Smokable Material Feeding Device for Resin-Fouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigarette manufacturing machines struggle with smokable hemp materials due to high resin content causing machine components to foul and require frequent maintenance, and separation of seeds and stems from the hemp plant is difficult, leading to manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with a first conveyor, metering device, and vacuum system to manage and meter smokable material, along with a machine that includes a garniture for wrapping and compressing the material, ensuring uniform distribution and compression, and a cutter for forming smokable rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional cigarette manufacturing machines are used to process smokable hemp material, then the manufacturing process can be established, but the resin in the hemp material sticks to and fouls various components requiring frequent cleaning and high maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into separate functional modules: a feeding device with conveyor for material delivery, a forming device with garniture for wrapping, and a cutting device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and facilitates easier cleaning and maintenance of individual parts that come into contact with resin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful resin through a separation mechanism before the hemp material enters the wrapping process. The separation device eliminates resin and unwanted plant materials (seeds, stems) from the smokable material, preventing them from fouling subsequent components and reducing maintenance requirements.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cigarette machines with pins and air blowers are used, then tobacco aeration and movement can be achieved, but the resin blocks the porous belt and screens for air delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts resin and unwanted materials through a separation device that processes the smokable material before it reaches the forming device. This removes the blocking substance from the system, preventing resin from accumulating on porous belts and air delivery screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary separation device between the material supply and the forming process. This intermediary component filters and cleans the smokable material, removing resin and plant debris that would otherwise block the porous belt and air delivery systems.
3Device complexity
If seeds and stems are included in the smokable material, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the seeds and stems puncture the wrapper during formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes seeds and stems from the smokable material through the separation device before wrapping. This eliminates the harmful elements that would puncture the wrapper, while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process by integrating separation into the existing flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary separation and cleaning of the smokable material before it enters the wrapping process. By removing seeds and stems in advance, the system prevents wrapper punctures during formation without adding complexity to the overall manufacturing process.
4Device complexity
If the amount of smokable material is not precisely controlled, then the feeding process is simpler, but uniform distribution and consistent compression cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor the amount of smokable material on the conveyor and adjust the feeding rate accordingly. This ensures uniform distribution and consistent compression while maintaining relatively simple feeding process through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces purely mechanical feeding control with a combination of mechanical conveyance and automated control systems. Sensors and control mechanisms regulate the amount of material delivered, ensuring uniform distribution without requiring complex mechanical dosing devices.
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
The solution enables efficient production of uniformly compressed smokable rods with consistent material distribution, reducing maintenance needs and improving the manufacturing process for hemp sticks.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system configured to draw the smokable material from the supply container to the airlock
Implementation Method 2
the airlock accumulates the smokable material and releases the smokable material in batches
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for wrapping smokable material in a wrapper includes a garniture defining a straight path along a longitudinal axis on which a wrapper is guided. A garniture belt transports the wrapper along the straight path. A feeding device for feeding a smokable material to the garniture includes a first conveyor having an upper section on which the smokable material is supported, the first conveyor being actuatable to move the smokable material in a feed direction toward a downstream side of the first conveyor. A holding container has a bottom defined at least partially by the first conveyor. A feed transports the smokable material from a supply container to the holding container so that that an amount of smokable material in the holding container is maintained within a range including a predetermined minimum amount and a predetermined maximum amount. A metering device meters the amount of smokable material that is moved by the first conveyor from the holding container toward the garniture.