a magazine A 121, preferably a hopper A, and a removal drum A 122, which removes article bars A 540 from the magazine A 121 and cuts them into article bar segments 541 by means of a cutting knife A 123. On the subsequent stepped drum A 124, the article bar segments 541 are staggered and transferred to the transport drum A 125. The subsequently arranged push drum A 126 moves the staggered article bar segments 541 into a single-row arrangement arranged transversely one behind the other. Subsequently, on the cutting drum A 127 or on the drum 127, a further cut can be made with the circular knife 126M or 127M, so that a pair of article bar segments 520 is formed.Instead of cutting the article bars 540 into article bar segments 541 by circular blades 123 on the removal drum, this can be done using the cutting drum 126 or 127, designed as a serial sliding cutting drum, as disclosed in German patent application DE 10 2018 113 891 A1. The transfer of the double-length article bar segments 541 from the drum 126 to the drum 127, which can optionally be designed as a transport drum or as a cutting drum, cuts the double-length article bar segments 541 into two single-length article bar segments 520. This cutting of the double-length article bar segments 541 into two single-length article bar segments 520 can also take place only after the transfer to the assembly drum A 128 with the circular blade 128M, so that the double-length article bar segments 541 are transferred to the assembly drum.A sampling device A 120S for taking samples or a rejection device for rejecting defective article bar segments 520 or defective article bar segments 541 can preferably be arranged on the assembly drum 128. Sensor devices S1 and / or S2 are preferably arranged in the feed module A 120. The sensor device S1 and / or S2 is designed and configured to measure properties of the article bar segments or segment groups consisting of article bar segments, in particular the number of segments, the segment lengths, the article bar segment lengths, the end faces of the article bar segments, the surface area of ​​the article bar segments, and / or the diameters. The sensor device S1 is preferably arranged on the transport drum A 125. The sensor device S2 is preferably arranged on the cutting drum A 127.

[0028] The adjacent article bar segments 520 are transferred from the assembly drum A 128 to the spreading drum B 139 to space them apart. Two single-length article bar segments 521 or one double-length article bar segment 544 can be inserted into the gap created between the article bar segments 520 on the assembly drum B 138. The inserted article bar segments 521 or the inserted article bar segment 544 are provided by the magazine 131. The feed module B 130 comprises a magazine B 131, preferably a hopper B, and a removal drum B 132, which removes article bars B 543 from the magazine B 131 and cuts them into article bar segments 544 by means of a cutting blade B 133. On the following staggered drum B 134, the article bar segments 544 are staggered and transferred to the transport drum B 135.The subsequently arranged sliding drum B 136 moves the staggered article bar segments 544 into a single-row arrangement arranged transversely one behind the other.

[0029] Subsequently, on the cutting drum B 137 or on the drum 136, a further cut can be made with the circular knife 136M or 137M, forming a pair of article bar segments 521. Instead of cutting the article bars 543 into article bar segments 544 by circular knife 133 on the removal drum, this can be done using the cutting drum 136 or 137, configured as a serial sliding cutting drum, as disclosed in German patent application DE 10 2018 113 891 A1. The transfer of the double-length article bar segments 544 from the drum 136 to the drum 137, which can optionally be configured as a transport drum or as a cutting drum, cuts the double-length article bar segments 544 into two single-length article bar segments 521.This cutting of the double-length article bar segments 544 into two single-length article bar segments 521 can also take place only after the transfer to the assembly drum B 138 with the circular knife 138M, so that the double-length article bar segments 544 are transferred to the assembly drum. A sampling device B 130S for taking samples or a rejection device for rejecting defective article bar segments 521 or defective article bar segments 544 can preferably be arranged on the assembly drum 138. Sensor devices S3 and / or S4 are preferably arranged in the feed module B 130.The sensor device S3 and / or S4 is designed and configured to measure properties of the article bar segments or segment groups consisting of article bar segments, in particular the number of segments, the segment lengths, the article bar segment lengths, the end faces of the article bar segments, the surface area of ​​the article bar segments, and / or the diameters. The sensor device S3 is preferably arranged on the transport drum B 135. The sensor device S3 is preferably arranged on the cutting drum B 137.

[0030] A wobbling device can be arranged on the drum 138, 139 and / or 128 to wobble, align, or create a segment group 501, 502 in which the article bar segments 520, 521 make end-to-end contact. End-to-end contact of the article bar segments can be detrimental to the manufacturing process because the end faces of the article bar segments are stressed, which can lead to damage, visual defects, or the formation and shedding of particles such as tobacco crumbs.

[0031] The article bar segments, preferably the four article bar segments (520, 521), are transferred from the assembly drum B 138 to the first wrapping module 200, preferably to the turning and spreading drum 299. The turning and spreading drum is preferably designed according to an embodiment disclosed in German patent application DE 10 2020 111 946 A1. The segment group 502 is turned and spaced by the turning and spreading drum such that at least the two outer article bar segments of one end of the segment group 502 and at least the two outer article bar segments of the other end of the segment group 502 are located centrally within the segment group and face each other after turning. After turning, a gap for inserting another article bar segment of single or double working length is located centrally within the segment group.Preferably, the process step of turning and spacing or creating the gap is carried out simultaneously in one process step.

[0032] The arrangement 600 for wrapping a rod-shaped article can be all or only part of the first wrapping module 200 and / or the second wrapping module 300. The arrangement 600 for wrapping a rod-shaped article can be all or only part of the machine 1, in particular parts from the assembly module 100, the feeding modules 120, 130, the wrapping modules 200, 300 and the inspection transfer module 400.

[0033] In the first wrapping module 200, further article bar segments are preferably provided and fed to the assembly drum 298 via a transport path. The resulting segment group 503 is transferred to the conveying device S 240, a component of the tack device 280. The feed module of the first wrapping module 200 comprises a magazine 291, preferably configured as a hopper, a removal drum on which the article bars 546 are cut into article bar segments 547, the removal drum 292 being sectionally engaged by one or more cutting blades, a stepped drum 294, a transport drum 295, a sliding drum 296, and a transport drum 297. In another embodiment of the feed module, the stepped drum 294 can be configured as a transport drum, and the article bars 546 can be cut into article bar segments on a serial sliding-cutting stepped drum 296.Preferably, the feed module of the first wrapping module 200 has a cutting device, namely the removal drum 292 and the cutting knives 293, and / or a cutting device, namely the serial sliding-cutting stacked drum 296.

[0034] The first encapsulation module 200 has a first material supply device 210 which supplies a material web 211, preferably a first material web 211. In Fig. Figure 7 shows a material web supply device 310 of the second encapsulation module 300. All embodiments of the material web supply device 310 shown and described are possible embodiments for the material web supply device 210 of the first encapsulation module 200.

[0035] The material web supply device 310 comprises an unwinding device for unwinding a material web 311 wound on a bobbin, which is preferably guided by one or more deflection pins and / or rollers and can be conveyed along a conveying path FM1 FM321. A first pair of tension rollers 301 conveys the material web 311 along the conveying path FM1 FM321. A first restoring force reduction unit 302, preferably designed as a crusher, is arranged downstream of the first pair of tension rollers 301. The restoring force reduction unit 302 is designed to reduce the bending stresses of the material web 311, and preferably thus of the material web sections 321 cut from the material web 311, such that the restoring forces of the material web 311 or the material web sections 321 are reduced after the wrapping process.The material web supply device 310 has a surface treatment unit 307, 307L, 307C, which is preferably configured as a second restoring force reduction unit to treat the surface of the material web 311, particularly when using thicker, hydrophobic, or coated material webs 311. This can be done to reduce the restoring forces of the material web 311, to treat or roughen the surface so that the application of glue or adhesive can be advantageous, or to provide the material web 311 with a structure, in particular a crimp or embossed structure. A pair of tension rollers 303 is arranged downstream of the surface treatment unit 307, 307C, 307L to convey and / or guide the material web.In addition to, or without, the surface treatment unit 307, 307C, 307L, a surface treatment unit 313 and / or 314 may be provided, preferably configured as a second restoring force reduction unit and preferably as a brush unit or plasma treatment unit. The surface treatment units 307, 307L, 307C, 313, 314 are preferably configured for single-sided treatment of the surface of the material web 311 or, more preferably, for simultaneous double-sided treatment of the surface of the material web 311. The material web supply device 310 has a first gluing device 305 for applying glue and / or adhesive K1 to a surface of the material web 311, in particular for applying cold glue.The first gluing device 305 has a tank 306 that supplies, for example, an application roller or a nozzle with glue and / or adhesive K2. Preferably, the material web supply device 310 has a second gluing device 308 for applying glue and / or adhesive to a surface of the material web 311, in particular for applying hot melt glue. The material web supply device 310 advantageously has the first and second gluing devices 305 and 308 for applying hot melt and cold melt glue, respectively, in order to use a fast-setting adhesive or hot melt glue and a slow-setting adhesive or cold melt glue. This allows for a particularly advantageous initial bond between material web section 321 and segment group 504, as well as a particularly advantageous long-term bond between material web section 321 and segment group 504.The material web supply device particularly preferably includes an activation and / or curing device 309, which is preferably arranged adjacent to the material web 311. When using special adhesives and / or glues, the adhesive and / or glue can be activated to give the adhesive and / or glue particularly advantageous adhesive properties before the material web section 321 is joined to the segment group 504. This can be done, for example, by a heating device and / or by a UV light irradiation unit and / or by a spraying unit for spraying a further adhesive component of a two-component adhesive.

[0036] The surface treatment unit 307, 313, 314 is preferably designed as a drum-based surface treatment unit, for example as a crimping unit 307C, 313, 314. The crimping unit 307C, 313, 314 has a crimping roller 307C-1, 307C-2 and preferably a counter roller, with possible embodiments in Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 is shown. The counter roller is preferably designed as a smooth roller, so that the material web 311 only has crimping on one side. A longitudinal section of the material web 311 along the longitudinal axis LA is shown in Fig. Figure 9 shows the material web 311 having a thickness D. The crimping roller and the counter roller create indentations 312 in the material web 311. Preferably, the indentations are arranged at regular intervals and preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The indentations 312 can be arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the material web 311 and / or extend over the entire width of the material web 311. In another embodiment, the indentations do not extend over the entire width, for example, with a border area of ​​more than 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm, or between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3 mm, or for example, with a border area of ​​more than 10%, 20%, or 30% of the material web width of the material web 311. Exemplary embodiments are shown in Figure 9. Fig. Figure 12 shows examples of crimping units for generating crimp lines perpendicular to the conveying direction of a material web. Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 of US 3,849,526 with exemplary patterns, shown in the Fig. 10 to 12. If a crimped web of material 311 produced by the drum-based surface treatment device 307C is cut into web sections 321 and tacked or stapled to a segment group 504, the restoring forces are reduced by the introduction of the crimp lines. Fig. Figure 8a shows a segment group 504 provided with a pretreated web section 321. The crimp lines are preferably adapted to the diameter of the segment group 504 such that, when the end sections of the web sections 321 are placed on top of each other, the crimp lines do not adversely affect each other, in particular crimp lines are arranged one above the other (illustrated by way of example in Fig. 8b). In this case, a non-equidistant arrangement of the crimp lines on the material web section 321 may be present.

[0037] The material web 311 can preferably be processed by a surface treatment unit 313, 314, 307 designed as a brush unit. In this process, the surface of the material web 311 is roughened to improve adhesion to the glue or adhesive. A brush is arranged adjacent to the material web 311, rotating either in the direction of conveyance or against it.

[0038] The material web 311 can preferably be processed by a laser-based surface processing unit 313, 314, 307L. In this process, the surface of the material web 311 is processed by a laser unit, for example, by creating indentations to reduce the restoring forces of the material web section 321 of the encapsulated segment group 504. For example, a laser unit can be used to create indentations in the material web section 321 of the encapsulated segment group 504. Fig. The grooved material web shown in Figure 9 is produced. The laser-based surface processing unit 313, 314, 307L is preferably designed according to the laser cutting unit from DE102019006932, DE2020200035u1, DE202021002279u1 or DE102017216133, wherein the intensity of the laser is to be adjusted accordingly.

[0039] The surface treatment unit 307, 313, 314 is preferably configured as a plasma treatment unit. The plasma treatment unit is configured to generate atmospheric pressure plasma, gas plasma, or low-pressure plasma. The plasma treatment unit is configured to perform the plasma treatment over the entire surface, in sections, or at specific points. Preferably, the plasma treatment unit cleans or coats the surface of the material web 311. The plasma treatment unit preferably has a plasma nozzle, preferably with a round, more preferably circular, or slotted outlet opening. The plasma treatment unit preferably has a tank for a process gas, for example, air, hydrogen, argon, hydrogen-argon, methane, acetylene, hexafluoroethane, helium, or oxygen. Preferably, the plasma treatment unit generates helium plasma, oxygen plasma, or air plasma.

[0040] The surface treatment unit 307, 313, 314 is preferably designed as a corona treatment unit. The corona treatment unit preferably covers the entire surface and preferably has an electrode for ionizing the adjacent air and is spaced from the material web 311 by a distance of between 0.8 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, particularly preferably between 1.4 mm and 2 mm, for example 1.524 mm.

[0041] The material web supply unit 310 is for the material web 311, in particular the processed material web 311, to the tack device 380 or the conveying device P 330. The described embodiment of the material web supply unit 310 is also a possible embodiment of the material web supply device 210. The material web supply unit 210 is for the material web 211, in particular the processed material web 211, to the tack device 280 or the conveying device P 230. The reference numerals for the material web supply devices 210 and 310 are analogous and are not all explicitly shown in the figures.

[0042] The first wrapping module 200 comprises a conveying device P 230, which is configured as a suction roller 230, preferably as a troughed suction roller 230, and a cutting device 220, which is preferably configured as a rotating knife roller. The cutting device 220 and the conveying device P 230 are preferably configured as shown in Fig. Sections 2 to 4 of the German patent application with application number 10 2024 101 973.5 and the associated text passages describe the process. The associated text passages are, in particular, the passages from page 15, line 21 to page 20, line 18. The material web 211 runs over the suction roller 230 and is cut into material web sections 221 by means of the cutting device 220, in particular a knife roller. The conveying device P 230, in particular the suction roller, conveys the material web sections 221 in the receptacles, in particular in the troughs, to a transfer or pressing point, where the material web sections 221 are moved, stapled, or glued onto a segment group 503 consisting of article bar segments 520, 521, 522D on the conveying device P 220 (shown in [reference]). Fig. 2 with reference numerals of the second wrapping module 300). At the transfer or pressure point, the pressure gap dimension 245 is minimal. The pressure gap dimension 245 is preferably the minimum distance between the receiving base of the receptacle 232, in particular the trough, of the conveying device P 230, and the receiving base of the receptacle 242, in particular the trough, of the conveying device S 240. While the material web sections 221 are arranged in the receptacles 232 of the conveying device P 230, the material web sections 221 are preferably pressed and / or pulled into the receptacles, in particular the troughs, of the conveying device P 230 by means 246 for pulling and / or pushing. Preferably, the pushing and / or pulling of the material web sections 221 is carried out such that the material web sections 221 are arranged on the receiving base of the receptacle 232.The means 246 can be configured as a rotary device with radially arranged pistons to press the material web sections 221 into the receptacles of the conveying device P 230. The means 246 can be configured as a pivoting device with one or more extendable pistons to press the material web sections 221 into the receptacles of the conveying device P 230. The means 246 can be configured as a suction device to draw the material web sections 221 into the receptacles of the conveying device P 230. Preferably, the receptacles 232 are configured with openings, in particular suction openings, which are connected via a line to a vacuum source. Such means 246 are described in [reference to be added]. Fig. 2 is shown, but explicitly numbered with the reference symbols from the second enclosing module 300. The configuration is shown in Fig. 2 is also a possible embodiment that can be arranged in the first enclosing module 200. The means 246 and 346 are in Fig. 1 not explicitly shown, but represent a preferred embodiment, in particular by integrating the embodiment according to. Fig. 2 in Fig. 1 in the first encapsulation module 200 and / or second encapsulation module 300. In Fig. Figure 2 does not explicitly show that the material web sections 221 are pressed and / or pulled onto the receiving base of the receiving 232, but this is also considered disclosed. Preferably, the pressing of the material web sections 221 onto the receiving base is carried out by the segment group 503.

[0043] The in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is a preferred embodiment of the first and / or second enclosing module 200, 300 with the corresponding reference numerals, for example 221, 230, 240, 246, 245, 241, 242, 2411, 2411, 243, 503, or for example the analogous reference numerals of the second enclosing module 300, namely 321, 330, 340, 346, 345, 341, 342, 3411, 3411, 343, 504.

[0044] Fig. Figure 2 shows a conveying device P 330 and a conveying device S 340, as well as means 346 for pulling and / or pushing the material web sections 321 into the receptacles 332 of the conveying device P 330. The conveying device P 330 rotates clockwise and conveys the material web sections 321 to a transfer or pressure point. The conveying device S 340 rotates counterclockwise and conveys the segment group 504 to a transfer or pressure point. The conveying device S 340 has projections 341 with receptacles 342, in particular troughs, in which the article bar segments 520, 521, 522, 523D and / or the segment group 504 are received and / or held. At the transfer point or pressure point, the material web section 321, preferably a glued paper strip, is attached to the segment group 504 and a tacked segment group 504T is formed.The segment group 504 and the material web section 321 are connected to each other by a planar contact area 504K through the intake 332, in particular the trough, of the conveying device P 330. The segment group 504 has a round, preferably circular, cross-section, wherein the planar contact area 504K of the segment group 504 has an angular range of the segment group 504 with respect to the cross-section of 5° to 170°, preferably 10° to 130°, 20° to 100° or from 45° to 75°, and / or wherein the planar contact area 504K of the segment group 504 has an extension along the circumference of the cross-section of the segment group 504 or in the transport direction of the conveying device S 340 of more than 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm or more than 3 mm, or between 1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0045] To achieve a secure and particularly advantageous connection and / or tacking or fastening, a pressure gap dimension 345 is provided which is smaller than the diameter of the article bar segments 520, 521, 522, 523 and / or the segment group 504. This ensures that the tacking process is carried out with advantageous pressure, so that the material web section 321, preferably the glued paper strip, is bonded to the segments, even if the material web sections 321 are particularly thick, rough, smooth, coated and / or hydrophobic.The contact gap 345 for pressing the material web sections 321 against the segment group 504 between the conveying device P 330 and the conveying device S 340, in particular between the mounting base of the conveying device P 330 and the mounting base of the conveying device S 340, is between 7 mm and 7.8 mm, preferably between 7.3 mm and 7.7 mm, or in particular less than 7.6 mm, preferably less than 7.7 mm, and most preferably less than 7.5 mm. The diameters of article bar segments 520, 521, 522, 523 and / or a segment group 504 are, for example, 7.9 mm. By applying pressure of a few tenths of a millimeter, the material web section 321 adheres advantageously to the segment group 504, so that the conveying device S 340 can convey the tacked segment group 504T without the material web section 321 shifting, detaching and / or otherwise being mispositioned.Overpressure is advantageously implemented by a pressure gap dimension which is 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm or 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1.0 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm or 1.5 mm or at least 1.5 mm smaller than the diameter of the segment group 504.

[0046] Adjacent to the conveying device S 340 and downstream of the conveying device P 330 in the conveying direction, a compression device 348 and / or a pre-folding star 348 can preferably be arranged. The contact gap dimension between the compression device and the conveying device S 340 can be designed analogously to the previously described contact gap dimension 345, so that over-pressing occurs during the tacking process and / or during the interaction of the compression device 348 and the receiving of the conveying device S 340.

[0047] The conveying device S 340 has protrusions 341 with radially outwardly arranged receptacles 342. These protrusions have a leading lateral boundary 3411 and a trailing lateral boundary 3412. Since a planar contact area is created during the pressing and / or tacking process, a portion of the material web section 321 of the tacking segment group 504T is bent and requires clearance so that this portion of the material web section 321 does not touch and contaminate the outer surface of the conveying device S 340. Therefore, the protrusions have a height to form a clearance for this portion of the material web section 321. The radially outwardly extending protrusions 341, on which a receptacle 342 for the segment group 504 is arranged, have a height of at least 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, or from 5 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 10 mm to 25 mm.The height of the projections 341 is adapted to the diameter of the article bar segments and the segment group 504. Spacers 343 are preferably arranged on the trailing lateral boundary of the projection 341 to prevent the material web sections 321, in particular the glued paper strips, from adhering and to reduce contamination. The spacers 343 are preferably designed as radially outwardly extending grooves or ribs arranged side by side in the direction of the axis of rotation of the conveying device S 340. Preferably, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, or 25 grooves or ribs are arranged in the direction of the axis of rotation.In another embodiment, other spacers may also be provided, which preferably form a support surface or support line in sections, which is designed such that, regardless of the length of the material web section 321, a support line or support surface is always provided for the trailing end of the material web section 321.

[0048] Preferably, the tack device 380 has only one conveying device S 340 for the segment group 504. Preferably, the tack device 380 is configured to advance the material web section 321 by a maximum of 180° around the segment group 504 and / or the tacked segment group 504T. In particular, the tack device 380 has no roller device, especially no roller hand and / or roller belt and / or roller cam.

[0049] Fig. Figures 3 to 6 show different embodiments of attaching the material web section 321 to the segment group 504 to form a tacked segment group 504T. The receptacle 332, in particular a trough, of the conveying device P 330 is shown, wherein the material web section 321 can be arranged on the bottom of the trough, for example positioned by means 346, or not on the bottom of the trough, as in Fig. 4 shown. The one in the Fig. The circle shown in 3 to 6 represents the cross-section of segment group 504, to which the material web section 321 is attached, stapled and / or glued, so that the stapled segment group 504T is created.

[0050] Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an offset between the receiving 332 of the conveying device P 330 and the receiving 342, in particular the trough, of the conveying device S 340. The receiving 332, in particular the trough, has a leading flank and a lagging flank. Due to the offset of the receiving 332 and 342, a pressure area 347 is created where the material web section 321 is pressed particularly strongly against the segment group 504. According to Fig. 3 is this pressure area 347 on the trailing flank of the recording 332 and according to Fig. 4 is this pressure area 347 on the leading flank of the receptacle 332. In the embodiment according to Fig. In 5, the pressure gap dimension 345 is smaller than the diameter of the cross-section of the segment group 504, so that the pressure area 347 is created at the receiving base. Another embodiment is described in Fig. Figure 6 shows an asymmetrically designed receptacle 332, in particular a recess, such that the pressure area 347 is formed by a protrusion in the receptacle 332 or by the geometry of the receptacle. The pressure area 347 in the asymmetrically designed receptacle can be located centrally, on a leading flank, and / or on a trailing flank. In preferred embodiments, several pressure areas 347 are thus present in one receptacle, in particular a recess. The embodiments of Fig. 3 to 6 and the described variations can also be combined with each other, so that, for example, the conveyor device P 330 has an asymmetrical intake made of Fig. 6 and the receptacles 332 are offset from the receptacles of the conveying device S 340. All other combinations, including multiple combinations, are also possible and disclosed as possible embodiments.

[0051] The stacked segment group 504T is transferred from the conveying device S 340 to the rolling drum 350. A discharge device 352 is arranged on the rolling drum 350, preferably directly after or adjacent to the transfer point from the conveying device S 340. The discharge device 352 is preferably arranged upstream of the rolling device 351, in particular a rolling hand 351 and / or a rolling cam 351. The discharge device 352 is preferably designed as a blow-off device and has a collection container 353 for receiving the discharged, in particular blown-out, stacked segment groups 504T. Such a discharge device is particularly advantageous because, when using thicker material web sections 321, the wrapping with double-layered material web sections 321, especially at the splice points of the material webs, leads to defects during the rolling process.The tacked segment groups 504T with double-layered material web sections 321 are to be diverted before the rolling device. On the rolling drum 350, the tacked segment group 504T is wrapped by the rolling device 351, so that the segment group 505 or 503U is formed. Preferably, the machine 1 and / or arrangement 600 and / or tack device 280, 380 has a control unit 10 which is connected to a material web supply device 210 and / or 310, in particular to a control unit of a splicing device, in order to detect or track a splice in a material web 211, 311 in order to divert the tacked segment group 503T and / or 504T, which has at least a part of the splice, by means of the diverting device 252, 352.Preferably, the arrangement 600 has a splicing device configured to connect an outgoing material web 211, 311 with a new material web 211N, 311N at an overlap area of ​​the two material webs 211, 211N, 311, 311N, and the arrangement has a control unit 10 which controls the ejection device such that the clocked segment group 503T, 504T is ejected, which has at least a part of the overlap area. The arrangement 600 preferably comprises a sensor unit 11, preferably an optical sensor unit, which detects defective clocked segment groups 503T, 504T, in particular clocked segment groups 503T, 504T that have at least part of the overlap area, and is connected to the rejection device in order to reject the defective clocked segment groups 503T, 504T. The sensor unit 11 can be arranged adjacent to the conveyor device S 240, 340 or adjacent to the roller drum 250, 350.In . Fig. 1 The sensor unit 11 in the second enclosing module 300 is not explicitly shown, but is preferably also present in the second enclosing module 300.

[0052] Since the embodiments of the first and / or second wrapping unit 200, 300 have been described with reference to the reference numerals of the second wrapping device 300, the manufacturing process and the manufacturing apparatus will now be continued from the rolling drum 250 of the first wrapping unit 200.

[0053] After the rolling drum 250, the wrapped segment groups 503U are slowed down on the braking drum 255 and the division is reduced, and they are transported by further drums 255 and 256 to a cutting drum 260 in order to divide the wrapped segment group 503 into two, preferably symmetrical, subgroups 503TG.

[0054] Adjacent to the cutting drum 260 are the circular blade 262 and the grinding wheel 263. The enclosed segment group 503503U is divided into two subgroups 503TG by the circular blade. The cut on the cutting drum 260 can be described as a pressure-loaded cut according to Fig. 14 or as a pressure-relieved cut according to Fig. 13 and Fig. 15. During pressure-relieved cutting, the segment group is held in the recess of the cutting drum 260 by suction air in such a way that the two subgroups 503TG are longitudinally offset by the circular blade 262 during and / or after the cut. This axial offset allows the cut to be carried out very gently, and the subgroups 503TG are not crushed and / or pressed onto the circular blade 262. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, after the segment group 503U is cut into the two subgroups 503TG, a gap SP200 is created between the two subgroups, such that the end faces of the two subgroups 503TG do not contact each other and are spaced apart. Preferably, the gap SP200 is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, or more preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. In particular, the gap SP200 corresponds approximately to the thickness of the circular blade 262, especially the maximum thickness of the part of the circular blade that contacts the end faces of the two subgroups during the cutting process. Fig. Figure 14 shows a further embodiment, namely a pressure-loaded cut. The segment group 503U is conveyed transversely axially on the cutting drum 260 and divided into two subgroups 503TG by the circular blade 262. While the circular blade is engaged with the segment group 503U and / or the end faces of the two subgroups 503TG are in contact, the segment group 503U and the two subgroups 503TG are guided by two lateral guides SF1 and SF2, preferably continuously and / or sectionally, so that no axial displacement of the two subgroups 503TG can occur. The guidance can preferably be effected by a wobble device 261B. As soon as the subgroups are disengaged from the cutting blade 262, the end faces of the subgroups are in contact with each other.Such a cutting process can be advantageous in certain applications, for example, to cut a tobacco-containing segment and / or a segment of loose fibers, thus preventing fibers and / or tobacco particles from detaching from the end faces. The axial position of the subgroups 503TG relative to the axial position of the segment group 503U remains unchanged during this cutting process. A pressure-loaded cut can be particularly advantageous when processing filter rods and / or robust segments.

[0055] Following the cutting drum 260, the material is transported via drums 273, 274, and 276 to the turning and spreading drum 399. Drum 276 is preferably configured as an accelerator drum to accelerate the two subgroups 503TG and / or to change, preferably increase, the pitch. The second wrapping module 300, from the turning and spreading drum 399 to the rolling drum 350, is already described in detail in the upper section of the application, so a detailed description of the second wrapping module 300 is unnecessary here. The first and / or second wrapping module 200, 300 can be configured with or without a feed for article bar segments 522, 522D, 523, 523D. All disclosed embodiments for the first and / or second enclosing module 200, 300 can be implemented as any combination of the first enclosing module 200 and the second enclosing module 300 in the machine 1 or arrangement 600 and are deemed disclosed in this application.In particular, the first and second enclosing modules 200 and 300 are designed differently or essentially the same.

[0056] The rolling drum 350 transfers the enclosed segment group 505 to the drum 370, wherein the segment group 505 is formed from the two subgroups 503TG, a centrally inserted double segment 523D, and the attached material web section 321, the material web section 321 enclosing the segment group 505. The drum 370 is a laser feed drum that transports the segment groups 505 transversely to the laser drums 371, 371'. The laser drums 371, 371' preferably have a rolling cam 372 or 372', respectively, so that the segment group can be perforated over its entire circumference. The laser drums 371, 371' can be designed as different types of laser drums, for example as laser drums according to German patent application 10 2022 134 675.7 and / or 10 2022 134 674.9.

[0057] Downstream, in particular directly downstream, of the laser drum 371, 371' and / or the laser feed drum 370, a drum 364 is arranged, which is configured as a transport drum 364Tr and / or as a wobble drum 364Tm for aligning the segment group 505 for the subsequent cutting drum 360 and / or as a cleaning drum 364R. The embodiments of the cleaning drum 364 are described in the further part of the application.

[0058] After the rolling drum 350 and / or after the drum 364, the wrapped and perforated segment groups 505 are preferably tumbled on the drum 364, 364Tm and / or cleaned on the drum 364, 364R and transported to a cutting drum 360 in order to divide the wrapped segment group 505 into two, preferably symmetrical, subgroups and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 and / or multi-segment articles 530. The tumbling or alignment of the segment group 505 can be carried out by a tumbling device 361 on the cutting drum 360 upstream of the cutting knife 362, either instead of or in addition to the tumbling drum 364Tm.

[0059] Adjacent to the cutting drum 360 are the circular blade 362 and the associated grinding wheel 363. The enclosed segment group 505 is divided by the circular blade 362 into two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531. The cut on the cutting drum 360 can be described as a pressure-loaded cut according to Fig. 14 or as a pressure-relieved cut according to Fig. 13 and Fig. 16. During pressure-relieved cutting, the segment group 505 is held in the recess of the cutting drum 360 by suction air in such a way that the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are longitudinally offset axially by the circular blade 362 during and / or after the cut. This axial offset allows the cut to be carried out very gently, and the subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are not crushed and / or pressed against the circular blade 362. As in Fig. 13 and Fig. As shown in Figure 16, after the segment group 505 is cut into the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531, a gap SP300 is created between the two subgroups, so that the end faces of the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 do not contact each other and are spaced apart.

[0060] Preferably, the gap SP300 is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, or more preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. In particular, the gap SP300 corresponds approximately to the thickness of the circular blade 362, especially the maximum thickness of the part of the circular blade that contacts the end faces of the two subgroups during the cutting process. Fig. Figure 14 shows a further embodiment, namely a pressure-loaded cut. The segment group 505 is conveyed transversely axially on the cutting drum 360 and is cut into two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 by the circular knife 362. While the circular knife is engaged with the segment group 505 and / or the end faces of the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are in contact, the segment group 505 and the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are guided by two lateral guides SF1 and SF2, preferably continuously and / or sectionally, so that no axial displacement of the two subgroups 503TG can occur. In another embodiment, the lateral guidance is provided by a wobble device 361B on the circular knife 362.Once the subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are out of contact with the cutting blade 362, the end faces of the subgroups are in contact with each other. Such a cutting process can be advantageous in certain applications, for example, to cut a tobacco-containing segment and / or a segment of loose fibers, in order to prevent fibers and / or tobacco particles from detaching from the end faces. The axial position of the subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 with respect to the axial position of the segment group 505 remains unchanged during this cutting process. A pressure-loaded cut can be particularly advantageous when processing filter rods and / or robust segments.

[0061] The cut subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are transferred from the cutting drum 360 to the subsequent drums 373, 373R, 374, 374R, 375 and conveyed further. Drum 373 is preferably a transport drum or a cleaning drum 373R. Drum 374 is preferably a cone-spreading drum or a cleaning drum 374R or a combination of both drums, namely a cone-spreading cleaning drum. Drum 375 is preferably a cone-spreading drum or a cleaning drum 374R or a combination of both drums, namely a cone-spreading cleaning drum. The cone-spreading drums axially space the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 for transfer to the inspection / transfer module 400.

[0062] The test transfer module 400 is designed and equipped to test the single-layer article flow and pass it on to the subsequent machine, for example an RTS line designed to transport a multi-layer mass flow on a conveyor belt and / or a packer for packaging rod-shaped articles in a package.

[0063] The test transfer module 400 includes a transfer drum 401, which is preferably designed as a transport drum 401 or as a cleaning drum 401R.

[0064] Downstream of the transfer drum 401 is, for example, a measuring drum 402 for measuring properties of the rod-shaped article, such as subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531. Preferably, an end-face inspection and / or a surface inspection of the article's covering is performed. The test transfer module 400 has a test drum 403, downstream of which are two sensor drums 406 and 407. The sensor drums 406 and 407 are designed and configured to perform at least one of the following measurement tasks: end-face inspection, a surface inspection of the article's covering or multi-segment smoking article, completeness check, and / or missing segment check.

[0065] The test drum 403 is shown schematically in a side view in Fig. Figure 17 shows that rod-shaped articles, in particular multi-segment smoking articles (531, 530), are transferred to the inspection drum 403 at a transfer point 4013 and placed into the receiving troughs 4012. The inspection drum 403 rotates in the direction of rotation and conveying direction 4015. Preferably, the inspection drum 403 has three inspection stations 4016, 4018, 4017. After inspection of the rod-shaped article, in particular a multi-segment article 530 or multi-segment smoking article 531, the rod-shaped articles are transferred to the subsequent drum 406 at the discharge point 4014. If a rod-shaped article does not meet the inspection specifications, it is subsequently rejected. The test drum 403 has a division 4019, which is preferably 4pi, 6pi, 8pi or 10pi (millimeters) or an integer multiple of the number pi (millimeters).The first test station 4016, located between the third test station 4018 and the second test station 4017, measures the ventilation rate of the rod-shaped articles. The third test station 4018, positioned downstream of the first test station 4016 in the conveying direction 4015, measures the tightness of the rod-shaped articles. The second test station 4017, located upstream of both test stations 4016 and 4018, measures the tensile resistance of the rod-shaped articles. At very high conveying speeds of the test drum, and thus with limited time in the respective test stations, it is necessary to build up a corresponding pressure, for example, an overpressure, within the rod-shaped article within a short time window.The quality of the measurement of the ventilation degree and also the tightness degree is significantly improved if, for example, a corresponding pressure is applied to the ends or one end of the cigarettes beforehand, for example in the second test station 4017. This pressure can be applied within a division 4019 or within a distance from one receiving recess to the next receiving recess 4012, but also within several divisions 4019, preferably at least or exactly 2, 3, or 4. Preferably, the second test station 4017 extends over several receiving recesses 4012, in particular over at least 2, 3, or 4.Particularly with rod-shaped articles 531, 530, which have perforations and especially paper segments and / or thick wrapping paper, dust particles are blown out of the perforation openings or holes at the test stations, so that these dust particles can contaminate the test drum and / or the subsequent device components, especially the sensor and test devices. Advantageously, an extraction system 4020 is provided, which is preferably designed as an extraction hood and extends over the area above the test stations. The extraction device 4020 has at least one extraction area 4021, 2042, 4023 to extract the dust particles. In another embodiment, the drum 403 can be designed as a cleaning drum 403R only, and the test stations are not present in such an embodiment. A test drum 403 with a cleaning function is also understood to be a cleaning drum.A cleaning drum 403R, 364R, 373R, 374R, 375R has a corresponding device to blow out the dust from the interior of the rod-shaped article, in particular through the perforation openings, and to vacuum up the dust.

[0066] Fig. Figure 18 shows a cross-section of a cleaning (403R, 364R, 373R, 374R, 375R) and / or testing drum 403 with a suction unit 4020. The rod-shaped articles 530, 531 arranged in the receiving recesses 4012 are pressurized with compressed air at their ends, thus cleaning the rod-shaped articles. The escaping particle dust is extracted by the suction unit 4020. The suction unit 4020 can be connected to a negative pressure source via at least one extraction area 4021, 4022, 4023. Preferably, the suction unit 4020 is designed such that it can draw in lateral air to generate an extraction airflow. Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 show the in Fig. Figure 18 shows the device from two other perspectives, with certain details omitted for clarity, such as the extraction system of the first row A 4051 in Fig. 19. Preferably, the suction is arranged locally adjacent to the perforations of the article to be cleaned and / or tested. Preferably, the suction is segmented. Preferably, the cleaning and / or testing drum is designed with two lanes. Preferably, the cleaning and / or testing drum is designed with two rows of adjacent receptacles, in particular troughs, for receiving and testing and / or cleaning the rod-shaped articles, namely a first row A 4051 and a second row B 4052. Preferably, each row has its own suction 4024. Preferably, the first row A 4051 and / or the second row B 4052 have a suction 4020. Preferably, the suction of the first row A 4051 and the suction of the second row B 4052 are designed separately from each other.

[0067] Another device for preventing contamination is the AFB collection container, wherein the AFB collection container S, preferably adjacent to a cutting drum and / or wherein the collection container AFB T , preferably arranged adjacent to a drum, in particular a drum directly downstream of the cutting drum. In Fig. 21 is an excerpt from Fig. Figure 1 shows the feed modules 120, 130 with the collection containers AFB. T and ABF S This shows that these collection containers are arranged adjacent to drums 122 and 124. Such collection containers can also be arranged in the feed module 130 or in the feed modules of the wrapping units 200 and 300, but are shown in Fig. 21 not explicitly shown. Fig. Figure 22 shows an example of a drum 122, 124, wherein a collection container AFB, AFB is located adjacent to the drum 122, 124. T , AFB SThe collection container AFB is designed as a tray open on one side with the opening OE_AFB facing the outer surface of the drum 122, 124. The drum has recesses, in particular troughs, for receiving rod-shaped articles. The opening of the collection tray is arranged within an angular range α. AFBThe opening angle in this illustration is 80°. Such an extended opening allows for the collection of corresponding article rod segments or particles. The distance A_AFB between drums 122, 124 and collection container AFB is the minimum distance between the drum and the collection container, which in this embodiment is approximately 4 cm. This distance allows article rod segments and particles to be collected by the container without missing the opening due to a long trajectory. The collection container is preferably designed as a pull-out drawer for emptying the collected article rod segments and particles or for cleaning. Preferably, the collection container has a suction system for emptying or cleaning.

[0068] The test and transfer module 400 has a discharge drum 408 that conveys the multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 transversely axially, wherein a removal drum 409 is arranged adjacent to the discharge drum 408, designed and configured to remove and discharge individual multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531. The transfer and test module 400 has a loading drum 410 to convert the two-lane, single-layer conveying stream of multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 into a single-lane, single-layer conveying stream of multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 by means of a reorientation drum 411, preferably designed as a cone turner or other tip-turning drum. In this process, the division of the intakes and / or conveyed multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 is halved.For example, if the discharge drum 408 has a pitch (trough spacing) of 8π, the pitch of the insertion drum 410 is, for example, 4π. To ensure gentle upward transport of the multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531, the test transfer module 400 includes transport drums 412 to 418. The transfer discharge drum 420 transforms the single-layer flow of multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 into a multi-layer flow and transports it to the downstream machine or storage unit. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2018 113 891 A1 [0027, 0029] DE 10 2020 111 946 A1

[0031] US 3,849,526

[0036] DE 102019006932

[0038] DE 10 2022 134 675.7

[0056] DE 10 2022 134 674.9

[0056]

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