CAPSULE FOR INSERTION INTO A HEAD OF A WATER PIPE, MACHINE OF THE TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A CAPSULE

Abstract

A capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe, a machine of the tobacco processing industry and a method for producing the capsule. The capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe that includes a capsule body and a cover having at least one cover aperture. The capsule body and the cover, which are arranged to enclose a portion chamber configured to receive a single portion of water pipe tobacco, are joined directly to one another in a moisture-tight manner via a weld seam. The welded seam between the capsule body and cover is generated without auxiliary materials and provides a joint that is pressure-tight at least up to a pressure differential of 0.5 bar.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/076988 filed Oct. 23, 2017, which claims priority of German Application No. DE 10 2016 120 786.1 filed Nov. 1, 2016, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe, said capsule comprising a capsule body and a cover having at least one aperture, wherein the capsule body and the cover enclose a portion chamber, in which a single portion of water pipe tobacco is present, and wherein the cover is joined with the capsule body in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a capsule and to a capsule produced by such a method. In addition, the invention also relates to a machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing a capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Water pipes, also called shishas, have been used for centuries for the consumption of tobacco. In the water pipe a multi-flavoured moist tobacco material is smoked, which is essentially a mixture of raw tobacco, molasses and glycerin. Molasses is a honey-like, dark-brown sugar syrup, which is obtained as a by-product of the sugar production and contains approximately 60% sugar. Unlike other tobacco products, such as cigarettes or cigars, water pipe tobacco is not burned. When a water pipe is used, the tobacco material is heated so that its constituents evaporate or, more specifically, burn off. For this purpose a single portion of tobacco material is introduced into the head of a water pipe and then covered as air-tight as possible, for example, with an aluminium foil. Then the aluminium foil is perforated. In order to heat the tobacco material, a charcoal tablet or a piece of red-hot charcoal, for example, is placed on the top side of the water pipe head, which is prepared in this way. Moreover, the construction and function of a water pipe are also described, for example, in DE 10 2015 200 951 A1 of the applicant Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH, Hamburg.

The preparation of the water pipe is relatively time consuming. Thus, the moist and sticky tobacco material has to be filled manually into the head of the water pipe and loosened up. Then the pipe head has to be sealed as tight as possible with the aluminium foil, a procedure that, just like the subsequent perforation, requires a certain amount of practice. It is easier and faster to fill the head of a water pipe with a capsule, into which the water pipe tobacco is filled. Such a capsule is known, for example, from EP 2 179 667 B1.

A capsule for insertion into the head of a water pipe consists of a capsule body, which is sealed with a sieve-shaped cover. The capsule body and the cover surround a portion chamber, in which there is a single portion of water pipe tobacco. Before the capsule is used, adhesive seals, which are present on the cover and on the bottom, respectively, of the capsule body, are removed. Said adhesive seals seal the apertures that are present in the cover and in the bottom. Upon removal of the seals, the apertures are exposed, so that fresh air can penetrate into the capsule. In addition, combustion products and/or evaporating substances, issuing from the water pipe tobacco, can escape from the capsule.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe, a method for producing an improved capsule and a machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing an improved capsule.

In embodiments, a capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe includes a capsule body and a cover having at least one aperture. The capsule body and the cover enclose a portion chamber, in which a single portion of water pipe tobacco is present, and the cover is joined with the capsule body in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam. The capsule is formed further by the fact that the welded seam is generated without auxiliary materials and that the cover and the capsule body are joined directly with one another by the welded seam.

In the context of the present specification, “without auxiliary materials” means that the joint between the two components is made without supporting substances. No substances or auxiliary materials are used that support the formation of the welded seam joining the two components. In particular, the components are not joined with one another via adhesively acting substances or auxiliary materials. The joining of the two components takes place exclusively via the auxiliary material-free welded seam and at the same time by dispensing with a sealing wax or the like.

In the case of a welded seam without any auxiliary material, only the material of the cover is joined with the material of the capsule body (and vice versa), with the two materials forming their joint only by the action of the welding process without the supporting action or influence of any auxiliary materials. Preferably, the joint between the cover and the capsule body is not just moisture-tight. The welded seam is designed preferably in such a way that the cover and the capsule body are hermetically joined with one another. In other words, no material can pass through the welded seam into the capsule or out of the capsule.

The capsule body is, for example, a component that is manufactured by deep drawing. The cover is, for example, a rolled component. The capsule body is made of a two dimensionally closed material. The cover is, in particular, a sieve, which has a closed edge extending circumferentially on the outer radius.

When the capsule is used in a water pipe, it is heated to several hundred degrees C., so that in order to consume the water pipe tobacco, contained in the capsule, the constituents of said tobacco escape. For this purpose for example, a red-hot piece of charcoal or a charcoal tablet is placed on the cover of the capsule. In the case of conventional capsules, the cover is secured on the capsule body in many cases with the aid of, but at least by using a sealing wax. When the capsule is subjected to excessive heating, the sealing wax decomposes, so that unwanted pollutants are released. There is the risk that these pollutants will pass into the stream of tobacco smoke intended for consumption, an aspect that is undesired. In the case of the capsule according to the present invention, additives are completely dispensed with. In particular, the use of sealing wax is dispensed with. Capsule body and cover are free of auxiliary materials and joined directly with one another. Thus, it is out of the question that combustion products of these auxiliary materials will pass into the smoke stream intended for consumption.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the welded seam is regularly structured.

In particular, it is periodically structured: it has, for example, a crosswise fluting. Such a crosswise fluting has, for example, a pitch between 50 μm and 350 μm, in particular, between 100 μm and 300 μm, further, in particular, a pitch of between 150 μm and 250 μm. The fluting exhibits, in particular, a depth between 30 μm and 70 μm, further, in particular, a depth between 40 μm and 60 μm.

Owing to the structuring of the welded seam, a secure and reliable joint between the capsule body and the cover can be provided.

According to an additional embodiment, the capsule is formed further by the feature that the welded seam provides a joint between the cover and the capsule body, where said welded seam is pressure-tight at least up to a pressure differential of 0.5 bar.

In other words, the welded seam, which closes off the portion chamber from the surrounding environment, is so stable that a pressure differential of at least 0.5 bar can prevail between the portion chamber and the surrounding space without the welded seam failing. It is preferably provided that the welded seam remains stable in a situation, in which there is an overpressure of 0.5 bar in the portion chamber with respect to the surrounding space. However, it is just as possible that, vice versa, the portion chamber has an underpressure of 0.5 bar, as compared to the surrounding space. Even in such a case the welded seam remains stable.

Furthermore, it is provided, in particular, that the cover is a sieve with a plurality of apertures. The capsule body has, in particular, at least one aperture. For example, a plurality of apertures, for example, in the manner of a sieve, are provided. This aperture/these apertures is/are preferably provided in a bottom of the capsule body, where said bottom is located opposite the cover. Thus, it is possible for fresh air to flow into the capsule and for the aromatic substances, which are produced when the water pipe tobacco is heated, to flow out of the capsule.

According to another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the at least one aperture of the cover is sealed with a manually removable seal in a moisture-tight and/or pressure-tight manner.

Even the apertures, which are present in the bottom of the capsule body, are sealed, in particular, with a manually removable seal in a moisture-tight manner. The manually removable seal has, for example, a tear-off tab, so that said seal may be easily removed prior to the consumption of the water pipe tobacco. The moisture-tight packaging of the water pipe tobacco makes it easy to store said water pipe tobacco.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment, the capsule is formed further by the fact that the capsule body has an outwards projecting sealing edge, pointing away from the portion chamber, wherein the welded seam extends along a periphery of the cover in an edge region adjacent to an outer edge of the cover; and wherein the sealing edge of the capsule body is bent outwards in a first layer and is bent in a second layer in the opposite direction inwards in the direction of the portion chamber, wherein the edge region of the cover is enclosed between the first layer and the second layer; and wherein the first layer and the second layer of the capsule body are joined with the cover by the welded seam.

The sealing edge of the capsule is provided for sealing off the capsule from a sealing shoulder of the head of the water pipe. Thus, it is advantageously avoided that air next to the capsule is sucked into the interior of the water pipe. In addition, a particularly reliable and stable joint between the cover and the capsule body can be provided in the sealing edge by the flanged sealing edge of the capsule body.

Preferably, aluminium is provided as the material for the capsule, i.e., the capsule body and the cover. It is, for example, an aluminium that is suitable for packaging foodstuffs. The material thickness of the capsule body and/or the cover is, in particular, between 50 μm and 200 μm, furthermore, in particular, between 100 μm and 150 μm. These material thicknesses have proven to be particularly advantageous in the field for the production of a capsule. The capsule has, in particular, a diameter between 40 mm and 80 mm, furthermore, in particular, between 50 mm and 70 mm, furthermore, in particular, between 55 mm and 65 mm. The sealing edge has, in particular, a width (measured in the radial direction) between 1 mm and 3 mm. The height of the capsule, measured in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to a plane, in which the cover extends, is, in particular, between 10 mm and 30 mm, furthermore, in particular, between 15 mm and 25 mm. The apertures, present in the cover, have, in particular, a diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm. The apertures, present in the bottom of the capsule body, have, in particular, a diameter between 2 mm and 6 mm.

According to another embodiment, the cover and the capsule body are joined with one another by a plurality of welded seams. For example, the welded seams are at least approximately parallel to one another. Furthermore, they are, for example, concentric.

Embodiments are directed to a method for producing a capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe. The capsule includes a capsule body and a cover having at least one aperture. The capsule body and the cover enclose a portion chamber, in which a single portion of water pipe tobacco is present. The cover and the capsule body are placed relative to one another and are joined with one another in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam. The method is formed further by the fact that the welded seam is generated without auxiliary materials; and the cover and the capsule body are joined directly with one another by the welded seam.

The method for producing the capsule has the same or similar advantages, as already mentioned with regard to the capsule itself, so that there is no need for repetitions.

The method is further developed advantageously by the feature that the cover and the capsule body are joined with one another by an ultrasonic welding process.

As an alternative, a laser welding process is provided, with which the capsule body and the cover are joined directly with one another and without auxiliary materials. This laser welding process can be carried out with and without a welding wire. If the laser welding process is carried out with the aid of a welding wire, which is not regarded as an auxiliary material and also does not represent such a material, then the process is also referred to as a plasma welding process.

The ultrasonic welding process is further developed preferably by the fact that a material thickness of the capsule body and/or the cover is between 50 m and 200 μm, wherein the ultrasonic welding process is carried out at a contact pressure between 1200 N and 2000 N, a welding time between 110 ms and 210 ms, an amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation between 24 μm and 36 μm and/or an ultrasonic frequency between 18 kHz and 22 kHz.

The ultrasonically welded joint is produced preferably with a structuring. In particular, a periodically structured ultrasonically welded joint is produced, in particular, a joint with a crosswise fluting.

The crosswise fluting has, for example, a pitch between 50 μm and 350 μm, in particular, between 100 μm and 300 μm, furthermore, in particular, a pitch of between 150 μm and 250 μm. The welded seam is produced, in particular, with a fluting that has a depth between 30 μm and 70 μm, furthermore, in particular, a depth between 40 μm and 60 μm. The said parameters have proven to be particularly suitable for producing a reliable and auxiliary material-free welded joint between the cover and the capsule body.

According to another embodiment, it is provided that the cover and the capsule body are produced from a blank via a drawing method (in particular, a deep drawing method). In the drawing method, a drawing oil is applied to the surfaces of the blank of the cover and the blank of the capsule body, and prior to the joining of the capsule body with the cover, neither the cover nor the capsule body is cleaned of the drawing oil.

In other words, it is not necessary to pre-treat the surfaces of the two components that are to be joined with one another. Despite the drawing oil, which is present on the surfaces, a reliable welded joint can be provided. It goes without saying that this also applies in the event that water pipe tobacco or constituents thereof pass into the region of the welded joint that is to be produced. Even such a contamination of the joining region does not mean that a reliable welded joint can no longer be produced. On the contrary, in particular, with the process parameters mentioned above, a reliable joint can always be produced, so that short processing tunes are achieved. Thus, the welding time is, for example, only between 110 ms and 210 ms, wherein then a holding time of approximately the same duration between 160 ms and 240 ms is sufficient to complete the welded joint.

Furthermore, it is provided, in particular, that the at least one aperture of the cover is sealed in a moisture-tight manner with a manually removable seal.

Due to the moisture-tight sealing of the existing apertures in the cover and also the apertures, which are present, in particular, in the bottom of the capsule body, the capsule and the water pipe tobacco contained therein can be easily transported and stored.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the capsule body comprises an outwards projecting sealing edge pointing away from the portion chamber. The sealing edge of the capsule body is bent outwards in a first layer; the cover is placed on the first layer of the sealing edge; and the cover in a second layer is bent back in the opposite direction inwards in the direction of the portion chamber, so that the edge region of the cover is enclosed between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer and the second layer of the capsule body are joined with the cover by a welded seam, extending along a periphery of the cover in an edge region adjacent to an outer edge of the cover.

Due to the fact that the material of the capsule body is flanged in the sealing edge and the cover is placed between the flanged layers, a particularly reliable and tight joint between the components is created.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the capsule body is inserted into an anvil and that the cover is pressed with a punch against the edge region of the capsule body and against the anvil. At a predetermined contact pressure, which is, for example, between 1200 N and 2000 N, the punch in the welding region is pushed onto the cover, the capsule body and against the anvil. In this way the ultrasonic weld is produced, which is preferably structured. For this purpose the punch is connected to a sonotrode, which oscillates at an amplitude between 24 μm and 36 μm. The oscillation mode of the sonotrode is preferably torsional. The penetration depth of the ultrasonic weld that is produced is preferably between 30 μm and 80 μm.

Embodiments are directed to a capsule for insertion into the head of a water pipe. The capsule being produced by a method in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned aspects. Such a capsule has the same or similar advantages, as already mentioned above.

Finally, embodiments are directed to a machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing a capsule in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned aspects. The machine comprises an ultrasonic welding apparatus with an anvil and a punch. The anvil is designed to receive the capsule body; and the punch, which is arranged opposite the anvil, is driven and can be moved in such a way that the punch can be pressed against the cover and against the sealing edge of the capsule body and against the anvil at a predetermined contact pressure. In this case a method for producing a capsule, as described according to one or more of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, is carried out with the ultrasonic welding apparatus. In other words, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is designed to carry out a method in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned aspects.

Even the machine for the tobacco processing industry has the same or similar advantages, as already mentioned above with respect to the capsule and to the method for producing the capsule. Particularly advantageous is the short processing time, which is required to join the capsule body with the cover. Therefore, the machine of the tobacco processing industry is able to achieve a high throughput and correspondingly low unit costs for the joining of the individual components of the capsule.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings without limiting the general idea of the invention, and with respect to all of the details of the invention that are not explained in greater detail in the text, reference is made explicitly to the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic form a simplified view of a water pipe according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic form a simplified view of a head of a water pipe with an inserted capsule in a cross section;

FIG. 3 illustrates in schematic form a simplified cross-sectional view of a capsule;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detail view of sealing edge region depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates in schematic form a simplified plan view of a capsule from the top side;

FIG. 6 illustrates in schematic form a simplified plan view from the bottom side;

FIG. 7 illustrates in schematic form a simplified detail view of a structured welded seam; and

FIG. 8 illustrates in schematic form a simplified view of a machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing a capsule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The same or similar elements and/or parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings, so that a renewed presentation is omitted in each case.

FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a simplified view of a water pipe 10 in accordance with the prior art. In the lower region said water pipe comprises a glass container 12, which is filled with water 14. On the glass container 12, a hose attachment 16 is provided, to which a hose with a mouthpiece 18 is attached. The mouthpiece 18 is connected by way of the hose attachment 16 to the air space 22, present above the water 14, in the glass container 12. In addition, there is also a valve 20, with which the air space 22 can be ventilated.

The glass container 12 is sealed at its upper end via a plug or alternatively a seal 24. Through the seal 24 extends a tubular smoke column 26, which dips vertically from above into the glass container 12 and the lower end thereof ends in the water 14, i.e., below the surface of the water. At an upper end of the smoke column 26 there is a sealing plug 30, to the lower end of which a bowl 28 is attached.

A head 32 of the water pipe 10 is placed on the sealing plug 30. At the lower end of the head 32, said head has a recess 34, which is designed complementary to the shape of the sealing plug 30, so that the head 32 terminates in an air-tight manner with the smoke column 26. In the interior of the head 32, a central smoke channel 36 extends in prolongation of the smoke column 26. The smoke channel 36 is connected by way of the through-flow apertures 38 to a receiving chamber of the head 32, in which a capsule 60 is located.

The capsule 60 for insertion into the head 32 of the water pipe 10 comprises a single portion of water pipe tobacco 50. This single portion is located in a portion chamber 42 of the capsule 60. The capsule 60 comprises a capsule body 62 and a cover 64, which together enclose the portion chamber 42. The cover 64 and the capsule body 62 are joined with one another in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam 66.

In order to consume the water pipe tobacco 50, a charcoal tablet 48 is placed on a top side of the cover 64. As the charcoal tablet burns down, said charcoal tablet 48 develops a temperature of several hundred degrees C. and reaches its maximum heat output within a short time after lighting. Then said charcoal tablet burns over a period of approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Aromatic substances from the water pipe tobacco 50 evaporate due to the heat released from the charcoal tablet 48. When using the water pipe 10, the smoker sucks on the mouthpiece 18, as a result of which an underpressure is generated in the air space 22 in the glass container 12. Said underpressure continues in the smoke column 26, so that air is sucked into the capsule 60. Fresh air enters through upper apertures 46, which are present in the cover 64, into the portion chamber 42 of the capsule 60. Smoke and aromatic substances, which are produced by heating the water pipe tobacco 50, leave the capsule 60 at its bottom side through lower apertures 68, present in the bottom of the capsule body 62. The fumed or, more specifically, evaporated aromatic substances pass with the flow of air through the smoke column 26 downwards into the water 14, where said aromatic substances bubble upwards as bubbles, pass into the air space 22, and then pass through the hose attachment 16 and the mouthpiece 18 to the consumer.

FIG. 2 shows in schematic form a simplified view of the head 32 of a water pipe 10 with inserted capsule 60, in a schematically simplified cross-sectional view. The head 32 comprises a sealing shoulder 70, against which an outwardly projecting sealing edge 72 of the capsule 60 abuts. The sealing edge 72 seals off the capsule 60 at least approximately air-tight from the head 32 of the water pipe 10. Thus, in particular, it is avoided that, as a result of the underpressure present in the smoke column 26, secondary air, which does not flow through the portion chamber 42 of the capsule 60, flows into said smoke column. In this way it is ensured that all of the air that is sucked in also transports the aromas, released from the water pipe tobacco 50.

FIG. 3 shows in schematic form a simplified cross-sectional view of a capsule 60. FIG. 4 shows a detail view of FIG. 3 in the region of the sealing edge 72 of the capsule 60. FIG. 5 shows in schematic form a simplified plan view of the capsule 60 from its top side. FIG. 6 shows in schematic form a simplified plan view of the capsule 60 from its underside. The capsule 60 is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

The cover 64 and the capsule body 62 are joined with one another in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam 66. The welded seam 66 (indicated as a cross dashed area in FIG. 4 and with a dashed line in FIG. 5) is generated without auxiliary materials. The welded seam 66 joins directly the material of the cover 64 with that of the capsule body 62, wherein the joint between the two components is made without supporting substances or auxiliary materials. Thus, no auxiliary materials are used that support the formation of the welded seam 66. In particular, no additional adhesively acting substances or auxiliary materials are used for joining the two components. Above all, the use of sealing wax or the like for joining the components is totally dispensed with. In the case of a welded seam 66 without auxiliary materials, only the material of the cover 64 is joined with the material of the capsule body 62, so that the materials of these two workpieces form a joint that is produced by the welding process and without the supporting action or influence of any auxiliary materials.

It is advantageous that, as a result of these measures, the capsule 60 does not comprise any substances that decompose or evaporate when the capsule 60 is heated (for the purpose of consuming the water pipe tobacco 50). The sealing wax, which is often used in conventional capsules 60, decomposes at the high temperatures occurring during the consumption of the water pipe tobacco 50. The decomposition products may pass into the smoke stream intended for consumption, an aspect that is undesired. This feature is avoided in an advantageous manner with the capsule 60 in accordance with aspects of the invention.

The welded seam 66 is preferably designed so stable and resistant that it is pressure-tight up to at least a pressure differential of 0.5 bar. As a result, the welded seam 66 remains stable and tight, even if there is a pressure differential of 5 bar between the portion chamber 42 and the space 74 surrounding the capsule 60. This applies not only to the case that there is an overpressure in the portion chamber 42, but also to the case that there is an underpressure in the portion chamber 42. In order to seal the portion chamber 42 in an air-tight manner, the lower apertures 68, which are present in the bottom 76 of the capsule body 62, are sealed with a lower seal 78. The upper apertures 46, which are present in the cover 64 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), are sealed with an upper seal 80. The upper seal 80 and similarly the lower seal 78 are each provided with a tear-off tab 82, so that the seals 78, 80 can be easily removed by hand.

The cover 64 is constructed, for example, similar to a sieve. That means that said cover has a plurality of upper apertures 46, of which some are indicated in FIG. 5. The bottom 76 of the capsule body 62 also has at least one aperture 68 and is also constructed preferably similar to a sieve.

The capsule body 62 (see FIG. 4) comprises an outwards projecting sealing edge 72 that points away from the portion chamber 42. In the region of the sealing edge 72 the capsule body 62 is bent outwards in a first layer 84 and is bent back in a second layer 86 in the opposite direction in the direction of the portion chamber 42. Hence, the material of the capsule body 62 is flanged in the region of the sealing edge 72. In this case an edge region 88 of the cover 64 is enclosed between the first layer 84 and the second layer 86. The edge region 88 (see FIG. 5) of the cover 64 extends along an outer edge of the cover 64 along its entire circumference. The edge region 88 of the cover 64 corresponds approximately to that region of the cover 64, in which said cover is enclosed between the first layer 84 and the second layer 86 of the sealing edge 72 of the capsule body 62. The first layer 84 and the second layer 86 of the capsule body 62 are joined with the cover 64, more precisely, the edge region 88 of the cover 64, by the welded seam 66.

FIG. 7 shows in schematic form a simplified detail view of a welded seam 66 that is structured for illustrative purposes. The structure that is used herein is shown only in sections and continues periodically, as shown by dots. The periodic crosswise fluting has, for example, a pitch between 50 μm and 350 μm. The depth of the fluting is, for example, 30 μm and 70 μm. This means that a height differential exists between the valleys 90 of the crosswise fluting and the elevations 92 between 30 μm and 70 μm. The elevations 92 are chamfered on all side of their flanks 94. For example, at an angle of less than 45°. The pitch of the illustrated crosswise fluting is measured between adjacent valleys 90, 90′, in both directions of the crosswise fluting.

In a method for producing a capsule 60 for insertion into the head 32 of a water pipe 10, a machine of the tobacco processing industry 96, shown in schematic form and simplified in FIG. 8, is used by way of example.

The machine 96 comprises an anvil 100 for receiving the capsule body 62 and a punch 102, which is arranged opposite the anvil 100. The punch 102 can be moved via a traversing apparatus 104 in a lifting direction H and is pressed by the traversing apparatus 104 against the anvil 100 at a predetermined contact pressure. In addition, a sonotrode 106 is connected to the punch 102. When a method for producing a capsule 60 is carried out, the capsule body 62 is fed first to the machine 96 in the transport direction T and inserted into the anvil 100. Subsequently, the cover 64 is supplied and positioned on the capsule body 62. The punch 102 is moved with the aid of the traversing apparatus 104 in the lifting direction H against the anvil 100 and pushes the cover 64 in its edge region 88 against the capsule body 62 and, in so doing, against the anvil 100. Then an ultrasonic welding process is carried out, in which the sonotrode 106 excites the punch 102 to ultrasonic oscillation. In this context the punch 102, the anvil 100 and the sonotrode 106 form together an ultrasonic welding apparatus.

The capsule body 62 and the cover 64 are joined with one another in a moisture-tight manner by the welded seam 66. In this case the welded seam 66 is produced without auxiliary materials by the machine of the tobacco processing industry 96, so that the cover 64 and the capsule body 62 are joined with one another directly by the welded seam 66.

The contact pressure is, for example, between 1200 N and 2000 N. The sonotrode 106 is excited, for example, to torsional oscillations, which have an amplitude between 24 μm and 36 μm. The penetration depth of the ultrasonically welded joint, which is produced by this method, is, for example, between 30 μm and 80 μm. The welding time is advantageously only between 110 ms and 210 ms. Subsequently a holding time between 160 ms and 240 ms is optionally provided to complete the welding operation.

A material thickness of the capsule body 62 is, for example, between 50 g±m and 200 μm. The same applies to the material thickness of the cover 64. The ultrasonic frequency, at which the sonotrode 106 is excited, is, for example, between 18 kHz and 22 kHz. The said parameters have proven to be particularly advantageous for the production of an ultrasonically welded joint.

The cover 64 and the capsule body 62 are made preferably from a blank, such as, for example, an aluminium sheet or an aluminium foil, via a drawing method, for example, in a deep drawing method. In the case of this drawing method a drawing oil is applied to the surfaces of the blank of the cover 64 and the blank of the capsule body 62. Prior to joining the capsule body 62 with the cover 64, it is not necessary to clean either the cover 64 or the capsule body 62 and, in particular, to free either cover or capsule body of the drawing oil. Nevertheless, it is still possible to produce a reliable welded seam 66 between the two components. The same applies, if the joining region 108 between the two components is contaminated, for example, by moist water pipe tobacco 50. Even this aspect does not mean that a reliable joint can no longer be made. Therefore, the contamination is not a factor with respect to the quality of the welded joint 66 that is produced.

The manufactured capsule 60 is conveyed in the transport direction T out of the machine of the tobacco processing industry 96 to the next process step. It is advantageous that the ultrasonic welding process requires only a very short processing time, so that with the machine of the tobacco processing industry 96 a high throughput can be achieved at low unit costs.

All of the features mentioned above, including the features, which are to be derived from the drawings alone, as well as individual features, which are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered alone and in combination to be essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features, which are denoted as “particular” or “preferably”, are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 10 water pipe
  • 12 glass container
  • 14 water
  • 16 hose attachment
  • 18 mouthpiece
  • 20 valve
  • 22 air space
  • 24 seal
  • 26 smoke column
  • 28 bowl
  • 30 sealing plug
  • 32 head
  • 34 recess
  • 36 smoke channel
  • 38 through-flow apertures
  • 42 portion chamber
  • 46 upper apertures
  • 48 charcoal tablet
  • 50 water pipe tobacco
  • 60 capsule
  • 62 capsule body
  • 64 cover
  • 66 welded seam
  • 68 lower apertures
  • 70 sealing shoulder
  • 72 sealing edge
  • 74 surrounding space
  • 76 bottom
  • 78 lower seal
  • 80 upper seal
  • 82 tear-off tab
  • 84 first layer
  • 86 second layer
  • 88 edge region
  • 90, 90′ valleys
  • 92 elevations
  • 94 flanks
  • 96 machine of the tobacco processing industry
  • 100 anvil
  • 102 punch
  • 104 traversing apparatus
  • 106 sonotrode
  • 108 joining region
  • H lifting direction
  • T transport direction

Claims

1. A capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe, comprising:

a capsule body;

a cover having at least one cover aperture;

the capsule body and the cover, which are arranged to enclose a portion chamber configured to receive a single portion of water pipe tobacco, are joined directly to one another in a moisture-tight manner via a weld seam;

wherein the welded seam between the capsule body and cover is generated without auxiliary materials, and provides a joint that is pressure-tight at least up to a pressure differential of 0.5 bar.

2. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the welded seam is periodically structured.

3. The capsule as claimed in claim 2, wherein the welded seam has a crosswise fluting, which exhibits a depth between 30 μm and 70 μm.

4. The capsule as claimed in claim 3, wherein the crosswise fluting exhibits a depth between 40 μm and 60 μm.

5. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is a sieve and the at least one cover aperture comprises a plurality of cover apertures.

6. The capsule as claimed in claim 5, wherein the capsule body comprises at least one body aperture.

7. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a manually removable seal arranged to seal the at least one cover aperture in at least one of a moisture-tight and/or a pressure-tight manner.

8. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capsule body has an outward projecting sealing edge pointing away from the portion chamber, and the welded seam extends along a periphery of the cover in an edge region adjacent to an outer edge of the cover; and

9. The capsule as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sealing edge comprises an outwardly bent first layer and an oppositely directed inwardly bent second layer, the edge region of the cover is enclosed between the first layer and the second layer; and the first layer and the second layer of the capsule body are joined with the cover by the welded seam.

10. A method for producing a capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe, the capsule including a capsule body and a cover with at least one aperture being arranged to enclose a portion chamber configured to receive a single portion of water pipe tobacco, the method comprising:

directly joining the cover and the capsule body with one another in a moisture-tight manner by a welded seam generated without auxiliary materials,

wherein the welded seam provides a joint between the cover and the capsule body that is pressure-tight at least up to a pressure differential of 0.5 bar.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover and the capsule body are joined with one another by an ultrasonic welding process.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a material thickness of at least one of the capsule body or the cover is between 50 μm and 200 μm, and

wherein the ultrasonic welding process is carried out at least one of: at a contact pressure between 1200 N and 2000 N, a welding time between 110 ms and 210 ms, an amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation between 24 μm and 36 μm, or an ultrasonic frequency between 18 kHz and 22 kHz.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover and the capsule body are produced in a drawing method from a blank,

wherein, in the drawing method, a drawing oil is applied to surfaces of the blank of the cover and of the blank of the capsule body, and,

wherein, prior to the joining of the capsule body with the cover, neither the cover nor the capsule body is cleaned of the drawing oil.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one aperture of the cover is sealed in a moisture-tight manner with a manually removable seal.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the capsule body comprises an outwardly projecting sealing edge that points away from the portion chamber.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

bending an edge of the capsule body outwards as a first layer of a sealing edge;

placing the cover on the first layer of the sealing edge;

bending the edge of the capsule inwardly and back over the cover as a second layer of the sealing edge, whereby an edge region of the cover is enclosed between the first layer and the second layer; and

joining the first layer and the second layer of the sealing edge with the cover via a welded seam extending along a periphery of the cover in the edge region of the cover.

17. A capsule for insertion into a head of a water pipe produced according to the method of claim 10.

18. A machine of the tobacco processing industry for producing the capsule as claimed in claim 1, the machine comprising:

an ultrasonic welding apparatus with an anvil and a punch;

the anvil being configured to receive the capsule body; and

the punch, which is arranged opposite the anvil, being driven and movable to press against the cover, the sealing edge of the capsule body and the anvil at a predetermined contact pressure.

19. The machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the welded seam provides a joint between the cover and the capsule body that is pressure-tight at least up to a pressure differential of 0.5 bar.