Filter Assembly Machine Double Filter Insertion Tobacco Fallout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter assembly machines for producing filter-tipped cigarettes face limitations in increasing output without compromising the integrity of single cigarette portions, as reducing spacing between assemblies to enhance rolling speed leads to tobacco fallout.
Innovation Solution
A method and machine design that involves cutting quadruple cigarette portions into double portions, staggering and aligning them, inserting double filters, and applying gummed bands to form assemblies, which are then rolled and cut into filter-tipped cigarettes, ensuring the ends are plugged by filters to prevent tobacco fallout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rolling speed is increased to enhance output capacity, then productivity is improved, but tobacco fallout occurs from the open ends of single cigarette portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting double filters into the open ends of cigarette portions before the rolling operation. This pre-protection measure ensures that when rolling speed is increased, tobacco cannot fall out from the ends, thus resolving the contradiction between high productivity and maintaining product integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segmentation by dividing the filter insertion process into handling double cigarette portions and double filters, then combining them to form protected assemblies. This segmentation allows the filtering protection to be applied systematically to all cigarette portions before rolling, enabling high-speed operation without tobacco fallout.
2Productivity
If spacing between assemblies is reduced to increase output, then productivity is improved, but the minimum spacing constraint limits further output increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from handling single cigarette portions to handling double cigarette portions and double filters simultaneously. This dimensional shift in the processing unit allows assemblies to be fed at minimum spacing without interference, as the double-filter configuration enables more efficient space utilization on the conveyor line.
3Reliability
If rolling speed is maintained at maximum to preserve end integrity, then reliability is improved, but productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By performing the filter insertion action before rolling (preliminary action), the system enables maximum rolling speed to be used without causing tobacco fallout. The double filters are already in place to protect the ends, so the rolling operation can proceed at high speed while maintaining perfect end integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and filter assembly machine (13) for producing filter-tipped cigarettes (1), and which provide for cutting a double filter (8) in half into two filters (3); parting the two filters (3) axially by a distance substantially equal to the length of a double cigarette portion (7); inserting a double cigarette portion (7) between the two filters (3) to form an assembly (10) composed of the two filters (3) separated by the double cigarette portion (7),· winding two separate bands (4) simultaneously about the filters (3) and the ends of the double cigarette portion (7) to connect the filters (3) to the ends of the double cigarette portion (7); and cutting the assembly (10) in half, in the middle of the double cigarette portion (7), to form two separate filter-tipped cigarettes (1).