Cleaning drum and method for cleaning rod-shaped articles

Abstract

To achieve improved quality of rod-shaped articles, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for improving the perforation process of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry. [Solution] A cleaning drum for a rod-shaped article, comprising: a housing for the rod-shaped article, particularly a recess to which negative pressure can be supplied; a compressed air source; at least one air supply opening; and connecting means, disposed on the cleaning drum and configured to connect at least one air supply opening to the rod-shaped article disposed in the housing, preferably sequentially, to supply a compressed airflow to the rod-shaped article at the end face side, thereby removing contaminants from or off the rod-shaped article, wherein the cleaning drum has a suction device for sucking up contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out of the rod-shaped article.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the tobacco processing industry, the coating process of cigarettes or HnB (Heat-not-Burn) articles or multi-filters is known. When using special papers, such as hydrophobic papers or papers having some paper thickness, or when using paper tubes in multi-segment articles, especially when processing with a laser unit to perforate multi-segment articles, a large amount of dust and contaminants are generated. This dust and contaminants contaminate the machinery around the generation location. Furthermore, due to the perforation process, dust and contaminants accumulate in, for example, hollow segments that are difficult to clean, and the contaminants scatter within the apparatus in the subsequent manufacturing process. By cleaning the products, the contaminants in the products or rod-shaped articles are reduced or eliminated, so that not only the quality of the rod-shaped products is improved, but also the contaminants in the manufacturing machinery are reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for improving the perforation process of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry in order to achieve improved quality of rod-shaped articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The problem relates to a cleaning drum for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, for cleaning perforated hollow segments, particularly multi-segmented articles or rod-shaped articles, having perforated openings, preferably the cleaning drum having a metal jacket, preferably evenly spaced apart from each other, particularly preferably with a pitch of at least 4π, 6π, 8π or 10π, a housing for rod-shaped articles, particularly a recess to which negative pressure can be supplied, a preferably fixed compressed air source formed to supply compressed air to the rod-shaped articles, particularly to supply compressed air on the end face side, at least one air supply opening, particularly an air supply slit, and connecting means, particularly a seal cap, A cleaning drum is provided, comprising a connecting means, which is arranged in a leaning drum and is configured to supply a compressed airflow at the end face side of a rod-shaped article to a rod-shaped article, thereby removing contaminants from or out of a rod-shaped article, and in particular blowing contaminants out of perforated openings of perforated hollow segments of a rod-shaped article or multi-segment article, wherein the cleaning drum has a suction device for sucking up contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out of a rod-shaped article.

[0006] By cleaning the rod-shaped articles, the quality of the articles is improved because they contain fewer contaminants. Furthermore, since the contaminants are sucked in immediately after the drilling process, contamination around the drilling equipment and in subsequent processing processes is avoided.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the suction device is formed as an externally positioned suction hood and / or as a suction opening, particularly a suction passage, leading to the inside of the drum.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has a rocking device, which allows connecting means, in particular a seal cap, to be connected to the end of a rod-shaped article.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has a measuring station M1 configured to measure the suction resistance of a rod-shaped article and / or a measuring station M2 to measure the density of a rod-shaped article and / or a measuring station M3 to measure the air permeability.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has two rows of adjacent storage compartments, particularly two rows of storage compartment recesses, namely row A and row B, so that rod-shaped articles can be fed in the transverse direction in the two adjacent rows, and preferably a separate suction device is preferably located corresponding to row A of the storage compartment, and preferably a separate suction device is preferably located corresponding to row B of the storage compartment.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the housing, particularly the housing recess, has an interrupted section, preferably two interrupted sections, which can hold longitudinal axial sections, particularly end sections of rod-shaped articles and / or sections having perforated openings, without placement.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized in that the cleaning drum has an air guide element which can guide or redirect contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out, particularly from rod-shaped articles, to a suction device, and the air guide element is positioned adjacent to the interrupted portion of the containment.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the cleaning drum is characterized by the provision of a positioning device, particularly for a movable suction device, especially for a suction hood, the positioning device being configured to adjust a predetermined, preferably constant, distance of the suction device from the outer surface of the cleaning drum. The positioning device ensures that, for example, after removing the suction device and cleaning or maintaining the suction device or the cleaning drum, the suction device is positioned in the correct location on the cleaning drum, thereby adjusting a predetermined, preferably constant distance of the suction device from the outer surface of the cleaning drum. This ensures that, for example, the negative pressure effect of the suction device remains constant during operation of the suction device, for example, when measuring the suction resistance of a rod-shaped article and / or during other measurements of a rod-shaped article, particularly pneumatically. For example, the positioning device is formed as a support device or as a guide device for the suction device. The suction device is formed as a suction hood, etc.

[0014] The problems of the present invention are also solved by a method for cleaning rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, particularly for cleaning perforated hollow segments of multi-segment articles or rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of: feeding the rod-shaped article transversely in a receiving groove particularly capable of supplying negative pressure; supplying compressed air to the rod-shaped article end face, preferably connecting the end face end of the rod-shaped article to a compressed air source, particularly using a sealing cap, in order to remove contaminants from or out of the rod-shaped article; and preferably supplying compressed air to the rod-shaped article end face at a pressure of 100 mbar to 200 mbar, wherein the method is characterized in that a suction device is used to suction out contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out, particularly contaminants blown out from the perforations of the perforated hollow segments of the rod-shaped article or multi-segment article.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the suction is performed by a suction hood arranged outside, and / or by a suction opening formed inside the drum, particularly a suction passage.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the connection of the end portion on the end face side of the rod-shaped article is performed by moving the sealing cap in the longitudinal axis direction, whereby the sealing cap covers the end portion on the end face side of the rod-shaped article.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that during conveyance, particularly in the lateral axis direction, the suction resistance of the rod-shaped article is preferably measured using a measurement station M1, and / or the density is preferably measured using a measurement station M2, and / or the air permeability of the rod-shaped article is preferably measured using a measurement station M1.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that, particularly in the accommodation recess of the feed drum or the cleaning drum, the rod-shaped article is held using a holding negative pressure during its feed in the lateral axis direction, and preferably the suction resistance of the rod-shaped article is measured using a measurement station M1, and / or the density is preferably measured using a measurement station M2, and / or the air permeability of the rod-shaped article is preferably measured using a measurement station M3. In the feed section for the rod-shaped article, the holding negative pressure for the rod-shaped article is reduced, particularly by at least 25%, or by at least 50% to 70%, or up to 75%. Thereby, for example, during the measurement of the suction resistance and / or air permeability of the rod-shaped article in this feed section, the influence of the holding negative pressure supplied to the rod-shaped article in the accommodation recess during its feed in the lateral axis direction can be reduced or achieved based on the reduction of the holding negative pressure applied in this feed section for the (multiple) measurements. Outside this feed section where no measurement is performed, the holding pressure is increased.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the method is carried out in two tracks, wherein rod-shaped articles are arranged side by side in the longitudinal axial direction within two rows.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that, particularly of a rod-shaped article, the blown-off and / or blown-out contaminants are guided or deflected by an air guide element before being sucked in.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that a rod-shaped article has hollow tube segments having a wall thickness of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.4 mm to 1 mm, and particularly preferably 0.45 mm to 0.8 mm, and is particularly formed as a paper tube, and / or has perforated holes with a width or diameter of at least 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.05 mm, and / or up to 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, or 0.5 mm.

[0022] Another challenge is to prevent or minimize contamination in machines that manufacture rod-shaped articles.

[0023] This problem is solved by a supply device for supplying article rods, comprising a storage section for rod-shaped articles, particularly a magazine; a cutting drum for cutting rod-shaped articles to form article rod segments; and at least one drum located downstream of the cutting drum for feeding the article rod segments, wherein a collection container for collecting particles and / or article rod segments from the cutting drum or the downstream drum, particularly the drum located immediately downstream of the cutting drum, is located adjacent to the cutting drum and / or adjacent to at least one drum, particularly the drum located immediately downstream of the cutting drum, and / or upstream of the forming drum and / or upstream of the tack drum.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the supply device is characterized in that the collection container has a suction unit for sucking up particles and / or article rod segments, and in particular the collection container is connected to a pipeline for discharging particles and article rod segments.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the supply device is characterized in that the collection container is retractable, and in particular, the collection container is formed as a retractable drawer.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the supply device is characterized in that the collection container has a distance A_ABF of less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm, or less than 5 cm from the cutting drum or drum in the radial direction of the cutting drum or drum, and / or the collection container is positioned to the side or below the cutting drum or the drum positioned downstream, or below the rotation axis of the cutting drum or the positioned drum, in particular not above the cutting drum or the positioned drum.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the supply device is characterized in that the collection container has an opening for collecting particles or article rod segments, the opening being positioned to correspond to an angular region of the cutting drum or drum smaller than 120°, 90°, or 75°.

[0028] The present invention will be further described in relation to embodiments that will become apparent based on the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1-1] This is a schematic diagram showing a machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles. [Figure 1-2] This is a schematic diagram showing a machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles. [Figure 1-3] This is a schematic diagram showing a machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a part of the tack device. [Figure 3]This is a schematic diagram showing the housing section of the feeder P. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the housing section of the feeder P. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the housing section of the feeder P. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the housing section of the feeder P. [Figure 7] This is a detailed diagram illustrating the material web supply device in general terms. [Figure 8a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a group of tacked and coated segments, each having a crimped material web section. [Figure 8b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a group of tacked and coated segments, each having a crimped material web section. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a crimped material web. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a crimping roller for a crimping unit. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a crimping roller for a crimping unit. [Figure 12] This is a schematic plan view showing the processed material web from above. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of a cutting device with pressure-relieved cutting. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of a cutting device that involves cutting under pressure. [Figure 15] This diagram schematically shows a cutting device with pressure-relieved cutting in the first coating module. [Figure 16] This diagram schematically shows a cutting device with pressure-relieved cutting in the second coating module. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning drum. [Figure 18] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning drum. [Figure 19]This is a schematic side view showing a cross-section of the cleaning drum. [Figure 20] This is a schematic side view of the cleaning drum. [Figure 21] This is a schematic diagram showing a supply module equipped with a collection container. [Figure 22] This is a schematic detail diagram showing a drum equipped with a collection container. [Figure 23] This is a schematic perspective view showing a suction system for a cleaning drum. [Figure 24] This is another perspective view illustrating the cleaning drum in general terms. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Figure 1 shows a machine 1 for manufacturing rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry, i.e., multi-segment articles 530, multi-segment smoking articles 531, or multi-segment intermediate products. Machine 1 has a shaping module 100, a first covering module 200, a second covering module 300, and an inspection-delivery module 400. Machine 1 also has a control unit 10, which has data connection sections to the shaping module 100, the first covering module 200, the second covering module 300, and the inspection-delivery module 400.

[0031] The assembly module 100 has a supply module A120 that provides article rod segments 520 and a supply module B130 that provides article rod segments 521. In Figure 1, only two supply modules 120 and 130 are illustrated, but such a machine 1 may have more than two supply modules 120, 130, for example, two, three, four or more supply modules.

[0032] The supply module A 120 includes a magazine A 121, preferably a hopper A, and a take-out drum A 122, which takes the article rod A 540 from the magazine A 121 and divides it using a cutting knife A 123 to form article rod segments 541. In the subsequent sliding drum A 124, the article rod segments 541 are shifted relative to each other and transferred to the transport drum A 125. The subsequently positioned slide drum A 126 slides the shifted article rod segments 541 to create a row arrangement that is positioned one behind the other in the lateral direction. Then, in the cutting drum A 127 or drum 127, another cut can be made with a circular knife 126M or 127M, thereby forming a pair of article rod segments 520. Instead of cutting the article rod 540 with a circular knife 123 on a take-out drum to form an article rod segment 541, this can also be done using a cutting drum 126 or 127 configured as a continuous slide-cutting drum, as disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102018113891. The double-length article rod segment 541 is transferred from drum 126 to drum 127, which may be selectively configured as a transport drum or a cutting drum, thereby allowing the double-length article rod segment 541 to be cut to form two single-length article rod segments 520. Cutting the double-length article rod segment 541 into two single-length article rod segments 520 may also be done only after transfer to a forming drum A128 equipped with a circular knife 128M, thereby transferring the double-length article rod segment 541 to the forming drum 128. The packing drum 128 may preferably be equipped with a sample extraction device A 120S for extracting samples or an extraction device for discharging an article rod segment 520 or article rod segment 541 having errors. The supply module A 120 may preferably be equipped with sensor devices S1 and / or S2.Sensor devices S1 and / or S2 are configured and adjusted to measure the characteristics of an article rod segment or a group of segments consisting of article rod segments, particularly the number of segments, segment length, article rod segment length, end face of an article rod segment, surface and / or diameter of an article rod segment. Sensor device S1 is preferably located on the conveying drum A125. Sensor device S2 is preferably located on the cutting drum A127.

[0033] The side-by-side article rod segments 520 are transferred from the forming drum A 128 to the expanding drum B 139, thereby separating both article rod segments 520 from each other. In the forming drum B 138, two article rod segments 521 of a single length or two article rod segments 544 of twice the length can be inserted into the gap formed between the article rod segments 520. The inserted article rod segments 521 or 544 can be supplied by the magazine 131. The supply module B 130 includes the magazine B 131, preferably the hopper B, and the extraction drum B 132, which takes the article rod B 543 from the magazine B 131 and divides it with the cutting knife B 133 to form the article rod segments 544. In the subsequent shifting drum B 134, the article rod segments 544 are shifted from each other and transferred to the transport drum B 135. A subsequently positioned slide drum B 136 slides the offset article rod segments 544 to create a row arrangement that is sequentially positioned in the transverse direction. Another cut can then be made on the cutting drum B 137 or drum 136 by a circular knife 136M or 137M, thereby forming a pair of article rod segments 521. Instead of cutting the article rod 543 with the circular knife 133 on the take-out drum to form the article rod segments 544, this can also be done using a cutting drum 136 or 137 configured as a continuous slide-cutting drum, as disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102018113891. A double-length article rod segment 544 is passed from drum 136 to drum 137, which may be selectively configured as a transport drum or a cutting drum, thereby cutting the double-length article rod segment 544 to form two single-length article rod segments 521.Cutting the twice-length article rod segment 544 into two single-length article rod segments 521 may only be performed after transfer to the forming drum B 138 equipped with a circular knife 138M, thereby transferring the twice-length article rod segment 544 to the forming drum. The forming drum 138 may preferably contain a sample removal device B 130S for removing samples or a discharge device for discharging article rod segments 521 or article rod segments 544 that have errors. The supply module B 130 preferably contains sensor devices S3 and / or S4. Sensor devices S3 and / or S4 are configured and tuned to measure the characteristics of an article rod segment or a group of segments consisting of article rod segments, in particular the number of segments, segment length, article rod segment length, end face of an article rod segment, surface and / or diameter of an article rod segment. Sensor device S3 is preferably located on the transport drum B 135. Sensor device S3 is preferably located on the cutting drum B 137.

[0034] Drums 138, 139 and / or 128 may be equipped with a rocking device that can rock and adjust the position of the article rod segments of segment groups 501 and / or 502, or form segment groups 501 and 502 in which the article rod segments 520 and 521 are in contact at their end faces. Contact at the end faces of the article rod segments can be undesirable for manufacturing methods, as it can put a load on the end faces of the article rod segments, which can result in damage, visual unsightly appearance, or the generation and shedding of particles such as cigarette butts.

[0035] Article rod segments, preferably four article rod segments (520, 521), are transferred from the weaving drum B138 to the first covering module 200, and preferably to the inversion-expanding drum 299. Preferably, the inversion-expanding drum is configured according to the embodiment disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 102020111946. The segment group 502 is inverted and separated by the inversion-expanding drum, in which case at least the two outer article rod segments at one end of the segment group 502 and the two outer article rod segments at the other end of the segment group 502 are centrally located in the segment group and facing each other after inversion. After inversion, a gap is located in the center of the segment group for inserting another article rod segment of one or twice the usable length. Preferably, the inversion method step and the separation or gap formation method step are performed simultaneously in a single method step.

[0036] The assembly 600 for covering the rod-shaped article may be the whole or just a part of the first covering module 200 and / or the second covering module 300. The assembly 600 for covering the rod-shaped article may be the whole or just a part of machine 1, in particular a part consisting of the organizing module 100, supply modules 120, 130, covering modules 200, 300 and inspection-delivery module 400.

[0037] In the first covering module 200, preferably another article rod segment is provided and supplied to the forming drum 298 via a transport path. The formed segment group 503 is delivered to a feeder S 240, which is a component of the tack device 280. The supply module of the first covering module 200 preferably has a magazine 291 formed as a hopper and an extraction drum, in which the article rod 546 is cut to form article rod segments 547. The extraction drum 292 is engaged with one or more cutting knives in a predetermined section. The supply module of the first covering module 200 further has a slide drum 294, a transport drum 295, a slide drum 296, and a transport drum 297. In another configuration of the supply module, the slide drum 294 may be formed as a transport drum, and the article rod 546 is cut in a continuous slide-cut-slide drum 296 to form article rod segments. Preferably, the supply module of the first covering module 200 has a cutting device, i.e., a take-out drum 292 and a cutting knife 293 and / or a cutting device, i.e., a continuous slide-cut-slide drum 296.

[0038] The first coating module 200 has a first material supply device 210 that provides a material web 211, preferably the first material web 211. Figure 7 shows the material web supply device 310 of the second coating module 300. All illustrated and described embodiments of the material web supply device 310 are possible embodiments for the material web supply device 210 of the first coating module 200.

[0039] The material web supply device 310 has a feeder for feeding the material web 311 wound onto a reel, and the material web 311 is preferably guided via one or more deflection pins and / or deflection rollers and can be fed along a feed path FM1 FM321. A first tension roller pair 301 feeds the material web 311 along the feed path FM1 FM321. Downstream of the first tension roller pair 301 is a first return force reduction unit 302, preferably configured as a breaker. The return force reduction unit 302 is configured to reduce the bending stress of the material web 311, and thus preferably the bending stress of the material web section 321 cut from the material web 311, so that the return force of the material web 311 or material web section 321 is reduced after the coating process. The material web supply device 310 has surface processing units 307, 307L, 307C. The surface finishing units 307, 307L, and 307C are preferably configured as second return force reduction units, thereby allowing the surface of the material web 311 to be processed, particularly when using relatively thick, more hydrophobic, or coated material webs 311. This can be done to reduce the return force of the material web 311, process or roughen the surface to facilitate the adhesion of glue or adhesive, or to provide the material web 311 with structural elements, particularly crimped or embossed elements. Downstream of the surface finishing units 307, 307C, and 307L, a pair of tension rollers 303 is provided to feed and / or guide the material web. Surface finishing units 313 and / or 314 may be present either in addition to or without the surface finishing units 307, 307C, and 307L. The surface processing units 313 and / or 314 are preferably configured as second return force reduction units and are preferably configured as brush units or plasma processing units.The surface processing units 307, 307L, 307C, 313, and 314 are preferably formed to process the surface of the material web 311 on one side, or preferably to process the surface of the material web 311 on both sides simultaneously. The material web supply device 310 is configured as follows: The material web supply device 310 has a gluing device 305 for applying glue and / or adhesive K1, in particular cold glue, to the surface of the material web 311. The first gluing device 305 has a tank 306, which supplies glue and / or adhesive K2 to, for example, an adhesive roller or nozzle. Preferably, the material web supply device 310 has a second gluing device 308 for applying glue or adhesive, in particular hot melt glue, to the surface of the material web 311. Particularly advantageous, the material web supply device 310 has a first gluing device 305 and a second gluing device 308 for applying hot melt glue and cold glue, respectively, for use with fast-setting glue or hot melt glue and slow-setting glue or cold glue. This can result in a particularly advantageous initial bond between the material web section 321 and the segment group 504, and a particularly advantageous long-term bond between the material web 321 and the segment group 504. Particularly preferably, the material web supplying device has an activation and / or curing device 309. This activation and / or curing device 309 is preferably located adjacent to the material web 311. When using special adhesives and / or glues, the adhesive and / or glue can be activated, thereby giving the adhesive and / or glue particularly advantageous adhesion properties before bonding the material web section 321 to the segment group 504. This can be done, for example, by a heating device and / or a UV light irradiation unit and / or by a spraying unit that sprays another adhesive component of a two-component adhesive.

[0040] The surface processing units 307, 313, and 314 are preferably formed as drum-based surface processing units, for example, as crimping (wavy or creased) units 307C, 313, and 314. The crimping units 307C, 313, and 314 have crimping rollers 307C-1 and 307C-2, and preferably opposing rollers, and possible configurations are illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. The opposing rollers are preferably formed as smooth rollers, so that the material web 311 has a crimped portion exclusively on one side. A cross-section of the material web 311 along the longitudinal axis LA is shown in Figure 9. The material web 311 has a thickness D. The action of the crimping rollers and opposing rollers creates recesses 312 in the material web 311. Preferably, the recesses are arranged at regular intervals and preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The recessed portion 312 may be positioned obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the material web 311 and / or may extend across the entire width of the material web 311. In another configuration, the recessed portion 312 may not extend across the entire width, i.e., it may have an edge region larger than, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm, or 0.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 3 mm, or an edge region larger than 10%, 20%, or 30% of the material web width of the material web 311. An exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 12. An exemplary crimping unit that forms a crimping line transverse to the feed direction of the material web is illustrated, for example, in Figures 2, 3, and 6 of U.S. Patent No. 3,849,526, and has the exemplary pattern shown in Figures 10 and 12. When the crimped material web 311 formed by the drum-based surface processing device 307C is cut to form material web segments 321 and attached to or tacked onto the segment group 504, the return force is reduced by the presence of the crimping lines. Figure 8a shows the segment group 504 equipped with the pre-processed material web segments 321.Preferably, the crimping lines are arranged to match the diameter of the segment group 504 so that they do not undesirably affect each other when the end sections of the material web section 321 overlap vertically, and in particular, the crimping lines are arranged to overlap each other vertically (as illustrated exemplarily in Figure 8b). In this case, there may be non-equally spaced arrangements of the crimping lines on the material web section 321.

[0041] The material web 311 can preferably be processed by surface processing units 313, 314, 307 formed as brush units. In this case, the surface of the material web 311 is roughened to produce better bonding with glue or adhesive. A brush is positioned adjacent to the material web 311, rotating in the opposite direction to the feed direction or in the feed direction.

[0042] The material web 311 can preferably be processed by laser-based surface processing units 313, 314, 307L. In this case, the surface of the material web 311 is processed by the laser unit to provide recesses, for example, to reduce the return force of the material web section 321 of the covered segment group 504. For example, a grooved material web can be formed, as shown in Figure 9. The laser-based surface processing units 313, 314, 307L are preferably configured according to German Patent Application Publication No. 102019006932, German Utility Model No. 202020000353, German Utility Model No. 202021002279, or German Patent Application Publication No. 102017216133, and the laser intensity can be adapted accordingly.

[0043] The surface treatment units 307, 313, and 314 are preferably configured as plasma treatment units. The plasma treatment units are configured to generate atmospheric pressure plasma, gas plasma, or low-pressure plasma. The plasma treatment units are configured to perform plasma treatment comprehensively, in predetermined sections, or in point areas. Preferably, the plasma treatment units clean or coat the surface of the material web 311. The plasma treatment units preferably have plasma nozzles with preferably round, preferably circular, or slit-shaped outlet openings. The plasma treatment units preferably have tanks for process gases, such as air, hydrogen, argon, hydrogen-argon, methane, acetylene, hexafluorourethane, helium, or oxygen. Preferably, the plasma treatment units generate helium plasma, oxygen plasma, or air plasma.

[0044] The surface treatment units 307, 313, and 314 are preferably configured as corona treatment units. The corona treatment units preferably perform a full treatment and preferably have electrodes that ionize the air they are in contact with, and are spaced 0.8 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, particularly preferably 1.4 mm to 2 mm, for example 1.524 mm, from the material web 311.

[0045] The material web supply unit 310 supplies the material web 311, in particular the processed material web 311, to the tack device 380 or the feed device P 330. The described embodiment of the material web supply unit 310 is also a possible embodiment of the material web supply device 210. The material web supply unit 210 supplies the material web 211, in particular the processed material web 211, to the tack device 280 or the feed device P 230. The reference numbers for the material web supply devices 210 and 310 are similar, and not all are explicitly shown in the drawings.

[0046] The first covering module 200 includes a feeder P 230, which is preferably formed as a recessed suction roller 230, and a cutting device 220, which is preferably formed as a rotating knife roller. The cutting device 220 and the feeder P 230 are preferably configured as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the German patent application No. 102024101973.5 and as described in the relevant text section, which is in particular page 15, line 21 to page 20, line 18. The material web 211 travels through the suction roller 230 and is cut by the cutting device 220, in particular the knife roller, to form a material web section 221. The feeder P 230, in particular the suction roller, feeds the material web section 221 to a transfer point or crimping point within a housing, particularly a recess, where the material web section 221 is pressed, tacked, or bonded by the feeder P 230 to a group of segments 503 consisting of article rod segments 520, 521, and 522D (indicated by the reference numeral second covering module 300 in Figure 2). At the transfer point or crimping point, the crimping gap dimension 245 is minimized. Preferably, the crimping gap dimension 245 is the minimum distance between the housing 232 of the feeder P 230, particularly the bottom of the housing in the recess, and the housing 242 of the feeder S 240, particularly the bottom of the housing in the recess. While the material web section 221 is positioned within the housing 232 of the feeder P 230, the material web section 221 is preferably pressed and / or pulled into the housing, particularly into the recess, of the feeder P 230 by means 246 that pulls and / or presses. Preferably, the pressing and / or pulling of the material web section 221 is performed such that the material web section 221 is positioned at the bottom of the housing 232. Means 246 may be configured as a rotating device with stamps arranged radially on the circumferential surface, thereby allowing the material web section 221 to be pressed into the housing of the feeder P 230. Means 246 may be configured as a swivel device with one or more swivelable stamps, thereby allowing the material web section 221 to be pressed into the housing of the feeder P 230.Means 246 may be configured as a suction air device, which can draw the material web section 221 into the housing of the feeding device P 230. Preferably, the housing 232 may be formed with an opening, in particular a suction air opening, which is connected to a negative pressure source via a conduit. Such means 246 is illustrated in Figure 2 and is explicitly indicated by the reference numeral of the second covering module 300. The configuration shown in Figure 2 is also a possible embodiment which may be arranged in the first covering module 200. Means 246 or 346, although not explicitly shown in Figure 1, present a preferred embodiment by incorporating the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in particular, into the first covering module 200 and / or the second covering module 300 in Figure 1. The material web section 221 being pressed and / or drawn into the bottom of the housing 232 is also considered to be disclosed, although not explicitly shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the material web section 221 is pressed onto the bottom of the housing by the segment group 503.

[0047] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is a preferred embodiment of a first covering module 200 having corresponding reference numerals, e.g., 221, 230, 240, 246, 245, 241, 242, 2411, 2411, 243, 503, and / or a second covering module 300 having similar reference numerals, e.g., 321, 330, 340, 346, 345, 341, 342, 3411, 3411, 343, 504.

[0048] Figure 2 shows the feeders P 330 and S 340, and means 346 for pulling and / or pressing the material web section 321 into the housing 332 of the feeder P 330. The feeder P 330 rotates clockwise to feed the material web section 321 to the transfer or crimping location. The feeder S 340 rotates counterclockwise to feed the segment group 504 to the transfer or crimping location. The feeder S 340 has a housing 342, in particular a raised section 341 with a recess. The article rod segments 520, 521, 522, 523D and / or segment group 504 are housed and / or held within the raised section 341. At the handover or crimping point, a material web section 321, preferably a glued paper strip, is attached to the segment group 504 to form a tacked segment group 504T. The housing section 332 of the feeder P 330, particularly the recess, connects the segment group 504 and the material web section 321 to each other via a planar contact area 504K. The segment group 504 has a round, preferably circular, cross-section. In this case, the planar contact area 504K of the segment group 504 is formed by an angular range of 5° to 170°, preferably 10° to 130°, 20° to 100°, or 45° to 75° of the segment group 504 with respect to the cross-section, and / or the planar contact area 504K of the segment group 504 has an extended length greater than 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, or 3 mm, or an extended length of 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, along the circumference of the cross-section of the segment group 504, or in the conveying direction of the feeder S340.

[0049] To ensure reliable and particularly advantageous bonding and / or particularly advantageous tack bonding or adhesion, a crimping gap dimension 345 smaller than the diameter of the article rod segments 520, 521, 522, 523 and / or segment group 504 is provided. This ensures that the tack process is carried out under advantageous pressure so that the material web section 321, preferably a glued paper strip, is bonded to the segment even if the material web section 321 is particularly thick, rough, smooth, coated, and / or hydrophobic. The crimping gap dimension 345 for crimping the material web section 321 to segment group 504 between the feeder P 330 and the feeder S 340, particularly between the bottom of the housing section of the feeder P 330 and the bottom of the housing section of the feeder S 340, is smaller than 7 mm to 7.8 mm, preferably 7.3 mm to 7.7 mm or particularly 7.6 mm, preferably smaller than 7.7 mm, and particularly preferably smaller than 7.5 mm. The diameter of the article rod segments 520, 521, 522, 523 and / or segment group 504 is, for example, 7.9 mm. An overpressure of a few tenths of a millimeter ensures favorable adhesion of the material web section 321 in segment group 504, so that the feeder S 340 can continue to feed the tacked segment group 504T without the material web section 321 shifting or detaching and / or otherwise incorrect positioning. The overpressure is advantageously achieved by a crimping gap dimension that is 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm or at least 1.5 mm smaller than the diameter of segment group 504.

[0050] Preferably, a compression device 348 and / or a star-shaped pre-folder (Vorfaltstern) 348 may be located adjacent to the feed device S 340 and feed device P 330, downstream in the feed direction. The pressing gap dimension between the compression device 348 and the feed device S 340 may be formed in the same way as the crimping gap dimension 345 described above, thereby causing overpressure during the tuck process and / or when the compression device 348 and the housing of the feed device S 340 cooperate.

[0051] The feeder S 340 has a raised section 341 with a housing section 342 positioned radially outward. These raised sections 341 have a leading lateral demarcation section 3411 and a trailing lateral demarcation section 3412. During overpressure and / or the tuck process, a planar contact area is created, which bends a portion of the material web section 321 of the tucked segment group 504T, requiring free space to prevent this portion of the material web section 321 from contacting and contaminating the outer surface of the feeder S 340. For this reason, the raised section has a height that forms free space for this portion of the material web section 321. The raised section 341, formed radially outward, where the housing section 342 for the segment group 504 is located, has a height of at least 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, or 5 mm to 50 mm, preferably 10 mm to 25 mm. The height of the raised section 341 is matched to the diameter of the article rod segment and the segment group 504. A spacer 343 is preferably positioned in the trailing lateral demarcation of the raised portion 341. This spacer 343 prevents the adhesion of the material web section 321, particularly the glued paper strip, and reduces contamination. The spacer 343 is preferably formed as grooves or ribs extending radially outward, and these grooves or ribs are arranged in a row in the direction of the rotation axis of the feeder S 340. Preferably, 5, 10, 12, 15, or 20 grooves or ribs are arranged in the direction of the rotation axis. In another embodiment, there may be another spacer that preferably forms a mounting surface or mounting line in a predetermined section, and the mounting surface or mounting line is formed such that there is always a mounting line or mounting surface for the trailing end of the material web section 321, regardless of the length of the material web section 321.

[0052] Preferably, the tack device 380 has only one feed device S 340 for the segment group 504. Preferably, the tack device 380 is configured to press the material web section 321 against the segment group 504 and / or the tacked segment group 504T up to 180°. In particular, the tack device 380 does not have a rolling device, in particular a rolling hand and / or a rolling band and / or a rolling cam.

[0053] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate various embodiments of the attachment of the material web section 321 to the segment group 504 for forming the tacked segment group 504. A housing 332 of the feeder P 330, particularly a recess, is shown, and the material web section 321 may be positioned at the bottom of the recess, for example by means 346, or it may not be positioned at the bottom of the recess, as shown in Figure 4. The circles illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 illustrate cross-sections of the segment group 504 to which the material web section 321 is attached, tacked, and / or bonded, resulting in the tacked segment group 504.

[0054] Figures 3 and 4 show the misalignment between the housing 332 of the feeder P 330 and the housing 342 of the feeder S 340, particularly the recess. The housing 332, particularly the recess, has a leading side and a trailing side. The misalignment of the housings 332, 342 creates a crimping area 347, in which the material web section 321 is pressed particularly strongly against the segment group 504. According to Figure 3, this crimping area 347 is located on the trailing side of the housing 332, and according to Figure 4, this crimping area 347 is located on the leading side of the housing 332. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, since the crimping gap dimension 345 is smaller than the diameter of the cross-section of the segment group 504, the crimping area 347 occurs at the bottom of the housing. In another embodiment, namely an asymmetrically formed housing 332, particularly a recess, as shown in Figure 6, the crimping area 347 is formed by the raised portion of the housing 332 or by the geometric shape of the housing. The crimping area 347 of the asymmetrically formed housing may be formed in the center, on the leading side, and / or on the trailing side. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, multiple crimping areas 347 are present within the housing, particularly the recess. Additionally, the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 6 and the variations described can be combined with each other, so that, for example, the feeder P 330 has the asymmetric housing shown in Figure 6, and the housing 332 has a displacement relative to the housing of the feeder S 340. All other combinations, including multiple combinations, are similarly possible and are disclosed as possible embodiments.

[0055] The tucked segment group 504T is transferred from the feeder S 340 to the rolling drum 350. The rolling drum 350 is equipped with a discharge device 352, preferably located immediately after or adjacent to the transfer point from the feeder S 340. The discharge device 352 is preferably located upstream of the rolling device 351, particularly the rolling hand 351 and / or the rolling cam 351. The discharge device 352 is preferably configured as a blower and has a collection container 353 for containing the discharged, particularly blown-out, tucked segment group 504T. Such a discharge device is particularly advantageous because, when using relatively thick material web sections 321, the covering of the two layers of material web section 321, particularly at the joints of the material web, can lead to errors during the rolling process. Tucked segment group 504T with two layers of material web section 321 must be discharged upstream of the rolling device. In the rolling drum 350, the tacked segment group 504T is covered by the rolling device 351, thereby producing segment group 505 or 503U. Preferably, machine 1 and / or assembly 600 and / or tack devices 280, 380 have a control unit 10. The control unit 10 is connected to the material web supply devices 210 and / or 310, and in particular to the control unit of the splicing device to detect or track splices in the material webs 211, 311, thereby allowing the tacked segment groups 503T and / or 504T having at least a portion of a splice to be discharged using the discharge devices 252, 352. Preferably, assembly 600 has a splicing device. The splicing device is configured to join material webs 211, 311 that are about to terminate to new material webs 211N, 311N in the overlapping region of both material webs 211, 211N, 311, 311N. Furthermore, the assembly has a control unit 10 which controls the discharge device to discharge the tucked segment groups 503T, 504T, which have at least a portion of the overlapping area.The assembly 600 preferably has a sensor unit 11, preferably an optical sensor unit, which is connected to a discharge device to detect tacked segment groups 503T, 504T having errors, in particular tacked segment groups 503T, 504T having at least a portion of the overlap area, and to discharge the tacked segment groups 503T, 504T having errors. The sensor unit 11 may be located adjacent to the feeders S 204, 340, or adjacent to the rolling drums 250, 350. In Figure 1, the sensor unit 11 is not explicitly shown in the second coating module 300, but is preferably also present in the second coating module 300.

[0056] Since embodiments of the first coating unit 200 and / or the second coating unit 300 have been described with reference to the second coating apparatus 300, the subsequent description of the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus will begin with the rolling drum 250 of the first coating unit 200.

[0057] Downstream of the rolling drum 250, the covered segment group 503U is braked on the braking drum 255, its pitch is reduced, and it is then transported to the cutting drum 260 by other drums 255 and 256. This allows the covered segment group 503 to be divided into two preferably symmetrical subgroups 503TG.

[0058] A circular knife 262 and a grinding wheel 263 are positioned adjacent to the cutting drum 260. The covered segment group 503, 503U is divided into two subgroups 503TG by the circular knife. Cutting in the cutting drum 260 can be performed as a pressurized cut as shown in Figure 14, or as a depressurized cut as shown in Figures 13 and 15. In the case of depressurized cutting, the segment group is held in a recess of the cutting drum 260 by suction air, in which case the two subgroups 503TG are shifted longitudinally by the circular knife 262 during and / or after cutting. This axial shift allows for extremely gentle cutting, and the subgroups 503TG are not crushed and / or pressed against the circular knife 262. As shown in Figure 13, after the segment group 503U is cut into two subgroups 503TG, a gap SP200 is created between the two subgroups TG, so that the end faces of the two subgroups 503TG are not in contact and are spaced apart. Preferably, this gap SP200 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or particularly preferably 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. In particular, the gap SP200 is approximately equal to the thickness of the circular knife 262, and especially approximately equal to the maximum thickness of the portion of the circular knife that contacts the end faces of the two subgroups during the cutting process. Figure 14 illustrates another embodiment, namely, cutting with pressure. The segment group 503U is fed transversely on the cutting drum 260 and divided into two subgroups 503TG by the circular knife 262. While the circular knife engages with the segment group 503U and / or brings into contact with the end faces of the two subgroups 503TG, the segment group 503U and the two subgroups 503TG are guided, preferably consistently and / or in predetermined sections, by two lateral guides SF1 and SF2, so that the two subgroups 503TG cannot move axially. The guiding can preferably be performed by a rocking device 261B. As soon as the subgroups disengage from the cutting knife 262, the end faces of the subgroups are brought into contact with each other.Such a cutting process may be advantageous for specific applications, such as cutting segments containing tobacco and / or segments consisting of loose fibers, thereby preventing the fibers and / or tobacco portion from detaching from the end face. The axial position of subgroup 503TG with respect to the axial position of segment group 503U remains unchanged during this cutting process. Pressure cutting may be advantageous, particularly when processing filter rods and / or robust segments.

[0059] Downstream of the cutting drum 260, conveyance to the invert-expand drum 399 takes place using drums 273, 274, and 276. Drum 276 is preferably configured as an acceleration drum to accelerate and / or change the pitch spacing of two subgroups 503TG, and preferably expand them. The second covering module 300, from the invert-expand drum 399 to the rolling drum 350, has already been described in detail in the preceding paragraphs of this application, so a detailed description of the second covering module 300 can be omitted here. The first covering module 200 and / or the second covering module 300 may be configured with or without a feed section for article rod segments 522, 522D, 523, 523D. All disclosed embodiments of the first covering module 200 and / or the second covering module 300 are achievable as any combination of the first covering module 200 and the second covering module 300 in machine 1 or assembly 600 and are deemed to be disclosed herein. In particular, the first covering module 200 and the second covering module 300 are configured differently from or substantially similarly to one another.

[0060] The rolling drum 350 delivers the covered segment group 505 to the drum 370, in which case the segment group 505 is formed from two subgroups 503TG, a centrally inserted double segment 523, and a tacked material web section 321, the material web section 321 wrapped around the segment group 505. The drum 370 is a laser feed drum, which transports the segment group 505 in the transverse direction to the laser drums 371, 371'. The laser drums 371, 371' preferably have a rolling cam 372 or 372' so that the segment group can be perforated all around. The laser drums 371, 371' may be configured as other types of laser drums, for example, as specified in German Patent Application No. 102022134675.7 and / or German Patent Application No. 102022134674.9.

[0061] Downstream of the laser drums 371, 371' and / or the laser supply drum 370, particularly immediately downstream, is a drum 364, which is formed as a transport drum 364Tr and / or as a rocking drum 364Tm for positioning the segment group 505 for the subsequent cutting drum 360 and / or as a cleaning drum 364R. Embodiments of the cleaning drum 364 are described in another part of this application.

[0062] Downstream of the rolling drum 350 and / or downstream of the drum 364, the covered and perforated segment group 505 is preferably oscillated on drums 364,364Tm and / or cleaned on drums 364,364R and transported to the cutting drum 360, which thereby divides the covered segment group 505 into preferably two symmetrical subgroups and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 and / or multi-segment articles 530. The oscillating or positioning of the segment group 505 can be performed by an oscillating device 361 on the cutting drum 360 upstream of the cutting knife 362, instead of by the oscillating drum 364Tm, or in addition to being performed by the oscillating drum 364Tm.

[0063] A circular knife 362 and its associated grinding wheel 363 are positioned adjacent to the cutting drum 360. The covered segment group 505 is divided by the circular knife 362 into two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531. Cutting on the cutting drum 360 can be performed as a pressurized cut as shown in Figure 14, or as a depressurized cut as shown in Figures 13 and 16. During a depressurized cut, the segment group 505 is held in a recess of the cutting drum 360 by suction air, in which case the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are shifted longitudinally by the circular knife 362 during and / or after cutting. This axial shift allows the cutting to be performed very gently, and the subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 are not crushed and / or pressed against the circular knife 362. As illustrated in Figures 13 and 16, after the segment group 505 is cut into two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531, a gap SP300 is created between the two subgroups, so that the end faces of the two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 do not touch and are spaced apart. Preferably, the gap PS300 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or particularly preferably 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. In particular, the gap SP300 is approximately equal to the thickness of the circular knife 362, and especially approximately equal to the maximum thickness of the portion of the circular knife that contacts the end faces of the two subgroups during the cutting process. Figure 14 illustrates another embodiment, namely, pressure cutting. The segment group 505 is fed transversely on the cutting drum 360 and divided into two subgroups and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 by the circular knife 362.While the circular knife 362 engages with the segment group 505 and / or is in contact with the end faces of the two subgroups and / or multi-segment article 530 and / or multi-segment smoking article 531, the segment group 505 and the two subgroups and / or multi-segment article 530 and / or multi-segment smoking article 531 are guided by two lateral guides SF1 and SF2, preferably consistently and / or in predetermined sections, so that the two subgroups 503TG cannot move axially. In another embodiment, the lateral guidance is performed on the circular knife 362 by a rocking device 361B. As soon as the subgroups and / or multi-segment article 530 and / or multi-segment smoking article 531 disengage from the cutting knife 362, they are brought together so that the end faces of the subgroups are in contact with each other. Such a cutting process may be advantageous for certain applications, such as cutting segments containing tobacco and / or segments consisting of loose fibers, which can prevent the fiber and / or tobacco portion from coming off the end face. The axial positions of the subgroup and / or multi-segment article 530 and / or multi-segment smoking article 531 with respect to the axial position of the segment group 505 remain unchanged during this cutting process. Pressure cutting may be advantageous, especially when processing filter rods and / or robust segments.

[0064] The cut subgroups and / or multisegment articles 530 and / or multisegment smoking articles 531 are transferred from the cutting drum 360 to subsequent drums 373, 373R, 374, 374R, 375 and continued to be fed. Drum 373 is preferably a transport drum or a cleaning drum 373R. Drum 374 is preferably a conical expanding drum or a cleaning drum 374R or a combination of both drums, i.e., a conical expanding-cleaning drum. Drum 375 is preferably a conical expanding drum or a cleaning drum 374R or a combination of both drums, i.e., a conical expanding-cleaning drum. The conical expanding drum provides axial separation of the two subgroups and / or multisegment articles 530 and / or multisegment smoking articles 531 for transfer to the inspection-transfer module 400.

[0065] The inspection-delivery module 400 is configured and tuned to inspect a single-layer material flow and deliver it to subsequent machinery, such as an RTS section configured to transport a multi-layer material flow on a single conveyor belt and / or a packer that packages rod-shaped articles into packaging material.

[0066] The inspection-delivery module 400 has a delivery drum 401, which is preferably configured as a transport drum 401 or as a cleaning drum 401R. Downstream of the delivery drum 401 is a measuring drum 402 for measuring the characteristics of, for example, rod-shaped articles, such as subgroup and / or multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531. Preferably, end face inspection and / or surface inspection of the article's coating is performed. The inspection-delivery module 400 also has an inspection drum 403, which has two sensor drums 406, 407 located downstream of the inspection drum 403. The sensor drums 406, 407 are configured and tuned to perform at least one of the following measurement tasks: end face inspection, surface inspection, integrity inspection and / or missing segment inspection of the coating of an article or multi-segment smoking article.

[0067] The inspection drum 403 is schematically shown in the side view of Figure 17. At the transfer point 4013, rod-shaped articles, particularly multi-segment smoking articles 531, 530, are transferred to the storage recess 4012 of the inspection drum 403. The inspection drum 403 rotates in the rotational direction and the feed direction 4015. Preferably, the inspection drum 403 has three inspection stations 4016, 4018, and 4017. After inspection of the rod-shaped articles, particularly multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531, the rod-shaped articles are transferred to the subsequent drum 406 at the discharge point 4014. If the rod-shaped articles do not meet the inspection criteria, they are subsequently discharged. The inspection drum 403 preferably has a pitch 4019 of 4π, 6π, 8π, or 10π (millimeters) or an integer multiple of pi (millimeters). The first inspection station 4016, located between the third inspection station 4018 and the second inspection station 4017, is used to measure the permeability of the rod-shaped article. The third inspection station 4018, located downstream of the first inspection station 4016 in the feed direction, works to measure the density of the rod-shaped article. The second inspection station 4017, located upstream of both inspection stations 4016 and 4018, works to measure the suction resistance of the rod-shaped article. If the feed speed of the inspection drum 403 is very high, resulting in short time at each inspection station, it is necessary to create a corresponding pressure, such as positive pressure, within the rod-shaped article in a short time window. The quality of the permeability and density measurements is significantly improved if the corresponding pressure has already been applied beforehand, for example, at the second inspection station 4017, at both ends or one end of the cigarette. This pressure can be applied within a pitch 4019 or within the interval between one housing recess 4012, but it can also be applied within a plurality of pitches 4019, preferably at least or exactly two, three, or four pitches. Preferably, the second inspection station 4017 extends across a plurality of housing recesses 4012, particularly across at least two, three, or four housing recesses.In particular, in the case of rod-shaped articles 531, 530 having perforations and especially paper segments and / or thick covering paper, dust particles are blown out from the perforation openings or holes at the inspection stations 4017, 4016, 4018, so that these dust particles contaminate the inspection drum 403 and / or subsequent device components, in particular the sensor device and inspection device. Advantageously, a suction device 4020 is provided, which is preferably formed as a suction hood and covers an area on the inspection stations 4017, 4016, 4018. The suction device 4020 has at least one suction area 4021, 4022, 4023 for sucking up dust particles. In another embodiment, the drum 403 may be configured as a simple cleaning drum 403R, in which case there is no inspection station. An inspection drum 403 having a cleaning function is also understood as a cleaning drum. The cleaning drums 403R, 364R, 373R, 374R, and 375R have corresponding devices for blowing out dust from inside a rod-shaped article, particularly through perforated openings, and for sucking up dust.

[0068] Figure 18 shows cross-sections of cleaning drums (403R, 364R, 373R, 374R, 375R) and / or inspection drums 403 equipped with a suction device 4020. Compressed air is supplied to rod-shaped articles 530, 531 placed in the housing recess 4012 at the end face side, thereby cleaning the rod-shaped articles. The blown-out dust particles are sucked in by the suction device 4020. The suction device 4020 may be connected to a negative pressure source by at least one suction area 4021, 4022, 4023. Preferably, the suction device 4020 is configured to allow the suction device to draw in lateral air to generate an intake airflow. Figures 19 and 20 show the apparatus shown in Figure 18 from two different viewpoints, and for clarity certain details, such as the suction device 4051 in the first row A of Figure 19, are not shown. Preferably, the suction device is positioned locally adjacent to the perforations in the article to be cleaned and / or inspected. Preferably, the suction device is configured in a segmented manner. Preferably, the cleaning and / or inspection drum is formed in two raceways. Preferably, the cleaning and / or inspection drum is configured to accommodate, inspect and / or clean rod-shaped articles, comprising two adjacent rows of storage sections, particularly recesses, namely a first row A 4051 and a second row B 4052. Preferably, each row has its own suction device 4020. Preferably, the first row A 4051 and / or the second row B 4052 have one suction device 4020. Preferably, the suction devices of the first row A 4051 and the suction devices of the second row B 4052 are formed separately from each other.

[0069] Another device to prevent contamination is the collection container AFB, and the collection container AFB S Preferably, it is positioned adjacent to the cutting drum and / or the collection container AFB T Preferably, it is positioned adjacent to the drum, particularly the drum immediately downstream of the cutting drum. Figure 21 shows the collection container AFB of Figure 1. T and ABF SA portion of the diagram shows supply modules 120 and 130 equipped with these collection containers. These collection containers are located adjacent to drums 122 and 124. Such collection containers may also be located within supply module 130 or within the supply modules of covering units 200 and 300, but are not shown in Figure 21. Figure 22 illustrates drums 122 and 124, with collection containers AFB, AFB adjacent to drums 122 and 124. T ,AFB S The collection container AFB is formed as a shell that is open on one side, with an opening OE_AFB that faces the outer surface of drums 122 and 124. The drum has a receiving section, in particular a recess, for accommodating rod-shaped articles. The opening of the collection shell is in an angular range α, which is 80° in this figure. AFB Corresponding to the above. The widening opening in this manner allows for the collection of the corresponding article rod segments or particles. The distance A_AFB between the drums 122,124 and the collection container AFB is the minimum distance between the drums and the collection container, which in this embodiment shown corresponds to about 4 cm. Such a distance allows article rod segments and particles to be collected by the collection container without missing the opening of the collection container due to long flight distances. The collection container is preferably formed as a retractable drawer, which allows for emptying the captured article rod segments and particles or performing cleaning. Preferably, the collection container has a suction unit for emptying or cleaning the collection container.

[0070] The inspection-delivery module 400 has a discharge drum 408 for feeding multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 in a transverse direction, and adjacent to the discharge drum 408 is a take-out drum 409 configured and tuned to take out and discharge individual multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531. The delivery-inspection module 400 has an insertion drum 410 to transition a two-track single-layer feed of multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 to a single-track single-layer feed of multi-segment articles 530 and / or multi-segment smoking articles 531 using a deflection drum 411 formed as a conical inverter or another type of tip-rotating drum. In this case, the pitch of the receiving section and / or the multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 being fed is halved. If the discharge drum 408 has a pitch (recess spacing) of, for example, 8π, then the pitch of the insertion drum 410 is, for example, 4π. To ensure the safe transport of the multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 to the upstream side, the inspection-delivery module 400 has transport drums 412-418. The delivery-discharge drum 420 transfers the single-layer feed of the multi-segment articles 530 or multi-segment smoking articles 531 into a multi-layer feed and transports them to subsequent machinery or subsequently located storage containers.

[0071] A perspective view of a suction system 4200 for a cleaning drum is schematically shown in part in Figure 23. The suction system 4200 is a component of a machine that manufactures rod-shaped articles for the tobacco processing industry, such as multi-segment articles, multi-segment smoking articles, or multi-segment intermediate products. The suction system 4200 has a conduit 4210 to which negative pressure is supplied from, for example, a negative pressure source (not shown) on the machine side. At the end, the conduit 4210 is formed with two conduit sections 4211 and 4212, which supply negative pressure to a bucket-shaped, rail-shaped, or curved suction hood 4221, 4222, respectively.

[0072] The suction hoods 4221 and 4222 are positioned on the outer surface of the cleaning drum (not shown), circumferentially arranged in the direction of the cleaning drum's transverse axis, in the region of one row of rod-shaped articles being fed transversely on the cleaning drum. In the feeding region where the suction hoods 4221 and 4222 are positioned, it is possible to arrange at least one inspection station or more inspection stations for one row of rod-shaped articles being fed on the cleaning drum, such as multi-segment articles, multi-segment smoking articles, or multi-segment intermediate articles. The inspection stations may be configured, for example, as inspection stations 4017, 4016, and 4018 shown in Figure 17.

[0073] Within the scope of the present invention, it may be specified that each of the suction hoods 4221 and 4222 covers an area on its respective inspection station. The negative pressure acting within the suction hoods 4221 and 4222 draws dust or dust particles from inside the rod-shaped articles out of the feed section area for each row of rod-shaped articles being fed on the cleaning drum.

[0074] In one configuration, the suction hoods 4221 and 4222 are specified to be swivelably supported, so that the suction hoods 4211 and 4222 can be easily swiveled away from the cleaning drum, for example, for maintenance of the cleaning drum, thereby providing improved access to the suction hoods 4211 and 4222 and the cleaning drum. Furthermore, in one improved version, the suction system 4200 has a locking device 4250, such as a quick-replacement fitting or a quick-closure system, for the swivelable suction hoods 4221 and 4222, so that the suction hoods 4221 and 4222 can be reliably and permanently positioned on the cleaning drum for operation of the cleaning drum and / or the machine. This ensures reliable operation of the suction system 4200.

[0075] Figure 24 shows a partial perspective view of the cleaning drum 4030. The cleaning drum 4030 has supports 4310, 4320 in a feeding area where an inspection station is located for inspecting rod-shaped articles and / or where suction hoods are located on the outside for each row of rod-shaped articles being fed on the cleaning drum 4030. Each of the supports 4310, 4320 is in contact with one suction hood. Each of the supports 4310, 4320 is provided for guiding and / or positioning the suction hoods that cooperate with the supports. This makes it possible, for example, to achieve fixed positioning of each suction hood at a predetermined interval relative to the outer surface of the drum. The supports 4310, 4320 are held in the cleaning drum 4300 using holders 4311, 4321, respectively.

[0076] The supports 4310 and 4320 have radially outward projecting ridges 4315 and 4316 for positioning their respective suction hoods, and these ridges 4315 and 4316 are in contact with their respective suction hoods. The supports 4310 and 4320 are advantageously positioned above the receiving recess for the rod-shaped article and are preferably formed with curvature. The lower surfaces of the supports 4310 and 4320 serve to guide the rod-shaped article being fed, in which case, as the cleaning drum 4300 rotates, the rod-shaped article is guided along their respective supports 4310 and 4320.

[0077] During the lateral feeding of a rod-shaped article, the retaining negative pressure in the housing recess of the cleaning drum 4300 is reduced or decreased in the feeding area of ​​each suction hood (not shown). In the feeding area, the suction resistance and / or airtightness and / or air permeability of the rod-shaped article can be measured using a corresponding inspection station. For the measurement or determination of these values, the retaining negative pressure for the rod-shaped article in this feeding area is reduced in particular by at least 25%, or at least 50% to 70%, or 75%. Before the rod-shaped article enters the feeding area and / or after it exits the feeding area, the retaining negative pressure in the housing recess is increased or increased.

[0078] Furthermore, in a certain configuration, the cleaning drum 4300 has a grooved drum ring 4330 for each row of rod-shaped articles, which can be separately removed for cleaning the drum ring 4330.

Claims

1. In particular, cleaning drums for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) for cleaning perforated hollow segments having perforated openings, of multi-segment articles or rod-shaped articles, - A housing for rod-shaped articles, particularly a recess capable of supplying negative pressure, - A compressed air source, preferably fixed in position, is configured to supply compressed air to a rod-shaped article, particularly to supply compressed air at the end face. - At least one air supply opening (4061), in particular an air supply slit, - Connecting means (4062), particularly a seal cap, which is arranged in the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) and is formed such that at least one air supply opening is preferably sequentially connected to a rod-shaped article arranged in the housing in order to supply compressed air flow to the end face of the rod-shaped article, thereby allowing contaminants to be removed from or released from the rod-shaped article, and in particular allowing contaminants to be blown out from the perforated openings of the perforated hollow segments of the rod-shaped article or multi-segment article, connecting means (4062) and In a cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) equipped with, The cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) is characterized in that it has a suction device for sucking up contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out, particularly from rod-shaped articles.

2. The cleaning drum according to claim 1 (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R), characterized in that the suction device is formed as an externally positioned suction hood and / or as a suction opening, particularly a suction passage, leading to the inside of the drum.

3. The cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) has a rocking device for connecting the connecting means, in particular the seal cap, to the end of a rod-shaped article.

4. The cleaning drum according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) has a measuring station M1 (4017) preferably configured to measure the suction resistance of a rod-shaped article and / or a measuring station M2 (4018) preferably configured to measure the density of a rod-shaped article and / or a measuring station M3 (4016) preferably configured to measure the air permeability.

5. The cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) has adjacent storage compartments, particularly two rows of storage compartment recesses (4051, 4052), i.e., row A and row B, so that rod-shaped articles can be fed in the lateral direction in the two adjacent rows, and preferably, a separate suction device is preferably arranged in row A (4051) of the storage compartment, and preferably, a separate suction device is preferably arranged in row B (4052) of the storage compartment, as described in at least one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing portion, particularly the housing portion recess, has an interrupted portion, preferably two interrupted portions, thereby enabling the rod-shaped article to be held without placement in a longitudinal axial direction, particularly an end portion and / or a portion having a perforated opening.

7. The cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cleaning drum (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R) has an air guide element that can guide or redirect contaminants blown off and / or blown out, particularly from rod-shaped articles, to a suction device, and in particular the air guide element is positioned adjacent to the interrupted portion of the housing.

8. A cleaning drum according to at least one of claims 1 to 7 (403, 403R, 373R, 374R, 375R, 364R), characterized in that it is provided with a movable suction device, in particular a positioning device for a suction hood, the positioning device being adjusted so that a predetermined, preferably constant, distance of the suction device is adjusted relative to the outer surface of the cleaning drum.

9. Preferably, a method for cleaning rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, particularly multi-segment articles or perforated hollow segments of rod-shaped articles, using a cleaning drum according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - A step of moving a rod-shaped object in the lateral direction within a recess in a receiving section where negative pressure can be supplied, - A step of supplying a compressed air flow to a rod-shaped article at its end face, preferably to remove contaminants from or off the rod-shaped article, by particularly connecting the end face end of the rod-shaped article to the compressed air source using a seal cap, - Preferably, the step of supplying compressed air to a rod-shaped article at a pressure of 100 mbar to 200 mbar from the end face side. In a method having, In particular, using a suction device, the suction of contaminants that have been blown off and / or blown out, especially from rod-shaped articles, and especially from contaminants blown out from perforated openings of perforated hollow segments of rod-shaped articles or multi-segment articles. A method characterized by the following features.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the suction is performed by a suction hood positioned on the outside and / or by a suction opening, particularly a suction passage, formed inside the drum.

11. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the connection of the end on the end face side of a rod-shaped article is made by moving the seal cap in the longitudinal axial direction, thereby causing the seal cap to cover the end on the end face side of the rod-shaped article.

12. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, particularly during transport in the horizontal direction, the suction resistance of the rod-shaped article is preferably measured using measuring station M1, and / or its density is preferably measured using measuring station M2, and / or the air permeability of the rod-shaped article is preferably measured using measuring station M3.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in a feeding section for a rod-shaped article, the rod-shaped article is held in a recess of a housing section of a feeding drum or cleaning drum using a holding negative pressure during feeding in the lateral direction thereof, preferably measuring the suction resistance of the rod-shaped article using a measuring station M1 and / or preferably measuring the density using a measuring station M2 and / or preferably measuring the air permeability of the rod-shaped article, the holding negative pressure for the rod-shaped article is reduced or reduced to at least 25%, or at least 50% to 70% or 75%.

14. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the method is performed in two tracks, and the rod-shaped articles are arranged side by side in the longitudinal axial direction within two rows.

15. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that contaminants blown off and / or blown out of a rod-shaped article are guided or deflected by an air guide element before suction.

16. The method according to at least one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that a rod-shaped article has hollow tube segments having a wall thickness of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, is particularly formed as a paper tube, and has a perforated hole with a width or diameter of at least 0.1 mm.

17. A supply device (120, 130) that supplies product rods (540, 543, 546, 549), - Storage compartments for rod-shaped articles (121, 131, 291, 391), especially magazines and - Cutting drums (122, 132, 292, 392) that cut rod-shaped articles (540, 543, 546, 549) to form article rod segments (541, 520, 544, 521, 522D, 523D), - At least one drum (124, 134, 294, 394) located downstream of the cutting drum for feeding article rod segments (541, 520, 544, 521, 522D, 523D) and In a supply device (120, 130) equipped with, Collection container (AFB) for collecting particles and / or article rod segments (541, 520, 544, 521, 522D, 523D) of the cutting drums (122, 132, 292, 392), and / or adjacent to the cutting drums (124, 134, 294, 394), particularly adjacent to the drum located immediately downstream of the cutting drums (122, 132, 292, 392), and / or upstream of the forming drums (128, 138), and / or upstream of the tack drums (240, 340), or drums located downstream of the cutting drums, particularly the drum located immediately downstream of the cutting drums (122, 132, 292, 392). Ｔ , ABF Ｓ A supply device (120, 130) characterized by having ) arranged therein.

18. The aforementioned collection container (AFB Ｔ , ABF Ｓ ) has a suction unit that sucks up particles and / or article rod segments, in particular the collection container (AFB Ｔ , ABF Ｓ The supply device according to claim 17, characterized in that the ) is connected to a pipeline for discharging particles and article rod segments.

19. The aforementioned collection container (AFB Ｔ , ABF Ｓ The supply device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the collection container is formed to be retractable, and the collection container is formed as a retractable drawer.

20. The collection container (AFB Ｔ , ABF Ｓ ) has an interval A_ABF of at least 20 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm in the radial direction of the cutting drum or the drum with respect to the cutting drum or the drum, and / or the collection container is arranged on the side, lower side or below the axis of rotation of the cutting drum or the drum arranged on the downstream side, particularly not on the upper side of the cutting drum or the drum arranged on the downstream side. The supply device according to at least one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it is arranged.

21. The aforementioned collection container (AFB Ｔ , ABF Ｓ The feeding device according to at least one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the ) has an opening for collecting particles or article rod segments, the opening being positioned to correspond to an angular region of the cutting drum (122, 132, 292, 392) or the drum (123, 133, 293, 393) smaller than 120°, 90°, or 75°.

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