Strand Forming Device Partial Format Tape Wrapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The tobacco processing industry faces challenges in producing high-quality rods and double-layer tubes due to issues like creases and high ovality, which affect the roundness and stability of the products.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the staggered gluing and partial wrapping of material strips with a format tape, where the tape's width is between 30% to 70% of the superimposed material strips' width, to prevent creases and ensure precise formation of tubular strands, which can then be cut to length for rods or tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a format tape almost completely surrounds the wrapping material (full-area gluing), then the strand shaping is complete, but creases form in the tubular strand due to high moisture content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand shaping completenessVSAvoidcrease formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The format tape is designed to wrap only partially around the superimposed material strips, covering 30% to 70% of the width rather than the entire surface. This partial wrapping provides sufficient shaping support while allowing moisture to escape, preventing crease formation in the tubular strand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Strength

If full-area gluing is used to join material strips, then the bonding strength is high, but the roundness of the produced rod deteriorates due to crease formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidroundness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The format tape applies shaping force locally to specific regions of the material strips rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized action maintains bonding strength where needed while preventing excessive compression that would cause creases and reduce roundness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If a wide format tape is used to envelop the material strips, then the shaping coverage is complete, but the ovality increases and roundness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaping coverageVSAvoidovality
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The format tape width is deliberately limited to 30% to 70% of the superimposed material strips width, providing partial rather than complete envelopment. This partial coverage suffices for proper shaping while reducing the compressive forces that would increase ovality and compromise roundness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 approach significantly improves the roundness and quality of double-layer tubes and rods by reducing creases and ovality, allowing for precise control over the roundness of the transition points and resulting in more stable products.

Implementation Method 1

gluing at least the second strip of material, with the gluing in particular taking place over the entire surface or almost over the entire surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3357354B1Strand forming device and method of producing a strand in the tobacco-processing industry
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 KORBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3357354B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3357354B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3357354B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a strand for the tobacco processing industry and a corresponding strand forming device. For forming a strand, a format belt (43) conveyed in the conveying direction (55) is used, which has a narrower width, namely less than 70% and more than 40% of the circumference of a strand to be formed.