DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCEING A STRING OF TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY, ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES AND USE OF THE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, comprising a rod-making machine with a rod-content supply unit and a rod-forming unit arranged downstream of the rod-content supply unit, wherein the rod-content supply unit is configured to provide a material rod made of a tobacco material, and wherein the rod-forming unit is configured to wrap the material rod that can be provided by the rod-content supply unit in a format unit with a wrapping strip. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry using such a device. Finally, the invention relates to a rod-shaped article produced from a rod in the tobacco processing industry and the use of said device for carrying out said method.

[0002] Rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry are well known. These include, for example, cigarettes, cigars, or generally tobacco sticks, filters, or filter segments. In addition to these classic rod-shaped articles, articles that have a rod-shaped shape but do not require a combustion process during consumption should also be considered rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry. An example of such rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry are so-called HnB articles (heat-not-burn articles). These are a product of the tobacco processing industry that is heated but not burned during consumption. When an HnB article is consumed, vapor is generated by the transfer of heat, for example from an electrically operated heat source, to an aerosol-forming substrate present in the HnB article.This vapor is intended for consumption and contains flavorings and other ingredients. A tobacco-containing substance is often used as the aerosol-forming substrate, but unlike conventional smoking products, it is not burned. In many cases, a film made of reconstituted tobacco material (recon film) is used as the tobacco-containing substance.

[0003] Classic rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or tobacco rods in general, are sometimes provided with additional flavor-forming substances. Flavor-forming additives include, for example, flavored threads or strips that are integrated into the tobacco rod. GB 2 260 887 A discloses a method and device in which the tobacco material fed to the suction rod conveyor is provided with an additive. The additive can be introduced in the form of a continuous or discontinuous element. It is also provided to spray the additive on. The additional element can be essentially rigid or inflexible, for example in the form of a rod, tube, or cylinder. DE 36 02 846 A1 discloses a smokable article, for example a cigarette, which comprises a core element and a wrapping material.During the manufacture of the cigarette from an axial core element of filler material and a casing of smoking material, a web of outer wrapping material, a stream of smoking material, and a preformed rod forming the core element are fed into the format of a cigarette manufacturing machine. The rod forming the core element is manufactured in another rod manufacturing machine. EP 2 219 481 A1 discloses a filter for a rod-shaped article in the tobacco processing industry. A wrapping paper of the filter plug is attached to the periphery of the filter material with an adhesive, wherein the adhesive contains a flavoring agent. WO 2020 / 211294 A1 discloses an article in the tobacco processing industry comprising a folded web of a flavored material. A thread of paper-based gel is inserted into this web.

[0004] DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 discloses a device and a method for producing a rod from reconstituted tobacco material. The device comprises a separating device with which a flat web of reconstituted tobacco material is separated into a plurality of strips. For this purpose, the separating device has a first roller and a second roller cooperating with the first roller, the lateral surfaces of the rollers having grooves and elevations that alternate in the axial direction and are closed in the circumferential direction. In an active region, the elevations of the first roller engage in the grooves of the second roller, and the elevations of the second roller engage in the grooves of the first roller. The separating device configured in this way is designed to separate directly adjacent strips from one another along a predetermined separating line in the active region by overstretching the flat web transversely to the separating line to such an extent that it tears apart along the separating line.The device further comprises a strand forming unit configured to form a strand of reconstituted tobacco material from the plurality of strips.

[0005] DE 10 2019 125 295 A1 discloses another device and method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry. The device comprises a separating device configured to separate a flat web into a plurality of strips.

[0006] This is done with a first roller and a second roller which interacts with the first roller and whose lateral surfaces have alternating circumferential grooves and elevations. The flat web is separated into separate strips. A first width of a first elevation of the first or second roller and a first associated width of a first groove of the second or first roller which interacts with this first elevation are greater or smaller than a width of a second elevation of the first or second roller and a second associated width of a second groove of the second or first roller which interacts with the second elevation. Thus, with the separating device known from this document, a plurality of strips of different widths can be provided for processing in a strand in the tobacco processing industry.

[0007] From WO 2006 / 014995 A2, another device and a method for producing a rod for the tobacco processing industry are known.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry as well as a rod-shaped article and the use of a device, wherein an improved and more flexible possibility is to be created for integrating additives into the tobacco rod.

[0009] The object is achieved by the devices or a method having the features of independent claims 1, 3, 13 and 15.

[0010] Advantageously, the device makes it possible to easily and flexibly vary the amount of strip material added to the tobacco material. The strip material is obtained by cutting the flat web lengthwise. The flat web can be made of any material, but according to the invention it is a flavored material. For example, the flat web can be paper-like or made of a tobacco material. The material of the flat web can be mixed with one or more flavors, ingredients and / or active ingredients, so that by adding more or less mass in the form of the flat web to the material strand, the flavor of the rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry produced from the material strand can be adjusted. The mass of the supplied strip material can be easily varied across the width of the flat web fed from the supply device to the separating device.A narrower flat strip means less strip material, while a wider flat strip means more material is added to the tobacco rods in the form of strips. Another possible variation is the width of the individual strips. Narrow strips have a high surface-to-volume ratio. Accordingly, ingredients and active substances, such as flavors, will evaporate quickly from these strips when heated and pass into the consumable airstream. Wider strips, on the other hand, have a smaller and, in this sense, less favorable surface-to-volume ratio; the transfer of flavors and active ingredients will occur more slowly in this case. Variations can be easily implemented depending on the desired property profile of the rod-shaped products produced.

[0011] Furthermore, the device according to the invention advantageously allows for off-center positioning of the strips. With conventional articles from the tobacco processing industry, the positioning (viewed in the cross-section of the tobacco rod) of, for example, flavor-enriched threads or the like in the tobacco rod is uncritical. This is not necessarily the case with HnB articles. While classic articles from the tobacco processing industry burn or smolder during consumption and, as a result of the heat development, the aroma and ingredients are transferred into the smoke stream intended for consumption, HnB articles are heated, for example, by an electrically operated heating element and not burned. In the case of HnB articles, the heat is sometimes introduced into the tobacco rod of the rod-shaped article from the outside, i.e. via the outer surface of the article.In other cases, the heat is introduced by a heating element inserted centrally into the tobacco rod. In both cases, it is advantageous if the strips, which are made, for example, from a flat part flavored with aroma substances, are not located centrally and thus off-center in the tobacco rod. If the heat used to heat the tobacco rod material is coupled via the outer surface, strips arranged centrally in the tobacco rod are only heated quite late in the consumption period and therefore only release their active ingredients and ingredients towards the end of the period in which consumption takes place. If, on the other hand, the strips are arranged closer to the outer surface, they are heated earlier during the consumption period and therefore also release their active ingredients and ingredients earlier.If the tobacco rod material is heated by a centrally inserted heating element, stripes located centrally within the tobacco rod could hinder this process and potentially damage the heating element. Therefore, for such a device, it is also advantageous if the strips are positioned closer to the periphery (again, viewed in the cross-section of the tobacco rod).

[0012] Furthermore, the device can be converted from a conventional device, in which no strips cut from a flat sheet are inserted into the tobacco rod, without major modifications. In other words, a conventional machine can be converted into the device according to the invention with only minor modifications.

[0013] In addition to a paper-like or other material, the flat sheet can also be reconstituted tobacco material (recon). The reconstituted tobacco material can, in particular, be flavored tobacco material. It can also, if necessary, additionally be tobacco material containing additional active ingredients. The reconstituted tobacco material can be produced using either the paper process or the slurry process. A flat piece, which is not necessarily reconstituted tobacco material, is generally suitable as a flat sheet. This flat piece is provided with flavorings and / or active ingredients.

[0014] According to the invention, the rod content supply unit comprises a suction belt onto which tobacco material can be spread, so that a material rod of spread tobacco material can be provided by the rod content supply unit. The feed device is arranged such that the strips can be fed to the tobacco material in a region of the rod machine that extends from the suction belt, enclosing the suction belt, to the formatting unit, enclosing the formatting unit.

[0015] The tobacco material is, for example, fine-cut tobacco, which is made in particular from tobacco leaves. However, the tobacco material can also be small tobacco pieces, in particular those made from reconstituted tobacco material. Advantageously, according to the aforementioned embodiment, it is possible to flexibly integrate the strips cut from the flat sheet into a tobacco rod made from such a tobacco material.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the device is further developed in that the strips can be fed to the tobacco material to be poured into a filling area of ​​the suction belt of the rod content supply unit. By feeding the strips to the poured tobacco material in the filling area of ​​the suction belt, it is ensured that a minimal amount of tobacco material is present between the suction belt and the strips. This results in the strips not being placed directly on the outer surface (lateral surface) of the rod-shaped article.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the device is further developed in that the strips can be fed to the pourable tobacco material at a position within the filling area, said position being at a predetermined distance from an upstream beginning of the filling area.

[0018] By varying the position at which the strips are fed to the fluffed tobacco material, the distance of the strips from an outer surface of the rod-shaped article can be adjusted. If this position is selected so that a larger amount of fluffed tobacco material has already accumulated on the suction belt and the strips are only fed into the process at this position, the strips are positioned further towards the center of the rod-shaped article. If, on the other hand, the position is selected upstream of the previously described position, a smaller amount of fluffable tobacco material has already accumulated on the suction belt and the strips are positioned further towards the periphery, i.e. closer to the outer surface, within the rod-shaped article.

[0019] According to the two aforementioned embodiments, the strips of the device are fed into the rod content supply unit in the discharge area of ​​the suction belt. The tobacco material, which preferably consists of small pieces, can not only be showered onto a suction belt, but can also be provided in the form of longitudinal tobacco material strips, with the rod forming process in the rod forming unit remaining identical.

[0020] Thus, the invention further provides that the rod content provision unit comprises a separating device configured to separate a flat sheet of tobacco material into a plurality of longitudinal strips. The separation of the longitudinal strips occurs at least in sections, meaning that the individual longitudinal strips can be connected to one another at regular or irregular intervals by transverse webs. The rod content provision unit is configured to provide a material rod composed of longitudinal strips of tobacco material.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the tobacco material of the produced rod is provided from a flat tobacco material web, which is separated into longitudinal strips. The flat tobacco material web can preferably be reconstituted tobacco material, which is produced, for example, by the paper process or the slurry process.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment not falling within the scope of the claims, a rod content provision unit is provided which does not comprise a separating device and comprises a crimping or gathering device for providing a material rod from a flat tobacco material web. This means that the flat tobacco material web is continuously gathered along its width, creating a crimped or gathered sheet-like structure which forms the material rod instead of the previously described longitudinal strips of tobacco material.

[0023] For all previously described embodiments, the strips can additionally or alternatively be fed into the device of the tobacco processing industry in the region of the formatting unit. Accordingly, in a further advantageous embodiment, the device is further developed in such a way that the strips can be fed into the material strand that can be provided by the strand content supply unit in the region of the formatting unit.

[0024] In the area of ​​the formatting unit, the finished, shredded and trimmed material strand or the material strand made up of longitudinal strips of tobacco material is already present, which then undergoes the strand forming process in the formatting unit. If, for example, it is assumed that the suction belt is located above the strand, i.e. the strand is shredded from below onto the suction belt and formed in this way, the strips which, as previously explained, are fed to the tobacco material in the area of ​​the suction belt of the strand content supply unit, are located in an upper area of ​​the tobacco rod. By additionally or alternatively feeding strips in the area of ​​the formatting unit, these can be added to the lower area of ​​the tobacco rod. This arrangement of the strips is achieved by feeding the strips together with the wrapping material, preferably wrapping paper, to the formatting unit.Depending on the desired end product, one or the other option, or both, can be selected. Strips can be fed in the suction belt area or in the formatting unit area. Another reason for choosing one or the other option may be which of the two options can be integrated most easily into an existing device. This naturally also applies to designs in which a material strand is provided from longitudinal strips of tobacco material.

[0025] The device, according to which the feed device is arranged such that the strips can be fed into the material strand provided by the strand content provision unit in the region of the formatting unit, can advantageously be further developed in that the formatting unit comprises a paper threader for feeding the wrapping strip, wherein the paper threader is further designed as a feed device for feeding the strips into the material strand. By additionally designing the paper threader as a feed device for feeding the strips, an existing device can be converted particularly easily and quickly, namely by simply replacing the paper threader.

[0026] The device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, which has a rod content provision unit which comprises a tobacco material flat web separating device which is designed to separate a tobacco material flat web into a plurality of tobacco material longitudinal strips, so that a material rod made of tobacco material longitudinal strips can be provided by the rod content provision unit, is developed in particular as follows: The feed device comprises a strip feed device which is designed to add a plurality of strips to the material rod made of tobacco material longitudinal strips.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, this feed device is further developed such that the strip feed device is an inlet hopper, which is configured and arranged to feed the plurality of strips to the material strand in a central region, viewed in cross-section. Advantageously, such an embodiment further provides, in particular, that the feed device is arranged such that the strips can be fed to the material strand, which can be provided by the strand content provision unit, in the region of the formatting unit.

[0028] According to a further and alternative embodiment, it is further provided that the strip feed device comprises a plurality of guide channels in which bundles of strips, each comprising a subset of the plurality of strips, can be guided.

[0029] While the inlet hopper preferably adds the strips to the material strand centrally in a compact bundle that encompasses all the strips, a strip feed device with a plurality of guide channels allows the multitude of strips to be distributed across the cross-section of the material strand. The device can advantageously be flexibly adapted to the type of desired product.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the strip feed device with a plurality of guide channels is further developed in such a way that it is designed as a guide ring. Such a guide ring comprises guide channels arranged, in particular, evenly distributed along its circumference and is designed and arranged to feed the strip bundles to the material strand in a peripheral region, viewed in cross-section, in particular evenly distributed along a circumference of the material flow.

[0031] As mentioned previously, the strips contain flavorings and / or additives. Furthermore, the strips may contain tobacco material, although this is not strictly necessary. For example, the strips contain flavored RECON material.

[0032] If the device is used to produce a strand used to manufacture HnB articles, it may be desirable and advantageous to arrange these strips provided with flavorings and / or additives either centrally or peripherally within the HnB article. If the HnB article is heated, for example, via a central heating element or heating blade, it may be desirable to arrange the flavored strips, for example, more toward the periphery of the HnB article. If, on the other hand, the HnB article is heated from its outside, it may be desirable to arrange the flavored strips, for example, centrally within the HnB article. Advantageously, the device according to the aforementioned embodiments allows flexible adaptation of the device to the desired variant of the product produced therewith.In addition to the aforementioned targeted positioning of the strips in the material strand, it may also be desirable to arrange the strips in the material strand, viewed in the cross-section of the material strand, in a distributed manner, in particular evenly distributed. This goal can be achieved with the aid of an embodiment of the device which is developed as follows: The strip feed device is a distribution block with guide channels arranged next to one another, in particular with guide channels arranged along a line, furthermore in particular along a straight line. The distribution block is designed and arranged to feed the bundles of strips, which in turn are guided through the guide channels, to the material strand in a fanned-out state. The bundles of strips are fed to the material strand in particular in an area upstream of the format unit.In this area, for example, in the area of ​​a funnel-shaped guide plate, which in the context of this description is also referred to as an underpass, the strips of the material strand are fanned out, i.e., not spatially compacted. The spatial compaction into a strand and the actual strand formation occurs further downstream. The bundles of strips, together with the strips of the material strand, travel a certain transport distance on the underpass and are evenly distributed within the material strand during this transport.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the separating device is configured to separate the plurality of strips into a first group and a second group. Furthermore, the device is further developed in that the separating device comprises a first and a second separating unit, wherein the first separating unit is configured to separate the flat web into a first partial flat web and a second partial flat web, and the second separating unit is configured to separate the first partial flat web into the first group of strips and the second partial flat web into the second group of strips.

[0034] The first and second groups of strips can, for example, be fed to the first and second strands of a double-strand machine, respectively. Alternatively, the first group of strips can be fed to the device near the suction belt, and the second group of strips near the formatting unit. By doubling the separating device, this is also possible with a double-strand machine.

[0035] According to further embodiments, the device is further developed in that the strand machine is a double strand machine and the feed device comprises a first and a second feed unit and the first feed unit is configured to feed the first group of strips to the first strand of the double strand machine and the second feed unit is configured to feed the second group of strips to the second strand of the double strand machine.

[0036] Alternatively, the device is further developed in that the feed device comprises a first feed unit and a second feed unit, wherein the first feed unit is arranged such that the strips of the first group can be fed to the tobacco material that can be poured in the filling area of ​​the suction belt of the strand content provision unit and the second feed unit is arranged such that the strips of the second group can be fed to the material strand that can be provided by the strand content provision unit in the area of ​​the format unit.

[0037] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the device is configured such that the rod content supply unit is configured to feed a flat sheet of tobacco material to the separating device, wherein the separating device is configured to separate the flat sheet, which is made of a material provided with flavoring, active ingredients, and / or other ingredients, together with the flat sheet of tobacco material into a plurality of strips and longitudinal strips of tobacco material, in particular simultaneously or in a common work step. The separating device advantageously also functions as a feed device because, during cutting or separating, it adds the produced plurality of strips to the material rod of longitudinal strips of tobacco material. The separating device therefore advantageously has a dual function.

[0038] The device is further developed in that the separating device is configured to intermittently separate the flat web into a plurality of strips. This means that the separating device is designed and configured such that it can at least temporarily interrupt the separating process performed on the flat web, and in this sense, performs an intermittent separation of the flat web into a plurality of strips.

[0039] If the separating device is, for example, a device as disclosed in DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 of the same applicant, the features described in this reference document in connection with the Figuren 1 and 2described rollers of the separating device can be moved apart, for example temporarily, i.e. briefly, to achieve intermittent operation. In other words, the rollers can be temporarily separated from one another in such a way that they are no longer in engagement with one another. By increasing the gap between the two rollers in this way, the flat web is no longer separated, or not completely separated, into longitudinal strips. This creates a connecting region which, in the context of the present description, will also be referred to as intermittent operation. This process makes it possible to provide a material strand in which at least two, in particular all, strips of the material strand are connected to one another in a connecting region which is spatially limited along its longitudinal direction and which was described above.

[0040] Such intermittent operation can be provided at regular intervals. Alternatively, the intermittent operation can be provided or carried out in an event-driven manner, in particular in a controlled or regulated manner. In the latter case, the device according to one embodiment is further developed as follows.

[0041] The device comprises, in particular, a strip break sensor arranged downstream of the separating device and / or a splice detection sensor arranged upstream of the separating device. This or these two sensors is / are coupled to a control unit. This control unit is configured to control the separating device in such a way that the separation of the flat web is intermittent upon detection of a strip break by the strip break sensor and / or upon detection of a splice point by the splice detection sensor.

[0042] The separation of the flat web creates a multitude of longitudinal strips, which, for example, if RECON material is used as the flat web, are relatively sensitive to tensile forces. It can happen that a single strip tears off directly during the separation of the flat web. To avoid losing this strip for subsequent process steps, it is desirable to recycle the torn strip back into the production process. This is achieved by providing an intermittent connection in which, in particular, all strips of the flat web are connected to one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the flat web, so that the strip lost during the process is returned to the process.

[0043] A splice, i.e., a connection point where an outgoing flat web is joined to a newly added flat web, often has twice the material thickness. It may be desirable not to split the flat web into longitudinal strips in such an area, as products manufactured from a single strand of longitudinal strips of this type may not exhibit the desired properties. This allows for intermittent stripping in the splice area.

[0044] In both cases, the products manufactured from these areas of the material strand can be removed from the process at a later stage of the manufacturing process.

[0045] The object is further achieved by a method for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry according to claim 15.

[0046] The process for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry offers the same or similar advantages as those previously mentioned with regard to the equipment used in the tobacco processing industry. A flexible process can be specified that is particularly suitable for the production of HnB articles.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment, the method is further developed in that the rod content provision unit comprises a suction belt onto which tobacco material is showered, so that a material strand of showered tobacco material is provided by the rod content provision unit, and wherein the feed device is arranged such that the strips can be fed to the tobacco material in a region of the rod machine which extends from and including the suction belt up to and including the format unit.

[0048] The method is preferably further developed in that the strips are fed to the showered tobacco material in a filling area of ​​the suction belt of the strand content supply unit.

[0049] The method is advantageously further developed in that the rod content provision unit comprises a separating device that separates a flat tobacco material web into a plurality of longitudinal tobacco material strips. Again, the separating device can produce longitudinal tobacco material strips that are connected to one another at regular or irregular longitudinal intervals by transverse webs. The rod content provision unit provides a material rod composed of longitudinal tobacco material strips.

[0050] Alternatively, the method is further developed in that the strips are fed to the material strand provided by the strand content supply unit in the region of the format unit.

[0051] This method is particularly developed in that the format unit comprises a paper threader for feeding the wrapping strip, wherein the paper threader is further designed as a feed device for feeding the strips into the material strand and the strips are fed to the material strand together with the wrapping strip.

[0052] Advantageously, the method is further developed in that the feed device comprises a strip feed device, wherein the plurality of strips are added to the material strand of tobacco material in the form of longitudinal strips using the strip feed device.

[0053] According to an advantageous development of this method, the strip feed device is an inlet hopper that feeds the plurality of strips to the material strand in a central region, viewed in cross-section. In connection with this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the strips are fed to the material strand provided by the strand content supply unit in the region of the formatting unit.

[0054] According to an advantageous development of this method, the strip feed device is an inlet hopper that feeds the plurality of strips to the material strand in a central region, viewed in cross-section. In connection with this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the strips are fed to the material strand provided by the strand content supply unit in the region of the formatting unit.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the strip feed device comprises a plurality of guide channels, wherein bundles of strips, each comprising a subset of the plurality of strips, are guided through the guide channels and fed to the material strand.

[0056] Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the strip bundle guide device is a guide ring with guide channels arranged along its circumference, in particular evenly distributed. The strip bundles are fed to the material strand, viewed in cross-section, in a peripheral region, in particular evenly distributed along a circumference of the material strand. Again, it is advantageous in this context if the strips are fed to the provided material strand in the region of the formatting unit.

[0057] Furthermore, the method is particularly developed in that the strip feed device is a distribution block with guide channels arranged next to one another, wherein the strip bundles are fed through the guide channels to the material strand in a fanned-out state.

[0058] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method is further developed in that the separating device separates the plurality of strips into a first group and a second group.

[0059] This method is further developed in particular in that the separating device comprises a first and a second separating unit, wherein the first separating unit separates the flat web into a first partial flat web and a second partial flat web and the second separating unit separates the first partial flat web into the first group of strips and the second partial flat web into the second group of strips.

[0060] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method is characterized in that the strand machine is a double strand machine and the feed device comprises a first and a second feed unit and the first feed unit feeds the first group of strips to the first strand of the double strand machine and the second supply unit feeds the second group of strips to the second strand of the double strand machine.

[0061] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method is further developed in that the feed device comprises a first feed unit and a second feed unit, wherein the first feed unit feeds strips of the first group to the showered tobacco material in the filling area of ​​the suction belt of the strand content provision unit and the second feed unit feeds strips of the second group to the material strand provided by the strand content provision unit in the area of ​​the format unit.

[0062] The method is particularly further developed in that the strand content supply unit feeds a flat web of tobacco material to the separating device, wherein the separating device separates the flat web, in particular simultaneously, in a common working step with the flat web of tobacco material into a plurality of strips and longitudinal strips of tobacco material, so that the separating device also acts as a feed device and adds the plurality of strips to the material strand of longitudinal strips of tobacco material.

[0063] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method is further developed in that the separating device intermittently separates the flat web into a plurality of strips, thereby providing a material strand in which at least two, in particular all, strips of the material strand are connected to one another in a connecting region spatially limited along a longitudinal direction of the material strand. As already mentioned above in the context of the device according to aspects of the invention, for producing a connecting region, the separating device, in particular if it is designed as disclosed in DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 of the same applicant, can be implemented by the Figuren 1 and 2 explained rollers are separated from each other at least briefly.

[0064] According to an advantageous development of the method, it is further provided that a strip tear sensor is arranged downstream of the separating device and / or a splice detection sensor is arranged upstream of the separating device. The sensor(s) is / are connected to and communicates with a control unit. The control unit controls the separating device such that upon detection of a strip tear by the strip tear sensor and / or upon detection of a splice by the splice detection sensor, the separation of the flat web is intermittent.

[0065] The same or similar advantages and developments as mentioned with regard to the device also apply to the method in the same or similar way, so that repetition is to be avoided.

[0066] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are defined in the claims.

[0067] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, whereby express reference is made to the drawings for all details of the invention not explained in more detail in the text. They show: Fig. 1 shows a PROTOS type cigarette rod machine as an exemplary device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, illustrating two possible options for the arrangement of a feed device, Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in which tobacco material is provided and processed in the form of a flat tobacco material web, Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of another device for producing a rod, in which tobacco material is provided and processed in the form of a flat tobacco material web, wherein the separating device is designed to separate the flat web together with the flat tobacco material web into a plurality of strips and longitudinal strips of tobacco material, Fig.5 shows a schematic plan view of a flat web which is separated into a plurality of strips and combined to form two strands of strips. Figs. 6 and 7 show schematically simplified cross-sectional views of exemplary rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry, illustrating the arrangement of the strips present in the strand. Fig. 8 shows a simplified sectional view through a paper threader which is designed to serve as a feed device for strips of tobacco material, wherein both a wrapping paper strip and the strips of tobacco material can be fed in the strand forming region. Fig. 9 shows a schematically simplified perspective view of part of such a paper threader. Fig. 10 shows a simplified detailed view of a device for producing a strand in the tobacco processing industry. Figs. 11 - 13 show detailed views of another device for producing a strand in the tobacco processing industry. Fig. 14.an inlet funnel provided as a strip feed device in a simplified perspective view, Fig. 15 a simplified detailed view of a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry with such an inlet funnel, Fig. 16 a schematically simplified cross-section through an article of the tobacco processing industry produced with such a device, Fig. 17 a guide ring in a schematically simplified representation which acts as a strip feed device, Fig. 18 a schematically simplified schematic representation which illustrates the bringing together of a material strand with individual bundles of strips which are guided by a guide ring, Fig. 19 a schematically simplified cross-sectional view through a rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry which is produced with a device comprising a guide ring, Fig.20 a schematically simplified representation of a distributor block as a strip feed device for a device in the tobacco processing industry for producing a rod, Fig. 21 a schematically simplified cross-sectional view through a rod-shaped article in the tobacco processing industry produced with such a device, Fig. 22 a simplified detailed view of a further device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, comprising an intermittently operating separating device, Fig. 23 a detailed view of the device in . Fig. 22 with a circle shown area of ​​this device and Fig. 24 a further simplified representation of a detail of a device for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry, which comprises an intermittently operating separating device.

[0068] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

[0069] In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a repeated presentation is omitted.

[0070] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a PROTOS cigarette rod machine from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH, which is configured, by way of example, as a device 100 for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry. The device 100 comprises a rod content supply unit 102 and a rod forming unit 104. Starting from a lock 1, a pre-distributor 2 is fed portionwise with tobacco material, for example cut tobacco. It is also intended to process other types of tobacco material, for example reconstituted tobacco material. A removal roller 3 of the pre-distributor 2 supplements a storage container 4 with tobacco material in a controlled manner, from which tobacco material is removed with the aid of an inclined conveyor 5 and thus fed into a storage chute 6.

[0071] From the storage chute 6, a pin roller 7 removes a uniform stream of tobacco material, which is then knocked out of the pins of the pin roller 7 by a knockout roller 8 and thrown onto a spreading cloth 9 rotating at a constant speed. A tobacco mat formed on the spreading cloth 9 is fed to 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 guided by the air into a funnel 14 formed by another pin roller 12 and a wall 13.

[0072] From the further pin roller 12, the tobacco material is fed into a tobacco channel 16 and from there spun against a strand conveyor 17. Due to a negative pressure generated by a vacuum chamber 18, the tobacco material adheres to a suction belt (not shown), which is part of the strand conveyor 17. The tobacco material is aerated against the suction belt by the air sucked in via the vacuum chamber 18.

[0073] An arrow labeled A indicates that a feed device can be arranged at this location or in this area of ​​the device 100, i.e., in the area of ​​the strand conveyor 17, more precisely on its suction belt. The feed device is configured to add a plurality of strips of tobacco material, cut from a flat web, to the tobacco material that has been showered on the suction belt of the strand conveyor 17.

[0074] The exact position of the feed device can be flexibly selected depending on the desired properties of the device 100 or the strand produced by it. It is also possible to configure the position of the feed device in a variable manner.

[0075] If the strips are fed to the rod forming unit 104, more precisely to the rod conveyor 17, at a position relatively far upstream, the strips are located near the periphery, i.e., near the outer surface of the rod produced as the production process progresses. If, on the other hand, the position of the feed unit is shifted further downstream, more tobacco material has already been showered on the suction belt, and the strips are consequently fed to the rod at a position further towards the center. Thus, according to such an embodiment, the strips will be arranged more centrally in the produced rod. Depending on the desired arrangement of the strips in the tobacco rod, the position of the feed device can be selected further upstream or further downstream. The tobacco material that is showered in the region of the rod conveyor 17 is further processed together with the strips arranged in the tobacco material.

[0076] A leveler 19 removes excess tobacco material from the tobacco rod. The tobacco rod is placed further downstream onto a synchronously guided cigarette paper strip 21 and thus enters the rod forming unit 104. In the area of ​​a paper strip feed unit, the feed device for feeding strips of tobacco material can be arranged alternatively or additionally. For example, the strips of tobacco material are fed with a feed device, the position of which is indicated by arrow B, together with the feed of the cigarette paper strip. Further details are explained further below. The feed unit can be arranged optionally at position A or position B, depending on the desired arrangement of the strips. It is also provided that a first feed unit is arranged at position A and a second feed unit at position B.

[0077] In the area of ​​the strand forming unit 104, the shredded and trimmed tobacco material strand is already present, which then undergoes strand forming in the formatting unit. Fig. 1 In the device 100 shown, the suction belt is located above the rod, so the tobacco material is drawn onto the suction belt from below. If the strips are added to the tobacco material at position A, the strips are located in an upper region of the tobacco rod. By additionally or alternatively feeding strips at position B, i.e., in the area of ​​the format unit, they are added to the lower region of the tobacco rod. For example, the feed device can be arranged at position A or position B, depending on which position makes it easier to integrate the feed device into an existing cigarette rod machine.

[0078] The cigarette paper strip 21 is drawn from a reel 22, guided through a printing unit 23, and placed on a driven formatting belt 24. The formatting belt 24 transports the tobacco rod, in which the strips are arranged, and the cigarette paper strip 21 through a formatting unit 26. In this formatting unit 26, the cigarette paper strip is folded around the tobacco rod, leaving an edge that is glued in a conventional manner by a gluing device (not shown). The glued seam is then closed and dried in a tandem seaming plate 27.

[0079] A tobacco rod 28 produced in this way then passes through an optional rod density measuring device 29, which controls the leveler 19, and is cut, for example, into double-length cigarettes or tobacco rods by a knife device 31. The double-length cigarettes or tobacco rods are fed by a transfer device 34 having controlled arms 33 to a receiving drum 36, for example, a filter attachment machine 37, on whose cutting drum 38 the double-length cigarettes or tobacco rods are divided into individual tobacco rods or individual cigarettes and fed for further processing.

[0080] Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a device 100 for producing a rod 28 of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a coated rod 28 of tobacco material. The device 100 comprises a rod-making machine with a rod content supply unit 102 and a rod-forming unit 104 arranged downstream of the rod content supply unit 102. The structure of the rod content supply unit 102 and the rod-forming unit 104 has already been described in detail for a possible embodiment in connection with Fig. 1 As already mentioned, the rod content supply unit 102 comprises a suction belt, onto which tobacco material can be drawn, so that a material rod made of the tobacco material can be provided. Another possible embodiment of the rod content supply unit 102 is described below in connection with Fig. 3 The strand forming unit 104 is designed to form the strand of material that can be provided by the strand content supply unit 102 in a format unit with a wrapping strip, for example the one used in connection with Fig. 1 mentioned cigarette paper strips 21.

[0081] The device 100 further comprises a supply device 106, which is configured to supply a flat web 107 of tobacco material and feed it to a downstream separating device 108. The flat web is present, for example, on a reel. The supply device 106 can comprise a reel changer, in particular an automatic reel changer.

[0082] The separating device 108 is designed, for example, as disclosed in DE 10 2018 106 826 (A1) of the same applicant. In this document, a separating device is disclosed and designated therein by reference numeral 12. The structure and mode of operation of the separating device shown in the reference document are described in the reference document in connection with Fig. 1 and 2 explained.

[0083] The separating device 108 is designed to separate the flat web 107 into a plurality of strips 110. This is exemplified in Fig. 5 The flat web 107 is separated by the separating device 108 (not shown) into a plurality of strips 110, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. The individual strips 110 are then divided into a first group 110a of strips 110 and a second group 110b of strips 110 and fed, for example, to the individual strands of a two-strand machine. Further details are explained below.

[0084] At the Fig. 2 In the device 100 shown, it can be provided that the individual strips 110 are fed to the process optionally at position A or position B. It can also be provided, for example, to feed the first group 110a at position A and the second group 110b of strips 110 to the process at position B. The positions A and B and the feeding of the strips 110 at these positions have also already been described in detail in connection with Fig. 1 explained. At these positions, there is a feed device configured to add the plurality of strips 110 to the strand of material. The feed device is arranged such that the strips 110 can be fed to the tobacco material in a region of the rod-forming machine, wherein the rod-forming machine is intended to comprise both parts of the strand content supply unit 102 and parts of the strand-forming unit 104. The region in which the strips 110 can be fed to the tobacco material extends from and including a suction belt of the strand content supply unit 102 up to and including a format unit 26 of the downstream strand-forming unit 104.

[0085] If the feed device is arranged in such a way that the strips can be fed to the tobacco material in a filling area of ​​the suction belt of the rod content supply unit 102, this will be located at position A. As already mentioned in connection with Fig. 1 As mentioned above, the exact position A can be changed depending on the desired properties of the strand 28 produced. The position can be determined, for example, by a distance from a beginning of the filling area located upstream of the feed position. Alternatively or additionally, the feed device can be arranged such that the strips 110 can be fed to the material strand that can be provided by the strand content supply unit 102 in the area of ​​the format unit 26, i.e., in the area of ​​the strand forming unit 104. This corresponds to the Fig. 2 shown position B.

[0086] Fig. 3 shows in a schematic drawing a device 100 for producing a wrapped tobacco rod 28, wherein, in contrast to the device 100 which is used in connection with Fig. 1 As described above, the tobacco material is not applied in the form of small pieces to a suction belt, but is provided in the form of a flat tobacco material web 200. The flat tobacco material web 200 is provided on a reel 202. In order to ensure a continuous production process, a Fig. 3 An automatic reel changer (not shown in more detail) including a splicing unit may be provided, which connects an outgoing flat web of tobacco material 200 with a new flat web of tobacco material 200. The flat web of tobacco material 200 is fed to a pair of pull rollers 206 via deflection rollers (not shown in more detail) and a dancer 204, which keeps the flat web of tobacco material 200 under the desired tension. From there, the flat web of tobacco material 200 passes via a further dancer 204 and deflection rollers (likewise not shown in more detail) to a web position positioning unit 208. This web position positioning unit 208, which is also commonly referred to as a four-bar linkage, allows web position control of the flat web of tobacco material 200 in one plane of the flat web, i.e., transversely to the conveying direction.

[0087] The tobacco material flat web 200 is fed further downstream to a tobacco material flat web separating device 210, which is configured to separate the tobacco material flat web 200 into a plurality of longitudinal tobacco material strips 212. The tobacco material flat web separating device 210 is constructed in particular in the same way as the separating device 108, which is used to separate the flat web 107 and is disclosed in detail in DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 by the same applicant.

[0088] The longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 pass through another pair of pull rollers 206 to an underpass 214, which is, for example, a conical groove tapering in the direction of transport, in which the individual longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 are brought together. In the area of ​​the underpass 214, as already described in connection with the previous figures, the plurality of strips 110 produced from the flat web 107 are added to the longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 with the aid of a feed device (not shown in detail). According to the present embodiment, the underpass 212 can therefore also be regarded as a feed device 112.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the previously described units form the rod content provision unit 102. The longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 and the plurality of strips 110 are conveyed together, for example, via a stuffing nozzle 216, downstream into the rod forming unit 104. There, the strips are wrapped in a format with a cigarette paper strip, thus providing a wrapped tobacco rod 28. This is cut into rod-shaped articles 120 using a suitable cutting device or knife apparatus 31.

[0090] The device 100 further comprises the previously described supply device 106, which, for example, supplies a flat web 107 provided with active ingredients, flavorings, and / or other ingredients, for example on reels. This flat web 107 is conveyed to a separating device 108, in which the flat web 107 is separated into a plurality of strips 110.

[0091] Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of another device 100 for producing a wrapped tobacco rod 28. In this device 100, tobacco material is provided in the form of a flat tobacco material web 200 and, together with the flat web 107, which is provided with active ingredients, ingredients, and / or flavorings, is separated in the separating device 108 into a plurality of strips 110 and longitudinal tobacco material strips 212. According to this exemplary embodiment, the separating device 108 acts both as a separating device 108 for the flat web 107 and as a tobacco material flat web separating device 210 for the tobacco material flat web 200. Such a separating device can also be designed as disclosed and described, for example, in DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 by the same applicant.

[0092] The flat tobacco material web 200 is provided on a reel 202, which is arranged on a suitable reel changer 218. In order to be able to join an outgoing and a new flat web to form a continuous material web, a schematically indicated splicing device 220 is provided. Via deflection rollers (not further designated), the flat tobacco material web 200 reaches a pair of pull rollers 206 of a storage device 222. At the exit of the storage device 222, a dancer 204 is arranged to maintain the web tension, via which the flat tobacco material web 200 is fed to another pair of pull rollers 206. Already upstream of this pair of pull rollers 206, the flat tobacco material web 200 is joined to the flat web 107.

[0093] The flat web 107 is also provided on a reel 202, which is located, for example, on a reel changer 218. These units are part of the provision device 106. In order to be able to provide an endless material web, the provision device 106 also includes a splicing device 220, with which an outgoing material web and a new material web can be joined to form an endless material web 107. The flat web 107 is fed into a storage unit 222 via a pair of pull rollers 206. Before the flat web 107 leaves the storage unit 222, it is guided over a dancer 204 to maintain the web tension. Deflection rollers present between the units are generally known and are no longer provided with reference symbols.

[0094] The flat web 107 and tobacco material flat web 200 are, as already mentioned, guided together over the pair of pull rollers 206 of the strand content supply device 102. The flat webs 107, 200 pass via a further dancer 204 to a Fig. 3 described web layer positioning unit 208 and then to the separating device 106, which in the present embodiment also functions as a tobacco material flat web separating device 210. Via a further pair of pull rollers 206, the strips 110 and the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212 are conveyed together to an underpass 214. There, the strips 110 and the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212 are combined in the transport direction, for example by a conical shape of the underpass 214 in the transport direction, and added to a stuffing nozzle 216. In the strand forming unit 104, a wrapped tobacco rod 28 is formed from the strips 110, 212, which is then cut to length further downstream of the knife apparatus 31 into rod-shaped articles 120.

[0095] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, a cross-section through the rod 28 or, similarly, a cross-section through a rod-shaped article 120 produced from this rod 28. The strips 110 were added to the tobacco material at position B. Accordingly, the strips are located relatively far down in the tobacco rod. Fig.7 shows a further cross-section through the manufactured rod 28 or a rod-shaped article 120, wherein the strips 110 were added to the tobacco rod at position A, i.e. in the area of ​​the suction band.

[0096] If the strips 110 are to be added to the material strand at position B, it is advisable to design a paper threader of the strand forming unit 104 as a feed device 112. This is shown by way of example in the schematic and simplified cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 The paper threader shown feeds the cigarette paper strip 21 to the material strand through a first channel. The paper threader is designed as a feed device 112, in which a further channel 114 is provided through which the strips 110 are guided. The cigarette paper strip 21 is fed together with the strips 110 to the formatting unit 26. The tobacco material is placed on top of the cigarette paper strip 21, and a strand is formed.

[0097] The result is in cross-section in Fig. 6 shown.

[0098] Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of part of the feed device 112, which is also an example of a converted paper threader. This is suitable and designed for a two-strand machine. A first cigarette paper strip for a first strand is fed via a first track 114a, and a second cigarette paper strip for the second strand is fed via a second track 114b. The Fig. 8 The channel 114 mentioned above is double and opens into a first opening 118a and a second opening 118b in the first and second paths 114a, 114b, respectively. Thus, as already mentioned in connection with Fig. 8 explained, both the cigarette paper strip 21 and the plurality of strips 110 are fed to the subsequent format forming.

[0099] The separating device 108 can be equipped as a first separating unit and a second separating unit, wherein the first separating unit is configured to separate the flat web 107 into a first partial flat web and a second partial flat web. The second separating unit is then configured to separate the first partial flat web into the first group 110a and the second partial flat web into the second group 110b of strips 110. The device 100 can further be designed such that its strand machine is a double-strand machine. In such a case, the feed device 112 comprises, for example, a first and a second feed unit, wherein the first feed unit is configured to feed the first group 110a of strips 110 to the first strand of the double-strand machine and the second feed unit is configured to feed the second group 110b of strips 110 to the second strand of the double-strand machine.Referring to the embodiment in . Fig. 9 The first web 114a is part of the first feed unit, and the second web 114b is part of the second feed unit. Via the first web 114a, the first group 110a of strips 110 exiting the outlet opening 118a is fed, together with a cigarette paper strip 21, to a first strand of the twin-strand machine. Correspondingly, a second cigarette paper strip 21 is fed, together with the second group 110b of strips 110 exiting the second opening 118b, to the second strand of the twin-strand machine via the second web 114b.According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the feed device 112 comprises a first feed unit and a second feed unit, wherein the first feed unit is arranged such that the strips 110 of the first group 110a can be fed to the tobacco material that can be provided in the filling area of ​​the suction belt of the strand content provision unit 102, i.e. at position A, and the second feed unit is arranged such that the strips 110 of the second group 110b can be fed to the material strand that can be provided by the strand content provision unit 102 in the area of ​​the format unit 104, i.e. at position B (cf. Fig. 2 ) can be supplied.

[0100] The device 100 explained in connection with the preceding figures is suitable for carrying out a method for producing a rod 28 in the tobacco processing industry. The same applies to the use of the device for carrying out such a method.

[0101] Fig. 10 shows a simplified perspective detailed view of a device 100 for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry. The detailed view shown is located in the area of ​​the rod content supply unit 102 (see also Fig. 3 and 4 ). In connection with Fig. 4 An embodiment has already been explained in which the separating device 108 acts both as a separating device for the flat web 107 and as a tobacco material flat web separating device 210 for the tobacco material flat web 200. This is shown in Fig. 10 The separating device 108 shown there acts as a separating device 108 for the flat web 107 and simultaneously as a tobacco material flat web separating device 210 for the tobacco material flat web 200. Unlike in connection with Fig. 4 explained, the two webs 107, 200 are not guided over a common pair of pull rollers. On the contrary, the flat tobacco material web 200 passes via a first pair of pull rollers 300 and various deflection rollers (not designated in more detail) to the flat tobacco material web separating device 210. The web tension is controlled and maintained on this transport path by a dancer 302. The flat web 107, which, as already mentioned in the text, is a flat web provided with aroma and / or ingredients, passes over various deflection rollers (likewise not designated in more detail) to the separating device 108. The web tension is in turn maintained and / or controlled with the aid of a dancer 302. To ensure that the two web runs do not overlap, one of the two webs, in the illustrated embodiment merely the flat web 107 as an example, is guided over two deflection rollers arranged in the form of a twist 304.The flat web 107, starting from the twist 304, passes into a second pair of pulling rollers 306 and from there via the dancer 302 to the separating device 107. Downstream of the separating device 108, which also acts as a tobacco material flat web separating device 210, the flat web 107 separated into longitudinal strips and the tobacco material flat web 200 separated into tobacco material longitudinal strips are guided over a common third pair of pulling rollers 308 and fed for further processing into a strand.

[0102] Fig. 11 shows a further simplified detailed view of a device 100, again in the area of ​​the strand content provision unit 102. Deviating from the one described in connection with Fig. 10 The embodiment described in the Fig. 11 bis 13 The device 100 shown in various variants comprises a separate separating device 108 for the flat web 107 and a separately mounted and arranged tobacco material flat web separating device 210 for separating the tobacco material flat web 200. The web path of the tobacco material flat web 200 is identical to that already described in connection with Fig. 10 described course. The tobacco material flat web 200 passes via various unspecified deflection rollers to a first pair of pull rollers 300 and from there via the dancer 302 to the tobacco material flat web separating device 210, which provides the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212.

[0103] The flat web 107 passes via the twist 304 to the second pair of pulling rollers 306 and from there via the dancer 302 to the separating device 108. The flat web 107 separated into strips or longitudinal strips 110 and the tobacco material flat web 200 also separated into longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material are brought together and guided together over the third pair of pulling rollers 308 and fed for further processing.

[0104] By using separate separating devices 108, 210, for example, the flat web 107 and the tobacco material flat web 200 can be separated into longitudinal strips of different widths.

[0105] Fig. 12 shows another variant of the already mentioned Fig. 11 described device 100, again showing a simplified perspective detail view in the area of ​​the strand content provision unit 102. The device 100 shown in this figure differs from the one described in connection with Fig. 11 The device 100 explained above is only supported by a fourth pair of pull rollers 310, which is arranged downstream of the separating device 108 and conveys the longitudinal strips 110 produced from the flat web 107. The third pair of pull rollers 308 also acts, in a different manner, only as a pair of pull rollers for the longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material. A fourth pair of pull rollers 310 is provided for the longitudinal strips 110.

[0106] Fig. 13 shows a further variant of the device 100, wherein again in a simplified perspective view a detailed view in the area of ​​the strand content provision unit 102 of the device 100 is shown. In addition to the Fig. 12 In the embodiment explained, a web edge control 312 is provided for the flat web 107 downstream of the second pair of pull rollers 306 and the dancer 302, which is implemented by various deflection rollers, which are not provided with any further reference numerals.

[0107] For all in the Figuren 10 bis 13 In the illustrated embodiments, an inlet assembly may be present upstream and not shown in the figures, which includes corresponding reels and, if appropriate, reel changers. The flat web 107 and / or the flat tobacco material web 200 can be provided by these reels. Such an inlet assembly can feed the flat web 107 and / or the flat tobacco material web 200 in a controlled or uncontrolled manner. By changing the position of the fourth pull roller pair 310 and the associated separating device 107 (cf. Fig. 12 ), for example, by arranging the fourth pair of pull rollers 310 closer to the direction of the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212, a position can be changed at which the strips 110 produced from the flat web 107 are fed to the tobacco material flat strips 210. If the strips 110 are fed to the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212 in a relatively far upstream area, as in Fig. 12 As shown, the strips 110 will be distributed relatively homogeneously in the strand produced from the longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material together with the longitudinal strips 212. If, however, the fourth pair of pull rollers 310 is positioned further downstream, a positioning of the strips 110 within the strand can be achieved, which results in a relatively central positioning of these strips 110 in the produced strand. The degree and type of distribution of the longitudinal strips 110 produced from the flat web 107 in the produced strand can be varied by the positioning, in particular of the fourth pair of pull rollers 310.

[0108] Fig. 14 shows a schematically simplified perspective view of an inlet funnel 314, which acts as a strip feed device. The inlet funnel is designed to feed the strips 110 produced from the flat web 107 by means of the separating device 108 into the material strand, which preferably consists of longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material, in a central area.

[0109] Fig. 15 shows a simplified perspective detail view of an area of ​​the strand content supply unit 102 in the area of ​​a format inlet funnel 316, to which a format unit is connected downstream. A material strand consisting of longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 is, for example, as in connection with the Figuren 10 bis 13 explained. Furthermore, the flat web 107 is separated into strips 110 by means of a separating device 108. These strips 110 are guided through the fourth pair of pull rollers 310 and pass further downstream into the inlet hopper 314. This is positioned, for example, such that the strips 110 are fed into the material strand in a central area.

[0110] Fig. 16 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a rod-shaped article 120 produced in this way. It has the strips 110 in the center, while longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material are located in its periphery. These surround the central area.

[0111] Alternatively to the Fig. 14 shown inlet funnel 314, the strip feed device can be designed as a guide ring 318. Fig. 17 shows a schematically simplified plan view of such a guide ring 318. This has an outer ring region 320 and an inner ring region 322, which are connected by webs 324. Guide channels 326 extend between the webs 324, which are arranged, for example, evenly distributed along the circumference of the guide ring 318. Furthermore, the guide ring 318 comprises, for example, six guide channels 326. These guide channels 326 are provided so that strip bundles 330, for example six strip bundles 330, into which the plurality of strips 110 are separated, are fed to the material flow of longitudinal tobacco material strips 212. For this purpose, the guide ring 318 is, for example, at the in Fig. 15 shown position of the inlet funnel 314. The longitudinal strips of tobacco material 212 are guided in a central guide channel 328.

[0112] In an area immediately downstream of the guide ring 318, the strand is positioned in cross-section as shown in Fig. 18 shown in a schematically simplified cross-sectional view. Centrally located are the longitudinal tobacco material strips 212 guided through the central guide channel 328. In the periphery, in particular evenly distributed along the circumference, are the strip bundles 330, which are guided through the associated guide channels 326 of the guide ring 318. If such a strand is formed into a rod-shaped article 120, it has a structure in cross section as shown in the schematically simplified cross-sectional view of Fig. 19 The strip bundles 330 are located along the circumference of the rod-shaped article 120 in its periphery. The remaining cross-section is occupied by the longitudinal strips of tobacco material 212.

[0113] If the strip bundles 330 are not to be Fig. 19 If, as indicated, the strip bundles 330 are arranged in a peripheral region of the rod-shaped article 120, the strip bundles 330 are fed further upstream of the material strand, for example the tobacco material longitudinal strips 212. This occurs in particular in a region in which the material strand is in a fanned-out state. Referring to the illustration in Fig. 15 Thus, the strips 110 would be added further upstream to the longitudinal tobacco material strips 212. For this purpose, the strip feed device can be designed as a distribution block 331.

[0114] Fig. 20 shows a schematically simplified cross-sectional view of such a distribution block 331. This has guide channels 326 arranged side by side, through which the strip bundles 330 are guided. The strip bundles 330 are added to the fanned-out longitudinal strips 212 of tobacco material, for example, placed on them or inserted into them along a line next to each other. As a result, a rod-shaped article 120 can be provided which, viewed in cross section, at least approximately has a structure as shown in the schematically simplified cross-sectional view of Fig. 21 is shown.

[0115] The strip bundles 330 are located differently than in the Fig. 19 The cross-section of the rod-shaped article 120 shown in cross-section is no longer in the periphery of the rod-shaped article 120, but further in its center. The remaining cross-section is again occupied by longitudinal tobacco material strips 212. In this context, it is irrelevant whether the strip bundles 330, as in Fig. 21 indicated, are arranged evenly distributed along the circumference or are statistically distributed in the cross-section of the rod-shaped article 120.

[0116] Fig. 22 shows, in a further simplified perspective detailed view, a region of the device 100 in the region of its strand content provision unit 102. The device 100 comprises a separating device 108, which is designed, for example, as disclosed in detail in DE 10 2018 106 826 A1 by the same applicant. The separating device 108 comprises, for example, two rollers with which the flat web 107 is separated into strips 110. The separating device 108 is designed, according to the illustrated embodiment, such that it intermittently separates the flat web 107 into a plurality of strips 110. This shows the detailed view of Fig. 23 , which are from Fig. 22 known device 100 in the area designated XXIII. The strips 110 are connected to one another transversely to the longitudinal direction in a connecting region 332 that is spatially limited in the longitudinal direction of the material strand.

[0117] An example is the Figuren 22 and 23 In the device 100 shown, the flat web 107 is first separated lengthwise into two partial webs and then spread. These spread partial webs are fed to the separating device 108.

[0118] The intermittent separation of the flat web 107 can be controlled and / or regulated or uncontrolled and / or unregulated. This means that an intermittent action, which creates a connecting region 332, can be performed regularly and, in this sense, can be performed unregulated or controlled. For example, an intermittent action is provided such that an intermittent action is present in each rod-shaped article produced from the strand. However, the intermittent action can also be event-driven. For this purpose, the device 100 comprises, for example, a strip break sensor 334. The strip break sensor 334 is arranged downstream of the separating device 108. With the aid of this strip break sensor 334, it can be determined if one of the strips 110 breaks and would thus be lost for the further production process.To prevent this strip from being permanently lost to the production process, but rather to reconnect it, an intermittent connection is provided, creating a connecting area 332. The torn-off strip is returned to the production process through this connecting area 332.

[0119] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the device 100 comprises a splice detection sensor 336. This is arranged upstream of the separating device 108. To enable continuous processing of the flat web 107, a splicing device 220 can be used to connect an outgoing flat web 107 to the beginning of a new flat web 107. Such a splice point can be detected using the splice detection sensor 336. Intermittent processing can also be provided in this region, so that the connection region 332 encompasses the splice point.

[0120] The device 100 is further equipped with a control unit (not shown) that is configured to provide a corresponding intermittent operation upon detection of a strip break by means of the strip break sensor 334 or upon detection of a splice point by the splice detection sensor 336. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that rod-shaped articles produced from such an area in which an intermittent operation is present are removed from the production process. Bezugszeichenliste

[0121] 1 Lock 2 Pre-distributor 3 Removal roller 4 Storage bin 5 Steep conveyor 6 Accumulation chute 7 Pin roller 8 Knock-out roller 9 Spreading cloth 11 Sifting device 12 Additional pin roller 13 Wall 14 Funnel 16 Tobacco channel 17 Strand conveyor 18 Vacuum chamber 19 Equalizer 21 Cigarette paper strip 22 Cigarette paper reel 23 Printing unit 24 Format belt 26 Format unit 27 Tandem seaming plate 28 Wrapped tobacco strand 29 Strand density measuring device 31 Knife device 33 Arms 34 Transfer device 36 Transfer drum 37 Filter attachment machine 38 Cutting drum 100 Device 102 Strand content supply unit 104 Strand forming unit 106 Supply device 107 Flat web 108 Separating device 110 Strip 110aFirst group 110bSecond group 112Feed device 114Channel 114aFirst web 114bSecond web 118aFirst opening 118bSecond opening 120Rod-shaped article 200Flat web of tobacco material 202Reel 204Dancer 206Pair of pulling rollers 208Web layer positioning unit 210Flat web of tobacco material separating device 212Longitudinal strip of tobacco material 214Underpass216 Stuffing nozzle 218 Reel changer 220 Splicing device 222 Accumulator 300 First pull roller pair 302 Dancer 304 Twist 306 Second pull roller pair 308 Third pull roller pair 310 Fourth pull roller pair 312 Web edge guide 314 Inlet hopper 316 Format inlet hopper 318 Guide ring 320 Outer ring area 322 Inner ring area 324 Web 326 Guide channels 328 Central guide channel 330 Strip bundle 331 Distribution block 332 Connection area 334 Strip break sensor 336 Splice detection sensor

Claims

1. A device (100) for producing a rod (28) in the tobacco-processing industry, comprising a rod maker with a rod content provision unit (102) and a rod forming unit (104) arranged downstream, wherein the rod content provision unit (102) comprises a suction tape onto which tobacco material can be poured so that a rod of material made of poured tobacco material can be provided, and wherein the rod forming unit (104) is designed to wrap, in a format unit (104), a wrapping strip (21) around the rod of material, characterized by a provision device (106), a separation device (108) and a feeding device (112), wherein the provision device (106) is designed to provide a flat web (107) and to feed it to the separation device (108) arranged downstream, and the separation device (108) is designed to separate the flat web (107) into a plurality of strips (110) and the feeding device (112) is designed to add the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material made of tobacco material, wherein the feeding device (112) is arranged such that the strips can be fed to the tobacco material in a region of the rod maker, which extends from and including the suction tape up to and including the format unit (104), wherein the flat web (107) is a flat web (107) having an aroma.

2. The device (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the feeding device (112) is arranged such that the strips (110) can be fed to the tobacco material which can be poured in a heap-up region of the suction tape of the rod content provision unit (102), wherein the feeding device is further in particular arranged such that the strips (110) can be fed to the tobacco material which can be poured at a position within the heap-up region, wherein said position is a predefined distance from a start of the heap-up region, which is located upstream.

3. A device (100) for producing a rod (28) in the tobacco-processing industry, comprising a rod maker with a rod content provision unit (102) and a rod forming unit (104) arranged downstream, wherein the rod content provision unit (102) comprises a flat tobacco material web separation device (210) which is designed to separate a flat tobacco material web (200) into a plurality of longitudinal tobacco material strips (212), so that a rod of material made of longitudinal tobacco material strips (212) can be provided by the rod content provision unit (102), and wherein the rod forming unit (104) is designed to wrap, in a format unit (104), a wrapping strip (21) around the rod of material, characterized by a provision device (106), a separation device (108) and a feeding device (112), wherein the provision device (106) is designed to provide a flat web (107) and to feed it to the separation device (108) arranged downstream, and the separation device (108) is designed to separate the flat web (107) into a plurality of strips (110) and the feeding device (112) is designed to add the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material made of longitudinal tobacco material strips (212), wherein the flat web (107) is a flat web (107) having an aroma.

4. The device (100) according to Claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the feeding device (112) is arranged such that the strips (110) can be fed to the rod of material, which can be provided by the rod content provision unit (102), in the region of the format unit, wherein the format unit in particular comprises a paper threader for feeding the wrapping strip, wherein the paper threader is further configured as a feeding device (112) for feeding the strips (110) into the rod of material.

5. The device (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the feeding device (112) comprises a strip feeding device which is designed to add the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material made of longitudinal tobacco material strips (212).

6. The device (100) according to Claim 5, in particular in combination with Claim 4, characterized in that the strip feeding device is an inlet funnel (314) which is designed and arranged to feed the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material in a region which is central when viewed in cross-section.

7. The device (100) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the strip feeding device comprises a multiplicity of guide channels (326), in which bundles of strips, each comprising a partial quantity of the plurality of strips (110), can be guided.

8. The device (100) according to Claim 7, in particular in combination with Claim 4, characterized in that the strip feeding device is a guide ring (318) having guide channels (326) arranged, in particular in an evenly distributed manner, along its circumference, wherein the guide ring (318) is designed and arranged to feed the bundle of strips (330) to the rod of material in a region, which is peripheral when viewed in cross-section, in particular along a circumference of the rod of material, in an evenly distributed manner.

9. The device (100) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the strip feeding device is a distributor block (331) having guide channels (326) arranged next to one another, which is designed and arranged to feed the bundle of strips to the rod of material in a fanned-out condition.

10. The device (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the separation device (108) is designed to separate the plurality of strips (110) into a first group (110a) and a second group (110b), wherein the separation device (108) in particular comprises a first and a second separation unit, wherein the first separation unit is designed to separate the flat web (107) into a first partially flat web and a second partially flat web and the second separation unit is designed to separate the first partially flat web into the first group (110a) of strips (110) and the second partially flat web into the second group (110b) of strips (110).

11. The device (100) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the rod maker is a twin-rod machine and the feeding device (112) comprises a first and a second feed unit and the first feed unit is designed to feed the first group (110a) of strips (110) to the first rod of the twin-rod machine and the second feed unit is designed to feed the second group (110b) of strips (110) to the second rod of the twin-rod machine.

12. The device (100) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the feeding device (112) comprises a first feed unit and a second feed unit, wherein the first feed unit is arranged such that the strips (110) of the first group (110a) can be fed to the tobacco material which can be poured in the heap-up region of the suction tape of the rod content provision unit (102) and the second feed unit is arranged such that the strips (110) of the second group (110b) can be fed to the rod of material which can be provided by the rod content provision unit (102) in the region of the format unit (104).

13. A device (100) for producing a rod (28) in the tobacco-processing industry, comprising a rod maker with a rod content provision unit (102) and a rod forming unit (104) arranged downstream, wherein the rod content provision unit (102) is designed to provide a rod of material made of a tobacco material, and wherein the rod forming unit (104) is designed to wrap, in a format unit (104), a wrapping strip (21) around the rod of material, characterized by a provision device (106), a separation device (108) and a feeding device (112), wherein the provision device (106) is designed to provide a flat web (107) having an aroma and to feed it to the separation device (108) arranged downstream, wherein the rod content provision unit (102) is designed to feed a flat tobacco material web (200) to the separation device (108), wherein the separation device (108) is designed to separate the flat web (107) having aroma together with the flat tobacco material web (200) into a plurality of strips (110) and longitudinal tobacco material strips (212), so that the separation device (108) also acts as a feeding device (112) and adds the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material made of longitudinal tobacco material strips (212).

14. The device (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the separation device (108) is further designed to separate the flat web (107) intermittently into a plurality of strips (110), as a result of which a rod of material can be provided, in which in a connecting region (332) spatially delimited along a longitudinal direction of the rod of material, at least two, in particular all of the, strips (110) of the rod of material are connected to one another, in particular further having a strip tear sensor (334) arranged downstream of the separation device (108) and / or a splice recognition sensor (336) arranged upstream of the separation device (108), which is / are coupled to a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to actuate the separation device (108) such that in the event of a strip tear being recognized by the strip tear sensor (334) and / or in the event of a splice site being recognized by the splice recognition sensor (336), the separation of the flat web (107) becomes intermittent.

15. A method for producing a rod (28) in the tobacco-processing industry with a device (100) according to any one of Claims 1, 3 or 13, wherein a rod of material made of a tobacco material is provided with the rod content provision unit (102) and the rod forming unit (104) wraps, in a format unit (26), a wrapping strip (21) around the rod of material, characterized in that the provision device (106) provides a flat web (107) having an aroma, and feeds it to the separation device (108) arranged downstream, wherein the separation device (108) separates the flat web (107) into a plurality of strips (110) and the feeding device (112) adds the plurality of strips (110) to the rod of material.