In-Line Wrapping Paper Processing Assembly for Filter Tipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tobacco product manufacturing processes lack an efficient and simplified method for processing wrapping paper, particularly in the filter tipping assembly, which hinders the integration of flavoring, embossing, and printing on the paper in-line with the production of tobacco products.

Innovation Solution

A tobacco product manufacturing apparatus with an in-line wrapping paper processing assembly that includes a supply bobbin, a processing unit for flavoring, embossing, and printing, and a feeder to treat and feed wrapping paper directly to the filter tipping assembly, allowing simultaneous processing of wrapping paper with flavoring, embossing, and printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wrapping paper is processed separately before manufacturing, then processing quality can be maintained, but production efficiency decreases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wrapping paper processing functions (flavoring, embossing, printing) with the tobacco rod manufacturing process by integrating a processing assembly into the rod maker. This allows wrapping paper to be processed in-line simultaneously with tobacco rod production, eliminating separate processing steps and reducing overall production time while maintaining processing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapping paper undergoes flavoring, embossing, and printing treatments before being fed into the wrapping station. By performing these processing actions in advance during the tobacco rod manufacturing process, the paper is fully prepared and immediately ready for wrapping, eliminating delays that would occur with separate batch processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple processing steps are integrated in-line, then production efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping paper processing assembly is divided into distinct functional modules: a flavoring unit, an embossing unit, and a printing unit. Each module performs a specific processing function independently. This segmentation allows for easier integration into the existing rod maker, simplified maintenance, and flexible adjustment of individual processing parameters without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If wrapping paper is processed in-line with tobacco rod manufacturing, then time is saved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidpaper processing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The processing assembly incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the wrapping paper during flavoring, embossing, and printing operations. Sensors detect paper position, treatment application quality, and processing parameters in real-time, automatically adjusting operational parameters to maintain consistent precision despite the continuous in-line processing environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4021215B1Tobacco product manufacturing apparatus with in-line wrapping paper processing assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4021215B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A tobacco product manufacturing apparatus comprises a tobacco product rod maker, a filter tipping assembly downstream of the tobacco product rod maker and an in-line wrapping paper processing assembly as part of the filter-tipping assembly. The filter tipping assembly comprises a filter processing sub-assembly that is configured to receive single-length or double-length tobacco rods from the tobacco product rod maker, to attach a tobacco product filter to the tobacco rods and to wrap wrapping paper around the tobacco rods with the attached tobacco product filter. The wrapping paper processing assembly includes a supply bobbin configured to hold a continuous web of wrapping paper, a wrapping paper flavouring unit configured to receive the continuous web of wrapping paper from the supply bobbin and to treat the wrapping paper in order to apply flavouring to the continuous web of wrapping paper and a wrapping paper feeder coupled to the filter processing sub-assembly and configured to feed the flavoured wrapping paper to the filter processing sub-assembly ), wherein the wrapping paper comprises tipping paper, wherein the in-line wrapping paper processing assembly (4) includes an in-line tipping paper processing assembly, wherein the wrapping paper processing unit (7) includes a tipping paper flavouring unit and wherein the wrapping paper feeder (5) includes a tipping paper feeder, the in-line tipping paper processing assembly (4) further comprising: a tipping paper splicing unit (6a) coupled upstream to the tipping paper flavouring unit (7) and adapted to cut the continuous web of tipping paper from the supply bobbin in half.