EP2659792B1 - Method and apparatus for arranging filter segment groups - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for assembling filter segment groups for the manufacture of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with at least two different filter segments, wherein filter segments of two or more Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtungen be fed transaxially a Zusammenstellvorrichtung having one or more compilation drums, on or on which the filter segments axially aligned to form filter segment groups. The invention further relates to a corresponding device for assembling filter segment groups for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry, a corresponding filter rod machine, a method for changing the filter format for assembling filter segment groups for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with at least two different filter segments and a use.

In the tobacco processing industry, it is desired to produce multi-segment filters consisting of different segments, such as different materials. These materials are, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, fluid, granules, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers, capsules and the like. Such multisegment filters, which in the context of this invention also include the term "multiple filters", after forming groups of filter segments, for example, are wrapped in a continuous process with wrapping material such as paper and then divided into, in particular multiply, filter rods in order to be further processed.

From the DE-OS 24 52 749 , which was filed by the Applicant's legal predecessor, an apparatus for producing a filter rod of filter rods of different components is known, are formed in a cross-group imaging device groups of filter rods and then a strand forming device are transferred such that the groups of filter rods longitudinally axial can be wrapped with wrapping material.

The group forming device comprises two magazines for filter rods, wherein the filter rods are individually removed from the magazines, cut and various cut filter rods are grouped together. The magazines are filled, for example by means of Schragen.

A typical device of this type is sold by the applicant under the product name MULFI and is known to the public in numerous model variants. For example For example, the MULFI E comprises a strand forming device called KDF 2E and a group forming device called GC E.

Machines such as the MULFI allow the production of multi-segment filters with two different filter components, are characterized by a compact and simple design and are therefore reliable and cost-effective. However, changes in the filter segments or the order of the filter segments are limited and require major rebuilding work on the machine, such as the replacement of the entire group imaging device.

Out DE 10 2011 107 330 A1 For example, there is known a machine and a method for manufacturing multiple filters, comprising a plurality of lines for feeding filter segment pieces of different materials and / or with different filtration properties, a conveying device for assembling the segment pieces, which serves at their outlet a first and a first second series of successive filter groups of different materials and / or with different filtration properties, each group consisting of a predetermined combination of filter segment pieces, a format device serving to form on two channels a first and a second filter strand, and a cutting member for dividing the filter strands to obtain two corresponding series of successive multiple filters different from each other. Compiling and Queraxial Moving on the one hand and the cutting on the other hand is functionally distributed to different drums.

Based on this prior art, the task of Invention to provide variable and flexible methods and machines for the production of multi-segment filters in a strand process, which should be particularly simple, compact and inexpensive.

This object is achieved by a method for assembling filter segment groups for the manufacture of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry having at least two different filter segments, wherein filter segments of two or more filter segment feeders are fed transaxially to a collator which includes one or more compilation drums on or on which the filter segments axially aligned to form filter segment groups, wherein filter segments of double use length are cut from at least one Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung on a compilation drum in two filter segments simple use length, the cut filter segments are then axially spaced apart and then on a compilation drum a filter segment of double-use length is inserted from another Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung in a gap created by the axial spacing gap between the cut filter segments, which is further developed by the axial spacing of the cut filter segments by means of a unilaterally expanding spreading drum, wherein a cut filter segment axially is shifted and the other cut filter segment remains at its axial position.

The inventive method allows the assembly of filter segment groups, which are subsequently assembled into a strand by at least one filter segment are cut into two filter segments simple useful length, these cut filter segments are spaced apart and then further filter segments are inserted into the generated gap. The use of a unilaterally expanding spreading drum for this purpose, a cost-effective and space-saving approach before, since corresponding expansion drums require only one spreading mechanism and thus are narrower building than both sides spread spreader drums, which have been found use. A corresponding unilaterally expanding spreading drum is for example off DE 38 17 740 A1 known. This solution has the further advantage that the process reliability is increased because at least one of the filter segments, namely one of the cut filter segments and optionally further filter segments next to it, are not displaced axially.

In a format change, only the stroke of the unilaterally expanding spreading drum and their position with respect to a predetermined process center plane is set. This can be done for example by means of spacers or by means of a linear motor. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the axial displacement of a cut filter segment in the conveying direction of the filter segments downstream of a compilation drum. This means that already two or more filter segments from different magazines are arranged side by side before the axial spacing of the cut filter segments takes place. In a format change must not be considered in this way in the relative alignment of the positions at which the different filter segments are transferred to the assembly drum, not even the axial stroke on the spreading drum.

Also preferably, a further filter segment or a plurality of further filter segments is or will be displaced axially and / or a further filter segment or several further filter segments will not be displaced axially. Further filter segments can thus lie on the side of the unshifted cut filter segment and / or on the side of the cut filter segment still to be displaced, so that they are also displaced with the cut filter segment to be displaced. This measure gives great flexibility in the production of multi-segment filters.

Preferably, the assembled filter segment groups are assembled into at least one endless multisegment filter strand.

Preferably, the transverse axial position of the expanding spreading drum on one side is adjustable in the assembly device and / or is adjusted. Thus, the assembly device is easily adjustable to different Multifilterformate and compilations.

Advantageously, the unilaterally expanding spreading drum is or is aligned axially with its parting plane in alignment with a knife of a knife device. The parting plane or central position is defined in the context of the present patent application as the position or plane at which the contact plane lies between the cut filter segments and from which the cut filter segment axially moved by the spreading drum is moved axially away, so that a gap between the two cut Filter segments is created. This coincides with the cutting plane.

Preferably, triple filters are made with three filter segments or filters with four or more filter segments. For this purpose, in particular two or more spreading spreaders spreading on one side can also be used.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a device for assembling filter segment groups for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with at least two different filter segments, comprising an assembly device with at least one assembly drum and two or more Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtungen, by means of which filter segments of at least one compilation drum the assembly device can be fed, wherein the assembly device comprises at least one blade device, which is engaged or engageable with the at least one compilation drum to cut filter segments of double use length of at least one Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung into two filter segments easy use length, and at least one spreading drum, by means of cut filter segments are axially spaced, which is further developed in that the spreading drum a ls one-sided spreading Spreading drum is formed.

With this device, the method according to the invention described above can be carried out. This unilaterally expanding spreading drum of the device according to the invention is preferably formed axially displaceable. The axial displaceability can be carried out, for example, by a linear motor causing an axial displacement. The spreading drum with the spreading mechanism can also be arranged on a pin and be changed and fixed in a simple manner by means of spacers or spacers in its axial positions. Also, the pin can be designed to be movable in the axial direction. In this way an adaptation to changed filter segment combinations is possible in a simple and fast way.

Preferably, the at least one spreading drum spreading on one side is aligned axially with its parting plane in alignment with a knife of a knife device.

In an advantageous development, it is provided that a knife device and the expanding spreading drum on one side are jointly axially displaceable for a filter type change. In this way, it is ensured that the cutting plane and the central position or parting plane of the spreading drum, as defined above, reliably aligned with each other, which positively contributes to the process reliability and quality of the assembled filter segment groups.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a filter rod machine for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco-processing industry with a device according to the invention described above.

Finally, the object underlying the invention is also achieved by the use of a unilaterally expanding spreading drum in a device for assembling filter segment groups for the production of previously described multisegment filters according to the invention of the tobacco processing industry for spacing transversely supported cut filter segments.

The features, properties and advantages mentioned with regard to the subject matter of the invention, that is to say the method, the device, the filter rod machine and the use, also apply without restriction to the respective other subject matter of the invention, since they relate to one another.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Maschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern in einem Strangverfahren,

Fig. 2

eine diagrammatische Darstellung eines Filtersegmentlaufs nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 3

ein Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Filtersegmentlaufs,

Fig. 4

ein weiteres Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Filtersegmentlaufs und

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Filtersegmentlaufs.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 schematically shows a machine according to the invention of the tobacco processing industry for the production of multi-segment filters in a continuous process,

Fig. 2

a diagrammatic representation of a filter segment run according to the prior art,

Fig. 3

an example of a filter segment run according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a further example of a filter segment run according to the invention and

Fig. 5

another example of a filter segment run according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a machine according to the invention of the tobacco processing industry for the production of multi-segment filters in a strand process with a group forming device 1 according to the invention for the assembly of groups of filter segments or filter segment groups and a strand forming device for forming a continuous strand of the filter segment groups.

The group-forming device 1 comprises an assembly device 5 with a number of conveyor drums 50, 52, 52 ', 54. The filter segments and groups of filter segments are arranged on the conveyor drums 50, 52, 52', 54 transaxially and with rotation of the conveyor drums 50, 52, 52nd ', 54 passed between the conveyor drums 50, 52, 52', 54.

The assembly device has a transfer drum 54 for taking over a first filter segment for each filter segment group, corresponding to a method step II of the method according to the invention, according to FIGS FIGS. 3 to 5 , The filter segment or the forming filter segment group then passes through, besides further, not separately provided with reference numerals conveyor drums, two compilation drums 52, 52 '(steps III and V), on each of which each filter segment or each forming filter segment group another filter segment is added , The assembly drum 52 also has a circular blade 311, by means of which a filter segment is cut into two parts.

Connected to the assembly drum 52 is a unilaterally expanding spreading drum 56, by means of which the cut filter segments are axially spaced from one another (method step IV). One filter segment is moved axially, the other not.

It is followed by the second assembly drum 52 ', which may also have a circular blade 311 (dashed circle).

To the second assembly drum 52 'is followed by a transport drum 57 and a wobble drum 58 (method steps VI, VII), by means of which the assembled filter segment groups are moved together.

At the end of the conveying path thus formed, the assembled filter segment groups are transferred by means of a delivery drum 50, which is usually designed as an acceleration drum, to the transfer device 60, a so-called "spider" (step VIII), by means of which the filter segment groups are removed from the delivery drum 50 and the Strand formation are supplied (step IX).

For the strand formation, for example, a single strand formation device for forming a single strand or a double strand formation device for the simultaneous formation of two strands is provided. For a double stranding device, for example, the filter segment groups by means of the transfer device 60 in pairs removed from the dispensing drum 50, wherein in each case one filter segment group of a filter segment group pair is provided for each one of the two strands. A corresponding double-stranding device is for example in the EP 2 294 934 A2 the applicant described.

The device further comprises three filter segment supply devices 11, 21, 31, which supply to the assembly device 5 a filter segment for each filter segment group. Each filter segment feeder 11, 21, 31 is a magazine 10, 20, 30 associated with filter rods, wherein by means of Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtungen from the magazines each filter rods removed, the filter rods processed into filter segments and the filter segments of the assembly device 5 are supplied. For this purpose, for example, the Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtungen 11, 21, 31 also each have at least one conveyor drum 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 on.

The magazines 10, 20, 30 are each filled by means of Schragen 40 with filter rods or charged. For this purpose, the magazines, 10, 20, 30 on their upper side in each case an opening and an inclined guide 16, 26, 36, by means of which the trays 40 to the respective magazine 10, 20, 30 and to the opening of the magazine 10, 20th , 30 are aligned.

The trays each have a pull-out bottom 42, which is also referred to as a sword or train sword. Corresponding Schragen 40 are therefore also known as sword trays. If the tray floor 42 is pulled out at a tray 40 which has been positioned correctly above a magazine 10, 20, 30 by means of the tray guide 16, 26, 36, the filter rods located in the tray drop into the corresponding magazine 10, 20, 30 in an orderly fashion ,

In order to avoid tilting of the filter rods when falling out, the tray bottom 42 is pulled out transversely to the longitudinal axis of the arranged in Schragen 40 filter rods. This pulling direction 44 is in Fig. 1 each represented by arrows.

To facilitate the extraction of the sloping floor 42 of a tray 40 for filling the magazines 10, 20, 30, is above The magazines 10, 20, 30 each have a free space 12, 22, 32 for each of a tray 42 and next to each a free space 14, 24, 34 provided for the tray floor 42 of the respective tray 40. The magazines 10, 20, 30 are each arranged such that the free spaces 12, 22, 32; 14, 24, 34 do not overlap.

As an example of the operation of a Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung 11, 21, 31, the exemplary embodiment of the in Fig. 1 shown third Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung 31 described in more detail.

The filter segment supply device 31 has a total of five conveyor drums 310, 312, 314, 316, 318. The first conveying drum 310 in the conveying direction is designed as a removal drum for removing individual filter rods from the associated magazine 30 and as a cutting drum for cutting the filter rods into a plurality of filter segments. For this purpose, three circular blades 311 are shown by way of example.

The number of circular blades 311 and the respective distance between the circular blades 311 to one another is variable, for example, so that the number of filter segments cut per filter rod and their width can be varied very easily and flexibly. From the conveyor drum 310, the filter rods cut into filter segments are transferred to the conveyor drum 312. At this point, all cut from a filter rod filter segments are longitudinal axial side by side.

The conveyor drum 312 is designed as a staggering drum. On the staggering drum 312, the longitudinally juxtaposed filter segments are moved transversely to each other, so that arranged a stagger of longitudinal axial and transverse axial to each other Filter segments results. The staggering drum or conveying drum 312 is designed to be exchangeable, for example, so that a simple and flexible adaptation to a changed number or width of the filter segments passed along the longitudinal axial side by side to the staggering drum 312 can take place.

The staggered filter segments are successively transferred from the conveyor drum 312 to the next conveyor drum 314, which is designed as a sliding drum. On the sliding drum 314, the filter segments are moved longitudinally axially, so that, for example, all the filter segments are arranged longitudinally axially aligned. The sliding drum or conveying drum 314 has, for example, variable stops, so that, for example, the longitudinal axial position of the filter segments can be flexibly adapted to the subsequent processing, in particular the combination with further filter segments and filter segment groups in the assembling device 5. From the sliding drum 314, the filter segments are transferred to a transfer drum 316 and then to a transfer drum 318 (corresponding to method step I of the method according to FIGS FIGS. 3 to 5 ), from where the filter segments of the assembly device 5, in particular the transfer drum 54 of the assembly device 5, are transferred.

The filter segment supply device 31 is to be understood as an example. It is known to the person skilled in the art that suitable processing steps and correspondingly suitable conveyor drums are to be provided depending on the desired filter segments and the filter rods originally present.

The group formation device 1 off Fig. 1 has a base assembly 2, which the assembly device 5, the first magazine 10 and the first Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung 11 and the second magazine 20 and the second Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung 21 includes. The third magazine 30 and the third filter segment supply device 31 are combined in a replaceable modular unit. This results in several advantages.

So the base unit 2 alone is fully functional. Thus, for example, by switching the modular unit 3 on or off, a very rapid and flexible changeover from the production of multi-segment filters with two different filter components to the production of multi-segment filters with three different filter components or vice versa can take place.

Furthermore, a simple and rapid change of at least one of the up to three filter components of multi-segment filters is made possible by replacing the entire modular unit 3.

In Fig. 2 a filter segment run is shown schematically, as it is known from the prior art. Essentially, there are five process steps I 'to V', which leads to the compilation of a filter segment group with five different filter segments. Through all method steps I 'to V' draws a dash-dotted line representing a process center plane 70.

In method step I ', first a first double-length filter segment 7 is inserted laterally offset from the process center plane 70. In the second method step II ', first a second filter segment is inserted, which is placed symmetrically on the process center plane 70. There it is cut and the two cut filter segments 8 spaced from each other, which is shown with arrows. In this case, the first marked with 1 is inserted Filter segment, which rests on one of the two cut filter segments 8 with the name 2, with shifted.

In method step III ', another, third filter segment is inserted into the gap between the two cut filter segments with the inscription "2", again symmetrically on the process center plane 70. This filter segment labeled "3" also becomes two individual filter segments 8 cut and again symmetrically spaced. The labels are to be understood as references to the different types or types of filter segments 7, 8.

In method step IV ', a fourth filter segment is placed symmetrically on the process center plane 70 in the resulting gap between the filter segments 8 designated by "3", cut and in turn spaced symmetrically with respect to the gap. The previously inserted cut filter segments 8 are moved symmetrically with each. In the last method step V ', a double-length filter segment 7 is now inserted into the gap that has been formed.

In this way, a filter segment group 9 has been formed, which consists of five different filter segment types, which in Fig. 2 are schematically labeled with the numbers "1" to "5" has been formed. The first and last inserted filter segments 7 with the inscriptions "1" and "5" are not cut. The filter segments 8 labeled "2", "3" and "4" have each been cut. The filter segment group 9 thus contains all segments for two multi-segment filters. For this purpose, in the later course of the processing of the multi-segment filter, not shown, both the double-length filter segment with the inscription 1 and the double-length filter segment with the inscription 5 are cut again.

In Fig. 3 a first example of a filter segment run according to the invention is shown. The method steps I to IX run from right to left and are distinguished from each other by vertical dashed lines. The process center plane 70 is also shown in broken lines. In the uppermost box of each process step I to IX either a filter segment is shown or the reference numeral of a drum in the drum, on which the respective process step I to IX takes place.

In method step I, a sequence of double-length filter segments 7 of a first type labeled "1" is conveyed transaxially to a transfer drum 318. In this case, the filter segments 7 are not on the process center plane 70. In step II, the filter segments 7 to the transfer drum 54 (see. Fig. 1 ) to hand over. This passes the filter segments 7 with inscription "1" in step III to the first assembly drum 52, on the also still filter segments 7 double use length of a second type with inscription "2" next to it grouped created.

The box with the inscription "X" and the double arrow indicate a variable distance between the process center plane 70 and a cutting plane 71 of a knife device with a circular knife 311 on the assembly drum 52. The circular knife 311 cuts the first filter segment into two parts, thus filter segments 8 simple use length , It is indicated by a wedge that the cut filter segments 8 are brought axially into a desired position or prevents them from getting too far out through the cutting.

From the assembly drum 52 enter the filter segments of the first and the second type on the spreading spreading drum 56 which is spread on one side and whose central position or parting plane is aligned with the cutting plane 71 or lies in the cutting plane 71. In doing so, the in Fig. 3 cut filter segment 8 shown above is not moved, the lower filter segment, however, axially displaced together with the second filter segment. At this point, the group of the two cut filter segments and the second filter segment has already reached the full width and is symmetrical about the process center plane 70 in its entire width.

In the following method step V, this group is provided with a gap on another compilation drum 52 ', on which in the gap between the cut filter segments 8 of the first type, a third filter segment (inscription "3") is inserted. Again, a lateral boundary is provided.

Subsequently, the assembled filter segment group 9 is transported further on a transport drum 57 (method step VI) and moved closely together in a tumbling drum 58 in method step VII, so that remaining intermediate spaces between the filter segments in the filter segment group 9 are removed.

From the wobble drum 58, the filter segment group 9 reaches a delivery drum 50 (process step VIII) and from there into a transfer device 60 (process step IX). This sets the filter segment groups 9 in a strand forming device, not shown, which generates a multi-segment filter strand 6 from the filter segment groups 9.

In Fig. 4 is a variant of the invention to that in Fig. 3 shown variant of the filter run according to the invention, which differs from the in Fig. 3 essentially represented by variant the lengths of the individual filter segments 7 of the first type, the second type and the third type different. This has an effect on the axial position on the one hand the filter segments 7 are placed with the inscriptions 1, 2 and 3, and how large the distance of the cutting plane 71 and the central position of the spreading drum 56 to the central process center plane 70 is. This distance is compared to Fig. 3 slightly enlarged. Since the third, last inserted filter segment is longer than in the example of Fig. 3 , Also, the stroke on the spreading drum 56 is greater than that in Fig. 3 , Accordingly, the cut filter segment 8 of the first type of filter segments after the axial stroke on the spreading drum 56 is no longer on the process center plane 70, but beyond it.

In Fig. 5 a further alternative embodiment of a filter run according to the invention is shown, in which again a large stroke of the spreading drum 56 is set, but a very small offset between the cutting plane 71 and the parting plane of the spreading drum 56 on the one hand and the process center plane 70 on the other. This is due to the fact that the first type of filter segments is deposited centrally, but not quite symmetrically, on the process center plane 70 and the second type of filter segments 7 is deposited on the assembly drum 52 on the side of the continuous, ie not displaced, run of the filter segments. The cut again takes place on the first type of filter segments, which were first inserted. The subsequent stroke on the spreading drum 56, however, concerns only one of the two cut filter segments of the first type, while the second cut filter segment of the first type and the filter segment of the second type are not moved axially. The third filter segment type is again inserted into the resulting gap (method step V). Also in this way, one around the process center level 70th generated symmetrical filter segment group 9.

In the Fig. 3 to 5 in each case only one cut is provided, as further cuts are made by the filter segments of the second and the third Filtersegmentart only later in the course after strand formation. In a first cut through a double-length filter segment 7, double-length multisegment filter rods are first cut to length from the multisegment filter strand and applied to tobacco sticks, and then the remaining double-length filter segments 7 are cut in the filter rods so that simply long filter cigarettes with multisegment filters are formed. In the Fig. 3 to 5 The filter runs shown are examples of triple filters, ie filters with three different filter segments.

If multi-segment filters are to be produced with four or more types of filter segment, further compilation drums and further cuts are necessary, if necessary, further spreading spreaders spreading on one side can also be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Group educational institution

2

base assembly

3

Modulbaueinheit

5

Collator

6

Multi-segment filter rod

7

double-length filter segment

8th

cut filter segment

9

Filter segment group

10

magazine

11

Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung

12

Free space for Schragen

14

Free space for the sloping floor

16

Schrage leadership

20

magazine

21

Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung

22

Free space for Schragen

24

Free space for the sloping floor

26

Schrage leadership

30

magazine

31

Filtersegmentzuführvorrichtung

32

Free space for Schragen

34

Free space for the sloping floor

36

Schrage leadership

40

Schragen

42

Schrage ground

44

tensile direction

50

Dispenser

52, 52 '

Assembly drum

54

transfer drum

56

unilaterally expanding spreading drum

57

transport drum

58

tumbling

60

Transfer device

70

Process midplane

71

cutting plane

310

cutting drum

311

circular blade

312

staggering drum

314

pushing drum

316

transfer drum

318

Transfer drum

Claims (13)

1. Method for combining filter segment groups (9) for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry having at least two different filter segments, wherein filter segments (7) from two or more filter segment feed devices (11, 21, 31) are delivered in a crosswise manner to a combining device (5) comprising one or more combining drums (52, 52'), on which the filter segments (7) are combined to filter segment groups (9) in an axially aligned manner, wherein filter segments (7) of twice the usable length from at least one filter segment feed device (11, 21, 31) are cut into two filter segments (8) of single usable length on a combining drum (52, 52'), the cut filter segments (8) are then axially spaced apart from one another and then, on a combining drum (52, 52'), a filter segment (7) of twice the usable length from another filter segment feed device (11, 21, 31) is subsequently inserted into a gap between the cut filter segments (8) created by the axial spacing, wherein the axial spacing of the cut filter segments (8) is performed by means of a unilaterally spreading separating drum (56), wherein one cut filter segment (8) is displaced axially and the other cut filter segment (8) remains in its axial position.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the axial displacement of the one cut filter segment (8) takes place in the conveying direction of the filter segments (7, 8) downstream of a combining drum (52, 52').
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, along with the cut filter segment (8), one further filter segment (7, 8) or several further filter segments (7, 8) is or are axially displaced and/or one further filter segment (7, 8) or several further filter segments (7, 8) is or are not axially displaced.
4. Method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the assembled filter segment groups (9) are combined to form at least one endless multi-segment filter rod (6).
5. Method according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the crosswise position of the unilaterally spreading separating drum in the combining device (5) is adjustable and/or is adjusted.
6. Method according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the separating plane of the unilaterally spreading separating drum (56) is or will be axially aligned with a knife (311) of a knife device.
7. Method according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that triple filters having three filter segments or filters having four or more filter segments are produced.
8. Apparatus for combining filter segment groups (9) for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry having at least two different filter segments, comprising a combining device (5) having at least one combining drum (52, 52') and two or more filter segment feed devices (11, 21, 31), by means of which filter segments (7) can be delivered to the at least one combining drum (52, 52') of the combining device (5), wherein the combining device (5) comprises at least one knife device and at least one separating drum, by means of which cut filter segments (8) can be axially spaced apart from one another, wherein the separating drum is configured as a unilaterally spreading separating drum (56), characterised in that the at least one knife device is in engagement with or can be brought into engagement with the at least one combining drum (52, 52') in order to cut filter segments (7) of twice the usable length from at least one filter segment feed device (11, 21, 31) into two filter segments (8) of single usable length.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised in that the unilaterally spreading separating drum (56) in the combining device (5) is configured to be axially displaceable.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the separating plane of the at least one unilaterally spreading separating drum (56) is axially aligned with a knife (311) of a knife device.
11. Apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that, for a filter type change, a knife device and the unilaterally spreading separating drum (56) are jointly axially displaceable.
12. Filter rope machine for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with an apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 11.
13. Use of a unilaterally spreading separating drum (56) in an apparatus for combining filter segment groups (9) for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry according to any of Claims 8 to 11 to space cut filter segments (8) which are conveyed in a crosswise manner.

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