EP0573851A1 - Method and device for patterning tobacco material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for patterning tobacco material, especially small pieces of tobacco material, the pieces of tobacco material being conveyed to a patterning region (14), where they are passed between at least two patterning bodies (18, 20); the patterning bodies have surfaces which point towards one another and can be brought into contact with one another by means of a pressing force. According to the invention, the patterning bodies move at different speeds and/or in different directions, the pieces of tobacco material being rolled to form spirals or being twisted. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method for structuring tobacco materials, in particular small tobacco materials, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for structuring tobacco materials, in particular small tobacco materials, according to the preamble of patent claim 7. The term "structuring" is used in the sense of forming, i.e. . H. Transfer of a flat into a spatial structure, used.

When processing tobacco, small tobacco materials are regularly produced to a considerable extent, which have been used for some time and, for example, are added to the fillings of cigarettes to a considerable extent.

Small tobacco materials of this type, such as, for example, scraps, kirintis, birdeyes or tobacco foil, but also whole tobacco leaves or parts thereof, are treated to increase their filling capacity in order to be able to produce a larger number of cigarettes with a low tobacco weight.

A method for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco is known, for example, from Austrian Patent No. 142 938. Tobacco materials are sent through two rollers that are corrugated along their length and heated at the same time, which gives the tobacco materials a meandering profile, which leads to the desired increase in filling capacity. In DE-PS 11 46 420 it is proposed to provide tobacco fibers with an irregular, angled shape with branches and shoulders lying in one plane in order to increase the filling capacity. A method known from DE 25 14 829 A1 and the associated device work in a comparable manner.

From DE-AS 2 003 518 a device for treating withered tea leaves is known, in which tea leaves are pushed against a conical attachment via a funnel and by the rotation of the shaft of a transport screw. Strips provided on the surface of the cone, together with a bush surrounding the cone, cause friction, as a result of which the leaves are pressed off and twisted. The sheet material is stressed in such a way that tobacco materials would not be structured but would only be crushed or ground.

From DE-PS 16 32 155 a method for deforming artificial tobacco foils is known, in which a tobacco foil is compressed in a structuring area at regular intervals. The compression occurs in the tobacco foil Tensions that cause the tobacco foil to curl after a cutting process, which increases the filling capacity of the tobacco foil.

From DE-PS 23 63 640 C3 a generic method and a generic device are known in which tobacco materials with high filling capacity are produced by forming a tobacco mass between two treadmills into a film, drying, punched out, scraped off a conveyor belt and dried becomes. The deformation or increase in filling capacity is mainly done by drying.

It is the object of the present invention to propose a method and a device which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art; in particular, a method and a device are to be proposed which gently increase the filling capacity of tobacco materials and in particular small tobacco materials.

This object is achieved by a method with the steps listed in claim 1 and by a device with the features listed in claim 15.

Advantageous embodiments or modifications of the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The advantages to be achieved with the method according to the invention are based on the fact that the tobacco materials to be processed run between structuring bodies which run at different speeds and / or directions of movement to one another. The speed of a structuring body can be zero, while the speed of the other structuring body has a predetermined value. It is only important that the structuring bodies have a speed difference relative to one another.

The tobacco material passing between the structuring parts is acted upon by the relative speed between the structuring bodies from above and from below with different speeds and thus forces, whereby the tobacco material or small tobacco material is spatially deformed, in particular rolled up and / or twisted in a spiral. The parts of the tobacco material can be rolled up and / or twisted in a spiral in a group of several parts.

A necessary condition for the proper functioning of the method is the presence of static friction between the tobacco particles and the two structuring surfaces, since this is the only way to deform the initially flat tobacco particles into rollable structures.

A spatial deformation of the tobacco particles into approximately spherical structures can be achieved if at least one of the two structuring surfaces executes a circular movement.

The increase in filling capacity that can be achieved by this method is about 10 to 30%. The tobacco material to be structured is hardly used. This usually avoids loss of quality.

With certain tobacco materials and in particular with small tobacco materials, it has been shown that the tobacco particles should be structured as individually as possible. In this way it can be avoided that the tobacco particles are rolled into one another, which could impair the filling capacity.

The tobacco particles can be separated, for example, by the action of vibrations. Under the effect of the vibrations, the individual tobacco particles separate from one another and can, for example, be distributed over a larger area on a conveyor belt in order to be individually structured.

For reasons of production technology, it has also proven to be advantageous if the tobacco particles to be structured are continuously conveyed through the structuring area between the structuring bodies, and thus batch-wise filling and emptying of the system is eliminated. In addition, a uniform, predeterminable contact pressure acts on each tobacco particle if the mass flow is kept constant. If at times fewer tobacco particles were introduced between the structuring bodies, the surface pressure per tobacco particle would increase, as a result of which the desired structure, namely a spirally rolled-up tobacco particle, could be impaired.

Depending on the sieve fraction of the starting material to be structured, the structured tobacco material parts must be cut before they get into the tobacco mixture. This cutting should take place perpendicular to the central axis of the structured particles. As a rule, only tobacco material particles that have a sieve fraction larger than approx. 6 mm are subjected to a cutting process after structuring. All smaller tobacco material particles can be added directly after structuring the tobacco mixture.

The method according to the invention can also be designed such that the contact pressure between the structuring bodies, for example endless belt straps, is adapted in accordance with the properties of the tobacco material to be processed, whereby in addition, the coefficients of friction of the surfaces of the structuring bodies are designed such that the desired effect, namely rolling up, twisting or at least crimping the tobacco particles, is achieved.

By providing the lower structuring body with a surface profile, a forced conveyance of the tobacco particles can be predefined and the risk of constipation avoided.

So that the structuring body cannot exert excessive contact pressure on the tobacco material even in extreme situations, at least one structuring body should be able to move perpendicularly to the conveying direction at least in some areas. In addition, it should be possible to set the contact pressure separately, or, if necessary, to keep it constant using a sensor in conjunction with control electronics.

The tobacco material to be processed should have at least a moisture content of about 12% by weight before it is conveyed into the structuring area. If the moisture content of the tobacco material to be processed is lower, the tobacco material is too brittle to be rolled in the desired manner in a spiral. Accordingly, the tobacco material particles break or disintegrate if their material moisture is too low.

Experiments have shown that tobacco material with a moisture content of about 12 to 40% by weight of water, preferably 20 to 30% by weight, should be conveyed into the structuring area.

Depending on the quality of the tobacco material particles, lower moisture content may also be sufficient.

After structuring, the tobacco material can be dried. The structure can be fixed better by drying. Moist tobacco material could still give way and its filling capacity could be impaired.

The structuring body should not be rigidly aligned with one another, but rather should be flexible, which can be achieved, for example, through the use of elastic materials, but also through the possibility of evasive movements under loads, i.e. H. is made possible by a movable bearing in conjunction with a restoring force.

In principle, tobacco materials of all sizes can be processed using the method according to the invention.

If tobacco material of the sieve fraction smaller than approx. 6 mm is structured, drying of the structured small tobacco materials is generally not necessary, since these are added to the overall mixture only in small percentages, so that their moisture adapts to the moisture of the overall mixture. However, if you want to ensure a particularly good fixation of the deformation achieved, drying has proven to be useful.

The device according to the invention for structuring tobacco material, in particular small tobacco material, which is preferably suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention in all of its variants, has at least two structuring bodies which are adjacent to one another and can be driven at a differential speed, a structuring body preferably also being able to stand still.

Many of the advantages that can be achieved with the device according to the invention have already been dealt with in connection with the method according to the invention.

One of the structuring bodies, in particular the lower structuring body, can also serve as a conveying device for the tobacco material to be structured. For example, it can be an endless belt conveyor belt. However, an embodiment as a rotating cylinder, disks or the like can also be implemented.

The conveyor device or the lower structuring body can have a surface profile. Both structuring bodies should be provided on the surface with a material with a sufficient coefficient of friction so that the tobacco particles to be structured can be rolled up and / or twisted spirally in the desired manner. Various synthetic and natural types of rubber or mixtures of these materials come into question as materials. Structuring through a selection of different fabrics is also possible for setting different friction properties of the structuring bodies.

The upper structuring body can consist, for example, of a part lying loosely on the conveying device or the lower structuring body, which is held at at least one point and does not have its own drive. Here, the relative speed is predetermined by the speed of the conveyor, which also forms the lower structuring body. This loosely lying part can consist, for example, of a belt or the like. The lower structuring body or the conveying device preferably has an endlessly rotating belt which is guided around at least two deflecting devices.

Each of the structuring bodies in detail and both structuring bodies together can be designed as rotating cylinders, disks or the like. It is important only that the interacting structuring bodies have a relative speed to one another. It is also conceivable not to move the structuring bodies parallel to one another, but rather at an angle to one another, for example a right angle, so that a relative movement is generated in the form of a movement component. The force with which the structuring bodies can be brought into contact with one another is adjustable.

In order to process the tobacco particles individually as far as possible, the transport device assigned to the device according to the invention has a vibrating area, in particular a vibrating conveyor trough, which vibrates to separate tobacco particles from one another and distributes them over the transport device. In this way, the tobacco particles can be introduced individually into the structuring area of the device according to the invention.

Both a cutting device and a drying device can be arranged in the discharge area of the device according to the invention if this is expedient for further processing of the structured tobacco particles.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer längsgeschnittenen Darstellung;

Fig. 2

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einem Längsschnitt; und

Fig. 3a bis 3c

erfindungsgemäß strukturierte Tabakteilchen.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments or modifications with reference to the attached figures. Further steps or features according to the present invention and further advantages are disclosed. Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a longitudinal section;

Fig. 2

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in a longitudinal section; and

3a to 3c

tobacco particles structured according to the invention.

The embodiment 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a transport device 12 in order to deliver the tobacco material. In addition, the device 10 contains a structuring area 14 with two structuring bodies 18, 20 and a discharge area 16.

The transport device 12 is formed by a vibrating conveyor trough 28, which separates the tobacco material particles that can arrive in batches on the vibrating conveyor trough. A vibrating conveyor drive 26 connected to the vibrating conveyor trough 28 ensures the required oscillations of the vibrating conveyor trough 28.

The vibrating conveyor trough 28 drops tobacco material particles 50 in largely isolated form onto an endlessly rotating belt conveyor belt 20. The belt conveyor belt 20, which forms the lower structuring body of the device according to the invention, runs around two deflection rollers 31 mounted on a frame 30 and has a profile 21, which ensures that the finished structured tobacco particles can be carried more easily.

The upper structuring part 18 located above the conveyor belt 20, that is to say the lower structuring body 20, has a belt 18 which is held on the frame 30 of the device 10 by means of a holder 34 so as not to be carried along during the conveying movement of the lower structuring body, that is to say of the belt conveyor belt 20 to become.

Weights 24 can rest on the upper structuring body 18 in order to increase the contact pressure of the upper structuring body 18.

A gap 19 is defined by the weight of the belt 18 and the tobacco particles 50 passing between the endless belt conveyor 20 and the belt 18, the width of which is determined on the one hand by the contact pressure of the belt 18 and on the other hand by the flow of tobacco material through the gap 19.

This gap 19 between the structuring surfaces of the structuring bodies 18, 20 should not be rigid, but rather should be flexible. This can be achieved, for example, in that the straps of the structuring bodies 18, 20 consist of elastic material and / or at least one of the structuring bodies 18, 20 can perform an evasive movement under loads. Since the belt 18 is not rigidly fixed, it can easily carry out the desired evasive movements, as a result of which the gap 19 becomes variable depending on the process parameters.

The tobacco particles 52 rolled and / or twisted in the gap 19 leave the structuring belt conveyor belt 20 at its end and reach the discharge area 16, in order to be cut and / or dried there if necessary in further facilities.

The tobacco particles 50 delivered via the vibrating conveyor trough 28 have a material moisture of approximately 12% by weight or more. The desired structuring of the tobacco material particles 50 can be carried out in particular at material moisture levels between approximately 12 and 40% by weight, preferably approximately 20 to 30% by weight, without the tobacco material being subjected to excessive stress or even the risk of destruction.

The fill capacity increase experienced by the tobacco particles 52 is between approximately 10 and 30%.

Any size of tobacco material can be processed with the device.

However, if the sieve fraction of the tobacco material particles to be structured is larger than approx. 6 mm, the structured tobacco material particles should then be cut before they are added to the tobacco mixture. The cut should be approximately perpendicular to the central axis of the spirally rolled particles.

2 shows a further embodiment 100 of the present invention. The parts which essentially correspond to the parts of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 are identified by identical reference numerals.

In embodiment 100, the tobacco particles 50 to be structured are passed between two structuring bodies 18, 20. The structuring bodies consist of belt conveyor belts 18, 20 which are moved at a relative speed to one another. The relative speeds can be achieved, for example, by different speeds in the same direction (V1, V2), but also by different speeds in opposite or angled directions.

The superficial profiling 21 of the conveyor 20, which at the same time forms the lower structuring body 20, ensures that the structured tobacco particles 52 are positively guided so that they are transported in the direction of the discharge region 16. The upper belt conveyor belt 18 is also guided over two deflecting cylinders 31, these being guided over respective axes in respective elongated hole fastenings 35 for adjusting the structuring gap. The structuring gap 19 can be via springs or other Adjust pressing devices, the contact force between the endless belt conveyor belts 18, 20 being able to be varied simultaneously or separately.

Here too, the structuring gap 19 is a function of the continuity and the quantity of the tobacco material 50 supplied and the surface covered by it. In addition, the structuring gap is determined by the contact force and the properties of the tobacco material. The optimal setting can be achieved in that for a given tobacco material, for example small tobacco material, the shape of the finished tobacco particles 52 is visually checked and a corresponding setting is carried out so that the predominant number of tobacco particles or all tobacco particles, the desired spiral rolled and / or have a curled shape.

The elongated holes 35 are arranged in a holding frame 32 for the deflecting rollers 31 of the upper structuring body or webbing 18.

3a shows the characteristic and particularly desirable shape of a tobacco material particle 52 rolled up in a spiral. This can consist of tobacco leaf parts, whole tobacco leaves, tobacco foil parts or small tobacco material.

In Fig. 3b the orientation of the section through the spiral-shaped rolled tobacco material particles 52 can be seen. The cutting edge 60, possibly a plurality of cutting edges 60, provides for the division of the spiral-shaped tobacco material particle roll 52 into a larger number of spiral-shaped tobacco material threads.

3c shows a crimped tobacco material fiber 54, as can be produced by cutting the roll 52.

Claims (11)

Process for structuring tobacco material, in particular small tobacco materials, in which (a) convey the tobacco materials to a structuring area, and b) are passed between at least two structuring bodies in the structuring area, c) their mutually facing surfaces are brought into contact with a contact pressure, characterized in that d) the structuring bodies (18, 20) move at different speeds and / or directions of movement and thereby spatially deform the tobacco material, in particular roll up in a spiral. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that between the selection of a sufficient contact pressure the structuring bodies (18, 20) in combination with the friction coefficients of the structuring bodies (18, 20) to the tobacco materials, a friction force sufficient for the structuring is set, and / or that the tobacco particles (50) due to a higher friction coefficient between the tobacco material and the structuring body (18 , 20) and / or a coarser surface structure (21) of the conveying structuring body (20) are conveyed in a predeterminable direction. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the structuring bodies (18, 20) can at least partially dodge perpendicular to the conveying direction (V1, V2). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tobacco material (50) is conveyed into the structuring area (14, 19) with a material moisture of approximately 12 to 40% by weight, preferably approximately 20 to 30% by weight and that the tobacco material (52, 54) is dried after the in particular separate structuring. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spirally rolled tobacco material parts (52) are cut substantially perpendicular to their central axis. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one of the structuring bodies (18) is not driven. Device for structuring tobacco material, in particular small tobacco material, preferably for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, a) with a transport device for the tobacco material, b) with at least two structuring bodies that oppose each other are invested, and c) with a discharge area for the structured tobacco materials, characterized by the following features: d) the structuring bodies (18, 20) resting against one another can be driven at a differential speed (V1-V2), the speed of a structuring body being zero, or the speed of the structuring bodies (18, 20) having a different direction. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the structuring bodies (20) is also a conveying device for the tobacco material. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the one structuring body or the conveying device (20) for the tobacco material is a conveyor belt, preferably an endlessly revolving belt conveyor belt. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the conveying device (20) which forms the lower structuring body has a surface profile (21). Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the upper structuring body (18) lies loosely on the lower structuring body (20) or the conveying device (20) and is held at at least one point (34) in such a way that the loosely lying one Part (18) is a belt, cloth or the like, and / or that the loosely lying part or belt conveyor belt (18) is acted upon by a pressing force, preferably weights (24).

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