Method of manufacturing and apparatus of the tobacco industry for producing rods of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material

Abstract

An apparatus (1) of the tobacco industry for producing rods (R) of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material (3), comprising: a feeding unit (2) for the continuous strand of filling material (3), a compaction apparatus (4) adapted to compact the continuous strand of filling material (3), a forming unit (5) adapted to form an endless rod (CR) from the continuous strand of filling material (3). The apparatus is characterized in that the compaction apparatus (4) is adapted to move essentially along the longitudinal axis (X) away from the forming unit, creating a loading space between the compaction apparatus (4) and the forming unit (5), enabling manual introduction of the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4).

Description

[0001] METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AND APPARATUS OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY FOR

[0002] PRODUCING RODS OF SPECIFIC LENGTH FROM A CONTINUOUS STRAND OF FILLING MATERIAL

[0003] The invention relates to a method of manufacturing and an apparatus of the tobacco industry for producing rods of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material.

[0004] The invention is used in the tobacco industry for producing rods used in the production products for smokers.

[0005] In the tobacco industry, the commonly applied method for manufacturing cigarette filters involves forming an endless rod filled with filtering material and cutting this rod into individual rods, from which single mouthpieces or segments are eventually cut. These segments are used for producing multi-segment filters. The filling material used for producing the endless rod is usually fibrous material or material in the form of a continuous sheet, for example of plant origin. For many years, paper and acetate fibers have been widely used, with the filling material typically retrieving the form of a continuous web. Before the start of production and the operation of the production machine, such a strand of material must be introduced into the units forming the endless rod so that after starting the machine, the continuous web of material is automatically drawn in from the feeding unit. The endless rod formed in this process is then cut into finished rods.

[0006] A problem faced by manufacturers of such rods is designing an apparatus for producing rods of specific lengths from a continuous strand of filling material that allows easy and quick introduction of a new er broken strand of filling material into the forming path, and in particular threading the continuous strand of filling material through the compaction apparatus. Existing solutions require time-consuming threading of the filling material strand through the compaction unit, which is typically shaped like a funnel, using a long and thin pushing element, for example, a ramrod.

[0007] Moreover, due to the compact design of the apparatuses for producing such rods, access to the forming units is difficult, which may sometimes force the operator to perform time-consuming disassembly of certain apparatus components and their reassembly after introducing the continuous strand of filling material.

[0008] In the state of the art, apparatuses for folding a paper web before its compaction in the process of producing an endless rod are known. Such a solution is presented in application WO 2022074190, which discloses an apparatus for manufacturing an endless tobacco industry rod formed from two strands of filling material, between which a heating element in the form of a ferromagnetic material tape is placed.

[0009] A compaction apparatus maintaining separation between individual folds of the paper web, such as in EP3918929, is also known. The body of the compaction apparatus is shaped like a funnel, inside which separating elements are placed in a converging channel. Along the length of the compaction apparatus, at least one separating element is positioned to divide at least two strands. The upper separating element extends from the inlet to the outlet inside the compaction apparatus and has the shape of an elongated plate with converging edges. The lower separating elements have a shape similar to the upper separating element, i.e., they are elongated and have converging edges.

[0010] Patent EP1917871 discloses a machine for producing filter rods equipped with a mechanism for rotational lifting of the compaction unit. Tilting the compaction unit using the rotational lifting mechanism is only possible when no filtering material (such as acetate) is present in the compaction unit, or when the filtering material is fed into the compaction unit from above. This solution cannot be applied to a machine where the filling material is a continuous web, for example, creped paper, which is fed to the compaction unit essentially horizontally.

[0011] In solutions known from the state of the art, compaction apparatuses are typically shaped like a funnel, through which the continuous strand of filling material is introduced longitudinally along the axis from the larger opening and drawn out from the smaller opening. This is often done using a long supporting element for pulling the material, such as a ramrod. Such introduction of a continuous strand of filling material requires the operator to have skills to avoid damaging the strand while pulling it through the compaction apparatus, as well as sufficient time to complete this process. In the event of machine stoppages caused by strand breakage, the time required for this operation can significantly impact the overall production efficiency of the machine.

[0012] The aim of this invention is to develop a compaction apparatus for a continuous strand of filling material used in the tobacco industry that allows for easy and quick machine preparation for production by facilitating the introduction of the continuous strand of filling material into the compaction apparatus and the forming unit within a short time, without the risk of damaging or breaking it.

[0013] The essence of the invention is a tobacco industry apparatus for producing rods of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material, comprising: a feeding unit for the continuous strand of filling material, a compaction apparatus adapted to compact the continuous strand of filling material, and a forming unit adapted to form an endless rod from the continuous strand of filling material. The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the compaction apparatus is adapted to move essentially along the longitudinal axis away from the forming unit, creating a loading space between the compaction apparatus and the forming unit, allowing the continuous strand of filling material to be introduced into the interior of the compaction apparatus and subsequently into the forming unit.

[0014] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it includes an adjustable unit adapted to linearly change the position of the compaction apparatus.

[0015] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it includes an adjustable unit adapted to linearly change the position of the internal shaping element.

[0016] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the adjustable unit is equipped with at least one guiding rail.

[0017] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the adjustable unit is equipped with at least one actuator.

[0018] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the compaction apparatus is supported on a bracket. Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the bracket supporting the compaction apparatus moves along the guiding rail.

[0019] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the compaction apparatus is positioned horizontally and coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

[0020] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the introducing element is open from the bottom and mounted in such a way that it allows for manual loading of the continuous strand of filling material along its entire length.

[0021] Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the introducing element has a longitudinal slit in its lower part, extending from the entry to the exit of the introducing element.

[0022] Moreover, the essence of the invention is a method of introducing a continuous strand of filling material into the compaction apparatus located on a tobacco industry apparatus for producing rods of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material. This method includes the following steps: retrieving a continuous strand of filling material from the feeding unit, moving the compaction apparatus away from the introducing element, introducing the continuous strand of filling material into the interior of the compaction apparatus, starting the apparatus at low speed, pulling the continuous strand of filling material through the slit located at the bottom of the introducing element, so that the continuous strand of filling material is drawn in by the formatting tape, moving the compaction apparatus closer to the introducing element, increasing the speed of the apparatus to the desired value.

[0023] Preferably, the method according to the invention is characterized in that before introducing the continuous strand of filling material into the interior of the compaction apparatus, the internal shaping element is extracted from its interior.

[0024] Preferably, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the compaction apparatus is moved away and moved closer relative to the introducing element along the longitudinal axis.

[0025] Preferably, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the internal shaping element is moved out of and into the compaction apparatus along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] An advantage of the apparatus is the significant simplification of the operation of loading a new or broken strand of filling material in the process of producing an endless rod in the tobacco industry. Simplifying the operation significantly reduces the time required for loading a new or broken strand of filling material.

[0027] The subject of the invention is further illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the drawing, where:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows the production apparatus for producing rods from a continuous strand of filling material;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows the compaction apparatus for producing an endless rod from a continuous strand of filling material containing tubular objects;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows the compaction apparatus with an extracted shaping element;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows the compaction apparatus moved away with an extracted shaping element;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows the compaction apparatus moved away with an extracted shaping element during the introduction of a continuous strand of filling material;

[0033] Fig. 6 shows the compaction apparatus moved away with an extracted shaping element with the continuous strand of filling material introduced; Fig. 7 shows the compaction apparatus with the continuous strand of filling material introduced, ready for producing the endless rod.

[0034] In the tobacco industry, machines are used for producing rods from various types of filling materials. The filling material used in this invention may include continuous strands of acetate, creped paper, CLT, PLA films, cellulose fibers, plant-based fibers, reconstituted tobacco in web form, or other materials approved for use in the tobacco industry. Before production begins, the material must first be placed in the respective units of the machine for producing rods so that, once the machine is started, it can automatically draw the material from the feeding unit. During the formation of the endless rod from the continuous strand of material, it must first be compacted in the compaction apparatus, which typically takes the shape of a funnel through which the material passes. Once compacted and pre-formed, the strand of material can have individual objects, such as capsules, tubes, filter segments, elements guiding the flow of cigarette smoke, heating elements, or aroma elements, introduced into its interior. Alternatively, a uniform rod, such as a filter rod, can be produced.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows the tobacco industry apparatus (1) for producing rods (R) in the tobacco industry. In this embodiment, the filling material (3) is a continuous strand of paper web that is fed by the feeding unit (2) to the crimping unit (12). From the crimping unit (12), the strand is transferred to the compaction apparatus

[0036] (4), where it is compacted and simultaneously pre-formed, for example, by crimping or pleating. The preformed continuous strand of filling material (3) then passes from the compaction apparatus (4) to the forming unit (5). The forming unit (5) includes an introducing element (6) and a formatting bar (7), whose task is to shape the continuous strand of filling material (3) into an endless rod (CR). In some configurations, the endless rod (CR) may be formed solely in the formatting bar (7), with the introducing element (6) simply guiding the continuous strand of material (3) into the formatting bar (7). The introducing element (6) may also have perforations on its peripheral surface to remove excess air inside it, which significantly facilitates the compression of the continuous strand of material (3) and the pre-formation of the endless rod (CR). The introducing element (6) may also have a slit in its upper surface, through which objects, such as capsules or tubes, can be introduced into its interior. After the application of adhesive path to the edges of the wrapping paper (10), the pre-formed endless rod (CR) is wrapped in wrapping paper (10) in the forming unit

[0037] (5). The endless rod (CR) thus formed is cut into rods (R) of specific length using the cutting head (11).

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a fragment of the apparatus (1) for producing rods (R) containing objects in the form of tubes (T). The visible compaction apparatus (4) in this embodiment is used for compacting a continuous strand of filling material (3), which may include, for example, crimped paper, continuous webs of reconstituted tobacco, PLA, or other materials used in the tobacco industry in sheet form. In this embodiment, the compaction apparatus (4) is shaped like a funnel with a larger inlet opening (13) and a smaller outlet opening (14). The smaller outlet opening (14) abuts the introducing element (6). A longitudinal slit (8) runs from the inlet opening (13) to the outlet opening (14), enabling the operator to introduce the strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4). The strand of filling material (3) is introduced along the entire length of the slit (8), essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) before the first startup or when the production machine stops, requiring reintroduction of the filling material strand (3).

[0039] The slit (8) is formed by cutting away part of the compaction apparatus (4) above the longitudinal axis (X) in its upper section (19) along a plane essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X). The "upper section" refers to the area above the longitudinal axis (X), while the "lower section" (20) refers to the area below the longitudinal axis (X). On the internal surface of the wall (21) of the compaction apparatus (4), there may be ribs (15) that enforce crimping and / or pleating of the material strand (3). Additionally, an internal shaping element (17) in the form of a cone with ribs (16) on its external surface may be located inside the compaction apparatus (4), also enforcing the crimping and / or pleating of the material strand (3).

[0040] The continuous strand of filling material (3), after being introduced into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4), is initially folded by the ribs (15, 16). As it moves towards the outlet opening (14), it is compacted to match the diameter of the outlet opening (14) of the compaction apparatus (4). The continuous strand of filling material (3) is then transferred to the introducing element (6), where various objects, such as capsules or paper tubes, can be introduced into the interior of the forming endless rod (CR). In this embodiment, paper tubes (T) are inserted into the forming endless rod (CR) using a disk (9), which delivers the tubes (T) to the interior of the introducing element (6). The endless rod (CR) thus formed is wrapped in wrapping paper (10) and cut into rods (R) using the cutting head (11).

[0041] Before introducing the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the compaction apparatus (4) and the introducing element (6), it is possible to extract the internal shaping element (17) from the interior of the compaction apparatus (4) in the direction indicated by arrow (E) and to move the compaction apparatus (4) away from the introducing element (6) along the longitudinal axis (X), as shown in Fig. 3.

[0042] The internal shaping element (17) is extracted from the compaction apparatus (4) along axis (X) in the direction (E) using an adjustable unit (23), which consists of a guiding rail (24) that enables the movement of a bracket (25) supporting the internal shaping element (17). This is not the only possible embodiment of the adjustable unit (23). The adjustable unit (23) may change the position of the shaping element (17) and / or the compaction apparatus (4), for example, using an actuator that moves them linearly along axis (X). In this embodiment, the internal shaping element (17), supported by a bracket (25), moves along the guiding rail (24) essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X). The length of the guiding rail (24) depends on the distance required to extract the shaping element (17) from the compaction apparatus (4) and to move the compaction apparatus (4) away from the introducing element (6). In this embodiment, the compaction apparatus (4) is also supported by a bracket (27), which moves along the guiding rail (24). Another embodiment may include the bracket (27) of the compaction apparatus (4) located underneath and moving along a separate guiding rail or mounted on a separate actuator. Many solutions for linear movement of elements are known in the state of the art and may be applied in this invention for the linear movement of the compaction apparatus (4) and / or the shaping element (17). An essential feature of this solution is that the compaction apparatus (4) moves linearly, essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X). The term "essentially" also includes slight angular deviations from parallelism with respect to the longitudinal axis (X). It is important that the continuous strand of filling material (3), once inserted by the operator into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4), is not bent or otherwise degraded during the movement of the compaction apparatus (4) towards the introducing element (6).

[0043] After extracting the internal shaping element (17) from the compaction apparatus (4), the operator moves the compaction apparatus (4) away from the introducing element (6) in the direction (E).

[0044] Fig. 4 shows the compaction apparatus (4) in a position moved away from the introducing element (6) with the internal shaping element (17) extracted, ready for the introduction of the filling material (3). In this configuration of the apparatus (1), the operator pulls the strand of filling material (3) from the feeding unit (2) toward the introducing element (6) while simultaneously inserting the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4) through the slit (8) in its upper section (19) and the inlet opening (13). Then, with the apparatus (1) running at low speed, the continuous strand of filling material (3) is introduced from the bottom through the slit (18) of the introducing element (6) into its interior. During the process, the continuous strand of filling material (3) is drawn into the introducing element (6) by the formatting tape (26), on which the wrapping paper (10) is already placed. Since the introducing element (6) has a slit (18) along its entire length from entry to exit, it is possible to draw the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the introducing element (6) via the formatting tape (26) without the need for manual threading through the introducing element (6), as shown in Fig. 5.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows the continuous strand of filling material (3) already introduced into the compaction apparatus (4) and drawn by the formatting tape (26) into the interior of the introducing element (6). Once the continuous strand of filling material (3) is being drawn automatically by the formatting tape (26), the operator moves the compaction apparatus (4) toward the introducing element (6) in the direction (F) and then reintroduces the internal shaping element (17) into its interior by moving it in the direction (F), to the position shown in Fig. 7.

[0046] An alternative embodiment of the apparatus (1) may exclude the internal shaping element (17). In such a case, the operator will only move the compaction apparatus (4) toward and away from the introducing element (6).

[0047] List of Reference Marks

[0048] 1 . Apparatus of the tobacco industry for producing rods

[0049] 2. Feeding unit for the continuous strand of filling material

[0050] 3. Continuous strand of filling material

[0051] 4. Compaction apparatus

[0052] 5. Forming unit

[0053] 6. Introducing element

[0054] 7. Formatting bar

[0055] 8. Slit

[0056] 9. Disk

[0057] 10. Wrapping paper

[0058] 11. Cutting head

[0059] 12. Crimping unit

[0060] 13. Inlet opening

[0061] 14. Outlet opening

[0062] 15. Ribs of the compaction apparatus

[0063] 16. Ribs of the shaping element

[0064] 17. Internal shaping element

[0065] 18. Slit of the introducing element

[0066] 19. Upper section

[0067] 20. Lower section

[0068] 21 . Wall of the compaction apparatus

[0069] 22. Closing element

[0070] 23. Adjustable unit

[0071] 24. Guiding rail

[0072] 25. Bracket for the shaping element

[0073] 26. Formatting tape

[0074] 27. Bracket for the compaction apparatus

[0075] R - Rod

[0076] CR- Endless rod

[0077] X - Longitudinal axis

[0078] Y - separation plane

[0079] E - moving away direction

[0080] F - moving in direction

[0081] T - Tubes

Claims

Patent Claims1 . An apparatus (1) of the tobacco industry for producing rods (R) of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material (3), comprising: a feeding unit (2) for the continuous strand of filling material (3), a compaction apparatus (4) adapted to compact the continuous strand of filling material (3), a forming unit (5) adapted to form an endless rod (CR) from the continuous strand of filling material (3), characterized in that the compaction apparatus (4) is adapted to move essentially along the longitudinal axis (X) away from the forming unit, creating a loading space between the compaction apparatus (4) and the forming unit (5), enabling the manual introduction of the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an adjustable unit (23) adapted to linearly change the position of the compaction apparatus (4).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an adjustable unit (23) adapted to linearly change the position of the internal shaping element (17).

4. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the adjustable unit (23) is equipped with at least one guiding rail (24).

5. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the adjustable unit (23) is equipped with at least one actuator.

6. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the compaction apparatus (4) is supported on a bracket (27).

7. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bracket (27) supporting the compaction apparatus (4) is movable along a guiding rail (24).

8. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the compaction apparatus (4) is positioned horizontally and coaxially with the longitudinal axis (X).

9. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the introducing element (6) is open from the bottom and mounted in such a way that it allows manual loading of the continuous strand of filling material (3) along its entire length.

10. The apparatus (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the introducing element (6) has a longitudinal slit (18) in its lower part, extending from the entry to the exit of the introducing element (6).11 . A method of introducing a continuous strand of filling material (3) into a compaction apparatus (4) located on a tobacco industry apparatus (1) for producing rods (R) of specific length from a continuous strand of filling material (3), comprising the steps of: retrieving the continuous strand of filling material (3) from the feeding unit (2), moving the compaction apparatus (4) away from the introducing element (6), introducing the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4), starting the apparatus (1) at low speed, pulling the continuous strand of filling material (3) through the slit (18) located at the bottom of the introducing element (6) so that the continuous strand of filling material (3) is drawn into the formatting tape (26), moving the compaction apparatus (4) toward the introducing element (6), increasing the speed of the apparatus (1) to the desired value.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that before introducing the continuous strand of filling material (3) into the interior of the compaction apparatus (4), the internal shaping element (17) is extracted from its interior.

13. The method according to any of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the compaction apparatus (4) is moved away and moved closer relative to the introducing element (6) along the longitudinal axis (X).

14. The method according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the internal shaping element (17) is extracted from and inserted into the compaction apparatus (4) along the longitudinal axis (X).

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