Tobacco Processing Machine Direct Feeding System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The tobacco processing industry faces inefficiencies in loading cigarette rod machines due to complex and costly processes involving reconditioned tobacco material, including unnecessary preliminary processing and transport steps, which result in variable product quality and high operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A machine that processes sheet-like reconditioned tobacco material into small parts using a shredding device and conveyor system, eliminating the need for pneumatic feeding, sifters, and dosing units, and allowing direct feeding of small tobacco parts to the cigarette rod machine, with features like a bobbin changing device for continuous operation and a free internal feed channel for efficient conveying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional distribution devices with pneumatic feeders, sifters, and dosing units are used, then tobacco material can be processed and distributed, but the device complexity increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the conventional distribution system. Specifically, it removes the pneumatic feeder, sifter, and dosing unit (rotary valve) while retaining only the essential feed sluice and suction conveyor, thereby simplifying the overall system structure and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate devices into a simplified integrated system. The feed sluice directly connects to the suction conveyor, combining what were previously separate operational stages into a unified, streamlined process that eliminates intermediate components
2Quantity of substance
If reconditioned tobacco material is transported and stored in conventional forms, then material handling is possible, but transport and storage costs increase due to low density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and density parameters of the reconditioned tobacco material by processing it through the simplified distribution system. The material is transformed from a low-density, loosely structured form into a high-density, compact form that is more efficient for transport and storage, directly addressing the cost issue
3Productivity
If preliminary processing steps are performed at primary processing plants, then tobacco material is prepared for use, but additional transport steps are required increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the necessary processing action directly at the point of use (the distribution device) rather than requiring preliminary processing at separate facilities. The feed sluice and suction conveyor system enables the material to be processed and distributed in-situ, eliminating the need for additional transport steps and improving overall production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified distribution device performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across different facilities and equipment. The system handles material intake, processing, and distribution in a single integrated unit, reducing the need for separate transport operations and improving productivity
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional distribution devices with multiple components are used, then tobacco material can be classified and dosed, but the reject rate increases due to variable product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes components that were causing quality variability. By eliminating the sifter and dosing unit, the system reduces the number of potential failure points and sources of inconsistency, leading to more reliable and consistent product quality with lower reject rates
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 simplifies the tobacco processing industry by reducing transport and storage costs, ensuring high-density reconditioned tobacco material with consistent physical properties, leading to low reject rates and efficient cigarette production with minimal operator expertise required, enabling constant production of specific cigarette types and optimizing tobacco smoke composition.
Implementation Method 1
a suction conveyor (4) of the cigarette strand machine (100)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine (2) for the tobacco processing industry for feeding a cigarette strand machine and a method for operating the same. The machine (2) for feeding a cigarette strand machine is characterized in that it comprises, as an input device for tobacco material to be processed, a storage container (6) for foil-like flat reconditioned tobacco material (8), further comprising a comminution device (10) which is arranged downstream of the storage container (6) and is configured to process the reconditioned tobacco material (8) provided by the input device into small tobacco particles (12) in a comminution process, and further comprising a conveying device (14) which is arranged downstream of the comminution device (10) and is configured to convey the small tobacco particles (12) to a suction strand conveyor (4) of the cigarette strand machine.