Filter Material Supply Device for Centered Axial Hole Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing special filters with a peripheral and central axial portion are inefficient due to the high cost and limited availability of suitable filter tows, leading to internal tensions and deformation of filter segments, especially in thin cigarette filters, as identical tows with identical physical-chemical features are hard to find.
Innovation Solution
A supply device for a filter rod forming machine that cuts a single bundle of filter material into two strips, applies additives, and uses pneumatic devices to form a tubular filter with a perfectly centered axial hole, ensuring identical chemical-physical features and reducing manufacturing costs by using a single tow for the peripheral portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two separate tows are used to form the peripheral portion of special filters, then the central axial portion can be centered, but the manufacturing cost increases and suitable tows are limited in availability
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral portion is divided into two separate strips from a single tow, with each strip forming half of the peripheral portion. This segmentation allows the use of a single tow while still achieving the structural benefits of two separate components, eliminating the need to source two identical tows and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining centering precision
Solution Approach 2:
Two strips are formed from a single tow by cutting and separating the tow into two halves. This merging approach combines the advantages of using two separate components (for centering and structural integrity) with the cost benefits of using a single raw material source, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture
2Manufacturing precision
If two identical tows are used for the peripheral portion, then centering is improved, but internal tensions develop causing filter deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Both strips are derived from the same single tow, ensuring they have identical physical-chemical features, fiber composition, and manufacturing history. This homogeneity eliminates the internal tensions that arise when two different tows are used, preventing filter deformation while maintaining centering precision
Solution Approach 2:
The single tow is segmented into two strips that are then positioned to form the peripheral portion. This segmentation creates two separate structural elements for proper centering while maintaining material homogeneity, thus preventing the internal tensions and deformation issues that occur with two different tows
3Ease of manufacture
If a single tow is cut into two strips and used for the peripheral portion, then manufacturing cost decreases and internal tensions are eliminated, but the availability of suitable tows is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of two tows into a single tow by cutting and repositioning it to form two strips. This approach maintains the structural and functional benefits of having two separate peripheral portions while reducing material requirements and cost, effectively compensating for the reduced availability of suitable tows
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of material quantity from two tows to one tow, while maintaining the functional equivalence through proper cutting and arrangement. This parameter change reduces the scarcity constraint by halving the material requirement while preserving the technical benefits of the two-strip configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method eliminates internal tensions, ensures the central axial portion remains perfectly centered, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains filter rectilinearity over time, while allowing for controlled additive distribution and pressure drop management.
Implementation Method 1
a cutting unit comprising a motor-driven shaft mounted on the inlet unit for oscillating about its axis, a lever keyed on an end of the shaft, and a guide extending from the free end of the lever parallel to the plane in which the band moves, directly above said plane
Implementation Method 2
two pneumatic devices arranged on opposite sides of the axis of the forming beam and adapted to blow, towards said inlet station, two jets of air which advance in the axial direction of the forming beam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3c
Figure 4
AI summary
A method and a device for supplying filter material to a filter rod forming machine (5) having a peripheral axial portion and a central axial portion, according to which a flat band (7) of filter material, obtained working a single "tow", is longitudinally cut in at least two strips (39), each of which is fed to a respective pneumatic device (31) adapted to transform the respective strip (39) in a respective cord; the cords (40) being then fed to an inlet (4) of the forming machine (5) at positions evenly distributed about the central axial portion for forming the peripheral axial portion.