The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and the method for processing of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body

Abstract

The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges based on the cellulose fibre with the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, comprising the input conveyor (1) with the hopper for supply of the smokeless cartridges based on the cellulose fibre, the output of which is directed to the rotor knife crusher (2), wherein the output of the rotor knife crusher (2) is followed by the discharge conveyor (5) of the waste crumb based on cellulose fibre, the output of which is directed to the magnetic drum separator (6). The magnetic drum separator (6) has the first output of ferromagnetic impurities and has the second output of loosened cellulose fibres. The plate magnetic separator (3) is included in front of the rotor knife crusher (2). The pelletizing press (7) is connected to the second output of loosened cellulose fibres of the magnetic drum separator (6). The linear vibrating sorter (8) is arranged behind the pelletizing press (7), and the discharge belt conveyor (9) with the ventilation device is arranged behind the vibrating sorter (8).

Description

[0001] The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and the method for processing of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to the device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges comprising the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of ferromagnetic material, as well as to the method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges and smokeless cartridges HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA® comprising the metallic heating body, used in devices for heating of IQOS® and ILUMA® system smokeless cartridges, where the resulting acetyl cellulose-based evaporated product is suitable in cotton wool form for filling of various products in the construction or furniture industry. The resulting separated acetyl cellulose product in the form of pellets is suitable as additive, for example, in asphalt mixtures. The invention falls within the field of the environmental industry.

[0004] Background

[0005] Pollution of the environment from conventional cigarette filters is a serious environmental problem, especially in cities where they are most visible in public spaces. The cigarette filter, made of acetyl cellulose, is the plastic material with degradation time in nature of up to 15 years. The absorbent properties of the cigarette filter cause toxic and carcinogenic substances to be trapped when smoked, but when they are dropped on the ground, these hazardous substances are released into groundwater, soil and pose a danger to the environment.

[0006] There is the solution described in utility model SK 9507 Yl, where the separated cigarette filter waste is dried and subsequently ground in the crusher. The result is acetyl cellulose usable in the production of concrete. Alternatively, the acetyl cellulose is pelletized in the press, where the pellets are used in the production of asphalt mixtures. However, as has been shown in practice, the use of the conventional pelletizing press for fibrous and especially for woolly material is problematic, as such material often remains in the hopper and is not drawn into the pressing mechanism, and this results in poor extraction of the whole process.

[0007] With the introduction of the massive use for heating of the smokeless cartridges with HEET® smokeless cartridges for IQOS® devices and TEREA® and LEVIA® smokeless cartridges for ILUMA® devices, as well as analogous cartridges of other brands and manufacturers, a large amount of waste in the form of cigarette butts has been generated, which cannot be directly recovered because TEREA® and LEVIA® smokeless cartridges contain the metallic heating body, and so this waste is sent to landfills or incinerators, although this waste often contains up to 60% recoverable acetyl cellulose.

[0008] The object of the invention is to use acetyl cellulose from the used HEET® smokeless cartridges and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA® smokeless cartridges in asphalt mixtures with higher asphalt binder content as the stabilising additive, which has been solved by the waste recovery device for smokeless cellulose fibre-based cartridges with the contained metallic heating body, and possibly also from used conventional cigarettes, and the method of processing and of smokeless cartridges containing the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and possibly also used conventional cigarettes using the cellulose fibre-based waste recovery device according to the present invention.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] In the effort to ecologically recover waste from used HEET® and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA® smokeless cartridges, especially those containing the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, the cellulose fibre-based waste recovery device according to the present invention has been designed.

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “smokeless cartridges” is to be understood to include cartridges for smokeless cartridge heating devices which contain acetyl cellulose and any of the substances which, when heated, produce an aerosol, such as tobacco, herbal substrate, or mixture of plant fibres, regardless of whether nicotine is also present in such smokeless cartridges. Thus, the heating of smokeless cartridges does not produce classic smoke from combustion as in cigarettes (there is no combustion, only heating), and the heating temperature is typically up to 350 °C, which does not produce ash, flame or smoke, but only an aerosol (vapour with the substances of cartridge).

[0012] The essence of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention is that it comprises the input conveyor with the hopper for supplying of cellulose fibre-based waste from used smokeless cartridges comprising the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, the output of which is directed towards the rotor knife crusher. The input conveyor is preferably the discharge conveyor with hopper, which also acts as the hopper, serving for the controlled feeding of the material to be processed, such as for example cellulosic fibres from smokeless cartridges, to the next technological node of device. The hopper allows the forward buying of material, which ensures smooth operation of the conveyor and minimizes material supply interruptions. The rotor knife crusher is designed for crushing and grinding, generally, of parts of cellulose acetate, cellulose wrapper, metallic heating body of the ferromagnetic material and residual tobacco cartridge or residual herbal substrate or plant fibres, soft and light materials such as paper, cardboard, textiles and plastics. It is equipped with the cutting chamber with milling blades, replaceable sieve, allowing adjustment of the fraction size and protective elements ensuring safe operation. The result of crushing process is a crushed crumb of cotton wool structure from filters and packaging, small fragments from metallic heating bodies made of the ferromagnetic material coated with anti-corrosion and dusty metallic particles. Residual tobacco or residual herbal substrate or plant fibres are also part of the crumb. The output of the rotor knife crusher is followed by the discharge conveyor of cellulose fibre-based waste crumb, the output of which is directed towards the magnetic drum separator. The discharge conveyor of waste crumb on the basis of cellulose fibres serves as the transport means for the transfer of the pre-processed material between the individual technological nodes of device. The role of the discharge conveyor is to ensure a smooth and uniform flow of material, thereby achieving efficient subsequent sorting and processing of the material.

[0013] The magnetic drum separator in the device according to the first aspect of the present invention is designed to automatically separate ferromagnetic particles such as, for example, iron clips, wires, rust, metallic parts from cellulosic fibres. Its main component is the separation drum, on the rotating surface of which ferromagnetic impurities are collected and which are separately ejected into the first output of ferromagnetic impurities. The loosened cellulose fibres are ejected into the second output of the magnetic drum separator. The second output of the magnetic drum separator is also the final output of the basic assembly of the cellulosic fibrebased waste recovery line according to the first aspect of the present invention, which provides acetyl cellulose in cotton wool form. Preferably, from the operational safety point of view, the dust exhaust device is connected to the output of the input conveyor, since this part of the process releases, fine, light dust particles originating from the disturbed fibres, which are potentially harmful to health and possibly also flammable. The rotor knife crusher is preferably provided with the plate magnetic separator for separating ferromagnetic impurities from mixtures with poorer bulking properties and larger grain size of material with possible occurrence of undesirable ferromagnetic contaminants, and serves as the technological fuse for the rotor knife crusher. It uses the principle of magnetic induction by means of ferrite magnets which are mounted in two plates.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the expanded device for recovery of waste from the smokeless cartridges based on cellulose fibres comprising the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material in which the second output of the loosened cellulose fibres of the magnetic drum separator is connected to the second output of the magnetic drum separator by the pulley pelletizing press, the pulleys of which are circumferentially equipped with axial notches. The axial notches ensure better capture of the processed material and therefore improve the uniformity of material supply and thus increase the efficiency of material extrusion in the pelletizing press. To achieve optimum moisture content of the loosened cellulose fibres, the humidification device can be arranged in front of the input of the pulley pelletizing press. The linear vibrating sorter with spring bearing and electro-motor vibration drive is included behind the pulley pelletizing press. Its task is to separate the finished solid pellets from fine dust particles, crushed fragments and non-compacted material that may be produced during the pelletizing process.

[0015] This configuration of the device according to the second aspect of the present invention ensures that only high quality, whole pellets go for packaging or further processing. The discharge belt conveyor is preferably included behind the vibrating sorter, preferably with the ventilation device, where the conveyor itself serves the operator for filling bags, BIG-BAGs or other transport or storage packages with granulates. The ventilation device allows cooling of the output of granulate. By cooling of the output granulate, the temperature gradient between the different layers of output material in the bags after they are filled is minimised, and thus minimising the negative effect of radiant heat on the quality of the output material stored on top of the package.

[0016] Devices for the recovery of waste based on cellulose fibres with the contained metallic heating body according to the first or second aspect of the present invention can be used for the processing, pelletizing in general of all bulk and fibrous materials used in conventional cigarette butts and in the smokeless cartridges with the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, but also in the smokeless cartridges without contained metallic heating body.

[0017] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for processing of the used conventional cigarettes and smokeless cartridges, e.g.. HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA® with the contained metallic heating body made of ferromagnetic material, which is carried out in steps, wherein the filling of the rotor knife crusher with the mixture of the smokeless cartridges also with the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and possibly also with the additional cellulose or also with the used cigarette products occurs first by means of the input conveyor with the hopper. Subsequently, this mixture containing the used smokeless cartridges and the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material is crushed in the rotor knife crusher, where the output is a heterogeneous crumb based on cellulose fibres. Finally, separation of this crumb occurs in the magnetic drum separator with the first output of ferromagnetic impurities and the second output of loosened cellulose fibres in cotton wool form.

[0018] This basic method of processing of the used smokeless cartridges and possibly also waste from conventional cigarettes can advantageously be supplemented by the step, wherein before the step of crushing of the mixture comprising the used and smokeless cartridges including the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and possibly also the used cigarette products the step of dust exhausting by the connected exhausting device is included. Also advantageously, the method of processing used conventional cigarettes and smokeless cartridges according to the third aspect of the present invention can be supplemented by the step, wherein prior to the step of crushing of the mixture comprising the used smokeless cartridges including the contained metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and, optionally, also the used cigarette articles in the rotor knife crusher, the step of separation of the unsuitable ferromagnetic bodies in the plate magnetic separator is included.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method of processing of the used smokeless cartridges, e.g. HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA®, comprising the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, and optionally also of the used conventional cigarettes, extending the method of processing according to the third aspect of the present invention, such that the loosened cellulose fibres from the second output of the magnetic drum separator are pelletized in the pulley pelletizing press. If the loosened cellulose fibres from the second output of the magnetic drum separator entering into the pulley pelletizing press do not have the necessary moisture content, they are preferably moistened by the humidification device, which makes it possible to achieve better stability of the pellets. The standardized finished pellets, preferably 1 to 4 cm in length, dust particles and pelletizing debris exiting the pulley pelletizing press are further preferably separated by the linear vibrating sorter. The standardized finished pellets separated from the linear vibrating sorter are preferably cooled on the ventilated discharge belt conveyor.

[0020] The advantages of the invention are evident from the effects which it externally manifests. The effects consist in more efficient and more environmentally friendly processing of waste from the used smokeless cartridges, e.g. HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA®, with the inclusion of the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and possibly also from the used conventional cigarettes, leaving a minimal carbon footprint. The proposed device allows significantly more efficient processing and pelletizing of fibrous material from used smokeless cartridges and higher quality of pellets, which have advantageous mechanical properties and are not contaminated with metallic material, as the result of which it is possible to use them as fullvalued substitute of cellulose. The captured and separated metallic material from the heating elements can also be further recycled. The acetyl cellulose pellets produced are usable in the preparation of asphalt mixtures as substitute for conventional cellulose. Acetyl cellulose pellets can also be produced in this way, e.g. from seized illegally imported cigarettes, which are currently disposed of in incinerators.

[0021] Overview of the figures on the drawings

[0022] Device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges containing cellulose fibres, and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material as well as the method of processing of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material according to the present invention will be further explained in the drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention, with the output of acetyl cellulose in cotton wool form.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the device according to the second aspect of the present invention with the output of acetyl cellulose in the form of pellets or granulate.

[0025] Examples of embodiments

[0026] The following examples of embodiments of the invention are provided solely to illustrate and better understand the technical substance of the present invention. They do not constitute a limitation of the scope of protection as defined in the patent claims. A person skilled in the art will understand, without further creative activity, that the individual signs and technical means mentioned in the examples may be replaced by their functional equivalents or other analogous solutions without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] In this example of the specific embodiment, Figure 1 describes the device for recovery of waste based on cellulose fibres and fibrous materials, and in particular the used smokeless cartridges comprising the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, and optionally also the used conventional cigarette products according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the output of the device is provided with acetyl cellulose in cotton wool form. The device comprises the input conveyor 1 with the hopper of PD300 type for the supply of waste based on cellulose fibres, the output of which includes the plate magnetic separator 3 of MSP 200 F-R-P type and the dust exhausting device 4 of Holzmann ABS2 480 400V type. The output of the plate magnetic separator 3 is directed to the rotor knife crusher 2 of TLP 6033 type. The output of the rotor knife crusher 2 is followed by the discharge conveyor 5 of PD300 type for cellulose fibre-based waste crumb, the output of which is directed to the magnetic drum separator 6 of MBZ 204x340300N type with the second output 11 for the loosened cellulose fibres.

[0029] Example 2

[0030] In this example of the specific embodiment, Figure 2 describes the device for recovery of waste based on the cellulose fibres and fibrous materials, and in particular the used smokeless cartridges comprising the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, and optionally also the used conventional cigarette products according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the output of the device provides the acetyl cellulose in the form of granulate or pellets. In this example of embodiment, the device of the first example of embodiment is extended so that the second output 11 of the loosened cellulose fibres of the magnetic drum separator 6 is connected to the pulley pelletizing press 7 of 160MP4 TF type. Then, the linear vibrating sorter 8 of IMC type with spring bearing and electro-motor vibration drive is included behind the pulley pelletizing press 7. The discharge belt conveyor 9 of PD-300 type with the ventilation device is included behind the vibrating sorter 8.

[0031] Example 3

[0032] In this example of the specific embodiment, Fig. 1 describes the method of processing of the smokeless cartridges, e.g., HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA®, comprising the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, and optionally also the used conventional cigarettes according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein loosened cellulose fibres in cotton wool form are obtained at the output and which is carried out in steps, wherein first, by means of an input conveyor 1 with the hopper, the filling of the rotor knife crusher 2 with the mixture of the used smokeless cartridges containing the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and possibly also of used conventional cigarettes or also with additional cellulose is carried out. This mixture is subsequently crushed in the rotor knife crusher 2, where the output is heterogeneous crumb based on cellulose fibres. Finally, separation of the crumb occurs in the magnetic drum separator 6 with the first output 10 of ferromagnetic impurities and with the second output 11 of loosened cellulose fibres in cotton wool form. The method of processing according to the third aspect of the present invention is further supplemented by the step wherein before the step of crushing of the mixture comprising the used smokeless cartridges and, optionally, the used conventional cigarettes, there is included the step of dust exhausting by the attached dust exhausting device 4. Further, this method of processing according to the third aspect of the present invention is further supplemented by the step wherein before the step of crushing of the mixture in the rotor knife crusher 2, there is included the step of separation of the inappropriate ferromagnetic bodies in the plate magnetic separator 3.

[0033] Example 4

[0034] In this example of the specific embodiment, Fig. 1 describes the method of processing the used conventional cigarettes and smokeless cartridges, e.g. HEET®, and in particular TEREA® and LEVIA® containing the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, and optionally also of the used conventional cigarettes according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, extending the method according to the third example of embodiment by the steps wherein the loosened cellulose fibres from the second output 11 of the magnetic drum separator 6 are pelletized in the pulley pelletizing press 7. If the loosened cellulose fibres from the second output 11 of the magnetic drum separator 6 entering into the pulley pelletizing press 7 do not have the prescribed moisture content, they are moistened by the humidification device. The standardized finished pellets of 1 to 4 cm in length, dust particles and pelletizing debris exiting from the pulley pelletizing press 7 are further separated by the linear vibrating sorter 8. The standardised finished pellets separated from the linear vibrating sorter 8 are cooled on the ventilated discharge belt conveyor 9.

[0035] Industrial applicability

[0036] Device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres as well as the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material and, possibly, of the used conventional cigarettes, and the method of processing of the used conventional cigarettes and the smokeless cartridges containing the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material according to the present invention are applicable in the environmental industry.

[0037] List of reference numbers

[0038] 1 Input conveyor with hopper

[0039] 2 Rotor knife crusher

[0040] 3 Plate magnetic separator

[0041] 4 Exhausting device Waste crumb discharge conveyor Magnetic drum separator Pulley pelletizing press Linear Vibrating Sorter Discharge belt conveyor with ventilation device

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for recovery of a smokeless cartridges containing a cellulose fibres and a metallic heating body of a ferromagnetic material, characterized in that it comprises:- an input conveyor (1) with a hopper for supply of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, an output of which is directed to a rotor knife crusher (2);- a discharge conveyor (5) of a waste crumb based on cellulose fibres following a output of the rotor knife crusher (2) and an output of which is directed towards a magnetic drum separator (6);- the magnetic drum separator (6) having a first output of ferromagnetic impurities and a second output of loosened cellulose fibres.

2. The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that a plate magnetic separator (3) is included in front of the rotor knife crusher (2).

3. The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an exhausting device (4) is connected to an output of the input conveyor (1)4. The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pelletizing press (7) is connected to a second output of loosened cellulose fibres of the magnetic drum separator (6).

5. The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges according to claim 4, characterized in that a linear vibrating sorter (8) is included behind the pelletizing press (7).

6. The device for recovery of the smokeless cartridges according to claim 5, characterized in that the vibrating sorter (8) is followed by a discharge belt conveyor (9) with a ventilation device.

7. A method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges comprising cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material, using a smokeless cartridge recovery device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is carried out in steps of:- filling of the rotor knife crusher (2) with a mixture of the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material;- crushing of a mixture comprising the smokeless cartridges containing the cellulose fibres and the metallic heating body made of the ferromagnetic material in the rotor knife crusher (2), wherein the output is a crumb based on the cellulose fibres;- separation of crumb based on cellulose fibres in the magnetic drum separator (6) with the first output of ferromagnetic impurities and the second output of loosened cellulose fibres.

8. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixture of the used smokeless cartridges comprises additional cellulose.

9. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the mixture of the used smokeless cartridges comprises the used smokeless cartridges comprising the metallic heating body.

10. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that before the step of crushing of the mixture comprising the used smokeless cartridges is included the step of dust exhausting by a connected dust exhausting device (4).

11. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that before the step of crushing of the mixture comprising the used smokeless cartridges in the rotor knife crusher (2) is included the step of separation of the inappropriate ferromagnetic bodies in the plate magnetic separator (3).

12. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that loosened cellulose fibres from the second output of the magnetic drum separator (6) are pelletized in a pulley pelletizing press (7).

13. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to claim 12, characterized in that loosened cellulose fibres from a second output (11) of themagnetic drum separator (6) entering into the pulley pelletizing press (7) are wetted by a humidification device.

14. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that a standardized finished pellets, dust particles and pelletizing debris exiting from the pulley pelletizing press (7) are separated by a linear vibrating sorter (8)15. The method for processing of the used smokeless cartridges according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the standardized finished pellets separated from the linear vibrating sorter (8) are cooled on a discharge belt conveyor (9) with ventilation.

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