Separating Disc Spiral Flutes for Short Tobacco Segment Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses struggle to form a separated stream of short tobacco industry segments due to increased frictional forces causing segment rotation or damage, especially when cutting and conveying segments less than 10mm in length, and require vacuum holding and transfer between drum conveyors.
Innovation Solution
A conveying and forming apparatus with multiple drum conveyors and separating discs, utilizing varying pitches and non-coaxial configurations to maintain segments in a non-coaxial spiral configuration, followed by axial alignment to form a circular stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transverse separation of short segments is performed on drum conveyors, then segments can be separated and aligned, but frictional forces cause segment rotation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from transverse separation (perpendicular to segment axis) to longitudinal separation (parallel to segment axis). The separating discs with radially extending flutes arrange segments in a spiral pattern along the rotation axis, separating them in the longitudinal dimension rather than transversely, thereby eliminating the friction and rotation problems associated with transverse separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating discs are divided into multiple independent flutes, each capable of holding and separating individual segments. This segmentation allows each flute to independently guide a segment along the spiral path, reducing inter-segment friction while maintaining effective separation and alignment.
2Ease of operation
If multiple drum conveyors are used to convey and transfer short segments, then segments can be conveyed and aligned, but transfer between conveyors causes handling complexity and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conveying and separating functions into a single integrated system. The separating discs with spiral flutes simultaneously convey segments along their rotation axis and separate them in the longitudinal direction, eliminating the need for multiple drum conveyors and complex transfer mechanisms while reducing handling complexity.
3Reliability
If vacuum holding is used for short segments, then segments can be held during conveying, but holding force may damage short segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum holding mechanism with a mechanical flute-based holding system. The radially extending flutes of the separating discs physically engage and guide the segments along the spiral path, providing reliable holding and conveyance through mechanical contact rather than vacuum suction, thereby reducing the risk of damage to short segments.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The object of the application is a conveying and forming apparatus (1) for forming a stream (S) of tobacco industry segments (A), comprising in particular a third conveyor (10) comprising separating discs (11), the separating disc (11) having third flutes (12) for receiving the segments (A) from a second drum conveyor (8), and the third flutes (12) of the separating disc (11) are arranged with a third pitch (t3), the separating discs (11) having axes of rotation (m) positioned non-coaxially and at least two third flutes (12) of the separating discs (11) are positioned non-coaxially, the third flutes (12) holding the segments (A) in the group (G) in a non-coaxial spiral configuration. The object of the application is further a method of forming at least one stream (S) of the segments.