Glue Application Roller for Tobacco Wrapping Strip Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for applying glue to wrapping strips in the tobacco processing industry face issues with uneven glue distribution due to nozzle friction and laminar flow, leading to excessive glue application in the center, glue penetration, and reduced bond strength, causing contamination and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A rotationally driven roller is positioned between the nozzle outlet and the wrapping strip, with its direction opposite to the strip's movement, to rub down the glue to a constant width and thickness, ensuring even application and improved fiber bonding, thereby enhancing adhesive strength and reducing excess glue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a round nozzle opening is used to apply glue continuously, then the glue application volume can be controlled, but the glue exits unevenly with excessive amount in the center and insufficient amount at edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglue application quantityVSAvoidglue distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle opening is divided into multiple separate openings (e.g., three rectangular openings) arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows each opening to contribute to a specific region of the glue line, ensuring uniform distribution across the entire width without the parabolic profile problem of a single round opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the nozzle opening have different characteristics - multiple localized openings are positioned to deliver glue to specific areas. This ensures that each region of the wrapping strip receives the appropriate amount of glue, with no region receiving excessive or insufficient amounts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the glue outlet speed in the center is higher due to laminar flow, then more glue is applied in the middle, but this causes glue penetration through the porous wrapping strip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglue outlet speedVSAvoidglue penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the single high-speed central flow into multiple lower-speed distributed flows, the glue is delivered to different regions simultaneously at controlled rates. This prevents the excessive central velocity that causes penetration while ensuring adequate coverage at all positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The glue delivery is optimized for each local region independently. Each opening delivers glue at a speed appropriate for its specific location, preventing over-application and penetration in any single area while maintaining adequate adhesion throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the wrapping strip moves at high speed (600 m/min or more), then production costs are reduced, but the glue application becomes increasingly uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand speedVSAvoidglue line uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented nozzle design creates multiple glue streams that are less susceptible to disruption at high speeds. The distributed openings ensure that even if one region experiences variation, other regions maintain proper glue application, preserving overall uniformity at high production speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle design accounts for dynamic conditions at high speeds by positioning openings to compensate for effects such as glue flow lag and wrapping strip movement variations. This maintains consistent glue line quality across a range of operating speeds including 600 m/min and above.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution achieves a significantly increased adhesive strength of over 300% by ensuring uniform glue application, minimizing excess glue, and reducing device soiling, with the roller's adjustable speed and geometry allowing adaptation to different products and speeds.

Implementation Method 1

a rotationally driven roller be provided between the wrapping strip and the outlet opening of the nozzle, onto which the glue emerging from the outlet opening is applied, and which applies the glue directly to the wrapping strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the movement of the roller on the side facing the wrapping strip being passed is directed opposite to the movement of the wrapping strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2974798B1Device for applying a glue track to a wrapping strip of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 KORBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP2974798B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2974798B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2974798B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for applying a bead of glue (6) to a moving wrapping strip (1) of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a nozzle (2) that is stationary relative to the wrapping strip (1) during the application of the bead of glue (6), and having an outlet opening (3) directed towards the moving wrapping strip (1) from which the glue emerges. A roller (4) is provided between the wrapping strip (1) and the outlet opening (3) of the nozzle (2), which is rotatably driven by a drive device. The glue emerging from the outlet opening (3) is applied to the roller, which then applies the glue directly to the wrapping strip (1). The direction of rotation of the roller (4) is such that the movement of the roller (4) on the side facing the moving wrapping strip (1) is opposite to the movement of the wrapping strip (1). is.