A method and a configuration to prevent tobacco falling out of cigarette ends

Abstract

The invention relates to a gluing station (10) to prevent tobacco from falling out of an open end (a1) of at least one cigarette (a) that is not covered with paper. Accordingly, it is novel in that it comprises at least one first carrier (21) that enables said cigarettes (a) to be advanced within the gluing station (10), and at least one gluing head (221) positioned adjacent to the first carrier (21) with one gluing tip (221.1) facing the first carrier (21) in order to transfer adhesive to an open end (a1) of at least one cigarette (a) on the first carrier (21).

Description

[0001] A METHOD AND A CONFIGURATION TO PREVENT TOBACCO FALLING OUT OF CIGARETTE ENDS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a gluing station to prevent tobacco from falling out of an open end of at least one cigarette that is not covered with paper.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] A cigarette is a product that is obtained by processing tobacco leaves through special processes and is usually formed and consumed by wrapping them with paper or thin tobacco leaves. Cigarette production is provided through a series of processes including the filling and packaging stages, beginning with processing the tobacco. In the filling stage, the tobacco mixture is tightly wrapped in cigarette papers using special machines and the process is completed by adding the filter. The filling process is a critical stage and it is of great importance to fill the tobacco mixture in the right proportions and with precision.

[0006] The packaging stage is carried out after the filling process is completed. Cigarettes are placed in boxes by specially designed packaging machines, put into cigarette packs and packaged. In this way, cigarette packs are made ready to be delivered to the end user.

[0007] During cigarette production, in processes such as filling and packaging, in conveyors where cigarettes are moved, in hoppers, the tobacco inside the cigarette falls out from the open ends of the cigarettes, which is a frequently encountered problem. This situation is a factor that negatively affects production and reduces product quality. Due to this problem, tobacco spilled on cigarette production lines causes disruptions in the lines and costs increase due to lost tobacco. In addition, tobacco falling out is a negative and undesirable situation for the end user.

[0008] As a result, all the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a method and a gluing station in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0010] An aim of the invention is to provide a method and a gluing station to prevent tobacco falling out of the open ends of cigarettes.

[0011] In order to realise all the aims mentioned above and to be revealed from the detailed description below, the present invention is a gluing station to prevent tobacco falling out of an open end of at least one cigarette that is not covered with paper. Accordingly, it is novel in that it comprises at least one first carrier that enables said cigarettes to be advanced within the gluing station, and at least one gluing head positioned adjacent to the first carrier with one gluing tip facing the first carrier in order to transfer adhesive to an open end of at least one cigarette on the first carrier. Thus, gluing application is made in the gluing station to prevent tobacco falling out of the ends of cigarettes.

[0012] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that said gluing head is connected to at least one support body, and said support body comprises a plurality of gluing heads arranged with their gluing tips facing the first carrier. Thus, it is possible to subject a large number of cigarettes to the gluing process at the same time.

[0013] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that it comprises two support bodies on opposite sides of the first carrier, and the gluing heads on said support body are positioned so that the gluing tips face each other. Thus, a larger number of cigarettes can be subjected to the gluing process at the same time compared to a single-sided system.

[0014] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised by comprising at least one drying unit adjacent to the gluing unit, ensuring the drying of the adhesive applied to the open end of the cigarette. Thus, the adhesive is dried quickly and the process time is shortened.

[0015] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that said drying unit comprises at least one second carrier positioned adjacent to the first carrier, and at least one fan positioned facing the second carrier in order to blow air towards the open ends. Thus, the drying process is provided by forced convection by blowing air. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the second carrier comprises two fans positioned oppositely at both ends of the second carrier, both facing the second carrier. Thus, in the two-sided configuration, cigarettes facing both sides can be cooled.

[0016] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the first carrier comprises at least one first drum that carries and advances the cigarettes, and that the second carrier comprises at least one second drum that receives, carries and advances the cigarettes from the first drum. Thus, cigarettes can be taken to the drying unit after the gluing process.

[0017] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the support body is connected to a carrier wall of the gluing station with at least one connection shaft that is free to rotate around the extension direction.

[0018] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised by comprising at least one opening lever that is a handle for said support body to be rotated around the connection shaft.

[0019] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised by comprising at least one groove in the form of a cavity suitable for cigarettes to be placed at least partially inside on the first carrier and the second carrier. Thus, guides are provided for cigarettes to be aligned with the gluing heads in the correct positions.

[0020] The invention is a method to prevent tobacco falling out of the open ends of cigarettes that are not covered with paper. Accordingly, its distinguishing feature is that it comprises the step of transferring adhesive from the gluing tip of at least one gluing head to the open end of at least one cigarette advanced on a first carrier of a gluing station. Thus, by applying adhesive to the end of the cigarettes, tobacco falling out of the ends is prevented.

[0021] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised by the step of blowing air towards the open end with at least one fan in order to dry the adhesive applied to the open end of said cigarette.

[0022] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterised by the step of heating the air blown by the fan. BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a representative isometric view of the first carrier and second carrier of the gluing station according to the invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a representative isometric view of the gluing station according to the invention, excluding the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In this detailed description, the invention is described with non-limiting examples only for better understanding of the subject.

[0027] The gluing station (10), which is the subject of the invention, is configured to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive to an open end (a1 ) of at least one cigarette (a). Said open end (a1 ) defines the end of the cigarette (a) that does not have any paper or filter around it. In other words, the open end (a1 ) is the end that is lit by the user while being consumed. Said adhesive is of the nature that ensures that the tobaccos stick to each other when applied to the open end (a1 ). Here, the adhesive substance is a substance that is not harmful to human health. In a possible embodiment, the adhesive is a food glue. In possible embodiments, the adhesive can be starch, sherbet, chocolate.

[0028] The gluing station (10) comprises at least one gluing unit (20). Said gluing unit (20) comprises at least one first carrier (21 ). Cigarettes (a) ready for adhesive application are carried by said first carrier (21 ). At least one gluing head (221 ) is positioned adjacent to the first carrier (21 ). The gluing head (221 ) applies adhesive to the open ends (a1 ) of the cigarettes (a) on the first carrier (21 ). To this end, the gluing head (221 ) comprises at least one gluing tip (221.1 ). Accordingly, the cigarettes (a) on the carrier are associated with the gluing tip (221.1 ) and thus the adhesive is transferred to the open ends (a1 ). In the preferred embodiment, the gluing head (221 ) is a sprayer that allows the adhesive to be sprayed from the gluing tip (221.1 ) to the open end (a1 ). However, in possible embodiments, the gluing head (221 ) may also be configured to transfer adhesive to the open end (a1 ) when it contacts the open ends (a1 ) of the cigarettes (a). There is at least one drying unit (30) adjacent to the gluing unit (20). Said drying unit (30) is positioned after the gluing unit (20) according to the process in the gluing station (10). The adhesive applied in the gluing unit (20) is dried in the drying unit (30). The drying unit (30) comprises at least one second carrier (31 ). Cigarettes with adhesive applied to their open ends (a1 ) are transferred from the first carrier (21 ) to said second carrier (31 ) for the drying process and are transferred to the next station (packaging etc.) by the second carrier (31 ).

[0029] The first carrier (21 ) comprises at least one first drum (211 ). The second carrier (31 ) comprises at least one second drum (311 ). Said first drum (211 ) and said second drum (311 ) rotate around their own axes. There are grooves (I) on the first drum (211 ) and the second drum (311 ) which are the slots where the cigarettes (a) are positioned. The first drum (211 ) and the second drum (311 ) have a vacuum system so that the cigarettes (a) can stay on them without falling. By means of the vacuum created in the drums, the cigarettes (a) inside the grooves (I) can rotate with the drum without falling off the drum. The vacuum systems of the first drum (211 ) and the second drum (311 ) work synchronously with each other for the transfer of the cigarettes (a) from the first drum (211 ) to the second drum (311 ). A cigarette (a) on the first drum (211 ) approaches the second drum (311 ) with the rotational movement of the first drum (211 ), and when it gets close enough, the vacuum of the second drum (311 ) pulls the cigarette (a) onto itself and thus the cigarette (a) separates from the first drum (211 ) and starts rotating together with the second drum (311 ).

[0030] The drying unit (30) comprises at least one fan (32). Said fan (32) serves to blow air to the open ends (a1 ) of the cigarettes (a) on the first drum (211 ). In the preferred embodiment, the drying unit (30) comprises a heater to heat the air blown by the fan (32).

[0031] The gluing station (10) comprises at least one carrier wall (11 ) that serves to provide structural integrity and to house the elements of the gluing station (10). In the gluing unit (20), the gluing head (221 ) is positioned on at least one support body (22) connected to said carrier wall (11 ). In the preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of gluing heads (221 ) on said support body (22). Thus, it is possible to glue a plurality of cigarettes (a) at the same time. In this context, there are also a plurality of grooves (I) on the first drum (211 ) and the second drum (311 ). In the gluing unit (20), the support arm is connected to the carrier wall (11 ) with at least one connection shaft (23) in a way that it can rotate around the connection shaft (23). In addition, the gluing unit (20) comprises at least one opening arm (24). Said opening arm (24) is a handle configured for an operator to rotate the support body (22) around the connection shaft (23). Accordingly, in cases where the first drum (211 ) or the gluing head (221 ) needs maintenance / replacement, the support body (22) can be separated from the first drum (211 ) by turning the opening arm (24).

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, there is a support body (22) next to the two opposing edges of the first drum (211 ). In this embodiment, there is a plurality of gluing heads (221 ) on each support body (22) and the opposing gluing heads (221 ) and gluing tips (221.1 ) are positioned facing each other. In this structure, cigarettes (a) are positioned back to back (filter parts facing each other) on the first drum (211 ). With this double-sided structure, it is possible to subject more cigarettes (a) to the gluing process at the same time. Next to this, there are two fans (32) positioned facing each other on the two opposing edges of the second drum (311 ). In this way, it is possible to dry more cigarettes (a) at the same time compared to the single-sided structure with a single-fan (32).

[0033] In light of all these explanations, a predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the open ends (a1 ) of the cigarettes (a) by means of the gluing station (10) and the method related to it. The adhesive ensures that the tobaccos adhere to each other at the open ends (a1 ) of the cigarettes (a) and thus prevents them from falling out. Thus, tobacco losses in production lines are prevented and disruptions due to tobacco falling on the line are eliminated.

[0034] The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the claims given in the appendix and cannot be limited to what is explained in this detailed description for the purpose of example. Because it is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with similar structures in light of what is explained above without deviating from the main theme of the invention.

[0035] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0036] 10 Gluing Station 11 Carrier Wall Gluing Unit

[0037] 21 First Carrier

[0038] 211 First Drum

[0039] 22 Support Body

[0040] 221 Gluing Head

[0041] 221.1 Gluing Tip

[0042] 23 Connecting Shaft

[0043] 24 Opening Arm Drying Unit

[0044] 31 Second Carrier

[0045] 311 Second Drum

[0046] 32 Fan

[0047] (a) Cigarette

[0048] (a1 ) Open End

[0049] (I) Groove

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gluing station (10) to prevent tobacco from falling out of an open end (a1 ) of at least one cigarette (a) that is not covered with paper, comprising at least one first carrier (21 ) that enables said cigarettes (a) to be advanced within the gluing station (10) and at least one gluing head (221 ) positioned adjacent to the first carrier (21 ) with a gluing tip (221.1 ) facing the first carrier (21 ) for transferring gluing to an open end (a1 ) of at least one cigarette (a) on the first carrier (21 ).

2. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 1 , wherein said gluing head (221 ) is connected to at least one support body (22), and said support body (22) comprises a plurality of gluing heads (221 ) arranged with their gluing tips (221 .1 ) facing the first carrier (21 ).

3. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 2, comprising two support bodies (22) on opposite sides of the first carrier (21 ), wherein the gluing heads (221 ) on said support body (22) are positioned so that the gluing tips (221 .1 ) face each other.

4. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 1 , comprising at least one drying unit(30) adjacent to the gluing unit (20) ensuring the drying of the adhesive applied to the open end (a1 ) of the cigarette (a).

5. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 4, wherein said drying unit (30) comprises at least one second carrier (31 ) positioned adjacent to the first carrier (21 ), and at least one fan (32) positioned facing the second carrier (31 ) in order to blow air towards the open ends (a1 ).

6. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 5, wherein the second carrier (31 ) comprises two fans (32) positioned oppositely at both ends of the second carrier(31 ), both facing the second carrier (31 ).

7. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 1 , wherein the first carrier (21 ) comprises at least one first drum (211 ) that carries and advances the cigarettes (a), and the second carrier (31 ) comprises at least one second drum (311 ) that receives, carries and advances the cigarettes (a) from the first drum (211 ).

8. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 2, wherein the support body (22) is connected to a carrier wall (11 ) of the gluing station (10) with at least one connection shaft (23) that is free to rotate around the extension direction.

9. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 8, comprising at least one opening arm (24) that is a handle for said support body (22) to be rotated around the connection shaft (23).

10. A gluing station (10) according to Claim 7, comprising at least one groove (I) in the form of a cavity suitable for cigarettes (a) to be placed at least partially inside on the first drum (211 ) and the second drum (311 ).

11. A method of preventing tobacco falling out of the open ends of cigarettes (a) that are not covered with paper (a1 ), comprising the process step of transferring adhesive from the gluing tip (221 .1 ) of the at least one gluing head (221 ) to the open end (a1 ) of the at least one cigarette (a) which is advanced on a first carrier (21 ) of a gluing station (10).

12. A method according to Claim 10, comprising the process step of blowing air towards the open end (a1 ) with at least one fan (32) in order to dry the adhesive applied to the open end (a1 ) of said cigarette (a).

13. A method according to Claim 11 , comprising the process step of heating the air blown by the fan (32).

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