APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR METERING ORAL TOBACCO IN PORTIONS SUITABLE FOR CONSUMPTION

Abstract

An apparatus for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable for consumption including a delivery device to hold and deliver the tobacco and a metering device to receive the tobacco from the delivery device. The metering device includes a shaping component operative to shape and press the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod and a slicing component operative to slice the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight and to discharge the tobacco portions for subsequent processing. Further, a method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, includes the steps of delivering the tobacco, continuous shaping and pressing the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod, slicing the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight, and conveying the tobacco portions to a subsequent processing station.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns an apparatus for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, comprising a delivery device for the tobacco and a metering device for forming and discharging tobacco portions suitable for consumption. The invention further concerns a method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption.

Apparatuses and methods of this kind are used in the tobacco-processing industry to process oral tobacco (or tobacco mixtures), that is, tobacco which is put wholly in the mouth for smoke-free consumption, namely, in particular to meter and dispense it. Here, a distinction is made between the so-called sliced tobacco which is put in the mouth for consumption e.g. in a bag made of cellulose or the like, and the so-called loose tobacco which is put in the mouth for consumption directly, that is, without a surrounding package. For this there are in general the two product groups SNUS and SNUFF. SNUS is a product which is processed, for example, in Scandinavia and for which the tobacco is inter alia pasteurised. SNUFF, a product common, for example, in North America, is a fermented tobacco. Both product groups are sliced in bags or supplied loose. The term “tobacco” here includes not only the actual tobacco, but also tobacco with additives, flavourings or the like.

The sliced tobacco, which is consumed in packaged form, for example in a bag made of cellulose or the like, must be sliced into portions suitable for consumption and put in the bags before packing in tins, boxes, combination packs or the like. The tobacco portions, of which the weight and size can vary and are, for example, usually in the region of a milligram to one or more grams, are divided from a tobacco flow that is delivered continuously or intermittently, by means of metering devices, and usually packed by means of so-called sealed-edge or tubular bag machines such as are known, for example, from German Patent Document DE 10 2005 017 474 A1 or German Patent Document DE 10 2007 041 808 A1. The loose tobacco which is directly put into the mouth is filled unpacked in tins, boxes, combination packs or the like, metering or slicing into portions suitable for consumption being performed by the consumer. In this case the consumer determines the size and weight of the tobacco portion.

For metering the tobacco portions suitable for packing or consumption, in particular for filling the bags or the like with tobacco portions, from practical experience are known apparatuses comprising filling chambers into which the tobacco delivered via belts, funnels or the like, usually loose tobacco, is brushed in or sucked in. The volume of a filling chamber corresponds to a portion suitable for packing or consumption. From the filling chamber, the tobacco portion is passed to a subsequent apparatus, for example the sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. This can be effected or assisted by force of gravity, suction, compressed air or in some other ordinary way. For instance, the portions can be blown out through feed pipes through which the bag paper is passed.

However, the known apparatuses have the drawback that only free-flowing tobacco, that is, tobacco with a low residual moisture content, can be processed. To put it another way, the known apparatuses and methods are very sensitive to damp tobacco, that is, tobacco with a residual moisture content of, for example, more than 20% up to a residual moisture content of, for example, 60% or more, or to tobacco with oils, flavourings or the like that increase the moisture content of the tobacco. This means that the damp and therefore sticky tobacco leads to deposits in the apparatuses and, at worst, blockage of the apparatus and interruption of the process. Hence short cleaning intervals are necessary, which leads to downtimes and outage times. Another drawback lies in that metering and slicing of the individual portions is very imprecise in particular due to the deposits. To put it another way, the weight and volume of the individual portions vary. Slicing of the loose tobacco also has the drawback that, because it is done by the consumer, it is very imprecise, as a result of which consumption may be impaired.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for metering tobacco, in particular damp tobacco with a residual moisture content of more than 30%.

The above and other objects are accomplished according to one aspect of the invention wherein there is provided an apparatus for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable for consumption including a delivery device to hold and deliver the tobacco and a metering device to receive the tobacco from the delivery device. The metering device includes a shaping component operative to shape and press the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod and a slicing component operative to slice the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight and to discharge the tobacco portions for subsequent processing.

In an embodiment, by shaping and pressing the tobacco on the one hand and slicing into defined tobacco portions on the other hand, even damp tobacco with a high residual moisture content (usually between 30% and 60%, or higher) can be sliced precisely into so-called pressed blanks or pellets, so that reproducible metering which soils the apparatus only to a minor extent is ensured. Due to the fact that the pellets are already pressed and shaped before introduction into the bag, careful and inherently stable transport can be ensured. This crucially helps to obtain the so-called “white portions.” “White portions” means that the bags remain unchanged in colour on filling with the tobacco portions, and so in particular no tobacco juice leads to colouration of the bags. The embodiment allows precise metering of tobacco portions ready for consumption, which are to be consumed optionally directly or in a bag. In general, the design according to the embodiment leads to increased process reliability with few downtimes.

In another embodiment, the apparatus is constructed and designed for simultaneously shaping and pressing a plurality of endless tobacco rods. As a result, the efficiency of the apparatus is increased. In particular this design allows, for example, direct allocation of one endless tobacco rod to each feed pipe of a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine, as a result of which the output of the sealed-edge or tubular bag machine is increased.

Advantageously, in another embodiment, a plurality of endless tobacco rods may be assigned a common element for simultaneous slicing. This means that with one element at least one tobacco portion each can be separated from all endless tobacco rods synchronously, as a result of which a high capacity is obtained.

In another embodiment, behind each slicing component is arranged a storage device which is constructed and designed for spatially separate reception of at least two tobacco portions of the same endless tobacco rod. With this design it is ensured that the continuously manufactured endless tobacco rods or tobacco portions separated from the endless tobacco rods can optionally be conveyed continuously or cyclically to the subsequent apparatus, for example the sealed edge or tubular bag machine.

Further, another embodiment discloses a method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, the steps including delivering the tobacco, continuous shaping and pressing the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod, slicing the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight, and conveying the tobacco portions to a subsequent processing station. The resulting advantages of the method have already been described in connection with the apparatus, on account of which reference is made to the foregoing passages to avoid repetition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, including a delivery device and a metering device, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a storage device for receiving a plurality of tobacco portions of the same endless tobacco rod according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a feed pipe of the storage device with a filled and sealed bag according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the shaping component and the slicing component of the metering device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus 10 for metering oral tobacco 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the tobacco) in portions 17 suitable for consumption, including a delivery device 12 and a metering device 13, according to the invention. The metering device 13 for forming and discharging portions suitable for consumption has a shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing the tobacco 11 into at least one endless tobacco rod 15 as well as a slicing component 16 for slicing the endless tobacco rod 15 into tobacco portions 17 defined with respect to size and weight. Such tobacco portions can be packed in bags or provided as blanks such as tablets.

The delivery device 12 can be constructed differently and may be, for example, a conveyor belt, a chute or, as shown in FIG. 1, a funnel. The metering device 13 for forming and discharging the portions suitable for consumption serves to form individual portions from the continuously delivered (loose) tobacco, optionally for filling a bag or other packages, and deliver them to the bag or package. For this purpose the metering device 13 has the shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing the tobacco 11 which in the embodiment shown is an extrusion press with rotary rollers. But other ordinary apparatuses for shaping and pressing tobacco can be used as well. The slicing component 16 for slicing or separating individual tobacco portions 17 from the endless tobacco rod 15 can be a blade, a wire or any other tool suitable for cutting or shearing.

The shaping component 14 may be constructed and designed for simultaneously shaping and pressing a plurality of endless tobacco rods 15. In the embodiment shown, four endless tobacco rods 15 can be made simultaneously. Naturally, fewer than four or more than four can be made simultaneously, for example even up to sixteen endless tobacco rods 15. For this purpose the shaping component 14 can provide a separate shaping and pressing component for each endless tobacco rod 15, for example according to the number of endless tobacco rods 15 wanted. In the embodiment according to the figures, however, a central shaping component 14 is provided and assigned a multi-path jet, nozzle or the like. To put it another way, the jet or nozzle has a number of openings which defines the number of endless tobacco rods 15 running alongside each other. The plurality of endless tobacco rods 15 may be guided in parallel. With respect to the orientation of the endless tobacco rods 15, different arrangements or orientations of the jet or nozzle are possible. For example, the endless tobacco rods 15 according to FIG. 1 run parallel in the width dimension B of the delivery device 12 or funnel, while the endless tobacco rods 15 in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 lie parallel and adjacent to each other in the length dimension L of the rotary rollers. To put it another way, the jet or nozzle can be constructed or arranged so that the endless tobacco rods 15 have different directions of emergence from the metering device 13.

For slicing or separating the individual tobacco portions 17 from the endless tobacco rods 15, the slicing component 16 is arranged behind the shaping and pressing element or the jet or nozzle in the direction of flow of the endless tobacco rods 15. In the embodiment described, the slicing component 16 is constructed so that all endless tobacco rods 15 can be processed simultaneously with the slicing component 16. In other words, a common slicing component 16 is provided, which slices all the endless tobacco rods 15 with a single separating movement. In other embodiments each endless tobacco rod can be assigned its own separate slicing component 16.

Directly behind the slicing component 16 for portioning or separating can be arranged a processing station such as, for example, a sealed edge or tubular bag machine. Optionally, however, the metering device 13 can also be followed by a storage device 18 (see FIG. 2) behind the slicing component 16 in the direction of flow of the endless tobacco rods 15. The storage device 18 uncouples the metering device 13 from a subsequent processing station and can be arranged centrally. Each endless tobacco rod 15 may be assigned its own storage device 18 which is constructed and designed for spatially separate reception of at least two tobacco portions 17 of the same endless tobacco rod 15. This means that the continuously produced tobacco portions 17 can be received in the storage device 18 and dispensed again cyclically. In the embodiment shown, the storage device 18 is a kind of turntable 19 with a plurality of receptacles 20 for the tobacco portions 17. By rotation of the turntable 19 the receptacles 20 can be moved out of a receiving position A_UF into a dispensing position A_B and vice versa. The turntable 19 has at least two or more receptacles 20. In the region of the dispensing position A_B is provided a blow-out station 23 by means of which the tobacco portions 17 located in the receptacles 20 can be conveyed to subsequent processing stations, for example to feed pipes 21 of a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. The storage device 18 can also be constructed as a sliding element or in some other known way. In FIG. 3 is shown such a feed pipe 21 through which the bag paper is passed to make a filled and closed sealed-edge bag 22.

As already mentioned, the apparatus 10 can in particular be combined with a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. The apparatus 10 can however also be connected to other processing stations, in particular packing machines.

Below, the principle of the method is described in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 4. Tobacco 11, tobacco mixtures or the like are delivered to the apparatus 10 for metering oral tobacco via the delivery device 12. This tobacco 11 is continuously shaped and pressed in the shaping component 14 into at least one or a plurality of endless tobacco rods 15. The endless tobacco rods 15 which may be guided in parallel are then cut. This means that individual tobacco portions 17 defined in size and weight are separated from the or each endless tobacco rod 15. These tobacco portions 17 are then delivered directly or via the storage device 18 to a subsequent processing station.

Shaping and pressing of the plurality of endless tobacco rods 15 may take place simultaneously, as may cutting of the endless tobacco rods 15 into tobacco portions 17. In the event that the tobacco portions 17 are conveyed cyclically to the subsequent processing station, the tobacco portions 17 are stored. For this purpose the tobacco portions 17 drop into receptacles 20 of a turntable 19. By rotation of the turntable 19, a free receptacle 10 is provided beneath each exit of an endless tobacco rod from the shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing and behind the separating slicing component 16. As soon as the receptacle 20 is full, the turntable 19 is rotated further. Therefore, in the region of the receiving position A_UF there is always an empty receptacle 20. Further, the filled receptacles 20 are transported to the dispensing position A_B and there the tobacco portions 17 are ejected. The tobacco portions 17 may be delivered to a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. It is however possible to deliver the tobacco portions 17, of which the shape and weight can of course vary, to any processing stations. When metering and conveying the tobacco portion 17 suitable for packing and consumption, care must be taken that the tobacco 11, the endless tobacco rods 15 and the tobacco portions 17 have the same direction of flow, for example a rectilinear or downward vertical direction. But other directions of conveying, for example in the horizontal direction, are possible as well.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and that the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable for consumption, comprising:

a delivery device to hold and deliver the tobacco; and

a metering device to receive the tobacco from the delivery device, wherein the metering device comprises a shaping component operative to shape and press the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod and a slicing component operative to slice the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight and to discharge the tobacco portions for subsequent processing.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaping component is constructed to simultaneously shape and press the tobacco into a plurality of endless tobacco rods.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slicing component is operative to simultaneously slice the plurality of endless tobacco rods.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of slicing components each assigned to slice one of the plurality of endless tobacco rods.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage device to receive the tobacco portions discharged from the metering device, wherein the storage device includes separate receptacles to store at least two tobacco portions of the same endless tobacco rod.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slicing component comprises one of a blade or wire.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one of a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine to receive and package the tobacco portions discharged from the metering device.

8. A method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, the steps comprising:

delivering the tobacco;

continuously shaping and pressing the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod;

slicing the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight; and

conveying the tobacco portions to a subsequent processing station.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of continuously shaping and pressing simultaneously shapes the tobacco into a plurality of endless tobacco rods and the step of slicing simultaneously slices the plurality of endless tobacco rods into pre-defined tobacco portions.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of storing the tobacco portions before conveying the tobacco portions to the subsequent processing station.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of slicing comprises one of cutting or shearing.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of delivering includes delivering the tobacco to a central location and the step of shaping and pressing includes dividing the tobacco into a plurality of endless tobacco rods.

13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of delivering the tobacco portions from the processing station to one of a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine for filling bags.

14. A method according to claim 8, including processing the steps of delivering the tobacco, shaping and pressing the tobacco, slicing the endless tobacco rod and conveying the tobacco portions in a rectilinear direction

15. A method according to claim 8, wherein the processing is in a downward vertical direction.

16. A combination comprising:

the metering apparatus according to claim 1; and

a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine coupled for receiving the tobacco portions produced by the metering apparatus.