Buffer store for web-shaped flat material of the tobacco processing industry and method for operating same, machine for the tobacco processing industry and method for operating same

Abstract

Buffer storage device (2) for web-shaped flat material (4) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (81_1 ... 81_6) arranged side by side in a step direction (S) and a second web guiding device (62) arranged opposite the first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (82_1 ... 82_6) arranged side by side in the step direction (S), wherein the deflection devices (8) of the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are arranged offset from each other in the step direction (S), so that the flat material (4) can be guided alternately between a deflection device (8) of the first web guiding device (61) and a deflection device (8) of the second web guiding device (62).The buffer storage (2) is further developed by the fact that the deflection devices (8) each comprise a plurality of deflection elements (9) for deflecting the flat material (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a buffer storage device for web-shaped flat material in the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a first web guide device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in a staggering direction, and a second web guide device arranged opposite the first web guide device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in the staggering direction, wherein the deflection devices of the first and second web guide devices are arranged offset from one another in the staggering direction, so that the flat material can be guided alternately between a deflection device of the first web guide device and a deflection device of the second web guide device. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a buffer storage device.Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine of the tobacco processing industry, comprising such a buffer storage, and to a method for operating such a machine.

[0002] Flat web material from the tobacco processing industry is used in various production processes within the tobacco processing industry. An example of a flat web material is reconstituted tobacco material or wrapping material, such as wrapping paper. A flat web material can also be a so-called susceptor strip, which is used in articles in the tobacco processing industry that are heated but not burned during consumption. In such articles, also known as HNB (heat-not-burn) or THP (tobacco heated products), a substrate, often containing tobacco or nicotine, which is coated with an aerosol-forming substance, is heated using the susceptor strip so that the aerosols intended for consumption escape from it. The susceptor strip itself is heated inductively.

[0003] The flat material is often supplied on bobbins. Since the flat material is always present in a finite length on the bobbin, it is necessary to change the bobbin from time to time. To enable a continuous production process, a buffer storage is provided between a flat material supply device, for example a bobbin changer, from which the web-shaped flat material is added to the production process, and further processing devices, for example a strand forming device. If a bobbin is changed, no flat material can be supplied to the continuous production process for a short period of time. The outgoing end of the flat material from a first bobbin must be connected to the beginning of the flat material from a second bobbin before the continuous supply of the flat material can continue. For this purpose, a so-calledA splicing device is used to join the outgoing end of the flat material from the first reel to the beginning of the flat material from the second reel. During this period, the flat material is removed from a buffer storage unit, which can be provided with a variable storage volume for this purpose.

[0004] In known buffer stores, the flat material is guided back and forth in a meandering or zigzag pattern along a transport path between the deflection devices of a first and a second web guide device located opposite the first. Depending on the spacing of the web guide devices and the number of deflection devices provided per web guide device, a specific length of the flat material can be stored in the buffer store. An exemplary buffer store provided for reconstituted tobacco material is disclosed, for example, in EP 3 624 612 B1. Depending on the desired storage capacity, buffer stores require a relatively large installation space.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a buffer storage device for web-shaped flat material in the tobacco processing industry, a method for operating a buffer storage device, a machine in the tobacco processing industry and a method for operating the same, wherein the storage capacity is to be improved with a comparably large or only slightly larger installation space or the installation space of the buffer storage is to be reduced with the same or at least a similar storage capacity.

[0006] The task is solved by a buffer storage for web-shaped flat material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a first web guiding device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in a staggered direction and a second web guiding device arranged opposite the first web guiding device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in the staggered direction, wherein the deflection devices of the first and second web guiding devices are arranged offset from one another in the staggering direction, so that the flat material can be guided alternately between a deflection device of the first web guiding device and a deflection device of the second web guiding device, This buffer storage is further developed by the deflection devices each comprise a plurality of deflection elements for deflecting the flat material.

[0007] The buffer storage according to aspects of the invention comprises multiple deflection elements per deflection device. This opens up the possibility of deflecting the flat material multiple times at each of the deflection devices. Thus, the flat material can be guided in multiple layers along a transport path in the buffer storage. The storage capacity of the buffer storage can be increased by the multi-layer guidance, or the installation space of the buffer storage can be reduced while maintaining the same or at least a similar storage capacity. The flat material is, in particular, a flat web, for example, a flat web made of RECON material.

[0008] In particular, it is provided that the deflection devices each comprise at least a first and a second deflection element. For example, the deflection devices comprise internal first deflection elements and external second deflection elements. The internal deflection elements are arranged facing the respective opposite web guide device. The external deflection elements are arranged facing away from the respective opposite web guide device.

[0009] The first deflection elements of the first web guiding device are arranged, configured, and intended to deflect the flat material in the direction of a second deflection element of a deflection device of the second web guiding device. The second deflection elements of the first web guiding device are arranged, configured, and intended to deflect the flat material in the direction of a first deflection element of a deflection device of the second web guiding device. Likewise, the first deflection elements of the deflection devices of the second web guiding device are arranged, configured, and intended to deflect the flat material in the direction of a second deflection element of a deflection device of the first web guiding device.The second deflection elements of the deflection devices of the second web guide device are arranged, configured, and intended to deflect the flat material toward a first deflection element of a deflection device of the first web guide device. The flat material is thus guided alternately between a first and a second deflection element of the opposing web guide devices. The transport path of the flat material extends between the deflection elements of the opposing web guide devices. The flat material is guided in two layers along this transport path, which increases the storage capacity of the buffer storage.

[0010] The deflection devices of the first web guide device are each constructed identically and arranged side by side at equal spacing in the staggered direction. The deflection devices of the opposite second web guide device are constructed as a mirror image of those of the first web guide device. They are also arranged offset in the staggered direction from the deflection devices of the first web guide device.

[0011] The deflection principle can be extended to more than two deflection elements per deflection device while maintaining the same design principles.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the buffer storage is advantageously further developed in that the deflection elements of a single deflection device are arranged such that the flat material can be deflected by the deflection elements with opposite transport directions.

[0013] The flat material is guided along the deflection elements, for example, in a zigzag pattern from left to right through the buffer storage. At the right end of the buffer storage, the flat material is deflected and returned in the opposite direction, for example, from right to left, along an offset zigzag path using the other deflection elements. Thus, in those sections of the transport line where the flat material is guided in two layers, the flat material is guided in the opposite transport direction. Accordingly, the flat material is also deflected in opposite transport directions at the corresponding deflection elements.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the buffer storage is further developed in that the deflection elements of a deflection device are arranged along a straight line, wherein the deflection elements of the deflection devices of a web guiding device are each arranged on a group of straight lines arranged parallel to one another in the staggering direction, and wherein in particular the deflection elements of the deflection devices of the first web guiding device are arranged on a first group of parallel straight lines and the deflection elements of the deflection devices of the second web guiding device are arranged on a second group of parallel straight lines, wherein the straight lines of the first group do not intersect the straight lines of the second group and furthermore in particular the straight lines of the first group run centrally in the spaces between the straight lines of the second group.

[0015] The buffer storage can, for example, be designed such that the flat material is deflected back and forth along an approximately vertically extending zigzag line. According to such an embodiment, the first web guiding device and the second web guiding device extend horizontally, i.e. their deflection devices are arranged next to one another in a horizontal staggered direction. The individual deflection elements of these deflection devices are arranged vertically one above the other in such an embodiment. Furthermore, the deflection devices of the first and second web guiding devices are offset from one another so that the first and second web guiding devices can be moved into one another. In this retracted state, the deflection elements of the first and second web guiding devices are aligned horizontally. This facilitates threading the flat material into the buffer storage.

[0016] Furthermore, according to such an embodiment, a web guide can be implemented along the transport path that runs slightly diagonally to the vertical between the individual deflection devices of the opposing web guide devices. The flat material does not touch each other along the transport path, even with a double-layer guide, thus enabling particularly gentle storage of the web-shaped flat material.

[0017] The above example relates to buffering the flat material along a vertically reciprocating zigzag transport path. According to a further embodiment, the buffer storage can be arranged rotated by 90°. In such an embodiment, the flat material is buffered along a horizontally reciprocating zigzag transport path.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the buffer storage is further developed in that the deflection elements of a single deflection device are designed and configured to deflect the flat material along circular arc segments of different radii, wherein the deflection elements are in particular deflection rollers with different radii, and wherein the web guide device has inner deflection elements facing the respective opposite web guide device and outer deflection elements facing away, wherein the inner deflection elements are designed and configured to deflect the flat material along a circular arc segment with a smaller radius, i.e. the outer deflection elements.

[0019] Such a buffer storage device is advantageously further developed in that the web-shaped flat material can be guided alternately between an inner deflection element of a deflection device of the first web guiding device and an outer deflection element of a deflection device of the second web guiding device and vice versa.

[0020] The object is further achieved by a buffer storage for web-shaped flat material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a first web guiding device with at least two deflection device blocks arranged next to one another in a staggering direction, each having a plurality of deflection elements, and a second web guiding device arranged opposite the first web guiding device and movable relative to the latter in a direction of travel running transversely to the staggering direction, with at least two deflection device blocks arranged next to one another in the staggering direction, each having a plurality of deflection elements, wherein the deflection elements of the deflection device blocks of the first and second web guiding devices are arranged offset next to one another in a stacking direction running transversely to the staggering direction and the travel direction, wherein the deflection device blocks are arranged such that the flat material can be guided from a first deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device to a first deflection element of a first deflection device block of the second web guiding device, from there to a first deflection element of a second web guiding block of the first web guiding device and further to a first deflection element of a second deflection device block of the second web guiding device and from there back to a second deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device adjacent to the first deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device.

[0021] Starting from the second deflection element, the web is guided in principle as described above for the first deflection element. At the end of this pass, the sheet is transferred to a third deflection element, which is arranged adjacent to the second deflection element in the stacking direction. The storage of the flat material can continue following this principle until the last deflection element of the deflection device block is reached.

[0022] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, a compact buffer storage device can be provided, the construction of which could be simplified by the use of deflection device blocks.

[0023] The deflection elements are designed, for example, to effect a deflection along a circular arc segment. For example, the deflection elements are deflection rollers. The deflection elements can be rotating or rotatable. A rotation axis, for example, is parallel to the stacking direction of the respective deflection device block.

[0024] By deflecting the flat material along circular arc segments of different sizes, i.e., along circular arc segments with different radii, contact between the flat material and the transport path running between the deflection elements of opposing deflection devices can be avoided. This allows for a particularly gentle deflection of the flat material.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the buffer storage is further developed by at least one flat material support device which extends along a transport path of the flat material between the first and second web guide devices.

[0026] A buffer storage device according to this embodiment is particularly suitable for buffering flat material that requires gentle handling, for example because it is sensitive to tensile loads. The buffer storage device is particularly suitable for storing RECON material. The flat material support device comprises, for example, a movable carrier that is moved along the transport path at a speed adapted to the transport speed of the flat material. Due to the movement of the carrier, no relative movement occurs between the carrier and the flat material, which enables particularly gentle support of the flat material. For example, the carrier is a track that is guided over corresponding deflection elements, such as deflection rollers.

[0027] The flat material support device can also include an air system that exerts a suction effect on the flat material in the direction of the carrier. This allows the flat material to be brought into contact with the carrier on the transport path between the deflection devices, ensuring reliable support of the flat material. A flat material support device is particularly advantageous when the buffer storage is designed such that the transport path describes a horizontally reciprocating zigzag line. In such a case, the flat material support device can compensate for the influence of gravity on the flat material.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the buffer storage is further developed in that the first and the second web guiding device are movable, so that a distance between the first and the second web guiding device can be changed in order to change a storage capacity.

[0029] A buffer storage with variable storage capacity is particularly advantageous when it is arranged, for example, between a flat web supply device and a machine in the tobacco processing industry. The machine carries out a continuous production process, whereas the storage requires an interruption in the supply of flat material from time to time, for example due to a reel change. During the period in which the supply of flat material is interrupted, the flat material can be removed from the buffer storage to ensure the continuous production process. During this process, the buffer storage reduces its storage capacity so that, although no flat material is being fed in on the input side, flat material can be continuously supplied on the output side.In the subsequent production phase, in which, for example, flat material is fed back into the production process from the flat web supply device, this feed can occur at a higher speed than the production speed of the downstream machine. The resulting excess flat material can be absorbed by increasing the storage capacity of the buffer storage.

[0030] The buffer storage according to aspects of the invention is further developed in particular in that the first or the second web guiding device has a flat material return device which is designed as a bypass and is adapted to guide the flat material in at least approximately a staggered direction from one end of the web guiding device to an opposite second end of the web guiding device, omitting the deflection devices.

[0031] The flat material return device allows the flat material to be fed into the buffer storage on one side and removed from the opposite side, even with a double-layer web guide. This simplifies the integration of the buffer storage into existing production systems.

[0032] The object is further achieved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry, comprising, arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction, a flat material supply device, in particular a reel changer, with which web-shaped flat material can be provided from at least one reel, a splicing device, a buffer storage according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments and a strand forming device which is designed to form a strand of the tobacco processing industry by processing the web-shaped flat material.

[0033] Such a machine offers the same or similar advantages as those previously mentioned with regard to the buffer storage itself. Furthermore, such a machine has the advantage that, by integrating the buffer storage into the machine, a continuous production process can be carried out with the machine.

[0034] Such a machine is advantageously further developed in that a first pair of pulling rollers, which is designed to transport the flat material, is arranged between the flat material supply device and the buffer storage, in particular between the splicing device and the buffer storage, and / or a second pair of pulling rollers is arranged between the buffer storage and the strand forming device.

[0035] The use of pairs of pull rollers, viewed in the direction of material flow, upstream and downstream of the buffer storage advantageously allows the flat material to be conveyed in the buffer storage without the use of the buffer storage affecting the web tension of the flat material in the other sections of the machine. The two pairs of pull rollers therefore provide strain relief, allowing the machine to be operated as if it had no buffer storage. The use of two pairs of pull rollers is also advantageous because the buffer storage contains a large web length. Accordingly, a resistance must be overcome to convey the flat material through the buffer storage, which, if the pairs of pull rollers were omitted, would have to be compensated for by a higher web tension. However, the tensile strength of flat webs in the tobacco processing industry is not very high for some materials, for example RECON.If such a material is to be stored in the buffer storage, the web tension cannot be increased arbitrarily, which might mean that the buffer storage volume cannot be selected very high. While other materials used in the tobacco processing industry, such as susceptor strips, exhibit high tensile strength, it is sometimes undesirable to increase this arbitrarily. On the one hand, processing under high web tension may require adjustments to the production process; on the other hand, it may be undesirable to subject the flat web to high web tensions, for example, because this changes the properties of the flat web.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, such a machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that a first web tension adjustment device is arranged upstream of the first pair of pull rollers in the material flow direction, in particular between the splicing device and the first pair of pull rollers, and / or a second web tension adjustment device is arranged downstream of the second pair of pull rollers in the material flow direction, in particular between the second pair of pull rollers and the strand forming device, and / or a third web tension adjustment device is arranged between the first and second pair of pull rollers.

[0037] Web tension adjustment devices, for example, are so-called dancer rollers. With these devices, the web tension of the flat web material can be separately controlled and / or regulated in the relevant sections, for example, in the buffer storage itself, upstream of the buffer storage, and also downstream of the buffer storage. This has a beneficial effect on the production process.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that it has a control and / or regulating device which is designed and configured to control and / or regulate a storage volume of the buffer storage, in particular a distance between the first web guiding device and the oppositely arranged second web guiding device, depending on an operating state variable of the flat material supply device and / or the splicing device.

[0039] A control and / or regulation-based coupling between the buffer storage and the flat material supply device and / or the splicing device advantageously allows the storage volume of the buffer storage to be controlled depending on a reel change. The operating state variable is, in particular, a variable which, for example, indicates in binary form whether a reel change is being carried out or not. According to further embodiments, the operating state variable can be configured such that, even at the moment a reel change is imminent, the storage volume is adjusted due to the smaller length or quantity of web-like flat material provided by the flat material supply device.According to such an embodiment, the operating state variable is not configured as a binary variable, but rather, for example, such that it assumes a specific value that correlates with the provided length or quantity of web-like flat material per unit of time. This value can be encoded in the operating state variable in analog or digital format. For example, the speed at which the web-like flat material is provided can decrease shortly before a reel change. The storage volume would be reduced in response to this and to maintain a constant material flow downstream of the buffer storage. Material that cannot be provided by the flat material supply device due to the reel change is provided by the buffer storage.The storage volume of the buffer can be reduced to compensate for the lower speed at which the flat material supply device supplies web-shaped flat material. During the actual reel change, the flat material is supplied to the production process exclusively from the buffer. After the reel change and the start-up of the web-shaped flat material from the new reel, the storage volume of the buffer can be increased again so that the storage is refilled, again while maintaining a constant material flow downstream of the buffer.

[0040] The object is further achieved by a method for operating a buffer storage for web-shaped flat material in the tobacco processing industry, wherein the buffer storage comprises: a first web guiding device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in a staggered direction, and a second web guiding device arranged opposite the first web guiding device with a plurality of deflection devices arranged next to one another in the staggered direction, wherein the deflection devices of the first and second web guiding devices are arranged offset from one another in the staggered direction, and the deflection devices each comprise a plurality of deflection elements, comprising the following steps: buffering the flat material by guiding it alternately between a deflection device of the first web guiding device and a deflection device of the second web guiding device,wherein the flat material passes through the buffer storage along a transport path several times and in different directions and is deflected by the deflection elements of a single deflection device with opposite transport directions.

[0041] The same or similar advantages apply to the method for operating the buffer storage as those already mentioned with regard to the buffer storage itself, so that repetition will be avoided.

[0042] The method is preferably further developed in that the flat material is deflected at the deflection elements of a single deflection device along circular arc segments of different radii, wherein the deflection elements are in particular deflection rollers with different radii, and wherein the web guiding device has inner deflection elements facing the respective opposite web guiding device and outer deflection elements facing away, wherein the flat material is deflected at the inner deflection elements along a circular arc segment with a smaller radius than at the outer deflection elements, wherein in particular the web-shaped flat material is guided alternately between an inner deflection element of a deflection device of the first web guiding device and an outer deflection element of a deflection device of the second web guiding device and vice versa.

[0043] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for operating a buffer storage for web-shaped flat material in the tobacco processing industry, wherein the buffer storage comprises: a first web guiding device with at least two deflection device blocks arranged next to one another in a staggering direction, each having a plurality of deflection elements, and a second web guiding device arranged opposite the first web guiding device and movable relative to the latter in a travel direction transverse to the staggering direction, with at least two deflection device blocks arranged next to one another in the staggering direction, each having a plurality of deflection elements, wherein the deflection elements of the deflection device blocks of the first and second web guiding devices are arranged offset next to one another in a stacking direction transverse to the staggering direction and the travel direction,wherein the flat material is guided along the deflection device blocks as follows: the flat material is guided from a first deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device to a first deflection element of a first deflection device block of the second web guiding device, from there to a first deflection element of a second web guiding block of the first web guiding device and further to a first deflection element of a second deflection device block of the second web guiding device and from there back to a second deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device adjacent to the first deflection element of the first deflection device block of the first web guiding device.

[0044] The same or similar advantages and further training aspects apply to the method as previously mentioned with regard to the corresponding device.

[0045] Finally, the object is achieved by a method for operating a machine in the tobacco processing industry according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the web-shaped flat material is provided by the at least one reel of the flat material provision device, in particular the reel changer, and is fed to the splicing device in the material flow direction. The flat material is further fed to the buffer store and buffered therein, wherein the flat material is fed to the strand forming device downstream of the buffer store in the material flow direction and is formed in the strand forming device by processing the flat material into a strand for the tobacco processing industry.

[0046] The method of operating the tobacco processing machine has the same or similar advantages as those previously mentioned with regard to the tobacco processing machine itself.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the method is further developed in that flat material is transported by the first and second pair of pull rollers, wherein in particular the machine is designed according to the aforementioned embodiment and in a first web section in the material flow direction upstream of the first pair of pull rollers, in particular in a first web section between the splicing device and the first pair of pull rollers, a web tension of the flat material is set, controlled and / or regulated with the first web tension adjustment device, and / or in a second web section in the material flow direction downstream of the second pair of pull rollers, in particular in a second web section between the second pair of pull rollers and the strand forming device, a web tension of the flat material is set, controlled and / or regulated with the second web tension adjustment device, and / or in a third web section,which runs between the first and second pair of pull rollers at least partially, in particular predominantly, furthermore in particular to at least 80%, furthermore in particular to at least 90%, within the buffer storage, a web tension of the flat material is set, controlled and / or regulated with the third web tension adjustment device.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the method is finally further developed in that the control and / or regulating device controls and / or regulates the storage volume of the buffer storage, in particular a distance between the first web guiding device and the oppositely arranged second web guiding device, depending on an operating state variable of the flat material supply device and / or the splicing device.

[0049] The following aspects can be advantageously combined with one or more of the aforementioned embodiments or advantageous

[0050] Represent further developments of one or more of these embodiments: The web-shaped flat material can be reconstituted tobacco material or a wrapping material, for example, a wrapping paper. The web-shaped flat material can be formed as follows: as a tobacco foil, metal foil, plastic foil, paper web, cardboard web, or as a cellulose-containing nonwoven. The flat material can, in particular, be formed with a single layer or with multiple layers. The layers can have the same composition or different compositions.

[0051] The susceptor strip may comprise a material that can be heated inductively. The susceptor strip may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure, in particular including a layer made of or containing stainless steel and / or a layer made of or containing nickel.

[0052] The susceptor strip can have a width between 1.5 mm and 5.5 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 4.5 mm, furthermore in particular between 3.1 mm and 4.9 mm, furthermore in particular between 3.1 mm and 3.9 mm, furthermore in particular between 4.1 mm and 4.9 mm.

[0053] The susceptor strip may further have a thickness between 0.035 mm and 0.13 mm, in particular a thickness between 0.055 mm and 0.095 mm, further in particular between 0.055 mm and 0.065 mm, further in particular between 0.065 mm and 0.085 mm.

[0054] The flat material can be provided on a reel. A reel can comprise a tobacco foil, a metal foil, a plastic film, a paper web, a cardboard web, or a cellulose-containing nonwoven. The flat material provided on the reel can further comprise a single layer or multiple layers, wherein the layers have the same or different compositions.

[0055] The flat material can be provided in the form of a spiral winding in the radial direction or at least partially spiral winding in the radial direction and / or helical winding in the axial direction or at least partially helical winding in the axial direction of the reel, in particular in the direction of the rotation axis of the reel.

[0056] One or more bobbins can be arranged in a flat material supply device, in particular a bobbin changer, in particular rotatably driven about a rotation axis of the bobbin.

[0057] The buffer storage can have a storage length that allows for the temporary storage of flat web material with a length of at least 15 m. In particular, the storage length is between 20 m and 30 m.

[0058] The deflection devices can be made of metal, such as steel. This design reduces wear on the deflection devices in the buffer storage tank.

[0059] 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 may incorporate individual features or a combination of several features.

[0060] 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 buffer storage in a schematically simplified side view, Fig. 2 shows a buffer storage in the retracted state, in which the flat material can be easily threaded, Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a buffer storage whose deflection devices each have three deflection elements, Fig. 4 shows another buffer storage whose transport path is oriented along a horizontally back and forth running zigzag line, Fig. 5 shows a machine of the tobacco processing industry with a buffer storage, in a schematic representation and Fig. 6a), b) shows another buffer storage in a schematically simplified perspective view in the extended state with a high storage volume ( Fig. 6a )) and in retracted position with low storage volume ( Fig. 6b )).

[0061] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

[0062] In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a repeated presentation is omitted.

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a buffer storage 2 for web-shaped flat material 4 in the tobacco processing industry in a schematically simplified side view. The buffer storage 2 comprises a first web guide device 61 and a second web guide device 62 arranged opposite it. The web guide devices 61, 62 are also generally designated by reference numeral 6.

[0064] The first web guiding device 61 comprises a plurality of deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 arranged side by side in a staggering direction S, of which only some are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity. The second web guiding device 62 also comprises a plurality of deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6 arranged side by side in the staggering direction S, of which only some are also provided with reference numerals. In general, the deflection devices should also be designated by reference numeral 8.

[0065] The deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged offset in the staggering direction S relative to the deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6 of the second web guiding device 62. This offset arrangement of the deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 and 82_1 to 82_6 allows the first and second web guiding devices 61, 62 to be moved transversely to the staggering direction S, ie, to change a distance between the web guiding devices 61, 62, such that the deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 and 82_1 to 82_6 are aligned with one another. This retracted state of the buffer storage 2 is shown in Fig. 2 shown. Changing the distance between the web guide devices 61, 62 allows the storage capacity of the buffer storage 2 to be changed.

[0066] Again referring to Fig. 1 The flat material 4, which is, for example, RECON material, is guided alternately between a deflection device 81_1 to 81_6 of the first web guide device 61 and a deflection device 82_1 to 82_6 of the second web guide device 62. Each of the deflection devices 8 comprises a plurality of deflection elements, which are generally designated by reference numeral 9. By way of example, each deflection device 8 comprises internal deflection elements 9_1 and external deflection elements 9_2. For reasons of clarity, the internal and external deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 are provided with reference numerals only for the third deflection device 81_3 and the fifth deflection device 82_5.The deflection devices 8 are each designed similarly, with the deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 of the first web guide device 61 being arranged as a mirror image of the deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6 of the second web guide device 62. The inner deflection elements 9_1 and the outer deflection elements 9_2 of the deflection devices 8 are also each designed similarly. For example, the inner deflection elements 9_1 are deflection rollers with a first radius, and the outer deflection elements 9_2 are deflection rollers with a larger second radius.

[0067] For example, the flat material 4 is fed into the buffer storage 2 from the right; a conveying direction of the flat material 4 is indicated by arrows at various points within the buffer storage 2. The flat material 4 is alternately guided over an internal deflection element 9_1 of one of the web guiding devices 6 and an external deflection element 9_2 of the other web guiding device 6.

[0068] The web is guided starting from an inlet, first via the inner deflection element 9_1 of the first deflection device 82_1 of the second web guiding device 62 and from there to the outer deflection element 9_2 of the first deflection device 81_1 of the first web guiding device 61. Starting from this outer deflection element 9_2 of the first deflection device 81_1 of the first web guiding device 61, the flat material 4 reaches an inner deflection element 9_2 of the second deflection device 82_2 of the second web guiding device 62. The web guidance continues in a corresponding manner. Once the flat material 4 has passed through the buffer storage 2 once in a zigzag path from right to left, the flat material 4 is deflected at a direction change deflection element 10, for example a deflection roller, and the flat material 4 passes through the buffer storage 2 again, this time in an offset zigzag path and from left to right.Specifically, the flat material 4, starting from the direction change deflection element 10, reaches the inner deflection element 9_1 of the sixth deflection device 81_6 of the first web guide device 61. From there, the flat material 4 reaches the outer deflection element 9_2 of the sixth deflection device 82_6 of the second web guide device 62. After the flat material 6 has again passed through the buffer storage 2 alternately via the inner and outer deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 of the opposing web guide devices 61, 62 to the right-hand end, the flat material 4 reaches a flat material return device 12, which comprises the return deflection elements 12_1 to 12_3.The flat material return device 12 is designed as a bypass and is configured, for example, to guide the flat material 4 at least approximately in the staggering direction S from one end of the second web guide device 62 to the opposite end of the web guide device 62, omitting the deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6.

[0069] The flat material 4 is guided along a transport path T through the buffer storage 2. By way of example, a section of the transport path T is indicated by a dashed line between the fifth deflection element 82_5 of the second web guiding device 62 and the fourth deflection device 81_4 of the first web guiding device 61. The flat material is guided in two layers along the transport path T. In the region of the transport path T, the flat material 4 is conveyed in opposite transport directions, as indicated by arrows in the region of the section of the transport path T marked with a dashed line. Accordingly, the flat material 4 is deflected at the deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 of a single deflection device 8 with opposite transport directions.This is indicated by way of example by the reversed directions of rotation of the deflection elements 9_1 and 9_2 of the fourth deflection device 81_4 of the first web guiding device 61, which are designed as transport rollers.

[0070] The deflection elements 9 of a single deflection device 8 are each arranged along a straight line G. The deflection elements 9 of the deflection devices 8 of a web guiding device 6 are each arranged on a family of straight lines G which are arranged parallel to one another in the staggering direction S. The deflection elements 9 of the deflection devices 81_1 to 81_6 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged on a first family of straight lines G which are arranged parallel to one another in the staggering direction S. The deflection elements 9 of the deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6 of the second web guiding device 62 are arranged on a second family of straight lines G which is offset therefrom and is also arranged parallel to one another in the staggering direction S, but each offset from the straight lines G of the first family.

[0071] By way of example, a second straight line G2_2 is shown for the second deflection device 82_2 of the second web guiding device 62, on which the inner and outer deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 of this deflection device 82_2 are arranged. The deflection elements 9 of the third deflection device 82_3 are arranged on a third straight line G2_3. These two straight lines G2_2 and G2_3 are part of the second set of straight lines G on which the deflection elements 9 of the deflection devices 8 of the second web guiding device 62 are arranged. Furthermore, a second straight line G1_2 is shown, on which the deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 of the second deflection device 81_2 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged. The second straight line G1_2 is part of the first set of straight lines G on which the deflection elements 9 of the deflection devices 8_1 to 8_6 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged.

[0072] The first set of straight lines G, on which the deflection elements 9 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged, is arranged offset in the staggering direction S relative to the second set of straight lines G, on which the deflection elements 9 of the second web guiding device 62 are arranged, such that the straight lines G of the two sets of the opposite web guiding device 61, 62 each run through the gaps between the deflection elements 9 of the respective other web guiding device 61, 62. Specifically, the second straight line G1_2 of the first set, on which the deflection elements 9_1, 9_2 of the second deflection element 81_2 of the first web guiding device 61 are arranged, is located in the gap between the second deflection device 82_2 and the third deflection device 82_3 of the second web guiding device 62 and also in the middle between the associated straight lines G2_2 and G2_3.Likewise, for example, the third straight line G2_3 of the second set of straight lines G, on which the deflection elements 9 of the third deflection device 82_3 of the second track guide device 62 are arranged, is located in the gap between the second deflection device 81_2 and the third deflection device 81_3 of the first track guide device 61 and the associated straight lines G, of which only the second straight line G1_2 is shown. The straight lines G of one set run, for example, centrally in the spaces between the straight lines of the other set. The straight lines of both sets run, for example, perpendicular to the staggering direction S.

[0073] The deflection elements 9 of a single deflection device 8 are designed and configured to deflect the flat material 4 along circular arc segments. For this purpose, the deflection devices 8 are, for example, deflection rollers. The deflection rollers have, for example, different radii, with the inner deflection elements 9_1 having a smaller radius than the outer deflection elements 9_2. This ensures that the flat material 4 does not touch along the transport path T and that the flat material 4 can be conveyed through the buffer storage 2 in the opposite transport direction.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows the buffer storage 2 in the retracted state and thus with minimal storage capacity. The outer deflection elements 9_2 of the web guiding devices 61, 62 are arranged in alignment with each other. In the shown state of the buffer storage 2, it is particularly easy to thread the flat material 4 into the buffer storage 2. To change the storage capacity, the first and second web guiding devices 61, 62 are moved transversely to the staggering direction S, for example, between a state as in Fig. 1 shown, and a condition as in Fig. 2 shown, procedure.

[0075] Fig. 3 shows a detail of a web guiding device 6 of a buffer storage 2 according to a further embodiment. The deflection device 8 comprises, for example, an outer deflection element 9_2 and an inner deflection element 9_1. Furthermore, a central deflection element 9_X is arranged between the inner and outer deflection elements 9_1, 9_2. According to further embodiments, any number of central deflection elements 9_X can be provided. The web guiding takes place analogously to that described in connection with Fig. 1 explained. In each case, a deflection takes place between the inner deflection element 9_1 and the outer deflection element 9_2 of the opposing web guide devices 6. In addition, the flat material 4 is guided once via the central deflection elements 9_x, alternating between the first and second web guide devices 61, 62, through the buffer storage 2. The flat material 4 is then returned by an additional direction-changing deflection element, using the reversely arranged inner and outer deflection elements 9_1 and 9_2.

[0076] Fig. 4 shows a further buffer storage 2, in which the web guide is zigzagged, back and forth between the first and second web guide devices 61, 62, in at least approximately horizontal direction. The structure and operation of the buffer storage 2 is analogous to the operation and structure of the buffer storage 2 described in connection with Fig. 1 was explained.

[0077] In addition, the Fig. 4 The buffer storage 2 shown includes a flat material support device 14. This device extends along the transport path T of the flat material 4 and consists, for example, of a belt guided along deflection rollers 16. The flat material 4 rests on this belt in the area of ​​the transport path T, which supports the flat material 4 in a manner counteracting gravity.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a simplified schematic representation of a machine 20 in the tobacco processing industry. The machine 20 comprises a flat material supply device 22, which is, for example, a reel changer. The flat material 4 is supplied on a reel 24. On a reel 24, there is always flat material 4 of a finite length. As the flat material 4 on a first reel approaches its end, the outgoing end of the first web is joined to a beginning of another web located on another reel 24, in order to enable a continuous production process. For this purpose, a splicing device 26 is located downstream of the flat material supply device 22 in the material flow direction M. The above-described process of joining an outgoing end to a beginning of a first or second flat web takes place in the splicing device 26.Thus, an infinitely long flat material 4 can be provided downstream of the splicing device 26.

[0079] Downstream of the splicing device 26, the flat material 4 passes through a first pair of pulling rollers 32 and from there into the buffer storage 2. The buffer storage 2 is designed according to one or more of the previously mentioned embodiments and is therefore only shown schematically.

[0080] Buffer storage 2 serves to temporarily store the flat material 4 so that flat material 4 can be provided at a constant speed at the downstream outlet of buffer storage 2. The flat material 4 exiting buffer storage 2 passes through a second pair of pull rollers 34. While the first pair of pull rollers 32 serves to feed the flat material 4 to buffer storage 2, the second pair of pull rollers 34 primarily serves to compensate for the high resistance for transporting the flat material 4 through buffer storage 2.

[0081] Downstream of the second pair of draw rollers 34, the flat material 4 enters a strand forming device 28, in which a strand 30 for the tobacco processing industry is produced by processing the flat material 4. The flat material 4 can, for example, be reconstituted tobacco material, which is gathered together in the strand forming device 28 and processed into a tobacco rod. The flat material 4 can also be a wrapping paper, which is wound around a tobacco rod in the strand forming device 28 and closed at a longitudinal seam. The flat material 4 can also be, for example, a susceptor strip, which, together with other materials, is processed in the strand forming device 28 into a strand 30, which is cut into segments further downstream and, together with further segments, processed into an HNB article.In particular, the flat material 4 is not the only material that is processed into the strand 30 in the strand-forming device 28. In other words, the strand 30 may comprise other materials that are not the flat material 4.

[0082] The machine 20 of the tobacco processing industry further comprises a first web tension adjustment device 36, a second web tension adjustment device 38, and a third web tension adjustment device 40. The web tension adjustment devices 36, 38, 40 are, for example, dancer rollers. With the first web tension adjustment device 36, the web tension in the first web section 42 between the flat material supply device 22 and the first pair of pull rollers 32 can be set, controlled, and / or regulated. In particular, the first web tension adjustment device 36 is used to adjust the web tension of the flat material 4 in a first web section 42 that extends between the splicing device 26 and the first pair of pull rollers 32. The second web tension adjustment device 38 is used to adjust the web tension of the flat material 4 downstream of the second pair of pull rollers 34.The web tension is adjusted in a second web section 44, which extends in particular between the second pair of draw rollers 34 and the strand forming device 28. The third web tension adjustment device 40 serves to adjust the web tension of the flat material 4 in the buffer storage 2. The first to third web tension adjustment devices 36, 38, 40 are each configured, for example, to control and / or regulate the web tension in the first, second, and / or third web sections 42, 44, 46.

[0083] The machine 20 of the tobacco processing industry further comprises a control and / or regulating device 48. This is configured to receive or query an operating state variable from the flat material supply device 22 and / or the splicing device 26. The corresponding data communication, which can be bidirectional, is indicated by a corresponding double arrow. Such an operating state variable can, for example, indicate whether a bobbin change is currently being performed or whether the flat material supply device 22 or the splicing device 26 is in a bobbin change process. The operating state variable can also indicate the speed at which the flat material 4 can currently be fed to the buffer storage 2 via the first pair of pull rollers 32. Based on the value of the operating state variable, the control and / or regulating device 48 controls the buffer storage 2 with regard to its storage volume.The storage volume of the buffer storage 2 is determined, for example, by the distance between the first web guiding device 61 and the oppositely arranged second web guiding device 62 (cf. Fig. 1 bis 4 ). The control of the storage volume of the buffer storage 2 by the control and / or regulating device 48 is indicated by an arrow. Through the appropriate control, the flat material 4 can be provided at a constant speed at the output of the buffer storage 2. Thus, a constant mass flow of the flat material 4 can be provided for processing.

[0084] The Fig. 6a ) and b) show a simplified perspective view of a buffer storage 2 for web-shaped flat material 4 of the tobacco processing industry, according to a further embodiment.

[0085] The buffer storage 2, like the previously described buffer storages 2, has a first web guide device 61 with, for example, two deflection device blocks 71, 72 arranged next to one another in a stacking direction S. Each of the deflection device blocks 71, 72 has a plurality of deflection elements 9 arranged next to one another in a stacking direction SR. For example, the deflection elements 9 are deflection rollers, for example, made of metal, which are arranged on a common axis of rotation. This axis of rotation is, for example, parallel to the stacking direction SR.

[0086] The buffer storage 2 further comprises a second web guide device 62 with, for example, two deflection device blocks 73, 74 arranged next to one another in the staggering direction S. These deflection device blocks 73, 74 also each comprise a plurality of deflection elements 9, which can be designed as described above.

[0087] The deflection device blocks 71 to 74 are arranged offset next to one another in the stacking direction SR, so that the flat material 4 can be guided through the buffer store 2 as follows. The flat material 4 first reaches a first deflection element 9 of the first deflection device block 71 of the first web guiding device 61. From there, the flat material 4 is further conveyed to a first deflection element 9 of a first deflection device block 73 of the second and Fig. 6 web guiding device 62 shown below. From there, the flat material 4 moves upwards again, to a first deflection element 9 of a second deflection device block 72 of the first web guiding device 61. From there, the flat material 4 moves further to a first deflection element 9 of a second deflection device block 74 of the second web guiding device 62. From there, it moves back to a second deflection element 9 arranged adjacent to the first deflection element 9, via which the flat material 4 was fed to the buffer store 2, which second deflection element 9 is also part of the first deflection device block 71 of the first web guiding device 61. The web guiding continues on the respective second deflection elements 9, which are arranged adjacent to the first deflection elements 9 described first. Thus, the crossing web guiding takes place, as shown in Fig. 6 is shown, until the last deflection element 9, which is located furthest forward in the figures, is reached, from which the flat material 4 leaves the buffer device 2 again.

[0088] To change the storage volume, the first web guiding device 61 and the second web guiding device 62 can be moved in the direction of travel V. While the Fig. 6a ) shows the buffer storage 2 in the extended state with a large buffer volume, is in Fig. 6b ) the buffer storage 2 is shown in the retracted state and with a small buffer volume.

[0089] All mentioned features, including those revealed solely in the drawings as well as individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention, both individually and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. Bezugszeichenliste

[0090] 2 Buffer storage 4 Flat material 61 First web guide device 62 Second web guide device 6 Web guide device 71 First deflection device block 72 Second deflection device block 73 Third deflection device block 74 Fourth deflection device block 81_1 to 81_6 Deflection devices 82_1 to 82_6 Deflection devices 8 Deflection devices 9 Deflection element 9_1 Internal deflection element 9_2 External deflection element 9_x Central deflection element 10 Direction change deflection element 12_1 to 12_3 Return deflection elements 12 Flat material return device 14 Flat material support device 16 Deflection rollers 20 Tobacco processing machine 22 Flat material supply device 24 Reel 26 Splicing device 28 Strand forming device 30 strand 32 first pair of pull rollers 34 second pair of pull rollers 36 first web tension adjustment device 38 second web tension adjustment device 40 third web tension adjustment device 42 first web section 44 second web section 46 thirdTrack section 48Control and / or regulating device SStacking direction TTransport route GStraight line G1_2Straight line of the first group G2_2, G2_3Straight line of the second group MMaterial flow direction VTravel direction SRStacking direction

Claims

1. Buffer storage (2) for web-shaped flat material (4) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: - a first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (81_1 ... 81_6) arranged next to one another in a staggering direction (S), and - a second web guiding device (62) arranged opposite the first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (82_1 ... 82_6) arranged next to one another in the staggering direction (S), wherein the deflection devices (8) of the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are arranged offset from one another in the staggering direction (S), so that the flat material (4) can be guided alternately between a deflection device (8) of the first web guiding device (61) and a deflection device (8) of the second web guiding device (62), characterized in that - the deflection devices (8) each comprise a plurality of deflection elements (9) for deflecting the flat material (4).

2. Buffer storage (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection elements (9) of a single deflection device (8) are arranged such that the flat material (4) can be deflected by the deflection elements (9) with opposite transport directions.

3. Buffer storage (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe deflection elements (9) of a deflection device (8) are arranged along a straight line (G), wherein the deflection elements (9) of the deflection devices (8) of a web guiding device (6) are each arranged on a set of straight lines (G) arranged parallel to one another in the staggering direction (S), and wherein in particular the deflection elements (9) of the deflection devices (8) of the first web guiding device (61) are arranged on a first set of parallel straight lines (G1) and the deflection elements (9) of the deflection devices (8) of the second web guiding device (62) are arranged on a second set of parallel straight lines (G2), wherein the straight lines (G1) of the first set do not intersect the straight lines (G2) of the second set and furthermore in particular the straight lines (G1) of the first set run centrally in the spaces between the straight lines (G2) of the second set.

4. Buffer storage (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe deflection elements (9) of a single deflection device (8) are designed and configured to deflect the flat material (4) along circular arc segments of different radii, wherein the deflection elements (9) are in particular deflection rollers with different radii, and wherein the web guiding device (6) has inner deflection elements (9_1) facing the respective opposite web guiding device (6) and outer deflection elements (9_2) facing away, wherein the inner deflection elements (9_1) are designed and configured to deflect the flat material (4) along a circular arc segment with a smaller radius than the outer deflection elements (9_2),wherein in particular the web-shaped flat material (4) can be guided alternately between an inner deflection element (9_1) of a deflection device (8) of the first web guiding device (61) and an outer deflection element (9_2) of a deflection device (8) of the second web guiding device (62) and vice versa.

5. Buffer storage (2) for web-shaped flat material (4) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: - a first web guiding device (61) with at least two deflection device blocks (71, 72) arranged next to one another in a staggering direction (S), each having a plurality of deflection elements (9), and - a second web guiding device (62) arranged opposite the first web guiding device (61) and movable relative to the latter in a travel direction (V) running transversely to the staggering direction (S), said second web guiding device having at least two deflection device blocks (73, 74) arranged next to one another in the staggering direction (S), each having a plurality of deflection elements (9), wherein the deflection elements (9) of the deflection device blocks (71, 72)74) of the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are arranged offset next to one another in a stacking direction (SR) extending transversely to the staggering direction (S) and the travel direction (V), wherein the deflection device blocks (71..74) are arranged such that the flat material (4) can be guided from a first deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61) to a first deflection element (9) of a first deflection device block (73) of the second web guiding device (62), from there to a first deflection element (9) of a second web guiding block (72) of the first web guiding device (61) and further to a first deflection element (9) of a second deflection device block (74) of the second web guiding device (62) and from there back to a second deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61) adjacent to the first deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61).

6. Buffer storage (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized byat least one flat material support device (14) which extends along a transport path (T) of the flat material (4) between the first and second web guide devices (61, 62).

7. Buffer storage (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are movable, so that a distance between the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) can be changed in order to change a storage capacity.

8. Buffer storage (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe first or the second web guiding device (61, 62) has a flat material return device (12) which is designed as a bypass and is adapted to guide the flat material (4) in at least approximately a staggered direction (S) from one end of the web guiding device (6) to an opposite second end of the web guiding device (6), omitting the deflection devices (8).

9. A machine (20) for the tobacco processing industry, comprising, arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction (M), a flat material supply device (22), in particular a reel changer, with which web-shaped flat material (4) can be provided from at least one reel (24), a splicing device (26), a buffer store (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or according to the preamble of claim 1, and a strand forming device (28) which is designed to form a strand (30) for the tobacco processing industry by processing the web-shaped flat material (4).

10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in thata first pair of pulling rollers (32), which is designed to transport the flat material (4), is arranged between the flat material supply device (22) and the buffer store (2), in particular between the splicing device (26) and the buffer store (2), and / or a second pair of pulling rollers (34) is arranged between the buffer store (2) and the strand forming device (28).

11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in thata first web tension adjustment device (36) in the material flow direction (M) upstream of the first pair of pull rollers (32), in particular between the splicing device (26) and the first pair of pull rollers (32), and / or a second web tension adjustment device (38) in the material flow direction (M) downstream of the second pair of pull rollers (34), in particular between the second pair of pull rollers (34) and the strand forming device (28), and / or a third web tension adjustment device (40) between the first and second pair of pull rollers (32, 34) are / is arranged.

12. Machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized bya control and / or regulating device (48) which is designed and configured to control and / or regulate a storage volume of the buffer storage (2), in particular a distance between the first web guiding device (61) and the oppositely arranged second web guiding device (62), depending on an operating state variable of the flat material provision device (22) and / or the splicing device (26).

13. A method for operating a buffer storage device (2) for web-shaped flat material (4) in the tobacco processing industry, wherein the buffer storage device (2) comprises: - a first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (81_1 ... 81_6) arranged next to one another in a staggering direction (S), and - a second web guiding device (62) arranged opposite the first web guiding device (61) with a plurality of deflection devices (82_1 ... 82_6) arranged next to one another in the staggering direction (S), wherein the deflection devices (8) of the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are arranged offset from one another in the staggering direction (S), and - the deflection devices (8) each comprise a plurality of deflection elements (9), comprising the following steps: buffering the flat material (4),by guiding said sheet material alternately between a deflection device (81_1 ... 81_6) of the first web guiding device (61) and a deflection device (82_1 ... 82_6) of the second web guiding device (62), wherein the sheet material (4) passes through the buffer store (2) along a transport path (T) several times and in different directions and is deflected by the deflection elements (9) of a single deflection device (8) with mutually opposite transport directions, wherein in particular the sheet material (4) is deflected at the deflection elements (9) of a single deflection device along circular arc segments of different radii, wherein the deflection elements (9) are in particular deflection rollers with different radii, and wherein the web guiding device (6) has inner deflection elements (9_1) facing the respective opposite web guiding device (6) and outer deflection elements (9_2) facing away from it,wherein the flat material (4) is deflected at the inner deflection elements (9_1) along a circular arc segment with a smaller radius than at the outer deflection elements (9_2), wherein in particular the web-shaped flat material (4) is guided alternately between an inner deflection element (9_1) of a deflection device (81_1 ... 81_6) of the first web guiding device (61) and an outer deflection element (9_2) of a deflection device (82_1 ... 82_6) of the second web guiding device (62) and vice versa.

14. Method for operating a buffer storage (2) for web-shaped flat material (4) in the tobacco processing industry, wherein the buffer storage (2) comprises: - a first web guiding device (61) with at least two deflection device blocks (71, 72) arranged next to one another in a staggering direction (S), each having a plurality of deflection elements (9), and - a second web guiding device (62) arranged opposite the first web guiding device (61) and movable relative to the latter in a travel direction (V) running transversely to the staggering direction, said second web guiding device having at least two deflection device blocks (73, 74) arranged next to one another in the staggering direction (S), each having a plurality of deflection elements (9), wherein the deflection elements (9) of the deflection device blocks (71, 72)74) of the first and second web guiding devices (61, 62) are arranged offset next to one another in a stacking direction (SR) extending transversely to the staggering direction (S) and the travel direction (V), wherein the flat material (4) is guided along the deflection device blocks (71, 62).74) is guided as follows: the flat material (4) is guided from a first deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61) to a first deflection element (9) of a first deflection device block (73) of the second web guiding device (62), from there to a first deflection element (9) of a second web guiding block (72) of the first web guiding device (61) and further to a first deflection element (9) of a second deflection device block (74) of the second web guiding device (62) and from there back to a second deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61) adjacent to the first deflection element (9) of the first deflection device block (71) of the first web guiding device (61).

15. A method for operating a machine (20) of the tobacco processing industry according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the web-shaped flat material (4) is provided by the at least one reel (24) of the flat material provision device (22), in particular the reel changer, and is fed in the material flow direction (M) to the splicing device (26), the flat material (4) is further fed to the buffer store (2) and buffered therein, wherein the flat material (4) is fed downstream of the buffer store (2) in the material flow direction (M) to the strand forming device (28) and is formed in the strand forming device (28) with processing of the flat material (4) into the strand (30) of the tobacco processing industry.

16. A method according to claim 15 for operating a machine according to claim 11, characterized in thatthe flat material (4) is transported by the first and second pair of pull rollers (32, 34), wherein in particular the machine is designed according to claim 10 and in a first web section (42) in the material flow direction (M) upstream of the first pair of pull rollers (32), in particular in a first web section (42) between the splicing device (26) and the first pair of pull rollers (32), a web tension of the flat material (4) is set, controlled and / or regulated with the first web tension adjustment device (36), and / or in a second web section (44) in the material flow direction (M) downstream of the second pair of pull rollers (34), in particular in a second web section (44) between the second pair of pull rollers (34) and the strand forming device (28), a web tension of the flat material (4) is set, controlled and / or regulated with the second web tension adjustment device (38), and / or in a third web section (46),which runs between the first and second pair of pull rollers (32, 34) at least partially, in particular predominantly, furthermore in particular to at least 80%, furthermore in particular to at least 90%, within the buffer storage (2), a web tension of the flat material (4) is set, controlled and / or regulated with the third web tension adjustment device (40).

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16 for operating a machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the control and / or regulating device (48) controls and / or regulates the storage volume of the buffer storage (2), in particular a distance between the first web guiding device (61) and the oppositely arranged second web guiding device (62), depending on an operating state variable of the flat material provision device (22) and / or the splicing device (26).

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