EP3366148B1 - Machine for the tobacco processing industry for loading a continuous rod machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine in the tobacco processing industry for loading a cigarette rod machine.

During the production of cigarettes in the tobacco processing industry, a distributor device is arranged upstream in front of the cigarette rod machine. The distribution device is used to dose the tobacco stream usually supplied via an air stream, to sift it and to form one or more tobacco rods from the sifted tobacco material, which are fed to a downstream cigarette rod machine. Tobacco rods which are processed into cigarettes or the like usually consist of a tobacco mixture of different tobacco components or types. In known processes, the product flow required for the production of cigarettes is assembled and mixed before it enters the distributor device. The tobacco stream is fed to the distribution device via an input device, which is usually formed from a loading lock. In addition, the tobacco is sifted, separated and in the distribution device then fed via a storage shaft to a suction rod conveyor for the formation of one or more tobacco rods. In the sifter, the portions of the product flow that are suitable for further processing are separated from undesired components, such as tobacco leaf veins or foreign bodies. A distribution device is, for example, from EP 1 285 592 A2 known.

Reconditioned tobacco is often added to the raw material for the manufacture of tobacco products. This tobacco product is manufactured in a process similar to papermaking or in a suspension process (slurry process). The processed raw materials such as dust, tobacco leaf stems and the like arise as by-products during the processing of the tobacco in the conventional process. Reconditioned tobacco is produced in the form of flat films and cut into small pieces for further processing, for example as an admixture to cigarette tobacco. The particles obtained in this way are mixed, for example, in the primary of the tobacco mixture in a predetermined mixing ratio. In this way, the reconditioned tobacco, together with the tobacco material obtained from tobacco leaves, is also used in the strand forming process.

Out DE 10 2015 113 292 A1 a method is known in which whole tobacco plants are harvested, chopped and processed into reconditioned tobacco material. Flat reconditioned tobacco material, for example a tobacco foil, is fed to a punching station. There, small tobacco particles are punched out of the tobacco foil. The small-sized tobacco material is transported to a strand-forming unit, for example, with a non-pneumatic conveyor, such as a tube chain conveyor.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel machine in the tobacco processing industry for loading a cigarette rod machine.

The object is achieved by a machine in the tobacco processing industry for loading a cigarette rod machine, the machine comprising, as the input device for tobacco material to be processed, a storage device for sheet-like, flat, reconditioned tobacco material, further comprising a shredding device which is arranged downstream of the storage device and is set up for this purpose , to process reconditioned tobacco material provided by the input device in a shredding process into small tobacco parts, and wherein the machine further comprises a conveying device which is arranged downstream of the shredding device and is configured to convey the small tobacco parts to a suction rod conveyor of the cigarette rod machine, wherein the Machine is developed in that the conveying device comprises a feed channel which is free of internals and along which the small tobacco parts to the suction rod conveyor of the cigarette rod machine can be conveyed, the machine being set up to feed the cigarette rod machine exclusively with small tobacco parts made from the reconditioned tobacco material.

The machine of the tobacco processing industry advantageously processes the starting material immediately upstream of the cigarette rod machine, without further preparatory processing steps of the starting material being necessary. This eliminates both the preparation of the tobacco in the primary and the transport of the cut tobacco to the machine. The reconditioned tobacco material processed in the machine has a high density, which is why the transport and storage costs are low.

The machine of the tobacco processing industry for loading the cigarette rod machine is constructed much more simply than conventional distributors. For example, pneumatic feeding of the distributor, a correspondingly necessary lock, a sifter and also a metering unit, such as a rotary valve, are advantageously dispensed with.

In addition, unlike conventional distributors used in tobacco processing to feed the cigarette rod machine, there is no further material discharge, for example rib discharge from the rib separator. The physical properties of the reconditioned tobacco material are very constant and easily controllable. As a result, the efficiency in the manufacture of the cigarettes is very high, for example the reject rate is very low.

It is also possible to specify flavors or blends directly during the production of the reconditioned tobacco material, so that a very constant production, for example of a certain type of cigarette, can take place. Advantageously, no tobacco-specific knowledge of the operating personnel is required for operating the machine in the tobacco processing industry for loading the cigarette rod machine, since no tobacco-specific fine adjustments have to be made. This is particularly advantageous for decentralized cigarette production.

The reconditioned tobacco material is preferably a tobacco sheet produced using the paper process. The blending of the tobacco raw material has already been carried out in liquid form, for example by mixing different types of tobacco. Here, if necessary, undesired active ingredients or ingredients can be extracted directly from the liquid mash in order to optimize the composition of the tobacco smoke. The reconditioned tobacco material is therefore a finished mixture that is fed directly to the strand forming.

In order to avoid impairment of the quality of the reconditioned tobacco material during transport, it is preferably provided that the reconditioned tobacco material is encapsulated during transport and storage, for example by wrapping it in cling film. The air conditioning required for conventional tobacco with regard to temperature and humidity can advantageously be dispensed with.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the storage unit comprises a reel on which flat, reconditioned tobacco material is rolled up.

In particular, it is provided that the machine includes a bobbin changing device. The reel changing device is furthermore set up in particular to connect a running end of reconditioned tobacco material rolled up on a first reel with a beginning of reconditioned tobacco material rolled up on a second reel. In other words, there is a change between the first bobbin and the second bobbin with the aid of the bobbin changing device, this change not leading to any interruption in production. Reconditioned tobacco material can advantageously be fed to the shredding device without interruption. A reel changing device is for example in the EP 1 798 174 B1 described. The automation cell disclosed in this document for the automated handling of the bobbins is provided, for example, upstream of the shredding device. It is provided in particular that this automation cell is part of the machine of the tobacco processing industry according to one embodiment.

In particular, it is provided that the reel changing device is set up to exchange a first reel on which flat, reconditioned tobacco material of a first type is rolled up, for a second reel on which flat, reconditioned tobacco material of a second type is rolled up, so that optionally reconditioned tobacco material the first type or the second type of the comminuting device can be fed. In this way, a brand change is particularly easy and efficient.

In this context, it is provided according to a further embodiment that the machine of the tobacco processing industry with a processing unit, for example a microprocessor, a correspondingly set up computer server or the like, and a signal relating to the processing speed of the cigarette machine is received at this processing unit. As a function of this signal, according to this embodiment, an unwinding speed of the reel, that is to say a speed at which the reconditioned tobacco material is fed to the punching device, is controlled or regulated.

The provision of the reconditioned tobacco material on a reel, that is to say as material rolled up or wound up on a roll, is advantageous, for example, with regard to handling, processing and storage.

The machine of the tobacco processing industry is further developed in that the comminuting device is a punching device, in particular a roller punch, which comprises a punching roller and a counter roller cooperating with this.

As an alternative to a roller punch, a cart beam punch or the like can also be used. The advantage of a roller punch is that it ejects small tobacco parts in a continuous process. A roller punch is often referred to as a roller punch.

The processing of the reconditioned tobacco material in a punching process, that is to say by means of the punching device, into small tobacco parts is particularly advantageous since little secondary material, such as small tobacco particles, dust or the like, is produced during the punching. In addition, the starting material, in this case the reconditioned tobacco material, is treated very gently. The punching process advantageously allows the small tobacco parts to be shaped freely. Possible shapes are, for example, polygons, for example rectangular strips. L-shaped particles or the like. It is also advantageous that the punching is a continuous process.

According to an advantageous further development it is provided that the punching roller and the counter roller cooperate along a punching line which is uneven transversely to a feed plane in which the sheet-like, flat, reconditioned tobacco material can be fed to the punching device.

For example, the cut line is wavy. This bipolar rolling of the reconditioned tobacco material increases the volume of the small tobacco parts produced.

The small tobacco parts are preferably comminuted with a punching device. However, it is also possible that instead of the punching device, a comminuting device is used which, for example, comprises a longitudinal cutter and a cross cutter.

According to one example, the reconditioned tobacco material comprises two joined-together individual layers of flat, film-like reconditioned tobacco material, the two individual layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

The different coefficients of thermal expansion of the individual layers can be achieved, for example, by using different binders to produce the individual layers. A possible example is the use of guar gum or guar gum for the first individual layer and the use of xanthan gum as a binder for the second individual layer. As a result of an effect known, for example, from a bimetal, the small tobacco part bends under the action of heat, so that the volume of the small tobacco parts increases overall in the tobacco rod. Tobacco material can advantageously be saved and the filling power gained. In order to intensify the effect, the tobacco material can be heated, for example.

The conveying device comprises a feed channel, which is free of internals, and along which the punched out tobacco small parts to the The suction rod conveyor of the cigarette rod machine can be conveyed.

It is, for example, a curved supply channel which initially has a free-fall section, with the small tobacco parts subsequently being conveyed, for example by suction air, in the direction of the strand formation. In particular, the conveying device does not include a sluice, no separating device and no storage shaft, as is known from conventional distributors. This considerably simplifies the construction of the machine.

The machine is set up to feed the cigarette rod machine exclusively with small tobacco parts punched out of the reconditioned tobacco material.

For example, the reel on which the reconditioned tobacco material is wound is adapted to the width usually used for a distributor. As an alternative to a complete supply of tobacco rod production with small tobacco parts made from reconditioned tobacco material, the so-called tobacco confetti, provision is made for the small tobacco parts to be placed directly in the distributor or in the storage shaft of a conventional machine for producing cigarette rods. The addition of reconditioned tobacco material directly into the distributor of the machine is, for example, in the EP 1 442 666 A1 described.

If the cigarette rod is formed exclusively from small tobacco parts that have been punched out of reconditioned tobacco material, the result is an extremely homogeneous tobacco rod. This has a beneficial effect on head loss, weight, hardness, smoke levels, taste and the like.

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 according to the invention can contain individual features or a combination of several Meet characteristics.

Fig. 1

eine Maschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie zum Beschicken einer Zigarettenstrangmaschine in einer schematisch vereinfachten Querschnittsansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Stanzwalze und eine Gegenwalze einer WalzenStanzvorrichtung und

Fig. 3

aus zwei Einzellagen aufgebautes rekonditioniertes Tabakmaterial und ein daraus hergestelltes Tabak-Kleinteil.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, with express reference being made to the drawings with regard to all inventive details not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

Fig. 1

a machine of the tobacco processing industry for loading a cigarette rod machine in a schematically simplified cross-sectional view,

Fig. 2

a punching roller and a counter roller of a roller punching device and

Fig. 3

Reconditioned tobacco material made up of two individual layers and a small tobacco part made from it.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that they are not introduced again in each case.

Fig. 1 shows a machine of the tobacco processing industry 2 for loading an in Fig. 1 cigarette rod machine, not shown. A suction rod conveyor 4 of the otherwise not shown cigarette rod machine is indicated. In this, for example, a suction belt runs, with which one or more tobacco rods are formed. The machine of the tobacco processing industry 2, shown schematically and in simplified form in a cross-section, comprises, as an input device for tobacco material to be processed, a store 6 for sheet-like, flat, reconditioned tobacco material 8. Furthermore, the machine 2 comprises a shredding device 10, which is arranged downstream of the store 6. The shredding device 10 is provided with the sheet-like, flat, reconditioned tobacco material 8 and in a shredding process processed into small tobacco parts 12, of which only a few are provided with reference numerals for the sake of clarity. The machine of the tobacco processing industry 2 for loading the cigarette rod machine further comprises a conveying device 14 which is arranged downstream of the comminuting device 10. The conveying device 14 is set up to convey the small tobacco parts 12 to the suction rod conveyor 4 of the cigarette rod machine.

The machine 2 comprises, for example, a reel 16 as the storage device 6, on which the flat, reconditioned tobacco material 8 is rolled up. A bobbin changing device 18 is preferably included, as it is for example in FIG EP 1 798 174 B1 is described. This reel changing device 18 is designed to connect a running end of reconditioned tobacco material 8 rolled up on a first reel 16 with a beginning of reconditioned tobacco material 8 rolled up on a second reel 20. It is thus advantageously possible for reconditioned tobacco material 8 to be able to be fed to the shredding device 10 without interruption. The ones from the EP 1 798 174 B1 Known device for handling bobbins, which is to be referred to as a bobbin changing device 18, comprises an automation cell which is arranged, for example, upstream of the shredding device 10. A reel changing device 18 is particularly advantageous when a brand change is to be carried out. The reel changing device 18 is set up in particular to arrange either a first reel 16 or a second reel 20 so that the flat, reconditioned tobacco material 8 present on the corresponding reel 16, 20 can be fed to the shredding device 10. The reel changing device 18 is suitable, for example, for exchanging the first reel 16 on which flat reconditioned tobacco material 8 of a first type is rolled up for a second reel 20 on which flat reconditioned tobacco material 8 of a second type is rolled up. In this way, reconditioned tobacco material 8 of the first type or of the second type can optionally be fed to the shredding device 10. With the help of the bobbin changing device 18 is so A brand change is very easy and quick.

The shredding device 10 is, for example, a punching device. However, it is also provided that a cutting device is present as the comminuting device 10, for example a longitudinal and cross cutter. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the punching device is a roller punch which comprises a punching roller 22 and a counter roller 24 cooperating with it.

The punching roller 22 comprises a punching knife, for example made of carbon steel, which is designed in such a way that the desired shape of the small tobacco parts 12 is punched out of the reconditioned tobacco material 8. With the help of the punching device, it is possible to set the shape and size of the desired small tobacco parts 12 as desired and thus to adapt them directly to the extruding process in cigarette manufacture. For example, a desired size distribution of the small tobacco parts 12 can be set. The tobacco material produced from the small tobacco parts 12 is very constant and homogeneous. The size and quality of the small tobacco parts 12 practically does not fluctuate, since the reconditioned tobacco material 8, unlike tobacco leaves itself, has practically no fluctuations with regard to its properties, quality and the like. The punching process is also advantageous since the reconditioned tobacco material 8 is treated very gently and, in addition, practically no by-products, such as tobacco dust, are created. It is also advantageous that the punching roller 22 can be changed, for example, in order to achieve a different size or size distribution of the punched-out small tobacco parts 12, very easily and quickly.

The punching roller 22 and the counter roller 24 cooperate along a punching line 26 which is uneven across a feed plane 28 in which the flat, reconditioned tobacco material 8 is fed to the punching device.

Fig. 2 shows the punching roller 22 and the counter roller 24, by way of example are rotatable about the axes of rotation shown in dashed lines. The direction of view of the pair of rollers is in the direction of the feed plane 28, which is indicated with a dot-dash line. The punching line 26 lies in this illustration in the plane of the paper and runs between or on the surfaces of the punching roller 22 and the counter roller 24. The direction running transversely to the feed level 28, in which the punching line 26 is uneven, in the example shown, is corrugated, is also located in the paper plane.

The outer sides of the rollers 22, 24 are contoured so that the reconditioned tobacco material 8 guided along the feed plane 28 between the rollers 22, 24 is deformed during the punching process. The small tobacco parts 12 obtained are therefore curved, which increases the volume of the tobacco material produced from small tobacco parts 12 in this way.

The reconditioned tobacco material 8 consists, for example, of two individual layers joined together. Figure 3 shows such a reconditioned tobacco material 8 in a schematically simplified cross section.

A first individual layer 30 has, for example, a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second individual layer 32 has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. If the second individual layer 32 has the greater coefficient of thermal expansion, then in the case of a small tobacco part 12 punched out of such reconditioned tobacco material 8, a deformation or curvature of the small tobacco part 12 takes place as a result of a heat treatment schematically indicated with the aid of an arrow, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown. Such a curvature also leads to an increase in volume of the tobacco material produced from the small tobacco parts 12.

The conveyor device 14 of in Fig. 1 The illustrated machine of the tobacco processing industry 2 for loading a cigarette rod machine comprises a feed channel 34 which is free of internals. The small tobacco parts 12 are through the supply channel 34 to the suction rod conveyor 4 of the cigarette rod machine, not shown, can be conveyed. In particular, there is no sluice, metering unit, separating device, storage shaft or the like in the conveying device 14 or in the supply channel 34. The small tobacco parts 12 fall along a free-fall section into the lower curved area of the feed channel 34 and are pneumatically transported in the direction of the suction rod conveyor 4 with the aid of a nozzle 36, for example.

The machine of the tobacco processing industry 2 is set up in particular so that the cigarette rod machine is fed exclusively with small tobacco parts 12 made from reconditioned tobacco material 8. In other words, the tobacco rod produced by the cigarette rod machine will consist exclusively of small tobacco parts 12 that have been punched out, for example.

The unwinding speed of the reel 16 on which the reconditioned tobacco material 8 is rolled is adapted, for example, to a production speed of the cigarette rod machine. The same applies to the processing speed of the shredding device 10. It is thus possible for the cigarette rod machine to always receive the required amount of small tobacco parts 12 and to ensure optimum rod formation.

List of reference symbols

2

Machine of the tobacco processing industry

4th

Suction line conveyor

6th

Storage

8th

reconditioned tobacco material

10

Shredding device

12th

Small tobacco parts

14th

Conveyor

16

first bobbin

18th

Bobbin changing device

20th

second bobbin

22nd

Punching roller

24

Counter roll

26th

Punch line

28

Infeed level

30th

first single layer

32

second single layer

34

Feed channel

36

jet

Claims (5)

1. A machine for the tobacco processing industry (2) for loading a cigarette rod machine, wherein the machine (2) comprises a reservoir (6) for film-like flat reconditioned tobacco material (8) as an input device for tobacco material to be processed, wherein a shredding device (10) is further comprised, which is arranged downstream of the reservoir (6) and is designed to process reconditioned tobacco material (8) provided by the input device in a shredding process into small pieces of tobacco (12), and wherein the machine (2) further comprises a conveying device (14) which is arranged downstream of the shredding device (10) and is designed to convey the small pieces of tobacco (12) to a suction rod conveyor (4) of the cigarette rod machine, characterized in that the conveying device (14) comprises a feed channel (34) which is free of internal fittings, and along which the small pieces of tobacco (12) can be conveyed to the suction rod conveyor (4) of the cigarette rod machine, wherein the machine (2) is designed to load the cigarette rod machine exclusively with small pieces of tobacco (12) manufactured from the reconditioned tobacco material (8).
2. The machine (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (6) comprises a bobbin (16), on which flat reconditioned tobacco material (8) is rolled up.
3. The machine (2) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the machine (2) additionally comprises a bobbin changeover device (18), wherein the bobbin changeover device (18) is designed to connect a running-out end of reconditioned tobacco material (8) rolled up on a first bobbin (16) to the start of reconditioned tobacco material (8) rolled up on a second bobbin (20), so that reconditioned tobacco material (8) can be fed in an uninterrupted manner to the shredding device (10).
4. The machine (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shredding device (10) is a punching device, in particular a roller punch which comprises a punching roller (22) and an opposing roller (24) interacting therewith.
5. The machine (2) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the punching roller (22) and the opposing roller (24) interact along a punching line (26) which is uneven transversely to a feed plane (28), in which the film-like flat reconditioned tobacco material (8) can be fed to the punching device.

Images