APPORTIONING APPARATUS FOR A MACHINE IN THE TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Abstract

Apportioning apparatus for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with moisture content of at least 35%. Apportioning apparatus includes metering unit; weighing cell; and control unit coupled via a first data link to the metering unit and via a second data link to weighing cell. Metering unit is configured to add a predetermined portion of tobacco material to a receptacle, and metering unit and weighing cell are arranged relative to each other such that, while receptacle is being filled by metering unit, a weight of the added tobacco material is detected by weighing cell, and data relative to the detected weight is communicated via first data link to the control unit. Control unit is configured to control metering unit via second data link on the basis of received data relative to weight of added tobacco material such that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to receptacle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of German Patent Application No. 10 2013 218 833.1 filed Sep. 19, 2013, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35%. In addition, embodiments relate to a machine in the tobacco processing industry that includes an apportioning apparatus for processing moist cut or ground tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35%. Furthermore, embodiments relate to a method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%, as well as a use of an apportioning apparatus in a machine in the tobacco processing industry.

Embodiments of the invention therefore relate to the field of processing and apportioning ground or cut moist tobacco material having a moisture content greater than 35%. The cut length of the tobacco material can be selected to be short enough for the cut moist material to have a consistency comparable with ground tobacco material of a similar moisture. Such tobacco is known inter alia as snus tobacco or smokeless tobacco. In contrast to other types of tobacco, the consumption of the moist tobacco material does not require combustion. It is consumed orally, i.e., in the oral cavity. Typical snus tobacco has a moisture of approximately 35% to 50% or more, and is a fine grained to clumpy substance.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Moist tobacco material is additionally aromatized in some cases. For this, flavors such as menthol or ammonium chloride are added to the tobacco material. In particular, snus tobacco is marketed in so-called snus pouches or as loose tobacco. Whereas snus pouches are small paper pockets or bags that can be made of, e.g., porous, water-permeable material, and are filled with moist tobacco, loose snus tobacco is packaged directly in cans. In particular, suitable cans are sealable airtight and can be made of, e.g., a durable plastic material.

To add and portion loose, moist or ground tobacco material, vibration troughs are normally used by which the tobacco material can be added to the individual cans or receptacles and then wiped off. It is also conventional to put the tobacco material into the receptacles by means of a rotary table. Another option is to use a screw conveyor with which the amount of tobacco intended for an individual receptacle is dosed by rotating the worm a specific angle.

These known apportioning methods operate on a volume-controlled basis. The metering precision thereby achieved ranges between ±5% to 20% depending on the method.

In order to keep the specified minimum filling amounts for the receptacles within the limits of permissible deviations, a safety value is added to the set point used for filling. In other words, the average filling weight is raised to ensure that nearly all receptacles are filled with a sufficiently large amount of tobacco material within the statistically occurring fluctuations.

This has the disadvantage, however, that an amount of tobacco material must be portioned which is too large in comparison to the nominal weight intended for the receptacle. This surcharge represents a financial loss for the manufacturer of loosely filled moist tobacco material.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Based on this prior art, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%, an improved machine in the tobacco processing industry with an apportioning apparatus, an improved method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%, and an advantageous use of an apportioning apparatus.

According to embodiments, an apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% is set up to apportion tobacco material received from a conveying apparatus into receptacles. The apportioning apparatus includes a control unit, a metering unit and a weighing cell. The control unit is coupled via a first data link to the metering unit and via a second data link to the weighing cell and the metering unit is configured to add a predetermined portion of tobacco material into a receptacle. The metering unit and the weighing cell are arranged relative to each other such that, while the receptacle is being filled by the metering unit, a weight of the added tobacco material is detected by the weighing cell, and data relative to the detected weight is communicated via the first data link to the control unit. The control unit is furthermore configured to control the metering unit via the second data link on the basis of the received data relative to the weight of the added tobacco material such that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

Embodiments are based on the basic concept that volume controlled apportioning of moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%, due to the consistency of the tobacco material, is not very suitable to portion a precise amount of tobacco material. When an amount of tobacco material, which is defined on the basis of weight, is filled up in this manner, this always results in significant imprecision in dosage.

Due to the clumpy consistency of the tobacco material, it cannot be excluded that significant fluctuations in the density of the tobacco material occur in a continuous volume flow. In other words, the conveyed tobacco material has an elevated density in comparison to the average density of the flow in areas in which there are clumps, and has a significantly lower density in other areas in which for example cavities form. Volume control inevitably requires a more-or-less constant density. On the basis of a value for the average density, a volume to be dosed can be calculated for the desired weight.

The resulting mass of metered tobacco material per receptacle significantly depends on the position of the continuously conveyed tobacco material at which a transition occurs from one receptacle to the next. If, for example, a clump is added to a first receptacle and a subsequent section with many cavities is added to a second receptacle, these two containers have significantly different filling weights.

In contrast to conventional approaches for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content greater than 35%, weight-dependent apportioning of the tobacco material is used according to embodiments, not volume-dependent apportioning.

For this purpose, a receptacle is positioned on a weighing cell while tobacco material is added. Given a net weight of the receptacle which is assumed to be known, a weight of the tobacco material added to the container that is hence easily accessible is in particular detected continuously. Once a predetermined setpoint is reached, the metering unit is activated by the control unit to stop the filling process, so that no additional tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

It has been determined that significantly increased metering precision can be achieved with the apportioning apparatus according to the embodiments in comparison to conventional apparatuses and methods. The safety margins for the estimated nominal weight per receptacle normally used in the field of the tobacco processing industry when apportioning moist tobacco material can be reduced or even entirely omitted. This more precise metering offers the manufacturer of loosely packed moist tobacco material significant economic advantages.

The filling of the receptacles can be accelerated when the conveyance of the receptacles and addition of the tobacco material occurs on different levels and is hence functionally separated. To this end, the apportioning apparatus advantageously comprises an extendable weighing cell platform that comprises the weighing cell and can be moved between a conveying level in which receptacles can be transported toward the weighing cell platform, in particular on a continuously movable or moved conveyor belt, and a filling level in which the receptacle is located when tobacco material is added.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the metering unit comprises a filling sleeve and a slide bottom. The filling sleeve is configured to receive tobacco material from the conveying apparatus, and the slide bottom comprises a solid part and a part provided with an opening. In particular, the slide bottom can be moved between a first and second position by a drive. In a first position, the opening of the slide bottom is flush with the filling sleeve so that tobacco material can be added to the receptacle, and in the second position, the filling sleeve is closed by the solid part of the slide bottom on one side so that the filling sleeve forms an intermediate store for receiving tobacco material together with at least one section of the solid part of the slide bottom.

Moist tobacco material can be advantageously collected in the intermediate store before the slide bottom moves sufficiently with reference to the filling sleeve for the opening in the slide bottom to be flush with the filling sleeve and for the tobacco material to be added to the receptacle arranged below. Moist tobacco material is regularly conveyed into the filling sleeve at a lower speed than tobacco material is added to the receptacle. By using an intermediate store, the entire filling process can be accelerated.

To achieve both, a precise addition of the naturally clumpy moist tobacco material and comparable filling levels in the receptacle, it is advantageous to compress the filled tobacco material. According to another embodiment, the apportioning apparatus therefore comprises a compression unit that is configured to compress the tobacco material added to the receptacle. The compression unit can include an extendable and rotatable compression plunger that, in an extended position, exerts a pressure on the tobacco material added to the receptacle. The compression unit can also include an extendable plunger platform that can be moved between a conveying level in which receptacles can be transported in particular on a continuously movable or moved conveyor belt, and a filling level in which the receptacle is arranged when tobacco material is added to the receptacle. The compression plunger is set up to exert pressure on the tobacco material in the extended position when the receptacle is arranged on the plunger platform. The extendable plunger platform is furthermore arranged downstream from a weighing cell platform with reference to the continuously movable or moved conveyor belt.

While the tobacco material is being compressed by the compression plunger, this is preferably located on the plunger platform. The moist tobacco material tends to adhere to the compression plunger during the compression process. To nevertheless ensure that the amount of tobacco material determined beforehand with the assistance of the weighing cell is present in the receptacle, the rotatable compression plunger can be rotated at the end of the compression process so that any adhering tobacco material comes off the compression plunger. In addition, a smoothed and visually attractive surface of the compressed tobacco material is thereby achieved.

Frequently, receptacles made of plastic are used such as polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate (PC). Plastic containers have many advantages; however, their surface is sensitive to scratching. To prevent the receptacle from being damaged during the process of adding the tobacco material, a centering sleeve is preferably provided that at least partially accommodates the receptacle.

In particular, the apportioning apparatus comprises a centering sleeve that can be moved by a drive into the filling level. The centering sleeve is configured to at least partially accommodate the receptacle.

In particular, the centering sleeve encloses an interior in which the receptacle is at least partially accommodated. The receptacle is thereby protected during the filling process and can further be aligned with reference to the metering unit and the compression unit.

The receptacles are typically supplied to the apportioning apparatus in a continuous stream, for example with the assistance of a conveyor belt. To nonetheless enable stepwise individual addition of tobacco material to the receptacles, the apportioning apparatus comprises retaining elements that stop or let pass receptacles conveyed on the conveyor belt that is in particular continuously movable or moved. The retaining elements are in particular designed as retaining pins that oppose each other in pairs with reference to a conveying apparatus of the conveyor belt. The retaining elements form a separating unit that is arranged upstream from the weighing cell platform, and this separating unit in particular comprises retaining pins which alternately operate pair wise.

In other words, the retaining pins are in particular arranged in a side area of the conveyor belt. This side arrangement is particularly advantageous when round containers, such as round cans, are used as the receptacles for the moist tobacco material. In an endless stream of such receptacles, they contact each other in a central area of the conveyor belt while being continuously conveyed. In the side areas of the conveyor belt, there are gaps between neighbouring receptacles, however, due to the geometry of the receptacles used. To separate the receptacles, the extendable retaining pins can advantageously engage in these gaps.

A certain amount of slip exists between the conveyor belt, that is in particular moved continuously, and the receptacles. The receptacles are transported by the conveyor belt. When the flow of receptacles is for example stopped by the retaining elements, the receptacles slide at least intermediately on the conveyor belt which in particular is moved continuously. When the retaining elements subsequently releases the path for the receptacles, the receptacles again follow the movement of the conveyor belt.

Moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% normally has a clumpy consistency. To nonetheless enable a very homogenous addition of the tobacco material, the apportioning apparatus can comprise a conveying apparatus with a homogenization module. The homogenization module in particular comprises a combination of a needle roller and a picker roller, and the needle roller and picker roller are arranged such that the needle roller receives tobacco material and conveys it to the picker roller. The picker roller is configured to beat tobacco material out of the needle roller towards the metering unit, in particular towards the or towards a filling sleeve.

In the context of this specification, “beating tobacco material out of the needle roller” is understood as beating the tobacco material out of the gaps between the individual needles of the needle roller in which the needle roller accommodates the tobacco material.

A combination of a needle roller and picker roller to homogenize moist ground or cut tobacco material has proven to be advantageous. In comparison to other systems in which the tobacco material is for example homogenized with the assistance of sieves, the combination of a needle roller and picker roller is largely self-cleaning. Involved and frequent cleaning and servicing cycles can be largely discarded.

A suitable homogenization module is known from WO 2012/092 937 A1 by the same applicant. The disclosure of WO 2012/092937 A1 is incorporated in the present specification in its entirety.

Embodiments of the invention include a machine of the tobacco processing industry for processing moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% that comprises at least one apportioning apparatus according to one or more of the above-noted embodiments.

Same or similar advantages that have been mentioned with reference to the apportioning apparatus as well as aspects for further development equally or similarly apply to the machine of the tobacco processing industry and will therefore not be repeated.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% in an apportioning apparatus comprising a weighing cell and a metering unit. The method includes at least the following steps: Reception of moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% from a conveying apparatus by the metering unit, arrangement of a receptacle on a weighing cell, arrangement of the receptacle relative to the metering unit, filling in the receptacle with tobacco material by means of the metering unit, detection by the weighing cell of a current weight of an amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle, comparison of the current weight of the amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle with a specified threshold, and operation of the metering unit such that, when the specified threshold is reached, the filling of the receptacle with tobacco material is interrupted and a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

The weighing cell detects in particular a current weight of an amount of tobacco material present in the receptacle and continuously communicates corresponding data to the processing unit. The frequency at which the weight is requested is in particular adapted to the filling speed. Preferably as the filling speed increases, a greater frequency is selected.

To accelerate the addition of the tobacco material to the receptacles, the tobacco material can be intermediately stored in an intermediate store of the metering unit before it is added to the receptacle. Subsequently, the tobacco material in the receptacle can be compressed to achieve a homogeneous and attractive appearance of the tobacco material in the receptacle. The tobacco material can be advantageously compressed while additional tobacco material is intermediately stored in the intermediate store. This accelerates the entire filling process.

According to another embodiment, to protect the receptacle during the filling process and also position it relative to the metering unit and also relative to a compressing unit, the receptacle is at least partially pushed into a centering sleeve after the receptacle has been arranged on the weighing cell, in particular before tobacco material is added to the receptacle, furthermore in particular after the tobacco material has been added to the receptacle. The receptacle is then moved together with the centering sleeve from the metering unit to a compression unit, wherein furthermore in particular the centering sleeve is moved into a filling level by a weighing cell platform arranged below the metering unit to a plunger platform arranged below the compression unit.

According to another embodiment, a plurality of receptacles is supplied in a transport level of the apportioning apparatus, in particular with the assistance of a continuously movable or moved conveyor belt, the receptacles are separated, lifted by a weighing cell platform comprising the weighing cell into a filling level at a distance from the transport level, moved after the tobacco material is added in the filling level from the weighing cell platform below the metering unit to a plunger platform below the compression unit and, after the tobacco material is compressed by the plunger platform, lowered to the transport level.

In addition, the tobacco material can be homogenized in a homogenization module before it is supplied to the apportioning apparatus. The homogenization module comprises a combination including of a needle roller and a picker roller, and the needle roller captures the tobacco material with its needles and conveys it up to the picker roller, and the picker roller beats the tobacco material out of the needle roller toward the metering unit, in particular toward a filling sleeve.

Further advantages of the method have already been noted with reference to the apportioning apparatus and correspondingly or similarly also apply to the method, and will therefore not be repeated.

Finally, the underlying object of the invention is solved by the use of an apportioning apparatus according to embodiments of the invention in a machine of the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%.

The described features, advantages and properties of the individual subjects of the invention named above, that is, the positioning apparatus, the method for apportioning, the machine of the tobacco processing industry and the use of an apportioning apparatus, are equally or analogously applicable to the other subjects even if these have each been described only in connection with one of the subjects of the invention.

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

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% that is structured and arranged to apportion tobacco material received from a conveying apparatus into receptacles. The apportioning apparatus includes a metering unit; a weighing cell; and a control unit coupled via a first data link to the metering unit and via a second data link to the weighing cell. The metering unit is configured to add a predetermined portion of tobacco material to a receptacle, and the metering unit and the weighing cell are arranged relative to each other such that, while the receptacle is being filled by the metering unit, a weight of the added tobacco material is detected by the weighing cell, and data relative to the detected weight is communicated via the first data link to the control unit. The control unit is configured to control the metering unit via the second data link on the basis of the received data relative to the weight of the added tobacco material such that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

According to embodiments, the apportioning apparatus can include an extendable weighing cell platform, which can include the weighing cell, that can be movable between a conveying level at which the receptacles may be transportable toward the weighing cell platform and a filling level at which the receptacle can be located when tobacco material is added.

In accordance with other embodiments, at the conveying level, the receptacles are transportable toward the weighing cell platform on a continuously movable conveyor belt.

In other embodiments, the metering unit may include a filling sleeve and a slide bottom, such that the filling sleeve can be configured to receive tobacco material from the conveying apparatus, and the slide bottom may include a solid part and a part provided with an opening. The slide bottom can be movable between a first and a second position via a drive, so that, in a first position, the opening of the slide bottom can be flush with the filling sleeve so that the tobacco material can be added to the receptacle, and in a second position, the filling sleeve can be closed by the solid part of the slide bottom on one side so that the filling sleeve forms and intermediate store for receiving tobacco material together with at least one section of the solid part of the slide bottom.

According to embodiments, a compression unit can be configured to compress the tobacco material added to the receptacle. The compression unit may include an extendable and rotatable compression plunger that, in an extended position, exerts a pressure on the tobacco material added to the receptacle. The compression unit may include an extendable plunger platform that is movable between a conveying level at which receptacles are conveyable on a continuously movable conveyor belt and a filling level at which the receptacle is arranged when tobacco material is added to the receptacle. Further, the compression plunger can be structured and arranged to exert pressure on the tobacco material in the extended position when the receptacle is arranged on the plunger platform, and the extendable plunger platform may be arranged downstream, relative to the continuously movable conveyor belt, from a weighing cell platform.

In accordance with still other embodiments, a centering sleeve may be movable via a drive into the filling level, the centering sleeve being configured to at least partially accommodate the receptacle. The drive of the centering sleeve can be configured to move the receptacle, which is at least partially accommodated by the centering sleeve in the filling plane, between the weighing cell platform and a plunger platform.

According to further embodiments, retaining elements may be structured and positionable to stop or let pass receptacles conveyable on a continuously movable conveyor belt. The retaining elements can be structured as extendable retaining pins that substantially oppose each other in pairs with reference to a conveying direction of the conveyor belt. The retaining elements can form a separating unit that is arranged upstream from the weighing cell platform, and the separating unit comprises retaining pins which alternately operate pair wise.

In still other embodiments, the apportioning apparatus can include a conveying apparatus with a homogenization module that includes a combination of a needle roller and a picker roller. The needle roller and picker roller can be arranged so that the needle roller receives tobacco material and conveys it to the picker roller, and the picker roller may be configured to beat tobacco material out of the needle roller towards the metering unit. The picker roller can be configured to beat tobacco material out of the needle roller towards a filling sleeve.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a machine of the tobacco processing industry for processing moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%. The machine includes at least one of the above-described apportioning apparatuses.

Embodiments are directed to a method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% in an apportioning apparatus that includes a weighing cell and a metering unit. The method includes receiving moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% from a conveying apparatus by the metering unit; positioning a receptacle on a weighing cell; locating the receptacle relative to the metering unit; filling in the receptacle with tobacco material via the metering unit; detecting, with the weighing cell, a current weight of an amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle; comparing the current weight of the amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle to a specified threshold; and operating the metering unit such that, upon reaching the specified threshold, the filling of the receptacle with tobacco material is interrupted so that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

According to embodiments, the method can include intermediately storing the tobacco material in an intermediate store of the metering unit before it is added to the receptacle.

In accordance with other embodiments, the method can further include compressing the tobacco material added to the receptacle while additional tobacco material is intermediately stored in the intermediate store.

Moreover, after the receptacle has been positioned on the weighing cell, the method may further include at least partially inserting the receptacle in the centering sleeve. The receptacle can be at least partially inserted in the centering sleeve before the tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

In still other embodiments, after the tobacco material has been added to the receptacle, the method can further include moving the receptacle together with the centering sleeve from the metering unit to a compression unit.

According to other embodiments, the method can also include moving the centering sleeve at a filling level from a weighing cell platform arranged below the metering unit to a plunger platform arranged below the compression unit.

In further embodiments, the method can include supplying a plurality of receptacles at a transport level to the apportioning apparatus with the assistance of a continuously moving conveyor belt; separating the receptacles; lifting the receptacles with a weighing cell platform, which includes the weighing cell, into a filling level at a distance from the transport level; moving the receptacles, after the tobacco material is added in the filling level, from the weighing cell platform below the metering unit to a plunger platform below the compression unit; and, after the tobacco material is compressed, lowering the receptacles to the transport level by the plunger platform.

In embodiments, the method may also include homogenizing the tobacco material in a homogenization module before supplying it to the apportioning apparatus, wherein the homogenization module may include a needle roller and a picker roller structured and arranged to capture the tobacco material with needles of the needle roller and to convey the captured tobacco material to the picker roller. The picker roller can beat the tobacco material out of the needle roller toward at least one of the metering unit and a filling sleeve.

In accordance with still yet other embodiments of the present invention, a method of operating the above-described apportioning apparatus in a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35%. The method includes apportioning tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35% into receptacles lifted from a conveyor to a metering unit.

Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 11 each show a simplified schematic representation of an apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% according to an exemplary embodiment in different operating states according to a method for apportioning tobacco material in an apportioning apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 12 shows a simplified diagram of steps corresponding to a method for apportioning tobacco material according to an exemplary embodiment, and

FIG. 13 shows a simplified flowchart corresponding to a method for apportioning tobacco material according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings, the same or similar types of elements and/or parts are provided with the same reference numbers in order to prevent the item from needing to be reintroduced.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic and simplified apportioning apparatus 2 for a machine in the tobacco processing industry. The apportioning apparatus 2 serves to apportion moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of the least 35%. The tobacco material is supplied via a supply bin 4 to a homogenization module 6 that comprises a combination of a needle roller 8 and a picker roller 10. The needle roller 8 and the picker roller 10 are driven by drives 12 and 14, respectively, such that the tobacco material is conveyed from the supply bin 4 via the homogenization module 6, which simultaneously constitutes a conveying apparatus, into a filling sleeve 16. To this end, the needle roller 8 receives the tobacco material, captures it and conveys it toward the picker roller 10. This beats the tobacco material out of the needle roller 8 toward the filling sleeve 16. In this process, the naturally inhomogenous and clumpy moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% is homogenized and separated.

In the context of the present specification, beating out the tobacco material from the needle roller is understood as a process in which tobacco material captured by the needle roller is at least partially beat out of the gaps between the individual needles of the needle roller 8.

The homogenization module 6 is in particular designed as described in WO-A-2012/092937 by the same applicant. The content of WO-A-2012/092937 is incorporated in this specification in its entirety.

Furthermore, the apportioning apparatus 2 receives a flow of receptacles 18. In the drawings, only some of the receptacles 18 are provided with reference numbers merely for the sake of clarity. The receptacles 18 are moved on an, in particular, continuously moved or movable conveyor belt 20. In the shown exemplary embodiments, the conveyor belt 20 driven by a drive (not shown) moves such that the receptacles 18 are conveyed from right to left. The conveyor belt 20 is mounted on a schematically portrayed frame 22.

The flow of receptacles 18 conveyed by the conveyor belt 20 is stopped at a first stop cylinder 24. This operates alternatingly with a second stop cylinder 26 to separate the receptacles 18. In other words, the first stop cylinder 24 and second stop cylinder 26 form a separating unit. With reference to the conveying apparatus of the conveyor belt 20, this is arranged upstream from a weighing cell platform 30.

The first stop cylinder 24 and the second stop cylinder 26 are generally designated retaining element. In particular, the first and second stop cylinders 24, 26 are designed as retaining pins that oppose each other in pairs with reference to a conveying apparatus of the conveyor belt 20. The two retaining pins that form a pair are preferably arranged in opposing side areas of the conveyor belt 20. The retaining pins of which in particular a first pair forms the first stop cylinder 24 and a second pair forms the second stop cylinder 26 function alternatingly in pairs to separate the receptacles 18.

There is a certain amount of slip between the receptacles 18 and the conveyor belt 20. The receptacles 18 follow the movement of the conveyor belt. If the flow of the receptacles 18 is stopped by a stop cylinder 24, 26, the receptacles 18 slide on the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 20. In other words, due to the slip, the conveying speed of the receptacles 18 is less than or equal to a speed of transportation established by the movement of the conveyor belt 20.

In the following, the apportioning apparatus 2 and a method to apportion a moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% within this apportioning apparatus 2 will be explained with reference to the different operating states of the apportioning apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 in conjunction with the diagram of steps shown in FIG. 12.

In the diagram of steps in FIG. 12, state lines for the individual actuators of the apportioning apparatus 2 also noted in the figure are portrayed over time. If the state line of a certain actuator is located on a low level, this means that the corresponding unit is retracted or not activated. If the state line is contrastingly at a high level, this means that the actuator is extended or activated.

In the top part of FIG. 12, the numbers “1” to “11” are indicated which correspond with the operating states of the apportioning apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 11. The apportioning apparatus 2 is therefore in the operating state, for example, at time “5” which is shown in FIG. 5.

As mentioned, receptacles 18 are first conveyed on the conveyor belt 20 to the first stop cylinder 24. Then (FIG. 2) the first stop cylinder 24 is retracted so that an individual receptacle 18 is conveyed further to the second stop cylinder 26. In an additional step, the first stop cylinder 24 is extended again while the second stop cylinder 26 is simultaneously retracted so that the separated receptacle 18 is conveyed to a bypass stop cylinder 28 (FIG. 3). The receptacle 18 is then located above a weighing cell platform 30.

The weighing cell platform 30 can be moved between a conveying level in which the receptacles 18 are conveyed to the apportioning apparatus 2, and a filling level in which tobacco material is added to the receptacles 18. The conveying level is basically defined by a top side 32 of the conveyor belt 20. The filling level is at a distance from the conveying level and is in particular arranged above the conveying level. The conveying level and filling level are preferably plane-parallel levels, wherein the filling level extends substantially directly below the filling sleeve 16.

The weighing cell platform 30 comprises a weighing cell which is not shown in the drawings. This is set up to determine a weight received by the weighing cell platform 30. The net weight of the receptacle 18 is easily accessible and can therefore be assumed to be known. It is accordingly possible for the weighing cell to determine the weight of the tobacco material added to the receptacle 18.

In order to compensate for differences in weight between individual receptacles 18 and potential contaminants on the weighing cell, the weighing cell is calibrated to a weight equal to zero according to another exemplary embodiment when the receptacle 18 is arranged on the weighing cell.

In another step, the weighing cell platform 30 is extended (FIG. 4). The receptacle 18 at least partially enters the centering sleeve 34 or is pushed into it. The centering sleeve 34 in particular is manufactured from a material that is more mechanically stable than the receptacle 18. For example, the centering sleeve 34 is manufactured from metal, whereas the receptacles 18 are manufactured from a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate (PC).

During a subsequent filling phase, another receptacle 18 is already conveyed up to a second stop cylinder 26 and is separated from the flow of supplied receptacles 18 due to the opposing operation of the first and second stop cylinders 24, 26 (FIG. 5).

The receptacle 18 located on the weighing cell platform 30 is filled with moist cut or ground tobacco material 36. Proceeding from the filling sleeve 16, the tobacco material 36 passes through an opening in a slide bottom 38 into the receptacle 18. The opening is not shown in the figures. During the filling process, the opening present in the slide bottom 38 is flush with the filling sleeve 16. Together, the slide bottom 38 and the filling sleeve 16 form a metering unit 17.

The receptacle 18 is positioned with reference to the metering unit 17 with the assistance of the centering sleeve 34. In addition, the centering sleeve 34 serves to protect the receptacle 18 from damage during the filling process.

The flow of the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18 is indicated with arrows proceeding from the supply bin 4 via the needle roller 8 and picker roller 10 into the filling sleeve 18. In the depicted example, the needle roller 8 rotates counterclockwise driven by the drive 12. The picker roller 10 rotates in the opposite direction of the needle roller 8 corresponding to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, i.e., clockwise.

Further details regarding the design of the homogenization module 6 can be found in WO-A-2012/092937 by the same applicant. The disclosure of WO-A-2012/092937 is incorporated in the present specification in its entirety.

During the filling process, the weighing cell integrated in the weighing cell platform 30 detects a weight of the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18. A value of the weight of the added tobacco material 36 detected by the weighing cell is communicated via a second data link to a control unit 40. The control unit 40 is configured to control the metering unit 17, in particular the slide bottom 38 in that, upon reaching a predetermined threshold for the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18, the supply of tobacco material 36 into the receptacle is interrupted. To this end, the control unit 40 is connected via a first data link to the metering unit 17, or to a drive (not shown) of the slide bottom 38.

When the specified weight of the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18 is reached, the slide bottom 38 is moved into a second position from a first position in which the opening in the slide bottom 38 is flush with the filling sleeve 16 (FIG. 6).

The slide bottom 38 comprises a solid part and a part provided with the opening. When the slide bottom 38 is in the second position as shown in FIG. 6, the solid part of the slide bottom 38 is directly below the filling sleeve 16 and closes it on one side. In this position of the slide bottom 38, the filling sleeve 16, together with at least one section of the solid part of the slide bottom 38, forms an intermediate store for receiving tobacco material 36.

The immediate storage of tobacco material 36 is advantageous since the amount conveyed by the homogenization module 6 is less than the speed at which the tobacco material 36 is added to the receptacle 18. In other words, the tobacco material 36 continuously accumulates in the intermediate store so that the actual process of filling the receptacle 18 can proceed very quickly without having to use an oversize homogenization module 6. A majority of the tobacco material to be added is added all at once, and only a small part is subsequently dosed during the open access in order to achieve the desired overall filling weight.

The centering sleeve 16 has also been moved together with the slide bottom 36 (see. FIGS. 5 and 6). During this movement, the centering sleeve 16 pushes the receptacle 18 from the weighing cell platform 30 onto a plunger platform 42. A height of the bypass stop cylinder 26 is selected in that it does not restrict this movement. While tobacco material 36 is collected in the filling sleeve 16, the receptacle 18 is located on the plunger platform 42. The weighing cell platform 30 is then moved back into or below the conveying level. The next receptacle 18 is already separated by the opposite movement of the first and second stop cylinders 24, 26 and travels toward the weighing cell platform 30 into the apportioning apparatus 2 (FIG. 7).

In a following step, a compression plunger 44 that forms a compression unit together with the plunger platform 42 moves downwards towards the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18. The compression plunger 44 travels at least partially through the opening in the slide bottom 38 and enters or passes through the interior of the centering sleeve 34. Pressure is then exerted by the compression plunger 44 on the surface of the tobacco material 36 added to the receptacle 18. The tobacco material 36 is thereby compressed in the receptacle 18.

Cut or ground tobacco material 36 with a moisture content of at least 35% is typically a clumpy material. It is therefore possible for it to adhere to the compression plunger 44. In order to shear off adhering tobacco material 36 from the compression plunger 44, this is caused to rotate by a rotary cylinder 46 (FIG. 9).

The tobacco material 36 is compressed while new tobacco material 36 already collects in the filling sleeve 16. The entire filling process is advantageously accelerated by this form of parallel processing of the tobacco material 36.

The plunger platform 42 is lowered from the filling level to the conveying level after the tobacco material 36 is compressed. The filled receptacle 18 is supplied to further processing steps (FIG. 10). While the receptacle 18 is being lowered to the conveying plane again, the centering sleeve 34 is returned to its first position again. The weighing cell platform 30 pushes another receptacle 18 into the centering sleeve 34.

While the first filled receptacle 18 leaves the apportioning apparatus 2 on the conveyor belt 20, another receptacle 18 with moist cut or ground tobacco material 36 with a moisture content of at least 35% which has entered the filling sleeve 16 in the interim is already being filled (FIG. 11).

The actuators of the apportioning apparatus 2 such as the slide bottom 38, the centering sleeve 34, the stop cylinders 24, 26, 28, the weighing cell platform 30 and the plunger platform 42 as well as the compression plunger 44 are in particular hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or electrically driven actuators.

The bypass stop cylinder 28 remains continuously extended during the normal operation of the apportioning apparatus 2. If the metering unit 17 with the homogenization module 6 have to be cleaned, the bypass stop cylinder 28 is retracted, and receptacles 18 present on the conveyor belt 20 pass by the apportioning apparatus 2. For example, the filling of the receptacles 18 is temporarily continued with another positioning apparatus 2 available downstream that is designed analogously to one or more of the cited exemplary embodiments.

Several, for example up to eight, corresponding apportioning apparatuses 2 can be supplied by a supply bin 4 to achieve a fast filling speed.

In a simplified flowchart, FIG. 13 shows steps of a method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material 36 with a moisture content of at least 35% according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In an apportioning apparatus 2 according to one of the cited exemplary embodiments, the method starts with the separation of the receptacles 18 (steps S1 and S2). These are then arranged on a weighing cell platform 30 (step S3) that is lifted from the conveying level to the filling level. The weighing cell platform 30 pushes the receptacle 18 into the centering sleeve 34 (step S4). The receptacle 18 is then filled with tobacco material 36 (step S5), wherein a weight of the tobacco material 36 present in the receptacle 18 is permanently detected with the assistance of a weighing cell (step S6). The filling process is continued until a given target weight (step S7) is reached. If this is the case, the receptacle 18 is moved from the weighing cell platform 30 to the plunger platform 42 (step S8). The compression plunger 44 is lowered to compress the tobacco material 36 (step S9). After the tobacco material 36 is compressed, the plunger platform 42 is lowered from the filling level to the conveying level, wherein the receptacle 18 is released from the centering sleeve 34 (step S10). The method for filling an individual receptacle 18 terminates (step S11) or is restarted beginning with step S1 for another receptacle 18.

All named features, including those to be taken from the drawings alone, and individual features, which are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered individually and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments according to the invention can be realized by the individual features, or a combination of several features. Within the context of the invention, features that are characterized with “in particular” or “preferably” are to be considered optional features.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 Apportioning apparatus

4 Supply bin

6 Homogenization module
8 Needle roller
10 Picker roller

12 Drive

14 Drive

16 Filling sleeve
17 Metering unit

18 Receptacle

20 Conveyor belt

22 Frame

24 First stop cylinder
26 Second stop cylinder
28 Bypass stop cylinder
30 Weighing cell platform

32 Surface

24 Centering sleeve
36 Tobacco material
38 Bottom slide
40 Control unit
42 Plunger platform
44 Compression plunger
46 Rotary cylinder

Claims

1. An apportioning apparatus for a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% that is structured and arranged to apportion tobacco material received from a conveying apparatus into receptacles comprising:

a metering unit;

a weighing cell; and

a control unit coupled via a first data link to the metering unit and via a second data link to the weighing cell,

wherein the metering unit is configured to add a predetermined portion of tobacco material to a receptacle, and the metering unit and the weighing cell are arranged relative to each other such that, while the receptacle is being filled by the metering unit, a weight of the added tobacco material is detected by the weighing cell, and data relative to the detected weight is communicated via the first data link to the control unit, and

wherein the control unit is configured to control the metering unit via the second data link on the basis of the received data relative to the weight of the added tobacco material such that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

2. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an extendable weighing cell platform, which comprises the weighing cell, that is movable between a conveying level at which the receptacles are transportable toward the weighing cell platform and a filling level at which the receptacle is located when tobacco material is added.

3. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the conveying level, the receptacles are transportable toward the weighing cell platform on a continuously movable conveyor belt.

4. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metering unit comprises a filling sleeve and a slide bottom, such that the filling sleeve is configured to receive tobacco material from the conveying apparatus, and the slide bottom comprises a solid part and a part provided with an opening.

5. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slide bottom is movable between a first and a second position via a drive, and

wherein in a first position, the opening of the slide bottom is flush with the filling sleeve so that the tobacco material can be added to the receptacle, and in a second position, the filling sleeve is closed by the solid part of the slide bottom on one side so that the filling sleeve forms and intermediate store for receiving tobacco material together with at least one section of the solid part of the slide bottom.

6. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a compression unit configured to compress the tobacco material added to the receptacle.

7. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 6, the compression unit comprises an extendable and rotatable compression plunger that, in an extended position, exerts a pressure on the tobacco material added to the receptacle.

8. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the compression unit comprises an extendable plunger platform that is movable between a conveying level at which receptacles are conveyable on a continuously movable conveyor belt and a filling level at which the receptacle is arranged when tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

9. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the compression plunger is structured and arranged to exert pressure on the tobacco material in the extended position when the receptacle is arranged on the plunger platform, and the extendable plunger platform is arranged downstream, relative to the continuously movable conveyor belt, from a weighing cell platform.

10. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a centering sleeve movable via a drive into the filling level, the centering sleeve being configured to at least partially accommodate the receptacle.

11. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the drive of the centering sleeve is configured to move the receptacle, which is at least partially accommodated by the centering sleeve in the filling plane, between the weighing cell platform and a plunger platform.

12. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising retaining elements structured and positionable to stop or let pass receptacles conveyable on a continuously movable conveyor belt.

13. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the retaining elements are structured as extendable retaining pins that substantially oppose each other in pairs with reference to a conveying direction of the conveyor belt, wherein the retaining elements form a separating unit that is arranged upstream from the weighing cell platform, and wherein the separating unit comprises retaining pins which alternately operate pair wise.

14. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying apparatus with a homogenization module that includes a combination of a needle roller and a picker roller, wherein the needle roller and picker roller are arranged so that the needle roller receives tobacco material and conveys it to the picker roller, and the picker roller is configured to beat tobacco material out of the needle roller towards the metering unit.

15. The apportioning apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the picker roller is configured to beat tobacco material out of the needle roller towards a filling sleeve.

16. A machine of the tobacco processing industry for processing moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35%, comprising at least one apportioning apparatus according to claim 1.

17. A method for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% in an apportioning apparatus that includes a weighing cell and a metering unit, the method comprising:

a) receiving moist cut or ground tobacco material with a moisture content of at least 35% from a conveying apparatus by the metering unit;

b) positioning a receptacle on a weighing cell;

c) locating the receptacle relative to the metering unit;

d) filling in the receptacle with tobacco material via the metering unit;

e) detecting, with the weighing cell, a current weight of an amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle;

f) comparing the current weight of the amount of tobacco material added to the receptacle to a specified threshold; and

g) operating the metering unit such that, upon reaching the specified threshold, the filling of the receptacle with tobacco material is interrupted so that a predetermined portion of tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising intermediately storing the tobacco material in an intermediate store of the metering unit before it is added to the receptacle.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising compressing the tobacco material added to the receptacle while additional tobacco material is intermediately stored in the intermediate store.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein, after the receptacle has been positioned on the weighing cell, the method further comprises at least partially inserting the receptacle in the centering sleeve.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the receptacle is at least partially inserted in the centering sleeve before the tobacco material is added to the receptacle.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein, after the tobacco material has been added to the receptacle, the method further comprises moving the receptacle together with the centering sleeve from the metering unit to a compression unit.

23. The method according to claim 17, further comprising moving the centering sleeve at a filling level from a weighing cell platform arranged below the metering unit to a plunger platform arranged below the compression unit.

24. The method according to claim 17, further comprising supplying a plurality of receptacles at a transport level to the apportioning apparatus with the assistance of a continuously moving conveyor belt; separating the receptacles; lifting the receptacles with a weighing cell platform, which includes the weighing cell, into a filling level at a distance from the transport level; moving the receptacles, after the tobacco material is added in the filling level, from the weighing cell platform below the metering unit to a plunger platform below the compression unit; and, after the tobacco material is compressed, lowering the receptacles to the transport level by the plunger platform.

25. The method according to claim 17, further comprising homogenizing the tobacco material in a homogenization module before supplying it to the apportioning apparatus, wherein the homogenization module comprises a needle roller and a picker roller structured and arranged to capture the tobacco material with needles of the needle roller and to convey the captured tobacco material to the picker roller.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the picker roller beats the tobacco material out of the needle roller toward at least one of the metering unit and a filling sleeve.

27. A method of operating the apportioning apparatus according to claim 1 in a machine in the tobacco processing industry for apportioning moist cut or ground tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35%, comprising:

apportioning tobacco material having a moisture content of at least 35% into receptacles lifted from a conveyor to a metering unit.