Machine in the tobacco processing industry for producing a rod, and method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (2) in the tobacco processing industry for producing a rod (6) from a flat web (4), said machine comprising the following devices arranged in series in a material flow direction: a flat web providing device (8) for providing the flat web (4); a flat web structuring device (12), for example a crimping device, which can be used to introduce a structure into the flat web (4), by means of which structure the flat web (4), when spread out, is given a cross-section which is changed at least in sections; a flat web preforming device (26) by means of which the flat web (4) can be transferred into a preformed state; and a rod-forming device (28) by means of which the rod (6) can be produced from the preformed flat web (4). The machine (2) is developed by a transport roller (24) that is located between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26), wherein the flat web (4) is guided over or along the transport roller (24) in the material flow direction, and wherein the transport roller (24) is designed and configured to guide the spread-out flat web (4) and / or to adjust a web tension of the flat web (4) on a transport path between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26).

Description

[0001] Machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing a rod and method for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a machine in the tobacco processing industry for producing a rod from a flat web. Such a machine comprises the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction: a flat web structuring device, a flat web preforming device, and a rod forming device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry from a flat web.

[0004] Flat sheets are used for various purposes in the tobacco processing industry and are often processed into an infinitely long strand in a continuous process. Such a strand can be used to produce rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry. These articles often constitute a segment of a product from the tobacco processing industry.

[0005] For example, a flat sheet of reconstituted tobacco material (RECON) can be processed into rod-shaped segments, which are used in an HNB (heat-not-burn) product, also known as a THP (tobacco-heated product). In such a product from the tobacco processing industry, the tobacco material is heated rather than burned. As a result of the heating, the ingredients of the tobacco material are released and delivered in an air stream for consumption.

[0006] Another article in the tobacco processing industry manufactured from a single strand is, for example, a segment made of PLA film or comprising PLA film. Such segments serve, for example, as cooling elements in HNB products. Another article in the tobacco processing industry that is manufactured in a continuous production process and cut from an infinitely long strand is a filter element or filter segment. While many filter elements are made from a filter tow, paper filters are made from a flat sheet.

[0007] A key process step in processing a flat web into, for example, one of the above-mentioned articles is the transformation of the flat web from a flat state into a strand that is at least approximately round in cross-section. For this purpose, the flat web is gathered, for example, transversely to its longitudinal direction and then formed into a strand and, in particular, wrapped in a formatting unit. Flat web preforming devices are used to transfer the flat web from the flat, web-like state to the gathered state, starting from which the flat web is further compacted within the formatting unit. Such a flat web preforming device is known, for example, from US 4,807,809, from US 4,170,347 or also from WO 2019 / 158313 A1.

[0008] In order to preform the flat sheet, especially the crosswise to its

[0009] In order to facilitate the gathering carried out in the longitudinal direction, the flat web is often subjected to pre-treatment in such a way that elevations and depressions are introduced into the flat web using a pair of rollers, for example. A flat web structuring device of this type, which is often a crimping device, runs through the flat web before it enters the flat web pre-forming device. A roller often used for this purpose has numerous elevations in its outer surface which interact with depressions in the opposite roller of the roller pair. The same applies to depressions present in the first-mentioned roller; these typically interact with elevations in the opposite roller. The intermeshing of elevations and depressions on the rollers deliberately introduces deformations or material weakenings into the flat web.This pretreatment facilitates the subsequent gathering process.

[0010] In some cases, however, the structuring of the flat web, which is introduced using the flat web structuring device, is greater than desired or beneficial for the gathering process. In such a case, in order to slightly reduce the waviness caused by the structuring, for example, the flat web can be pulled over a sliding or smoothing edge, which ensures that the material of the flat web at least partially unfolds or stretches again. Such a device is known, for example, from EP 3 624 616 B1.

[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a machine for the tobacco processing industry for producing a strand from a flat web and a method for producing a strand from a flat web in the tobacco processing industry, wherein a web guide of the flat web is to be improved in terms of process technology.

[0012] The object is achieved by a machine in the tobacco processing industry for producing a strand from a flat web, comprising the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction: a flat web supply device for supplying the flat web, a flat web structuring device, in particular a crimping device, with which a structure can be introduced into the flat web, by means of which the flat web, in the spread-out state, receives a cross-section that is changed at least in sections, a flat web pre-forming device with which the flat web can be converted into a pre-formed state, and a strand forming device with which the strand can be produced from the pre-formed flat web, wherein this machine is further developed by a transport roller arranged between the flat web structuring device and the flat web pre-forming device,wherein the flat web is guided in the material flow direction by means of and / or along the transport roller, in particular advantageously contacting the transport roller tangentially over a wrap angle greater than zero and / or less than 95 degrees, and wherein the transport roller is arranged and designed to guide the spread-out flat web and / or to adjust a web tension of the flat web on a transport path between the flat web structuring device and the flat web preforming device.

[0013] The flat web structuring device is particularly configured to introduce a three-dimensional structure into the flat web. Furthermore, the flat web structuring device is particularly configured to emboss a structure into the flat web.

[0014] The structure introduced into the flat web by the flat web structuring device changes the cross-section of the flat web, viewed in a plane that is oriented at least approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flat web. In an initial state, i.e. before the flat web enters the flat web structuring device, the cross-section of the flat web is at least approximately rectangular. This shape is changed at least locally, i.e. at least in sections, by the deformation process. For example, the deformation can be accompanied by a local reduction in the cross-section of the flat web. Likewise, the deformation, again viewed in cross-section, can cause a local curvature, bulge, or similar of the flat web, whereby a reduction or even a local increase in the material thickness can also occur.

[0015] Advantageously, the flat web is guided by, over, and / or along the transport roller, thus maintaining the web tension at a desired value. Alternatively or additionally, the flat web can be guided by, over, or with the aid of the transport roller. The transport roller acts as a guide for the spread, i.e., not yet gathered or compacted, flat web. Transporting the flat web by means of a transport roller prevents abrasion on the flat web, in contrast to the known technical solution in which the flat web is deflected over a deflection edge or the like, thus maintaining the web tension.

[0016] The same advantage also applies to the guidance of the flat web. The flat web is guided in tangential contact with the transport roller, particularly in the direction of material flow. Such a tangential guide is also suitable for setting, controlling, and / or regulating the desired web tension of the flat web, as well as alternatively or additionally for guiding the flat web. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the flat web is guided in contact with the transport roller over a wrap angle. Such a wrap angle is greater than zero and less than 95 degrees. In the context of this description, a wrap angle is understood to mean an angular range in which the flat web is guided in contact with the transport roller. For example, if the flat web is guided in such a way that it is deflected by the transport roller at at least approximately a right angle, the corresponding wrap angle would be at least approximately 90 degrees.

[0017] For this purpose, the transport roller is particularly designed to be rotatable. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the transport roller is designed to rotate about a rotational axis. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the transport roller is designed to rotate about a rotational axis in such a way that it is designed to rotate at a peripheral speed that is equal to, lower than, or higher than the speed of the material flow.

[0018] For example, the transport roller is capable of moving at the same speed as the flat web, so that there is little or no relative movement between the outer surface of the transport roller and the flat web. Unwanted abrasion on the flat web and the associated process dust are avoided.

[0019] In the context of this description, a material flow refers to the local direction of the material being transported or conveyed. The material flow direction locally follows the transport direction and changes along with the transport direction depending on the process step under consideration. The forming edge runs spatially, meaning that it does not extend in a single plane.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the machine is further developed in that the transport roller is driven. Such a drive can be passive, for example in the form of a freely rotating roller, or active, i.e., in the form of a driven roller. The drive can be controlled or regulated. For example, the rotational speed of the transport roller is controlled or regulated to match the web speed. By configuring the transport roller in this way, the abrasion between the transport roller and the flat web can be further reduced. As a result, potential abrasion on the flat web is further reduced.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the flat web preforming device has a forming shoulder or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder, which is designed or has a forming section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and having a substantially convex shape, and a tubular section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and having a substantially concave shape, wherein in particular the forming section and the tubular section merge into one another along a preferably spatial forming edge and wherein the forming section and the tubular section of the forming shoulder are arranged relative to one another in such a way thatthat in the material flow direction, the flat web, starting from the transport roller in an at least approximately flat state, first comes into contact with the forming section in a first transport direction and then, over the forming edge, in an at least partially rolled-up state, comes into contact with the tubular section in a second transport direction, wherein the first and the second transport direction further enclose an angle which lies between 71° and 120°, in particular between 71° and 90°, and further in particular is at least approximately 90°.

[0022] Due to the angle between the first and second transport directions, the machine can be designed very compactly. Furthermore, the flat web advantageously only comes into contact with the forming shoulder on one of its two sides. This is particularly advantageous for coated or wetted flat webs.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the forming edge extends spatially, meaning that it does not extend entirely within one plane. According to another embodiment, however, the forming edge is not spatially configured, meaning it extends flat and entirely within one plane.

[0024] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, it is provided that the forming shoulder comprises a right and a left front shoulder element and a right and a left rear shoulder element, wherein the shoulder elements are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the flat web, starting from the transport roller and viewed in the material flow direction, first comes into contact with the front shoulder elements and then comes into contact with the rear shoulder elements, and wherein the shoulder elements are in particular individually adjustable.

[0025] The shoulder elements can therefore be individually and independently adjustable, but this is not mandatory. According to further embodiments, the shoulder elements can be adjusted in pairs, for example.

[0026] The forming shoulder further comprises, in particular, a support structure to which the right and left front shoulder elements as well as the right and left rear shoulder elements are attached. The adjustability of the shoulder elements allows the forming shoulder to be flexibly adapted to different strand forming requirements. On the one hand, the forming shoulder can be adjusted to flat webs of different widths. On the other hand, the forming shoulder can be adjusted to different desired diameters of the material strand to be produced.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the machine is further developed for this purpose, in particular in that the shoulder elements are adjustable in such a way that the length of the forming edge can be varied. By extending the length of the forming edge, the forming shoulder can be adapted to flat webs of different widths.

[0028] The forming shoulder is further developed in particular by providing differently sized and / or differently shaped intermediate pieces between the shoulder elements in order to provide a continuous forming edge. In particular, the forming shoulder comprises a left intermediate piece, which extends between the left front shoulder element and the left rear shoulder element and continues the forming edge between these two shoulder elements, and a right intermediate piece, which continues the forming edge in the opposite region and extends between the front right shoulder element and the rear right shoulder element. The intermediate elements make it possible to provide a continuous forming edge, even in different settings of the shoulder elements.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is further provided that the shoulder elements are each adjustable in a linear movement.

[0030] This embodiment is further developed in particular in that the front shoulder elements are displaceable along front displacement directions which lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axial direction of the tubular section and point towards a center of the tubular section, and wherein the rear shoulder elements are displaceable along rear displacement directions and the rear displacement directions run obliquely to the said plane and intersect at least approximately in a straight line defined by the longitudinal axial direction, wherein this intersection point lies outside the tubular section.

[0031] Due to the described linear displacement of the shoulder elements, the forming shoulder can be flexibly adjusted on the one hand, and on the other hand the design effort for the realization of such a flexible forming shoulder is advantageously kept within limits.

[0032] It is further provided in particular that a motor drive or several motor drives are present for adjusting at least one shoulder element, in particular all shoulder elements. These drives can be implemented with manageable technical effort due to the existing linear adjustability of the shoulder elements. According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that a length of the forming edge of the forming shoulder is between 100 mm and 400 mm, in particular between 100 mm and 300 mm, furthermore in particular between 100 mm and 180 mm or between 180 mm and 300 mm. A forming shoulder that is flexibly adjustable within the aforementioned parameter range allows a large number of different flat webs to be processed.

[0033] The transport roller, which is positioned in a defined arrangement with the forming shoulder, advantageously establishes the web tension required for forming the flat web. Web tension is a key quality feature of the forming process. By replacing the sliding edge often found on state-of-the-art forming shoulders with the transport roller, dust formation during the process and wear on the forming shoulder can be reduced. Furthermore, the quality of the manufactured product is improved.

[0034] The previously described inlet angle of, for example, 90°, along which the surfaces of the flat web are introduced into the forming shoulder, allows the construction of an extremely compact machine with a short overall length. At the same time, such a machine can be flexibly used for various web widths. The web width is adjusted via the adjustable shoulder elements of the forming shoulder, which can be achieved by simple linear displacements. The contact surface provided on one side by the forming shoulder for shaping the flat web, i.e., the transformation from an essentially flat state into a substantially round or cylindrical state, is advantageous because a liquid, for example, as a flavor carrier or the like, can be applied to the opposite side, which does not come into contact with the forming shoulder.Such a treated flat web can be advantageously processed with the machine which is designed according to the previously mentioned embodiments.

[0035] The tubular section of the forming shoulder is not necessarily designed in the form of a closed tube. It is particularly intended that the tubular section does not have a completely closed outer surface. For example, the tubular section has a groove running along its longitudinal direction. The tubular section is, for example, cylindrical in shape, but can also be designed to be slightly conical.

[0036] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the transport roller is a crowned roller and the flat web preforming device comprises at least one keyway roller.

[0037] The keyway roller allows the flat track to be gathered in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the keyway roller, like the transport roller, can be freely rotatable, driven in an uncontrolled or unregulated manner, or driven in a controlled or regulated manner. The transport roller, designed as a spherical roller, serves particularly as a guide for the flat track due to its more or less convex shape.

[0038] In order to support the folding of the flat web in the keyway roller, the latter can be further developed in that the keyway roller comprises cheeks forming the keyway, which are coupled to one another by a connecting shaft, wherein on the connecting shaft, in particular centrally between the cheeks, there is a support body whose cross section is larger than that of the connecting shaft.

[0039] While the crowned roller maintains the required web tension and additionally or alternatively acts as a guide for the flat web, the support body ensures that the flat web can be gathered together more easily. This process can be supported by the machine being developed according to the following further embodiment, according to which it is provided that the flat web pre-forming device comprises a first and a second keyway roller, wherein the first and the second keyway roller are arranged such that the first keyway roller interacts with an underside of the flat web, with which the flat web is also guided over or along the transport roller, and the second keyway roller interacts with an upper side of the flat web and is arranged in particular downstream of the first keyway roller.

[0040] In this context, it is further provided in particular that the first keyway roller comprises a first support body and the second keyway roller comprises a second support body, wherein, viewed in a cross-section which intersects the respective connecting shaft centrally, an aspect ratio of height to width of the second support body is greater than that of the first support body.

[0041] The second keyway roller therefore has a support body which is narrower and higher than the support body of the first keyway roller.

[0042] This supports the cross-gathering of the flat web. This allows the flat web to achieve its final shape before being fed into the infeed hopper of a formatting unit.

[0043] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed by an application device arranged between the flat web structuring device and the flat web preforming device, in particular between the flat web structuring device and the transport roller, which application device is designed to apply an additive, in particular a liquid, to an upper side of the flat web, which is opposite a lower side with which the flat web is guided over or along the transport roller.

[0044] Both the forming shoulder and the keyway roller only come into contact with the flat web on one side, which is why both devices are particularly suitable for transverse gathering of a flat web to which a liquid has been applied. The machine in the tobacco processing industry, and in particular the application device, are furthermore designed and configured in such a way that no substance, in particular no liquid, is or can be applied to the underside of the flat web.

[0045] The cross gathering is carried out in a way that is gentle on the material and reduces the amount of dust generated during the process, and the machine can also be implemented with manageable construction effort.

[0046] The flat web, for example, is a paper web. This paper web is then used to produce, for example, a paper filter rod, a rod used in the tobacco processing industry.

[0047] According to a further, in itself particularly independent, solution to the problem, a machine of the tobacco processing industry is provided for producing a strand from a flat web, which comprises the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction: a flat web supply device for providing the flat web, a flat web structuring device, in particular a crimping device, with which a structure, in particular a three-dimensional structure, can be introduced into the flat web, by means of which structure the flat web in the spread-out state receives a cross-section which is changed at least in sections, a flat web pre-forming device with which the flat web can be transferred into a pre-formed state, and a strand forming device with which the strand can be produced from the pre-formed flat web.This machine is further developed in that the flat web preforming device has a forming shoulder or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder, which has a forming section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and is substantially convex, and a tubular section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and is substantially concave and forming an opening, and the flat web preforming device is arranged with the opening pointing upwards, preferably inclined upwards or downwards in an extension in the material flow direction or parallel to the horizontal.

[0048] The aforementioned terms upward and downward are to be understood in the context of this description with reference to a horizontal and a horizontal direction, respectively.

[0049] The same or similar advantages and preferred design options apply to the machine as have already been mentioned previously with regard to the machine according to the other embodiments.

[0050] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry from a flat web using a machine in the tobacco processing industry, comprising the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction: a flat web supply device, with which the flat web is provided, a flat web structuring device, in particular a crimping device, with which a structure is introduced into the flat web, by means of which the flat web, in the spread-out state, receives a modified cross-section at least in sections, a flat web preforming device, with which the flat web is converted into a preformed state, and a strand forming device, with which the strand is produced from the preformed flat web, wherein the method is further developed in thatthat a transport roller is arranged between the flat web structuring device and the flat web preforming device and the flat web is guided in the material flow direction by means of and / or along the transport roller, in particular the transport roller, advantageously tangentially or via a wrap angle greater than zero and / or less than 95 degrees, contacting, wherein the transport roller guides the spread flat web on a transport path between the flat web structuring device and the flat web preforming device and / or adjusts a web tension of the flat web.

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is further provided that the transport roller is driven. In particular, it is provided that the transport roller is driven in rotation about a rotational axis. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the transport roller is driven in such a way that it has a peripheral speed that is equal to, lower than, or higher than the speed of the material flow. The transport roller is in particular actively driven, i.e., controlled and / or regulated. The transport roller can also be designed to rotate passively.

[0052] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that the flat web preforming device has a forming shoulder or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder, which is designed or has a forming section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and substantially convex, and a tubular section with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and substantially concave,wherein in particular the forming section and the tubular section merge into one another along a preferably spatial forming edge, and wherein in the material flow direction the flat web, starting from the transport roller in an at least approximately flat state, first comes into contact with the forming section in a first transport direction and then, over the forming edge, in an at least partially rolled-up state, comes into contact with the tubular section in a second transport direction, wherein the first and the second transport direction enclose an angle which lies between 71° and 120° (71 degrees and 120 degrees), in particular between 71° and 90° (71 degrees and 90 degrees), and furthermore in particular is at least approximately 90° (90 degrees).

[0053] This method is advantageously further developed in that the forming shoulder comprises a right and a left front shoulder element and a right and a left rear shoulder element, wherein the flat web, starting from the transport roller and viewed in the material flow direction, first comes into contact with the front shoulder elements and then comes into contact with the rear shoulder elements, and wherein in order to adapt the forming shoulder to a flat web with a different width, the shoulder elements are adjusted in particular individually, so that a length of the forming edge is changed.

[0054] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is further provided that the shoulder elements are each adjusted in a linear movement.

[0055] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the transport roller is a crowned roller and the flat web preforming device comprises at least one keyway roller, wherein the flat web passes through the keyway roller and is preformed by it.

[0056] This method is further developed in particular in that the flat web preforming device comprises a first and a second keyway roller, wherein the keyway rollers each comprise cheeks forming the keyway, which are coupled to one another by a connecting shaft, wherein on the connecting shaft, in particular centrally between the cheeks, there is a support body whose cross section is larger than that of the connecting shaft, wherein the first keyway roller interacts with an underside of the flat web, with which the flat web is also guided over or along the transport roller, and wherein the second keyway roller interacts with an upper side of the flat web.

[0057] Furthermore, the method is advantageously further developed in that an application device is arranged between the flat web structuring device and the flat web preforming device, in particular between the flat web structuring device and the transport roller. This application device applies an additive, in particular a liquid, to an upper side of the flat web, which is opposite a lower side, with which the flat web is guided over or along the transport roller. The same or similar advantages and the same or similar development possibilities apply to the method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry as those already mentioned above with regard to the machine in the tobacco processing industry, so repetition is omitted.

[0058] In the context of the invention, the use of a rod of the tobacco processing industry produced by a method according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments for producing a filter of the tobacco processing industry is further provided in particular.

[0059] In particular, it is further envisaged that a paper web be used as a flat web in this context. This advantageously provides a paper filter. Paper filters are far superior to conventional filters in terms of environmental aspects.

[0060] The same or similar advantages, training opportunities and aspects apply to the use of the machine as previously mentioned with regard to the tobacco processing industry, so that repetition is avoided.

[0061] 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.

[0062] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with "particularly" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features. The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. For all details of the invention not explained in more detail in the text, express reference is made to the drawings. They show:

[0063] Fig. 1 a machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing a strand from a flat web, in schematic view,

[0064] Fig. 2 a simplified perspective view of a forming shoulder,

[0065] Fig. 3 is a simplified front view of a forming shoulder, set up to produce a strand with a large cross-section,

[0066] Fig. 4 is a simplified front view of a forming shoulder, adjusted to produce a strand with a small diameter, compared to the adjustment shown in Fig. 3,

[0067] Fig. 5 a simplified side view of a forming shoulder,

[0068] Fig. 6 is a simplified perspective view of part of a machine in the tobacco processing industry, which includes a keyway roller as a preforming device,

[0069] Fig. 7 is a simplified perspective view looking at the top of a flat web gathered with a keyway roller,

[0070] Fig. 8 is a simplified perspective view looking at an underside of the flat track and

[0071] Fig. 9 is a further simplified perspective detailed view of a machine in the tobacco processing industry for producing a strand from a flat web, comprising a first and second keyway roll as a flat web preforming device.

[0072] In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a repeated presentation is omitted.

[0073] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a machine 2 in the tobacco processing industry. With the help of this machine 2, a strand 6 is produced from a flat web 4. The machine 2 comprises a flat web supply device 8 for supplying the flat web 4. The flat web 4 is supplied, for example, on a reel 10. The flat web supply device 8 can be designed as a reel changer. According to such an embodiment, it has more than one holder for receiving a reel 10 and, for example, a corresponding splicing device which allows the individual flat webs 4 present on a reel 10 to be connected to one another to form an infinitely long flat web 4.

[0074] Downstream in the material flow direction, the machine 2 comprises a flat web structuring device 12, which comprises, for example, two crimping rollers 14. With the help of the crimping rollers 14, a three-dimensional structure is introduced, in particular embossed, into the flat web 4. The flat web 4 then passes, still viewed in the material flow direction, via a dancer 16, which serves to maintain, control or regulate the web tension, and various deflection rollers (not shown in more detail), to an application device 18. With the help of the application device 18, a liquid 22 is applied, for example, sprayed, to an upper side 20 of the flat web 4. An opposite underside 21 remains unwetted. The flat web 4 then passes, still viewed in the material flow direction, to a transport roller 24 and is fed above or along the transport roller 24 into a flat web preforming device 26.The transport roller 24 ensures that the flat web 4 is held under a suitable pre-tension so that the flat web 4 can be transferred into a pre-formed state in the flat web pre-forming device 26. Starting from the flat web pre-forming device 26, the pre-formed flat web 32 arrives in a strand forming device 28 in its pre-formed state. For example, the strand forming device 28 is a formatting unit into which the pre-formed flat web 32 enters via an inlet hopper 30. In the formatting unit, the strand 6 is formed from the pre-formed flat web 32. Rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry, for example filter rods, can be cut to length from the strand 6 using a cutting device (not shown). For example, the flat web 4 is a paper web from which a paper filter strand is produced as strand 6.From this paper filter strand, paper filters are then cut to length as rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry.

[0075] The lower section of Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a plan view of the flat web 4. While the flat web 4 is in its original width up to the flat web preforming device 26, it is transformed in the flat web preforming device 26 from a gathered or, for example, cylindrical structure. This creates the preformed flat web 32, which is formed into a strand 6 in the strand forming device 28.

[0076] The web tension of the flat web 4 at the inlet into the flat web preforming device 26 is important for the forming process. The transport roller 24 is provided in order to set the web tension to a desired value and also to keep it, for example, within a specified value interval. The transport roller also serves in particular to guide the flat web 4. The transport roller 24 is, for example, designed to be driven. The transport roller 24 can also be designed to rotate freely. If the transport roller 24 is driven, this drive can be controlled or regulated. For example, a speed of the transport roller 24 is adapted to a web speed of the flat web 4 and the speed of the transport roller 24 is correspondingly controlled or regulated to the web speed of the flat web 4. As a result, there is no or only minimal relative movement between a surface of the transport roller 24 and the flat web 4.Ideally, both surfaces move at the same speed. This largely prevents abrasion on the flat track 4, and the process dust that sometimes occurs is avoided or at least significantly reduced.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the flat web preforming device 26 is designed as a forming shoulder 36. This embodiment is explained in Figs. 2 to 5. According to another embodiment, the flat web preforming device 26 is designed as a keyway roller 38. This embodiment is explained in Figs. 6 to 9.

[0078] Fig. 2 shows a simplified perspective view of a forming shoulder 36. The forming shoulder 36 comprises a forming section 40 and a tubular section 42. Both sections are distributed over different components of the forming shoulder 36, as will be explained further below. The forming section 40 and the tubular section 42 merge into one another along a forming edge 44, for example a three-dimensional one. The forming edge 44 is three-dimensional in the sense that it does not lie or run in a single plane. The tubular section 42 is, for example, cylindrical, whereby a lateral surface or inner side of the tubular section 42 does not necessarily have to form a completely closed surface. For example, in an upper region of the tubular section 42, between the shoulder elements 50, 52, which are described in more detail below, there is a gap running in the longitudinal direction of the tubular section 42.The forming section 40 and the tubular section 42 of the forming shoulder 36 are arranged relative to one another such that, in the material flow direction, the flat web 4, starting from the transport roller 24, first comes into contact with the forming section 40 in an at least approximately flat or planar state and in a first transport direction T1. Subsequently, the flat web 4, passing over the forming edge 44, comes into contact with the tubular section 42 in an at least partially rolled-up state in a second transport direction T2. ​​In the illustrated embodiment, the first transport direction T1 and the second transport direction T2 enclose an angle which is at least approximately 90°.

[0079] The forming shoulder 36 comprises a right front shoulder element 46 and a left front shoulder element 48. The two front shoulder elements 46, 48 have curved outer surfaces, which form a partial region of the forming section 40 of the forming shoulder 36. The forming shoulder 36 further comprises a right rear shoulder element 50 and a left rear shoulder element 52. The rear shoulder elements 50, 52, in turn, have curved outer surfaces, which also form a partial region of the forming section 40 of the forming shoulder 36.

[0080] Starting from the transport roller 24, the flat web 4, viewed in the material flow direction, which corresponds to the first transport direction T1, first comes into contact with the front shoulder elements 46, 48, more precisely their forming sections 40. A central region of the flat web 4 initially enters the tubular section 42 of the forming shoulder 36 via the forming edge 44. Downstream of the forming edge 44, the flat web 4 is transported in an at least partially rolled-up state in the second transport direction T2. ​​The side or edge regions of the flat web 4 come into contact further up with the rear shoulder elements 50, 52, more precisely their forming sections 40. In this upper region, the flat web 4 is formed into an at least approximately cylindrical body and conveyed through the tubular section 42 in the direction of the second transport direction T2.The side edges of the flat sheet 4 can overlap one another, lie abutting against one another or have a gap between them extending in the longitudinal direction of this cylindrical body.

[0081] The shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are jointly fastened to a flange 54. A guide element 56 is provided between the flange 54 and each of the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52. In Fig. 2, only the right guide element, which holds the front right shoulder element 46, is visible. Furthermore, spacer elements are provided between the front and rear shoulder elements 46, 48 and 50, 52. A right spacer element 58 extends between the right front shoulder element 46 and the right rear shoulder element 50. This right spacer element 58 allows the forming edge 44 to be continuously extended between the right front shoulder element 46 and the right rear shoulder element 50. A left spacer element 60 is located on the opposite side.The left spacer element 60 extends between the left front shoulder element 48 and the left rear shoulder element 52 and continuously extends the forming edge 44 between these two shoulder elements 48, 52. Furthermore, a central spacer element 62 can be provided, which continuously extends the forming edge 44 between the right and left front shoulder elements 46, 48.

[0082] The spacer elements 58, 60, 62 are advantageously provided because the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are individually adjustable. The shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are each adjustable in a linear movement. For this purpose, the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are fastened to the associated guide element, for example, via a corresponding slotted hole connection 64. A scale can enable the adjustability of the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 along precisely defined adjustment paths. The shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are adjustable such that a length of the forming edge 44 can be changed. Accordingly, spacer elements 58, 60, 62 of different sizes can be provided in order to implement appropriate adjustment of the forming shoulder 36.

[0083] The front shoulder elements 46, 48 are displaceable along front displacement directions which lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axial direction L of the tubular portion 42.

[0084] One or more motorized drives may be provided to adjust the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52, particularly all shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52. These drives, not shown, can be implemented with manageable technical effort due to the existing linear adjustability of the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52. The shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 can be individually adjustable independently of one another, either motorized or manually adjustable. Coupled adjustability can also be provided.

[0085] Fig. 3 shows a simplified front view of the forming shoulder 36, schematically illustrating a right front displacement direction 66, along which the right front shoulder element 46 is displaceable, and a left front displacement direction 68, along which the left front shoulder element 48 is displaceable. The two displacement directions 66, 68 point in the direction of an axis that coincides with the longitudinal axial direction L of the tubular section 42. They therefore point toward a center of the tubular section 42.

[0086] The rear shoulder elements 50, 52 are displaceable along rear displacement directions 70, 72, wherein these rear displacement directions 70, 72 extend obliquely to the aforementioned plane. Indicated in Fig. 3 are a right rear displacement direction 70, in the direction of which the right rear shoulder element 50 is displaceable, and a left rear displacement direction 72, along which the left rear shoulder element 52 is displaceable. The rear displacement directions 70, 72 intersect at least approximately in a straight line defined by the longitudinal axial direction L, wherein this intersection point lies outside the tubular section 42.

[0087] By shifting the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52, the length of the forming edge 44 can be changed. While in Fig. 3 the forming edge 44 is comparatively large, in the illustration in Fig. 4, which shows a further simplified front view of the forming shoulder 36, the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are shifted such that the length of the forming edge 44 is shorter. If the forming shoulder 36 is in the state shown in Fig. 4, for example, the flat web 4 can be pre-formed more intensively than in a situation in which the flat web 4 passes through the forming shoulder 36 in the state shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, it is possible to process flat webs 4 of various widths. For example, with the setting of the forming shoulder 36 shown in Fig. 3, a rather wide flat web 4 is processed than is the case when the forming shoulder 36 is in the state shown in Fig. 4.The forming shoulder 36 can therefore be flexibly adjusted to flat webs 4 of different widths.

[0088] Fig. 5 shows a simplified side view of the forming shoulder 36. The first and second transport directions T1, T2 are illustrated, which at least approximately enclose an angle of 90°. The shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52 are in the state shown in Fig. 4, i.e., they have been moved so far that no spacer elements 58, 60, 62 are provided between the shoulder elements 46, 48, 50, 52. Also shown are the right front displacement direction 66 of the right front shoulder element 46 and the right rear displacement direction 70 of the right rear shoulder element 50.

[0089] According to a further embodiment, the flat web preforming device 26 is not the forming shoulder 36 previously described in connection with Figs. 2 to 4, but a keyway roller 38. Fig. 6 shows a simplified perspective view of a part of the machine 2, which comprises a keyway roller 38 as the preforming device 26. The flat web 4 passes through a pair of crimping rollers 14 as the flat web structuring device 12 and then reaches the transport roller 24 along the first transport direction T1. The transport roller 24 ensures the web tension required for the subsequent preforming of the flat web 4.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, the transport roller 24 is designed as a spherical roller 74. The flat web 4 runs over the transport roller 24 in the direction of the keyway roller 38, wherein the flat web 4 is now conveyed in the second transport direction T2. ​​The keyway roller 38 becomes the flat web preforming device 26 by folding or gathering the flat web 4 transversely to its longitudinal direction. The preformed flat web 32 then runs into an inlet hopper 30 of a format unit as a strand forming device 28 for further processing. The keyway roller 38 comprises a left and a right cheek 76, 78 forming the keyway. These are coupled and / or connected to one another via a connecting shaft 80.

[0091] The first transport direction T1 is the direction in which the flat web 4 is fed to the transport roller 24. The second transport direction T2 is the direction in which the at least partially shirred flat web 32 is conveyed downstream of the transport roller 24. The second transport direction T2 coincides, for example, with a longitudinal extension direction of the tubular section 42 of the forming shoulder 36. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the second transport direction T2 can coincide with a conveying direction of the shirred flat web 32 in the strand forming device 28. However, the second transport direction T2 and the conveying direction of the strand forming device 28 following downstream of the inlet hopper 30 can also deviate slightly from one another. An angle between the first and the second transport direction T1, T2 is always determined in a common plane.If the two transport directions are placed together like vectors, for example the tip of the vector for the first transport direction T1 to the end of the vector for the second transport direction T2, the angle between the two directions should always be the smaller of the two possible angles.

[0092] According to one embodiment, it is impossible for the vector of the first transport direction T1 to collide with the vector of the second transport direction T2 from above. In other words, according to embodiments, the machine for the tobacco processing industry should be prevented from guiding the web from above.

[0093] Fig. 7 shows a further simplified perspective view of the area of ​​the machine 2 in the region of the keyway roller 38. Fig. 8 shows this situation with a view of the underside 21 of the flat track 4. A support body 82 is located centrally on the connecting shaft 80 connecting the cheeks 76, 78. This support body 82 is arranged centrally between the cheeks 76, 78 and is enlarged in cross-section compared to the connecting shaft 80. The support body 82 supports the gathering of the flat track 4.

[0094] Fig. 9 shows, in a further simplified perspective detailed view, the machine 2 of the tobacco processing industry, wherein its flat web preforming device 26 comprises a first keyway roller 38a and a second keyway roller 38b. In principle, both keyway rollers 38a, 38b are designed like the previously described keyway roller 38. The first keyway roller 38a interacts with an underside 21 of the flat web 4, with which the flat web 4 is also guided over or along the transport roller 24. For example, the transport roller 24 is again a crowned roller 74. The second keyway roller 38b interacts with an upper side 20 of the flat web 4 and is arranged, for example, downstream of the first keyway roller 38a. The first and second keyway rollers 38a, 38b can have differently shaped support bodies 82.For example, the second support body 82b, viewed in a plane in which the connecting shaft 80 runs, is designed such that its height-to-width aspect ratio is greater than the aspect ratio of the first support body 82a. With others.

[0095] In other words, the second support body 82b is taller and narrower than the first support body 82a. This different shape of the support bodies 82a, 82b contributes to the improved preforming of the flat sheet 4.

[0096] 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 of the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features.

[0097] iste

[0098] 2 machines

[0099] 4 flat track

[0100] 6 strands

[0101] 8 Flat web supply device

[0102] 10 reels

[0103] 12 Flat web structuring device

[0104] 14 crimping rollers

[0105] 16 dancers

[0106] 18 Application device

[0107] 20 Top

[0108] 21 subpage

[0109] 22 Liquid

[0110] 24 transport roller

[0111] 26 Flat web preforming device

[0112] 28 Strand forming device

[0113] 30 inlet funnels

[0114] 32 preformed flat sheets

[0115] 36 Form shoulder

[0116] 38 keyway roller

[0117] 38a first keyway roller

[0118] 38b second keyway roller

[0119] 40 forming section

[0120] 42 tubular section

[0121] 44 Forming edge

[0122] 46 right front shoulder element

[0123] 48 left front shoulder element

[0124] 50 right rear shoulder element

[0125] 52 left rear shoulder element

[0126] 54 flange

[0127] 56 Guide element

[0128] 58 right spacer element

[0129] 60 left spacer element 62 central spacer element

[0130] 64 slotted hole connection

[0131] 66 right front shift direction

[0132] 68 left front shift direction

[0133] 70 right rear shift direction

[0134] 72 left rear shift direction

[0135] 74 crowned roller

[0136] 76 left cheek

[0137] 78 right cheek

[0138] 80 connecting shaft

[0139] 82 support bodies

[0140] 82a first support body

[0141] 82b second support body L longitudinal axial direction

[0142] T1 first transport direction

[0143] T2 second transport direction

Claims

A machine (2) in the tobacco processing industry for producing a strand (6) from a flat web (4), comprising the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction: a flat web supply device (8) for supplying the flat web (4), a flat web structuring device (12), in particular a crimping device, with which a structure can be introduced into the flat web (4), by means of which the flat web (4) in the spread-out state receives a cross-section that is changed at least in sections, a flat web preforming device (26) with which the flat web (4) can be transferred into a preformed state, and a strand forming device (28) with which the strand (6) can be produced from the preformed flat web (4), characterized by a transport roller (24) arranged between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26),wherein the flat web (4) is advantageously conveyed tangentially or in the material flow direction by means of and / or along the transport roller (24), in particular the transport roller (24), over a wrap angle greater than zero and / or less than 95 degrees, contacting, and wherein the transport roller (24) is set up and designed to guide the spread-out flat web (4) and / or to adjust a web tension of the flat web (4) on a transport path between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26).

2. Machine (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport roller (24) is driven, preferably rotating about a rotation axis, in particular with a peripheral speed which is equal to a speed of the material flow or is lower or higher than the speed of the material flow.

3. Machine (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flat web preforming device (26) has a forming shoulder (36) or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder (36) which forms or has a forming section (40) with a substantially convex contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction, and a tubular section (42) with a substantially concave contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction, wherein in particular the forming section (40) and the tubular section (42) merge into one another along a preferably spatial forming edge (44), and wherein the forming section (40) and the tubular section (42) of the forming shoulder (36) are arranged relative to one another in such a way thatthat in the material flow direction, the flat web, starting from the transport roller (24), first comes into contact with the forming section (40) in an at least approximately flat state in a first transport direction (T1) and then comes into contact with the tubular section (42) over the forming edge (44) in an at least partially rolled-up state in a second transport direction (T2), wherein furthermore the first, and the second transport direction (T1, T2) encloses an angle which lies between 71° and 120°, in particular between 71° and 90°, and furthermore in particular is at least approximately 90°. Machine (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the forming shoulder (36) comprises a right and a left front shoulder element (46, 48) and a right and a left rear shoulder element (50, 52), wherein the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the flat web (4), starting from the transport roller (24) and viewed in the material flow direction, first comes into contact with the front shoulder elements (46, 48) and subsequently comes into contact with the rear shoulder elements (50, 52), and wherein the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are in particular individually adjustable.Machine (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are adjustable such that a length of the forming edge (44) is variable. Machine (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are each adjustable in a linear movement. Machine (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the front shoulder elements (46, 48) are displaceable along front displacement directions (66, 68) which lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axial direction (L) of the tubular section (42) and point towards a center of the tubular section (42), and wherein the rear shoulder elements (50, 52) are displaceable along rear displacement directions (70, 72) and the rear displacement directions (70, 72) run obliquely to said plane and extend at least approximately. approximately in a straight line defined by the longitudinal axial direction (L), this intersection point lying outside the tubular section (42). Machine (2) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a length of the forming edge (44) of the forming shoulder (36) is between 100 mm and 400 mm, in particular between 100 mm and 300 mm, furthermore in particular between 100 mm and 180 mm or between 180 mm and 300 mm. Machine (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport roller (24) is a crowned roller (74) and the flat web preforming device (26) comprises at least one keyway roller (38).Machine (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the keyway roller (38) comprises cheeks (76, 78) forming the keyway, which are coupled to one another by a connecting shaft (80), wherein on the connecting shaft (80), in particular centrally between the cheeks (76, 78), there is a support body (82) whose cross section is larger than that of the connecting shaft (80). Machine (2) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the flat web preforming device (26) comprises a first and a second keyway roller (38a, 38b), wherein the first and the second keyway roller (38a, 38b) are arranged such that the first keyway roller (38a) cooperates with an underside of the flat web (4), with which the flat web (4) is also guided over or along the transport roller (24), and the second keyway roller (38b) cooperates with an upper side of the flat web (4) and is arranged in particular downstream of the first keyway roller (38a).Machine (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first keyway roller (38a) has a first support body (82a) and the. The second keyway roller (38b) comprises a second support body (82b), wherein, viewed in a cross-section that intersects the respective connecting shaft centrally, an aspect ratio of height to width of the second support body (82b) is greater than that of the first support body (82a). Machine (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by an application device (18) arranged between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26), in particular between the flat web structuring device (12) and the transport roller (24), which application device is configured to apply an additive, in particular a liquid (22), to an upper side (20) of the flat web (4), which lies opposite a lower side, with which the flat web (4) is guided over or along the transport roller (24).Machine (2) according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the flat web preforming device (26) has a forming shoulder (36) or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder (36) which forms a forming section (40) with a contour extending essentially transversely to the material flow direction and having a substantially convex shape, and a tubular section (42) with a contour extending essentially transversely to the material flow direction and having a substantially concave shape and forming an opening, and the flat web preforming device (26) is arranged with the opening pointing upwards, preferably inclined upwards or downwards in its extension in the material flow direction or parallel to the horizontal.Method for producing a strand (6) of the tobacco processing industry from a flat web (4) using a machine (2) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the following devices arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction:. a flat web supply device (8) with which the flat web (4) is provided, a flat web structuring device (12), in particular a crimping device, with which a structure is introduced into the flat web (4), by means of which the flat web (4) in the spread-out state receives a modified cross-section at least in sections, a flat web preforming device (26) with which the flat web (4) is transferred into a preformed state, and a strand forming device (28) with which the strand (6) is produced from the preformed flat web (4), characterized in that a transport roller (24) is arranged between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26) and the flat web (4) is contacted in the material flow direction by means of and / or along the transport roller (24), in particular the transport roller (24), advantageously tangentially or via a wrap angle greater than zero and / or less than 95 degrees,is guided, wherein the transport roller (24) guides the spread flat web on a transport path between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26) and / or adjusts a web tension of the flat web (4). Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the transport roller (24) is driven, preferably rotating about a rotation axis, in particular at a peripheral speed that is equal to a speed of the material flow or is lower or higher than the speed of the material flow. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the flat web preforming device (26) has a forming shoulder (36) or is designed in the form of a forming shoulder (36) which has a forming section (40) with a contour extending substantially transversely to the material flow direction and having a substantially convex shape, and a tubular section (42),with a substantially transverse to the material flow direction, extending and substantially concavely shaped contour, wherein in particular the forming section (40) and the tubular section (42) merge into one another along a preferably spatial forming edge (44) and wherein in the material flow direction the flat web (4), starting from the transport roller (24), first comes into contact with the forming section (40) in an at least approximately flat state in a first transport direction (T1) and then comes into contact with the tubular section (42) over the forming edge (44) in an at least partially rolled-up state in a second transport direction (T2), wherein the first and the second transport direction (T1, T2) enclose an angle which lies between 71° and 120°, in particular between 71° and 90°, and furthermore in particular is at least approximately 90°.Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the forming shoulder (36) comprises a right and a left front shoulder element (46, 48) and a right and a left rear shoulder element (50, 52), wherein the flat web (4), starting from the transport roller (24) and viewed in the material flow direction, first comes into contact with the front shoulder elements (46, 48) and then comes into contact with the rear shoulder elements (50, 52), and wherein, in order to adapt the forming shoulder (36) to a flat web (4) with a different width, the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are adjusted, in particular individually, so that a length of the forming edge (44) is changed. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the shoulder elements (46, 48, 50, 52) are each adjusted in a linear movement. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the transport roller (24) is a spherical roller (74) and the. Flat web preforming device (26) comprises at least one keyway roller (38), wherein the flat web (4) passes through the keyway roller (38) and is preformed by it.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the flat web preforming device (26) comprises a first and a second keyway roller (38a, 38b), wherein the keyway rollers (38a, 38b) each comprise cheeks (76, 78) forming the keyway, which are coupled to one another by a connecting shaft (80), wherein on the connecting shaft (80), in particular centrally between the cheeks (76, 78), there is a support body (82) whose cross-section is larger than that of the connecting shaft (80), wherein the first keyway roller (38a) cooperates with an underside of the flat web (4), with which the flat web (4) is also guided over or along the transport roller (24), and wherein the second keyway roller (38b) cooperates with an upper side (20) of the flat web (4).

22. Method according to one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that between the flat web structuring device (12) and the flat web preforming device (26), in particular between the flat web structuring device (12) and the transport roller (24), an application device (18) is arranged, which applies an additive, in particular a liquid (22), to an upper side (20) of the flat web (4), which is opposite a lower side, with which the flat web (4) is guided over or along the transport roller (24).

Images