EP4013246B1 - Providing metal strip portions for tobacco segments - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a unit for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments.

The invention further relates to a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a smoking article manufacturing machine, and to a method for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments.

Devices for heating an aerosol-forming substrate by means of a resistance heating element are known from the prior art. Before use, a smoking article is inserted into a cavity of a heating device, with the aerosol-forming substrate being pushed over a heatable blade. Such smoking articles are not suitable or are only suitable to a limited extent for use in inductive heating devices for smoking articles.

Furthermore, inductive heaters are known in which an induction source generates an alternating electromagnetic field, which in one Susceptor or susceptor material a voltage is induced. As a result, eddy currents are generated within the susceptor material due to the induced voltage, so that the susceptor material is heated or heated by means of the eddy currents generated. The susceptor material is preferably positioned in the thermal proximity of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example a tobacco substrate, in order to specifically heat the aerosol-forming substrate and release volatile compounds.

In addition, there are WO 2016/184930 A1 discloses a device and a method for producing inductively heatable tobacco products, wherein a metallic susceptor segment with a rectangular cross section is positioned in tobacco pieces or segments of the smoking products. The smoke products produced can be heated using an inductive heating device.

In US 2017/0079320 A1 In D1 a device with a filter wrapping paper suction drum is described. Here, a strip of wrapping material is pulled off a bobbin and taken to a cutting unit with a suction drum 10 and a cutting unit 12 for cutting wrapping sections on the suction drum 10 (cf. Fig. 1 ).

Furthermore, in DE 10 2011 077 335 A1 a covering cutting device (cf. Fig. 2 ) disclosed, wherein the covering cutting device has a cutting drum. According to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 3a, 3b, the suction drum has segment bodies which are moved in a parallel direction to the axis of rotation of the cutting drum.

Furthermore, in DE 33 10 126 A1 a cutting device with a rotating support drum is shown. A large number of web cutting knives that can be moved parallel to the axis of the drum are arranged on the support drum. The cutting blades perform a lifting movement as the cutting drum rotates.

One object of the invention is to improve the production of inductively heated tobacco products and to increase the productivity of a manufacturing machine for inductively heated tobacco products.

• (i) die Schneidwalze und die Saugwalze relativ zueinander entlang der Rotationsachse der Schneidwalze und/oder entlang der Rotationsachse der Saugwalze, insbesondere linear, bewegt werden oder bewegbar sind,
• und/oder (ii) die Schneidwalze in Umfangsrichtung hintereinander angeordnete Schneidmesser aufweist und die Saugwalze in Umfangsrichtung hintereinander angeordnete Messerkörper aufweist, wobei die Messerkörper der Saugwalze und die Schneidmesser der Schneidwalze relativ zueinander entlang der Rotationsachse der Schneidwalze und/oder entlang der Rotationsachse der Saugwalze, insbesondere linear, bewegt werden oder bewegbar sind,
• und/oder (iii) die Einheit eine Zuführeinheit zum Zuführen wenigstens eines Metallbands zur Schneideinheit aufweist, wobei die Zuführeinheit in Bezug auf die Rotationsachse der Schneidwalze und/oder in Bezug auf die Rotationsachse der Saugwalze entlang der Rotationsachse der Schneidwalze und/oder entlang der Rotationsachse der Schneidwalze, insbesondere linear, bewegt wird oder bewegbar ist.

This task is solved by a unit for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments, with at least one cutting unit for cutting a, preferably endless or quasi-endless, metal strip into metal strip sections of finite length, the cutting unit being a suction roller which is driven in rotation about a rotation axis is or can be driven, and has a cutting roller which cooperates with the suction roller and which is driven or can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation, wherein the at least one metal strip is or is guided between the cutting roller and the suction roller, wherein

• (i) the cutting roller and the suction roller relative to each other can be moved or moved along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller, in particular linearly,
• and/or (ii) the cutting roller has cutting blades arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction and the suction roller has blade bodies arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, the blade bodies of the suction roller and the cutting blades of the cutting roller relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller, in particular linear, can be moved or are movable,
• and/or (iii) the unit has a feed unit for feeding at least one metal strip to the cutting unit, the feed unit being along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and/or along the axis of rotation in relation to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and/or in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roller the cutting roller is moved or is movable, in particular linearly.

The advantage of the invention is that the service life of the cutting unit is increased, since in the context of the invention it is provided that, in one aspect, the entire suction roller and/or the entire knife roller are displaced axially, in particular linearly, along their axes of rotation. Furthermore, in a further aspect it is provided that the knife bodies of the suction roll, which have corresponding cutting edges, and/or the cutting knives of the cutting roll are also moved in the axial direction with respect to the axes of rotation of the cutting roll and the suction roll, in particular linearly. According to a further embodiment, the position of the metal strip is changed by an axial displacement movement with respect to the axis of rotation of the suction roller and/or the cutting roller, while the, preferably axial, position of the suction roller conveying the metal strip remains unchanged remains. The axial displacement movement of the metal strip and/or the axial displacement movement of the suction roller and/or its knife body and/or the axial displacement movement of the cutting roller and/or its cutting blade can take place continuously or in a clocked manner in one embodiment. Appropriate drives are provided for the displacement movement of the units or devices mentioned.

The cutting unit or the unit for providing metal strip sections is preferably set up in such a way that, in one embodiment, several metal strips conveyed next to one another are also cut into metal strip sections. The unit is preferably designed to provide metal strip sections for processing metal strips conveyed on double tracks.

The unit for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments, is in particular part of a device or machine for producing tobacco products, preferably inductively heated ones. The unit provides metal strip sections of finite length for pieces of tobacco, which are introduced into the pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments, in a further, subsequent processing step. Here, the metal band sections have the properties of a susceptor material, so that after the metal band sections have been introduced into the tobacco pieces, the ready-to-use smoking articles made from them can be heated via an induction heater.

Within the scope of the invention, the metal band sections provided for the tobacco pieces can be further conveyed on subsequent conveying devices, in particular conveyor drums, after the cutting process has been carried out on the cutting unit, it being possible for the flat metal band sections to be inserted into the tobacco pieces provided as rectangular plates or pieces, in particular Tobacco segments are introduced.

It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention for the cut metal strip sections to be changed in shape by appropriate processing devices during their conveyance, whereby, for example, the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section of the isolated metal strip sections is increased. The increase in the axial moment of inertia of the cross sections is preferably carried out by changing the shape of the cross section of the metal strip sections, preferably in particular by a deforming punching process and/or rolling process and/or embossing process or the like. Here, the processing device is preferably designed in such a way as to carry out a deformation process, in particular a deforming punching process and/or rolling process and/or embossing process.

The cutting unit for cutting a metal strip or several metal strips is set up or designed in such a way that the cutting roller interacts with the suction roller, the metal strip being or being guided between the cutting roller and the suction roller. The cutting roller preferably has cutting blades arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. In addition, in one embodiment it is provided that the cutting roller also has several, in particular two, cutting blades arranged next to one another, which are arranged next to one another along the axis of rotation in relation to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller.

According to a further development, the suction roller has grooves in the circumferential direction for receiving cutting blades of the cutting roller, with the cutting roller and the suction roller simultaneously rotating in opposite directions, the cutting blades of the cutting roller each dip into a groove of the suction roller and come into contact with a groove flank of the groove, forming a scissor cut can be brought or will be brought.

The suction roller has conveyor segments for the metal strip sections in the circumferential direction, with the conveyor segments intermittently or

Grooves between the conveyor segments are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller, preferably at regular intervals.

The conveyor segments each have a support surface for one or more metal strip sections. Furthermore, the conveyor segments each have vacuum bores which are or can be acted upon by negative pressure, whereby the metal strip and/or the metal strip sections are held on the conveyor segments by applying negative pressure.

The suction air bores of the conveying segments are preferably arranged one behind the other in a row with respect to the circumferential direction of the suction roller and/or next to one another in a row with respect to the axis of rotation of the suction roller. The suction air holes of the conveying segments can also be acted upon or acted upon by negative pressure from a negative pressure source via suction channels in the interior of the drum body of the suction roller.

In relation to the direction of rotation of the suction roller, blade bodies trailing behind the conveyor segments of the suction roller are provided, preferably on the trailing flanks of the conveyor segments, in particular the outer surface of the conveyor segments in the circumferential direction for the metal strip sections of finite length aligned flush with the outer surface of the knife bodies in the circumferential direction are. In addition, in a further embodiment, several, in particular two, conveyor segments can be arranged next to one another in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roller. Likewise, in a further development it is provided that several, in particular two, knife bodies are arranged next to one another on a conveyor segment in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roller.

In one embodiment, a common drive is provided to drive the suction roller and the cutting roller. In a further embodiment, it is conceivable that for the suction roller and for the cutting roller In each case a separate, preferably directly driving and position-controlled or speed-controlled drive is provided, so that the suction roller and the cutting roller are driven in rotation.

In particular, the unit for providing metal strip sections is set up to simultaneously cut two or more metal strips conveyed next to one another into metal strip sections using the cutting unit. Within the scope of the invention it is also provided that in one embodiment only a single-web material web is cut into material strip sections by means of the cutting unit.

According to a further, independent solution to the problem or a further development, it is provided in the unit for providing metal strip sections that a guide unit for the at least one metal strip is arranged on the suction roller, in particular the guide unit having two guide bodies spaced apart from one another, with between the spaced apart guide bodies or the metal strip is or is guided, preferably on the suction roller. Here, the external guide unit is provided on the outside of the suction roller in order to guide the metal strip securely on the rotatingly driven suction roller. To guide a metal strip, it is guided through the spaced-apart guide bodies in a kind of channel, which prevents the metal strip from being cut crookedly or the metal strip sections made from it from resting crookedly on the conveyor segments after the cut. It is also provided in one embodiment that the guide unit is designed to guide several metal strips and/or metal strip sections on the conveyor segments of the suction roller.

Furthermore, a further, independent solution to the task or a further development of the unit is characterized in that the suction roller has a guide device for the at least one metal strip, in particular the guide device as a groove-shaped recess or as several in the circumferential direction of the Suction roller arranged one behind the other and spaced apart groove-shaped depressions is formed, wherein in the groove-shaped depression or in the groove-shaped depressions or the metal strip, preferably on the suction roller, is or is guided.

• a) bezogen auf die Förderrichtung der Saugwalze an den nacheilenden Flanken der Fördersegmente eine Teilsaugluftbohrung oder mehrere Teilsaugluftbohrungen jeweils vorgesehen sind und der an der nacheilenden Flanke der Fördersegmente angeordnete Messerkörper jeweils eine Teilsaugluftbohrung oder mehrere Teilsaugluftbohrungen aufweist, wobei die Teilsaugluftbohrung oder die Teilsaugluftbohrungen eines oder der Fördersegmente mit der Teilsaugluftbohrung oder den Teilsaugluftbohrungen des Messerkörpers zusammenwirken, um jeweils eine Saugluftbohrung oder mehrere Saugluftbohrungen auszubilden
• und/oder b) die Messerkörper, die an der nacheilenden Flanke der Fördersegmente angeordnet sind oder werden, wenigstens eine oder mehrere Saugluftbohrungen zum Beaufschlagen des Metallbands und/oder der Metallbandabschnitte mit Unterdruck aufweisen.

In addition, in a further, independent solution to the problem or an embodiment of the unit, it is provided that the suction roller has conveyor segments in the circumferential direction with support surfaces for the metal strip and the metal strip sections, the conveyor segments being arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller and between the conveyor segments in each case a recess, in particular a groove, is provided in the circumferential direction, and at least one knife body is arranged on the trailing flanks of the conveying segments in relation to the conveying direction of the suction roller, the conveying segments of the suction roller having suction air bores for applying negative pressure to the metal strip and/or the metal strip sections , where

• a) based on the conveying direction of the suction roller, a partial suction air hole or several partial suction air holes are each provided on the trailing flanks of the conveying segments and the knife body arranged on the trailing flank of the conveying segments each has a partial suction air hole or several partial suction air holes, the partial suction air hole or the partial suction air holes of one or the conveying segments cooperate with the partial suction air hole or the partial suction air holes of the knife body to form one suction air hole or several suction air holes
• and/or b) the knife bodies, which are or will be arranged on the trailing edge of the conveying segments, have at least one or more suction air bores for applying negative pressure to the metal strip and/or the metal strip sections.

According to the first embodiment, the trailing flanks of the conveying segments are each formed with at least one partial suction air hole, which, when a knife body is arranged on the trailing flank of the respective conveying segment, interacts with a corresponding partial suction air hole of the knife body in order to form a suction air hole, so that when the one from the two is acted upon Partial suction air holes formed suction air hole with negative pressure, the metal band and / or the cut metal band sections are held. The number of partial suction air holes on the trailing edge of the conveyor segments corresponds to the number of partial suction air holes of the knife body arranged on the trailing edge or the total number of partial suction air holes of several knife bodies arranged on the trailing edge of the conveyor segment.

According to the second embodiment, it is provided that the knife body or bodies, which are or are arranged on a trailing edge of the conveyor segments, have suction air holes, so that in cooperation with the conveyor segments designed with suction air holes, the metal strip and / or the metal strip sections on the conveyor segments with negative pressure are or are subjected to. In particular, the conveying segments also have corresponding suction air holes.

In order to apply negative pressure to the suction air holes of the suction roller, it is provided that a negative pressure source, for example a suction fan, is connected to the suction air holes via corresponding suction air channels inside the suction roller. In order to switch the holding vacuum during the rotation of the suction roller at the corresponding suction air holes, one or more control bodies or switching devices are provided on the suction roller. In particular, the holding vacuum is switched in the conveying area of the metal strip(s) and/or in the conveying area of the metal strip sections on the suction roll, so that negative pressure is applied to the suction air holes in the conveying area of the metal strip(s) and/or in the conveying area of the metal strip sections.

Within the scope of the invention, it can be provided that in the conveying area of a metal strip on the suction roller, all suction air holes of the conveying segment and / or the knife body are subjected to negative pressure and in the conveying area of the metal strip sections on the suction roller only a part of the suction air holes is subjected to negative pressure, during which other part of the suction air holes is not subjected to negative pressure or the holding vacuum at the suction air holes of the second part of the suction air holes is switched off. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, that the suction air holes of the part of the suction air holes which are subjected to negative pressure in the conveying area of the metal strip sections are connected to the vacuum source via corresponding suction air channels and that the suction air holes of the other part of the suction air holes which are in the same conveying area of the metal strip sections are not connected Negative pressure is applied, can be acted upon with negative pressure via separate suction air channels, which, however, are only subjected to negative pressure in the conveying area of the metal strip. It is possible for the suction air channels for one part of the suction air holes and the suction air channels for the other part of the suction air holes of the conveying segments of the suction roller to be aligned in different directions with respect to the axis of rotation of the suction roller. In this case, some of the suction air channels for the suction air holes subjected to negative pressure in the conveying area of the metal strip sections can be aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the suction roller, while the suction channels for the suction air holes not subjected to negative pressure in the conveying area of the metal strip sections are designed to be at least partially inclined to the axis of rotation, for example, or in the drum body the suction roller are designed in a different way.

According to a further, independent solution to the problem or a further development, it is provided in the unit for providing metal strip sections that the suction roll has conveying segments with support bodies, in particular attachment bodies, in the circumferential direction, the conveying segments being arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roll and between A recess, in particular a groove, is provided in each of the conveyor segments in the circumferential direction and the support bodies each have a support surface for the metal strip and the metal strip sections, in particular the conveyor segments having suction air bores and the support bodies arranged on the conveyor segments, in particular attachment bodies, suction air bores for acting on the metal strip and / or the metal strip sections have negative pressure, the suction air bores of the conveying segments communicating with one another with the suction air bores of the support bodies. The support bodies arranged on the conveyor segments are preferably provided with an abrasion-resistant or low-wear coating or are made of a particularly hard material. In particular, the support bodies arranged on the conveyor segments are glued to the conveyor segments of the suction roller in one embodiment.

A further, independent solution to the problem or a further development of the unit is characterized in that the suction roller has conveyor segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, with a magnet or several magnets for holding metal strip sections being provided on the outer surface of the conveyor segments. In particular, the magnets are arranged in the area of the trailing ends of the conveyor segments in relation to the conveying direction of the suction roller. Preferably, several magnets are provided for holding a metal strip section on the conveyor segment, the magnets being arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roll and/or next to one another on the conveyor segment in relation to the longitudinal axis of the suction roll.

In addition, in a further, independent solution to the problem or an embodiment of the unit, it is proposed that the suction roller has conveyor segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, the conveyor segments each having an embossing structure and/or an embossing die on their outside for embossing the on the Conveying segments have arranged, in particular held, or arrangeable metal strip sections, in particular the embossing structure and / or the embossing die are provided in the area of the trailing flank of the conveying segments in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roll and / or in particular the embossing structure and / or the embossing die have at least one suction air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal strip sections and/or wherein an embossing roller which interacts with the suction roller is arranged in particular on the suction roller. This makes it possible for the metal strip or strip to be cut into several metal strip sections on the suction roller and then the cut metal strip sections to be deformed on the suction roller, whereby, for example, in a subsequent processing step, the axial moment of inertia of the cross section of the metal strip sections is increased. For this purpose, in relation to the conveying direction of the metal strip sections on the suction roller after the cutting roller in a conveying area, a processing device is provided on the suction roller in order to deform the metal strip sections in cooperation with the embossing structure and/or the embossing die. In particular, the processing device is preferably designed to be functionally complementary to the embossing structure and/or the embossing die of the suction roll. After the metal strip sections have been deformed on the suction roll, the deformed metal strip sections are transferred to a subsequent conveyor drum.

According to a further, independent solution to the problem or an embodiment, it is provided in the unit for providing material strip sections for tobacco pieces that at least one conveyor drum is provided for conveying metal strip sections, the conveyor drum being mounted on a drum body and/or Magnets for holding metal strip sections are arranged on a control body surrounded by a drum cylinder, preferably along the conveying path of the metal strip sections and/or one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the conveying drum, in particular the magnets being designed as permanent magnets or as, in particular switchable, electromagnets. Within the scope of the invention, it is possible for the unit to have a plurality of conveyor drums which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, each of the conveyor drums having magnets in the conveying area of the metal strip sections or a series of magnets arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the respective conveyor drum in order to hold the metal strip sections during their conveyance on the respective conveyor drum along the conveyor area by means of the magnetic forces through the magnets on the surface of the conveyor drum.

Furthermore, in a further, independent solution to the problem or an embodiment of the unit, it is provided that the suction roller has conveying segments in the circumferential direction with support surfaces for the metal strip and the metal strip sections, the conveying segments having suction air holes for applying pressure to the metal strip and / or the metal strip sections Have negative pressure, with reference to the conveying direction of the suction roller in a first conveying section for conveying the metal strip on the suction roller, the, in particular all, suction air holes of the conveying segments for the metal strip are or are subjected to negative pressure and after cutting a metal strip section from the metal strip in one, Preferably immediately following, second conveying area, only a part of the suction air holes is or is subjected to negative pressure in order to hold the metal strip section on the respective conveying segment, and the negative pressure at the other suction air holes of the conveying segment is switched off or can be switched off, preferably by means of a control body.

It is still according to another, taken independently Solution to the problem or an advantageous embodiment of the unit provides that the unit has an insertion drum for inserting, in particular embossed and / or formed, metal strip sections, the insertion drum having receiving troughs for the metal strip sections, the receiving troughs each having a, preferably continuous, plunger groove are formed, with a slider for the metal strip sections to be inserted being movable along the plunger groove in the respective receiving trough. In particular, it is provided that the insertion drum has receiving troughs for the metal strip sections that are complementary in shape and/or function in accordance with the contour or shape of the metal strip sections to be inserted, these receiving troughs additionally being designed with the plunger groove for a slide. The axial length of the plunger groove in relation to the axis of rotation of the insertion drum corresponds to the displacement path of the slide when inserting the metal strip sections arranged on the insertion drum into the tobacco pieces, in particular tobacco segments, which are preferably also arranged on the insertion drum.

The insertion drum preferably has a drum body, with receiving troughs for the metal strip sections being arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the drum body. To insert the metal band sections arranged in the receiving troughs, corresponding plungers are provided on the side of the receiving troughs in a conveying section of the insertion drum, which are or are inserted into the longitudinal plunger groove of the receiving troughs and insert the metal band sections into tobacco segments or pieces of tobacco. In addition, corresponding pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments, are arranged in the receiving troughs next to the metal strip sections, so that when the tobacco pieces and the metal strip sections are conveyed on the insertion drum, the metal strip sections are inserted into the tobacco pieces, in particular tobacco segments. The metal band sections can also be introduced into the tobacco pieces by relative movement between the respective pieces of tobacco and the metal band sections.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a smoking article manufacturing machine, with a unit described above for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments. To avoid repetition, express reference is made to the above statements.

A further solution to the problem is achieved by a method for providing metal strip sections for pieces of tobacco, in particular tobacco segments, the method being carried out using a unit described above. In this regard, express reference is made to the above statements.

In the context of the invention, the term “tobacco product” can be understood to mean an aerosol-forming tobacco segment or tobacco-containing segment or a filter segment provided with an aerosol-forming liquid, which is produced in a unit according to the invention for providing metal strip sections or a manufacturing machine, in particular a smoking article manufacturing machine, in order to produce an inductive to form a heatable tobacco product or an inductively heatable tobacco segment. The “tobacco product” may also be a tobacco segment that is or is connected to a mouthpiece, which may optionally include a filter segment and/or further segments, for example cooling or spacer segments. The filter segment and other segments can be selected in accordance with the composition of the tobacco segment. The aerosol-forming tobacco segment and the mouthpiece and optionally further segments can be assembled to form a structural unit. The tobacco product can, for example, be a consumable end product, that is, a ready-to-use consumable, such as an aerosol-generating smoking article, which can be used in combination with a, preferably electronic, heating device, for example an e-cigarette or a heat-not-burn smoking device.

The tobacco product preferably has a longitudinal extension and a circular or oval cross section. The tobacco product may also have the cross section of a rectangle or a polygon. Preferably the tobacco product is rod-shaped. The tobacco product is or comprises a tobacco segment made from an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate. Preferably, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate contains volatile tobacco flavorings that are released when the tobacco substrate is heated. The aerosol-forming tobacco substrate may comprise or consist of a mixed tobacco cut filler or may comprise homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material can be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may additionally comprise a non-tobacco material, for example homogenized plant material that is not tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is a tobacco film, preferably crimped, crimped, folded and/or gathered, comprising tobacco material, fibers, binders and aerosol formers. Preferably the tobacco film is a cast film in the form of reconstituted tobacco prepared from a slurry and containing tobacco particles, fiber particles, aerosol formers, binders and optionally flavors. A crimped, shirred tobacco film, for example a cast film, may have a thickness in a range between 0.5 mm and about 2 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and about 1.5 mm, for example 1 mm. Thickness variations of up to 30% may occur due to manufacturing tolerances. The crimped, gathered or folded tobacco film can be formed into a rod-shaped tobacco segment. The tobacco film can also be cut into narrow, 0.5 to 3 mm wide, parallel strips and gathered into a rod-shaped article.

Using the unit for providing metal strip sections, it is possible to provide an inductively heated smoking article for use in an induction heating device. The inductively heatable smoking article comprises or consists of an inductively heatable tobacco product that is produced in a corresponding device, such as a smoking article manufacturing machine. The inductively heatable smoking article comprises an inductively heatable tobacco segment and a susceptor segment, which is introduced into the tobacco segment in the form of a metal band section. In general, an inductively heatable smoking article is introduced into a cavity of the induction heating device, so that the susceptor segment in the tobacco segment is heated by a corresponding inductance of a power supply electronics arranged in the induction heating device. In one embodiment, the susceptor segment formed by a metal band section can be a filament, rod, sheet or band or the like.

Further features of the invention can be seen from the description of embodiments of the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1a

schematisch einen Aufbau einer Trommelmaschine zur Herstellung von mit einem Suszeptorsegment versehenen Tabaksegmenten,

Fig. 1b

schematisch einen entsprechenden Verfahrensablauf zur Herstellung der mit einem Suszeptorsegment versehenen Tabaksegmente gemäß der in Fig. 1a gezeigten Trommelmaschine, wobei ein Suszeptorsegment in jeweils ein bereitgestelltes Tabakstück eingebracht wird,

Fig. 2a

schematisch eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Metallbandschneideinrichtung;

Fig. 2b

schematisch eine Seitenansicht bzw. perspektivische Teilansicht der Metallbandschneideinrichtung aus Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze mit zwei exemplarischen Führungseinrichtungen für ein Metallband an der Saugwalze;

Fig. 4

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze, die mit mehreren beispielhaften Schneidmessern sowie einem Auflagekörper versehen ist;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze mit Saugluftbohrungen auf der Oberfläche der Saugwalze;

Fig. 6a, 6b

schematisch jeweils vereinfachte Querschnittsansichten von Saugkanälen für Saugluftbohrungen der Saugwalze;

Fig. 7a, 7b

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen eines Steuerrings für die Saugluftkanäle in der Saugwalze gemäß Ausführungsbeispiel Fig. 5;

Fig. 8

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze;

Fig. 9

schematisch eine vereinfachte Darstellung einer Metallbandschneideinrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausgestaltung;

Fig. 10

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze gemäß einer weiteren Ausgestaltung sowie eine Detailansicht eines Fördersegments der Saugwalze im Querschnitt;

Fig. 11

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Saugwalze mit unterschiedlichen Saugluftbohrungen für zu fördernde Metallbänder;

Fig.12

schematisch eine Ansicht einer Trommelanordnung zum Fördern von Metallbandabschnitten;

Fig. 13

schematisch mehrere Ansichten einer Aufnahmemulde einer Einschiebetrommel mit einer Stößelnut.

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

Fig. 1a

schematically a structure of a drum machine for producing tobacco segments provided with a susceptor segment,

Fig. 1b

schematically a corresponding process flow for producing the tobacco segments provided with a susceptor segment according to in Fig. 1a drum machine shown, whereby a susceptor segment is inserted into each piece of tobacco provided,

Fig. 2a

schematically an enlarged representation of a metal strip cutting device;

Fig. 2b

schematically a side view or partial perspective view of the metal strip cutting device Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 3

schematically a perspective view of a suction roll with two exemplary guide devices for a metal strip on the suction roll;

Fig. 4

schematically a perspective view of a suction roller, which is provided with several exemplary cutting blades and a support body;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a suction roll with suction air holes on the surface of the suction roll;

Fig. 6a, 6b

schematically simplified cross-sectional views of suction channels for suction air holes of the suction roller;

Fig. 7a, 7b

schematically simplified representations of a control ring for the suction air channels in the suction roller according to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 8

schematically a perspective view of one suction roller;

Fig. 9

schematically a simplified representation of a metal strip cutting device according to a further embodiment;

Fig. 10

schematically a perspective view of a suction roller according to a further embodiment and a detailed view of a conveying segment of the suction roller in cross section;

Fig. 11

schematically a perspective view of a suction roll with different suction air holes for metal strips to be conveyed;

Fig.12

schematically a view of a drum arrangement for conveying metal strip sections;

Fig. 13

schematically several views of a receiving trough of an insert drum with a plunger groove.

Within the scope of the invention, features marked “in particular” or “preferably” are to be understood as optional features.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and/or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that they are not presented again.

In Fig. 1 a shows a schematic structure of a drum machine 3 in the tobacco processing industry for producing tobacco segments provided with a susceptor segment, in particular inductively heated smoking articles.

In the Fig. 1a Drum machine 3 shown schematically can be designed, for example, as a combiner or multi-segment maker. The drum machine 3 shown ( Fig. 1b ) is a right module 4 for providing tobacco segments 1 and a left module 5 for providing susceptor segments 2 and for inserting the susceptor segments 2 into the tobacco segments 1.

The delivery process of the tobacco segments 1 is in Figure 1b according to method steps 1.1 to I.6 by means of the module 4 for providing tobacco segments 1, the associated module 4 for providing the tobacco segments 1 in Fig. 1a is shown. The module 4 has a storage 6 with tobacco rods 7, preferably consisting of crimped or cut into strips of tobacco foil, which is provided with a wrapping material, for example paper, aluminum foil and/or aluminum-coated paper. The tobacco sticks 7 as rod-shaped articles can have a length between 40 mm and 350 mm, preferably between 60 mm and 150 mm, particularly preferably 120 mm and a diameter between 5 mm and 9 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm, particularly preferably 7. 9 mm or 7.2 mm. Several pieces of tobacco 7.1 are subsequently produced from a tobacco stick 7 of several lengths.

By means of a removal drum 101, tobacco rods 7 of multiple lengths are individually removed from the storage facility 6 as rod-shaped articles and cut by cutting knives 102 and 103 provided on the removal drum 101 (process step I. 1). The cutting knives 102, 103 can consist of several rotating circular knives, each of which is arranged on a shaft, so that the rod-shaped tobacco stick 7 is cut into several pieces of tobacco 7.1. In particular, an even number, e.g. 2, 4, 5, 6 or 8 etc., of tobacco pieces 7.1 is cut from each tobacco rod 7.

After the tobacco pieces 7.1 have been formed, the tobacco pieces 7.1 are on subsequent staggered drums 104, 105 and then displaced longitudinally axially on a sliding drum 106, so that a series of tobacco pieces 7.1 arranged transversely axially one behind the other is formed.

The tobacco pieces 7.1 are preferably double-length, form a conveyor path and are subsequently transferred to a drum 108. These steps are in Fig. 1b shown according to process steps 1.1 to I.6.

The tobacco pieces 7.1 are staggered on the stagger drums 104, 105 (compare process steps I.2 and 1.3). The tobacco pieces 7.1 are then arranged on a subsequent sliding drum 106 to form a series of tobacco pieces 7.1 arranged one behind the other transversely axially (see method step 1.4). The tobacco pieces 7.1 are then transferred from the push drum 106 to the conveyor drum 107. From the conveyor drum 107, the tobacco pieces 7.1 arranged in a row one behind the other are transferred to the subsequent conveyor drum 108 (compare method step 1.5) and cut in the middle into tobacco segments 1 by means of a cutting device 109 arranged on the conveyor drum 108, for example a cutting knife. The tobacco segments 1 are then spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction by means of a spacing device 122 (compare method step I.6), after which the tobacco segments 1, which are spaced apart longitudinally axially, are transferred from the conveyor drum 108 to an insertion drum 123 (compare method step II.7).

On the conveyor drum 108, the tobacco pieces 7.1 are divided into tobacco segments 1 by the cutting device 109 and spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction by means of the complaint device 122 arranged thereon, which can be designed, for example, as a wedge. The spacing can be between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably 8 mm. The spacing of the two tobacco segments 1 has the advantage that there is a stopper (not shown here) or a holding element behind each tobacco segment 1 so that the pressing process of the susceptor segment 2 can be carried out error-free.

Fig. 1b shows schematically in the left area the process steps II.1 to II.4 for providing metal strip sections 2 as susceptor segments, which are produced from a metal strip by cutting, as well as the deformation of the cross section QS of the metal strip sections 2 as susceptor segments (process step II.5), that Transferred to an insertion drum 123 by means of a transfer drum 121 and positioning the metal strip sections 2 in the respective tobacco segment 1 by inserting them (process step II.7).

In the module 5 for providing material web sections, a quasi-endless metal strip 31 is introduced from a running reel, which is not shown here, into the left module 5 of the drum machine 3 by conveyor and/or deflection rollers 111 to 113, the rollers 114 , 115 form a pair of pull rollers for transporting the metal strip 31 or the metal strips 9, 10. The metal strip 31 is cut into two metal strips 9 and 10 in the longitudinal direction by an upstream cutting device 110.

A subsequent spacing device 116 spaces the two metal strips 9, 10 apart in such a way that further processing can be carried out advantageously. The material web sections or the two metal strips 9, 10 can be provided by means of a reel, with the endless or quasi-endless metal strip 31 being cut in the longitudinal direction into two metal strips 9, 10 by means of a cutting device 110 (compare method step II.2). Alternatively, the metal strips 9, 10 are provided by two running reels, with the cutting processing step being omitted in the corresponding embodiment.

Furthermore, a metal strip cutting device 30 with a knife roller 117 and a suction roller 118 is provided in the conveying direction of the metal strips 9, 10, with the metal strip cutting device 30 being used both metal strips 9, 10 are cut into metal strip sections 2 and separated. The metal strip sections 2 are inserted into the tobacco segments 1 as a susceptor material on a subsequently arranged insertion drum 123.

The metal strip 31 is held on a roller via negative pressure or by a magnetic field and cut by the metal strip cutting device 30. The metal strip 31 can be cut in such a way that the length of the metal strip sections 2 results from the width of the metal strips 9, 10, or that the width of the material web 9, 10 forms the width of the metal strip sections 2.

Alternatively, the metal strip cutting device 30 can be replaced by another cutting device or dividing device which includes a laser for cutting the metal strips 9, 10 into metal strip sections. After passing through the drums 117, 118, the isolated metal strip sections 2 are transferred to a drum 119 as susceptor segments. The drums 119, 120 act as a shape changing unit, which change the cross section QS of the metal strip sections 2 in such a way that the axial moment of inertia - this refers to the longitudinal axis of the metal strip sections 2 provided as susceptor segments - increases in order to prevent the tobacco segment 1 from buckling when inserted into the tobacco segment 1 To avoid metal band sections 2 and/or damage. A punching or embossing process is carried out by the cooperation of the subsequent drums 119 and 120. The metal strip sections 2 are advantageously provided with a longitudinally axially extending recess, which is preferably aligned with the center of the drum body 119. After the transfer to the drum 121 (process step II.6), the depression of the metal strip sections 2 points away from the center of the drum 121 due to the transfer to the following drum 121.

The paired tobacco segments 1 are transferred from the conveyor drum 108 to the drum 123. There are 121 on the drum the isolated metal strip sections 2 are arranged in pairs next to each other on two conveyor tracks (process step 11.6) and are transferred to the insertion drum 123, on which the paired metal strip sections 2 are inserted into the tobacco segments 1, which are also arranged in pairs.

The lateral insertion or insertion of the metal strip sections 2 as a susceptor segment 2 into the respective tobacco pieces 7.1 is carried out on the subsequent insertion drum 123 (process step II.7).

After the insertion process, the tobacco segments 1 arranged next to one another in pairs with the metal strip sections 2 inserted therein are located on the insertion drum 123 as susceptor segments 2, which are preferably transferred in pairs to a transport drum or conveyor arrangement, not shown here.

In a manufacturing process of a multi-segment product, the modules 4, 5 of the drum machine 3 can be or will be combined with other modules in order to produce a wide variety of multi-segment products.

The method for inserting metal strip sections 2 as susceptor segments 2 into each piece of tobacco to produce a tobacco segment 1 can be implemented in a drum machine in the tobacco processing industry. The mass flow, which is conveyed in particular in a single layer, can move in sections continuously and/or in a clocked manner.

Fig. 2a shows schematically, in an enlarged detail, an embodiment of a further metal strip cutting device 30 for cutting a metal strip 20, the metal strip cutting device 30 in one embodiment being part of a unit for providing metal strip sections or a corresponding one Module 3 for providing metal band sections for tobacco pieces.

The metal strip 20 is conveyed on a suction roller 36. The peripheral surface of the suction roller 36 is supplied with suction air in the usual way, which is supplied via suction air holes 42 and 43 and holds and guides the metal strip 20 on the surface of the suction roller 36. The suction roller 36 has grooves or recesses 38 in its peripheral surface that are axially parallel to the axis of rotation, the rear flank 47 of which is provided in the running direction as a cutting edge for the separating cut separating the metal strip sections 39 from the metal strip 20.

The knife roller 32 carries on its circumference knives 34 which run transversely to the direction of rotation and which dip one after the other into the grooves 38 of the suction roll 36 as they rotate. The cutting edges of the knives 34 are aligned parallel to the axis of the knife roller 32, so that the cutting edge of the knife 34 runs around the entire width or length on a (single) cutting circle, the cut being made when the straight cutting edge plunges into the corresponding groove or Recess 38 of the suction roller 36 begins by executing a cut, in particular a shearing cut, and ends with the cutting of the metal strip after the cutting edge has been immersed.

The suction roller 36 has support bodies 50 arranged in the circumferential direction of the suction roller 36, which have corresponding support surfaces 40 on the outside for the metal strip sections 39 or the metal strip 20. The recesses 38 are formed between the support bodies 50 as an interruption.

According to the invention, when cutting the metal strip 20 into metal strip sections 39, the suction roller 36 and/or the cutting roller 32 are moved along their axes of rotation, which are aligned perpendicular to the drawing planes. In particular, there is a linear movement of the cutting roller 32 and/or the suction roller 36.

In one embodiment (not shown here) it is provided that the metal strip 20 is moved along the rotation axes of the cutting roller 32 or the suction roller 36 in relation to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller 32 and/or in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36.

Fig. 2b shows an enlarged partial view of the metal strip cutting device 30 Fig. 2a omitting the metal strip to be cut. Here, the knife roller 32 has the knives 34 according to the invention at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The knives 34 are clamped on the drum body of the knife roller 32, so that the cutting edges of the knives 34 are aligned inclined to the axis of rotation of the knife roller 32. During the cutting process while making a cut, the knives 34 dip into the groove-shaped recesses 38 of the suction roller 36 while the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 rotate simultaneously.

In the Fig. 2b is a side view of the area between the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 in the area of cutting a metal strip into metal strip sections with the metal strip omitted. With continuous rotation of the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36, the cutting blades 34 first dip into the recess 38.

The knife roller 32 has the cutting knives 34 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The cutting knives 34 are clamped on the drum body of the knife roller 32, so that the cutting edges of the cutting knives 34 are aligned inclined to the axis of rotation of the knife roller 32. During the cutting process while making a cut, the cutting blades 34 dip into the groove-shaped recesses 38 of the suction roller 36 while the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 rotate simultaneously.

In the case of the suction roller 36, the groove-shaped recesses 38 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the drum body of the suction roller 36 between the support bodies 50 for the metal strip sections. The support bodies 50 have the support surfaces 40 for a metal strip 20 or for metal strip sections 39 with corresponding suction holes (not shown here) which can be subjected to negative pressure in order to hold cut metal strip sections 39 on the outside.

A recess 38 is provided between the support bodies 50 in the circumferential direction of the drum body of the suction roller 36, in which a, in particular one-piece, knife body 52 is arranged. Here, the knife body 52 is clamped by means of a corresponding clamping device (not shown here). In the circumferential direction, the front groove flank of the recesses 38 is formed as the cutting edge of the suction roller 36 by the knife bodies 52.

Furthermore, the edges, in particular the upper rear edge of the knife body 52 in the conveying direction of the suction roller 36, are aligned axially parallel to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36, so that the cutting edges of the knife bodies 52 of the suction roller 36 run axially parallel to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36.

At the in Fig. 2b In the embodiment shown, it is provided according to the invention that the trailing knife bodies 52 of the suction roller 36 and/or the cutting blades 34 of the cutting roller 32 are moved relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller 32 and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36. In particular, the knife bodies 52 and/or the cutting knives 34 are moved linearly.

In an embodiment not shown here, it is provided that a feed unit is provided for the metal strip or strips, which, for example, comprises at least one or more deflection rollers, wherein the feed unit is moved in relation to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller 32 and/or in relation to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36 along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller 32 and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36, in particular linearly.

In Fig. 3 A view of a suction roller 36 is shown schematically, which has support surfaces 40 segmented one behind the other in the circumferential direction. The support surfaces 40 extend along the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36. Grooves 38 are provided at regular intervals between the support surfaces 40. The metal strips 9, 10 are guided next to each other on the support surfaces 40 of the support bodies 50. To guide the metal strip 9, the support bodies 50 have U-shaped, circumferentially extending grooves 54 on the outside, in which the metal strip 9 is securely guided when the suction roller 36 rotates, which prevents the metal strip 9 and those cut from the metal strip 9 from slipping Metal strip sections (not shown here) are avoided.

An external guide device 60 is provided for the metal strip 10, which has two guide bodies 61.1, 61.2 aligned next to one another and parallel to one another, between which the metal strip 10 resting on the support surfaces 40 of the support bodies 50 is securely guided. The position of the guide bodies 61.1, 61.2 can be easily adapted to the width of the metal strip 10.

When only one of the metal strips 9, 10 is conveyed, in one embodiment the suction roller 36 can be formed with one of the two guide devices by means of grooves 54 in the support bodies 50 or with an external guide unit 60. When conveying two or more metal strips aligned side by side, only one of the two guide devices on the suction roller can be implemented for one metal strip each.

In Fig. 4 a perspective view of a further embodiment of a suction roller 36 is shown, in which various options for arranging different knife bodies 152.1, 152.2, 152.3 on the trailing edges of the support bodies 50 are shown. In one embodiment, the support bodies 50 have correspondingly outwardly directed suction air holes on the outside in order to hold the conveyed metal strips and the metal strip sections cut off from them on the outside by applying negative pressure.

In one embodiment, it is possible for a knife body 152.1 to be formed with partial suction air bores 154, which cooperate with partial air bores 56 of the support body 50 and form an entire suction air bore for the metal strip or the metal strip sections.

In the second exemplary embodiment in Fig. 4 a thin-width knife body 152.2 without suction air holes is arranged on the trailing edge of the support body 50 adjacent to the suction air holes.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the support body 50 is provided with a recess 55 into which a knife body 152.3 provided with suction air holes 155 is fitted and fixed. The suction air holes 155 of the knife body 152.3 are connected via corresponding channels to a suction air channel inside the suction roller 56 in order to apply negative pressure to the suction air holes 155 of the knife body 152.3.

In Fig. 4 a further embodiment of a suction roller 36 is also designed. Here, a support segment 58 is arranged on the support body 50, which is formed on the outside with corresponding suction air holes that communicate with suction air holes in the support body 50. The support segment 58 preferably has a thickness of 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm to 15 mm, the support segment 58 preferably being made of a harder material than the respective underside support bodies 50.

Here, the support segment 58 has, for example, a hardened trailing cutting edge, which interacts with the cutting blades of a cutting roller arranged on the suction roller. In particular, the support segment 58 is glued to the support bodies 50.

In Fig. 5 A perspective view of a suction roll according to a further embodiment is shown schematically. The suction roller has support bodies 50, which are formed with suction air holes 62, 64 in order to hold the metal strip 9 or the metal strip sections 39 on the support surfaces 40 of the support bodies 50. The suction air bores 62, 64 are arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller 36 and in the axial direction in relation to the axis of rotation. The suction air holes 62, which lead in relation to the conveying direction of the suction roller 36, are subjected to negative pressure together with the suction air holes 64 in the conveying area of the metal strip 9 up to the cutting area S, in which the metal strip 9 is cut into metal strip sections 39. Thereafter, in the subsequent conveying area, the leading suction air bores 62 are not subjected to negative pressure, that is, the negative pressure at the suction air bores 62 is switched off, while in order to hold the metal strip sections 39, the trailing suction air bores 64 are subjected to negative pressure to hold the metal strip sections 39. In the conveying area of the metal strip sections 39, only the trailing suction air bores 64 are subjected to negative pressure.

In the Fig. 6a, 6b are cross-sectional views of the suction roller 36 Fig. 5 shown in detail. The leading suction air bores 62 in the support body 50 are connected via an inclined channel 72 formed in the interior of the suction roller 36 to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36 (cf. Fig. 6b ). The trailing suction air bores 64 of the support body 50 are connected to a suction channel 74 which is inclined horizontally to the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36 (cf. Fig. 6a ). By means of the Suction channel 72, the suction air holes 62 are supplied with negative pressure via the suction channel 72 in the conveying area of the metal strip 9, while at the same time the trailing suction air holes 64 are subjected to negative pressure via the suction channel 74 in the same conveying area. After cutting the metal strip 9 into metal strip sections 39, the negative pressure applied to the suction channel 72 is switched off by means of a control ring 66 arranged laterally on the suction roller 36, while the control ring 66 is designed for the trailing suction air bores 64 in such a way that negative pressure is applied to the suction channel 74 in order to to hold the metal band sections 39 resting on the suction air holes 64 on the support surface 40 of the support body 50.

Fig. 7a, 7b are each embodiments of the control ring 66 Fig. 6a, 6b according to two embodiments shown schematically in a side view. The control ring 66 points, based on the conveying direction of the suction roller 36, in front of the cutting area S according to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 7a a common passage area 76 for the two suction channels 72, 74 (cf. Fig. 6a, 6b ) on. After passing through the intersection or the cutting area S, the negative pressure on the suction air channel 72 is switched off, with a passage area 78 for the suction channel 74 being provided in the subsequent conveying area after the intersection S, so that only the suction channel 74 and the suction air holes 64 connected to it are included Negative pressure is applied.

According to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 7b are instead of a common passband 76 ( Fig. 7a ) a passage area 76.1 is provided in front of the cutting area S for the suction air bores 62 or the associated suction channel 72. A separate passage area 76.2 is formed in the control ring 66 for the suction air bores 64 or the horizontally aligned suction channel 74 connected to them.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of a suction roller 36 in one schematic perspective representation. The suction roller 36 has an embossing groove 80 on its support bodies 50 in the end region of the trailing edges of the support surfaces 40, which is in particular wedge-shaped or U-shaped. Other configurations of the embossing groove 80 are also possible within the scope of the invention. By designing the embossing groove 80, it is possible for the metal band sections 39 cut from a metal band to be provided with an embossing, in particular a bend or another embossed structure, before they are delivered to a subsequent conveyor drum or when delivered to a subsequent conveyor drum. In one embodiment, it is possible for corresponding suction air holes 82 to be provided in the embossing grooves 80 in order to hold the metal strip sections resting on the support surfaces 40 by means of negative pressure.

In Fig. 9 A metal strip cutting device 30 is shown schematically, the suction roller 36 being provided with embossing grooves 80 in the support bodies 50 in the end region of the trailing edges of the support bodies 50. By means of the cutting roller 32 arranged on the suction roller 36 with its cutting knives 34, after cutting the metal strip 9 into metal strip sections 39, embossing is carried out by means of an embossing roller 90 arranged on the suction roller 36, which has corresponding embossing stamps 92 on the peripheral surface. The embossing stamps 92 engage in the embossing grooves 80 of the support bodies 50, whereby the metal strip sections 39 are provided with an embossing structure. The metal strip sections 39 provided with an embossed structure are then picked up by the embossing roller 90 and subsequently transferred to further conveyor drums.

In Fig. 10 A further exemplary embodiment of a suction roller 36 is shown schematically. The suction roller 36 has 50 suction air holes 62 on its support bodies. The suction air holes 62 are formed in the leading area of the support body 50. In the trailing area of the support body 50 there are also one or more magnets 68 is provided, with the metal band sections 39 cut from the metal band 9 being held in the cutting area S by means of the magnets after the metal band 9 has been cut. The magnets 68 are embedded in the support body 50. In one embodiment, the magnets 68 can be designed as permanent magnets or as electromagnets.

After cutting the metal strip 9 into the metal strip sections 39, the negative pressure at the suction air holes 62 is switched off, so that only the metal strip sections 39 are held by the magnets 68.

In the lower right area of Fig. 10 a cross section through a support body 50 is shown. The suction air holes 62 leading in the conveying direction of the suction roller 36 are subjected to negative pressure via a suction channel 72 during the conveyance of the metal strip 9 to the cutting area S in order to hold the metal strip 9 to be cut over its entire surface on the support surface 40 together with the magnets 68. After cutting into the metal strip sections 39, the negative pressure applied to the suction channel 72 is switched off, so that the metal strip sections 39 are held exclusively by means of the magnets 68.

In Fig. 11 A further embodiment of a suction roller 36 is also shown, wherein the suction roller 36 has suction air holes 64 exclusively in the area of the trailing ends of the support bodies 50 in order to hold the metal strip and the metal strip sections cut off from it on the support surfaces 40. How out Fig. 11 As can be seen, the suction air holes 64 can have different shapes. The suction air holes 64 can be round or oval in cross section. In one embodiment, the suction air holes 64 can also have a widening at the outer end. Depending on the metal strip to be conveyed, the respective suction rolls 36 can be selected according to the requirements by means of a suitably selected geometry of the suction air holes 64 to hold the metal band or the metal band sections cut off from it on the support surfaces 40.

In Fig. 12 A drum arrangement T of two conveyor drums 130, 140 for conveying metal strip sections 39 is also shown. The drum arrangement T has a first conveyor drum 130 with a, preferably annular, drum body 132, which is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the conveyor drum 130, and a second conveyor drum 140 with a, preferably annular, drum body 142, which is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the conveyor drum 140 , on. Inside the conveyor drum 130, stationary magnets 134 are arranged along a conveyor path, so that when metal strip sections 39 are placed on the conveyor drum 130, the metal strip sections 39 are held on the drum body 132 by means of magnetic forces. The magnets 134 are arranged in the conveying area of the metal strip sections inside the conveyor drum 130. The metal strip sections held by magnetic force are conveyed to the subsequent conveyor drum 140 of the drum arrangement T with rotation of the drum body 132 and transferred to it. The conveyor drum 140 has a drum body 142 that is rotatable or driven about the axis of rotation. Inside the conveyor drum 140, corresponding stationary magnets 144 are provided along the conveying path of the metal strip sections 39 in order to hold the metal strip sections 39 on the rotatable drum body 142 by means of the effective magnetic forces. In one embodiment, the magnets 134 of the first conveyor drum 130 and the magnets 144 of the second conveyor drum 140 can be arranged in the transfer area of the metal strip sections 39 between the conveyor drums 130, 140 in such a way that the magnets 134 of the conveyor drum 130 in the transfer area are arranged opposite magnets 144 of the conveyor drum 140 are to ensure a reliable transfer of the metal strip sections 39.

In the Fig. 12 The drum arrangement T shown can be part of a unit for feeding metal strip sections or part of a Module for providing metal strip sections or the like.

In Fig. 13 is also a section of a receiving trough 150 for an insert drum (cf. Fig. 1 a , reference number 123) shown in a schematic representation. The top picture in Fig. 13 shows a top view of a receiving trough 150 of the insertion drum 123 in detail. The two lower representations are sectional representations according to sections AA and 8-8 indicated in the upper picture. The receiving trough 150 for the deformed metal strip sections, which are inserted into tobacco segments, have a downwardly tapered, funnel-shaped structure (see section AA). The receiving trough 150 has a recessed plunger groove 148 in its longitudinal extent, in which a plunger for the metal strip section arranged in the receiving trough 150 is guided. By means of the plunger (not shown here) guided in the plunger groove 148, a preferably deformed metal band section is inserted into a piece of tobacco to produce a tobacco segment which is formed with a metal segment.

Reference symbol list

1

tobacco segment

2

Susceptor segment

3

drum machine

4

module

5

module

6

storage

7

tobacco stick

7.1

piece of tobacco

9

metal band

10

metal band

20

metal band

30

Metal strip cutting device

31

Metal strips

32

Knife roller

34

cutting knife

36

Suction roller

38

recess

39

Metal strip sections

40

Support surface

42

Suction air hole

43

Suction air hole

50

Support body

52

Knife body

54

Nut

55

recess

56

Partial suction air hole

58

Support segment

60

Management facility

61.1, 61.2

leadership body

62

Suction air hole

64

Suction air hole

66

control ring

68

magnet

72

suction channel

74

suction channel

76, 76.1, 76.2

passband

80

embossed groove

82

Suction air hole

90

embossing roller

92

Embossing stamp

101

removal drum

102

cutting knife

103

cutting knife

104

relay drum

105

relay drum

106

Sliding drum

107

conveyor drum

108

conveyor drum

109

cutting device

110

cutting device

111, 112, 113

pulley

114, 115

roller

116

Spacer device

117

processing drum

118

processing drum

119

drum

120

drum

121

drum

122

Spacer device

123

insertion drum

130

conveyor drum

132

drum body

140

conveyor drum

142

drum body

148

tappet groove

150

receiving trough

152.1, 152.2, 152.3

Knife body

154

Partial suction air hole

155

Suction air holes

S

Cutting area

T

Drum arrangement

Claims (12)

1. A unit (5) for providing metal strip portions (39) for tobacco pieces (7.1), in particular tobacco segments, comprising at least one cutting unit (30) for cutting a preferably endless or quasiendless metal strip (9, 10) into metal strip portions (39) of a finite length, wherein the cutting unit (30) comprises a suction roller (36), which is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a cutting roller (32), which cooperates with the suction roller (36) and is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the at least one metal strip (9, 10) is or can be guided between the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36), characterized in that

   (i) the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36) are moved or can be moved relative to one another, in particular in a linear manner, along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36),

   and/or (ii) the cutting roller (32) comprises knives (34) arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction and the suction roller (36) comprises knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein the knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) of the suction roller (36) and the knives (34) of the cutting roller (32) are moved or can be moved relative to one another, in particular in a linear manner, along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and/or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36),

   and/or (iii) the unit (5) comprises a feed unit for feeding at least one metal strip (9, 10) to the cutting unit (30), wherein the feed unit is moved or can be moved relative to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and/or relative to the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36), in particular in a linear manner, along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and/or along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32).
2. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide unit (60) for the at least one metal strip (9, 10) is arranged on the suction roller (36), wherein the guide unit (60) in particular comprises two mutually spaced guide bodies (61.1, 61.2), wherein a or the metal strip (9, 10) is or can be guided, preferably on the suction roller (36), between the mutually spaced guide bodies (61.1, 61.2).
3. The unit (5) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction roller (36) comprises a guide device (54) for the at least one metal strip (9, 10), wherein the guide device (54) is in particular designed as a groove-like depression or as multiple mutually spaced groove-like depressions (54) that are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36), wherein a or the metal strip (9, 10) is or can be guided, preferably on the suction roller (36), in the groove-like depression (54) or in the groove-like depressions (54).
4. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the circumferential direction, the suction roller (36) comprises conveying segments (50) having support surfaces (40) for the metal strip (9, 10) and metal strip portions (39), wherein the conveying segments (50) are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36) and a depression (38), in particular a groove, is provided in each case between the conveying segments (40) in the circumferential direction, and in each case at least one knife body (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) is arranged on the trailing flanks of the conveying segments (50) in the conveying direction of the suction roller (36), wherein the conveying segments (50) of the suction roller (36) comprise suction air holes (62, 64) for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and/or metal strip portions (39), wherein

   a) a partial suction air hole (56) or multiple partial suction air holes (56) are in each case provided on the trailing flanks of the conveying segments (50) in the conveying direction of the suction roller (36) and the knife body (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged on the trailing flank of the conveying segments (50) in each case comprises a partial suction air hole (154.1) or multiple partial suction air holes (154.1), wherein the partial suction air hole (54) or the partial suction air holes (54) of a or of the conveying segments (50) cooperate with the partial suction air hole (154.1) or partial suction air holes (154.1) of the knife body (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) in order to form a suction air hole or multiple suction air holes in each case,

   and/or b) the knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) which are or can be arranged on the trailing flank of the conveying segments (50) comprise at least one or more suction air holes (154.3) for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and/or metal strip portions (39).
5. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the circumferential direction, the suction roller (36) comprises conveying segments (50) having support bodies (56), in particular attachment bodies, wherein the conveying segments (50) are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36) and a depression (38), in particular a groove, is provided in each case between the conveying segments (50) in the circumferential direction and wherein the support bodies (56) each comprise a support surface for the metal strip (9, 10) and metal strip portions (39), wherein the conveying segments (50) in particular comprise suction air holes and the support bodies, in particular attachment bodies, arranged on the conveying segments (50) comprise suction air holes for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and/or metal strip portions (39), wherein the suction air holes of the conveying segments (50) communicate with one another by means of the suction air holes of the support bodies (56).
6. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the suction roller (36) comprises conveying segments (50) arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein a magnet (68) or multiple magnets (68) for holding metal strip portions (39) are provided on the outer surface of the conveying segments (50).
7. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the suction roller (36) comprises conveying segments (50) arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein the conveying segments (50) in each case comprise on their outside an embossing structure (80) and/or an embossing die for embossing the metal strip portions (39) that are arranged, in particular held, or that can be arranged on the conveying segments (50), wherein the embossing structure (80) and/or embossing die are in particular provided in the region of the trailing flank of the conveying segments (50) with respect to the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36) and/or wherein the embossing structure (80) and/or embossing die in particular comprise at least one suction air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal strip portions (39) and/or wherein an embossing roller (90) that cooperates with the suction roller (36) is in particular arranged on the suction roller (36).
8. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one conveying drum (130, 140) is provided for conveying metal strip portions (39), wherein the conveying drum (130, 140) is arranged on a drum body (132, 142) and/or magnets (134, 144) for holding metal strip portions (39) are arranged on a control body surrounded by a drum cylinder, preferably along the conveying path of the metal strip portions (39) and/or one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the conveying drum (130, 140), wherein the magnets (134, 144) are in particular designed as permanent magnets or as, in particular switchable, electromagnets.
9. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in the circumferential direction, the suction roller (36) comprises conveying segments (50) having support surfaces (40) for the metal strip (9, 10) and metal strip portions (39), wherein the conveying segments (50) comprise suction air holes (62, 64) for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and/or metal strip portions (39), wherein, with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller (36), in a first conveying portion for conveying the metal strip (9, 10) on the suction roller (36), negative pressure is or can be applied to the, in particular all, suction air holes (62, 64) of the conveying segments (50) for the metal strip (9, 10) and, after a metal strip portion (39) has been cut from the metal strip (9, 10), negative pressure is or can be applied to only some of the suction air holes (64) in a second conveying region, which preferably follows on immediately, in order to hold the metal strip portion (39) on the relevant conveying segment (50), and the negative pressure is switched off or can be switched off at the other suction air holes (62) of the conveying segment, preferably by means of a control body (66).
10. The unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the unit (5) comprises an insertion drum (123) for inserting, in particular embossed and/or formed, metal strip portions (39), wherein the insertion drum (123) comprises receiving troughs (150) for the metal strip portions (39), wherein the receiving troughs (150) are each designed having a preferably continuous plunger groove (148), wherein a slider for the metal strip portions (39) to be introduced is movable along the plunger groove (148) in the relevant receiving trough.
11. A machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a smoking article production machine, comprising a unit (5) for providing metal strip portions (39) for tobacco pieces, in particular tobacco segments, according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A method for providing metal strip portions (39) for tobacco pieces (7.1), in particular tobacco segments, wherein the method is carried out by means of a unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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