MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING FILTER RODS

Abstract

A machine for manufacturing tobacco industry filter rods, the filter rods comprising single-length longitudinal objects, wherein the machine comprises: a preparation unit for preparing a strand of filtering fibers; a forming unit for forming a continuous filter rod from the strand of the filtering fibers; a feeding unit for feeding multiple-length longitudinal objects; a cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects; a transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects; a positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects in the continuous filter rod while it is being formed; a cutting head for cutting the formed continuous filter rod that comprises the filtering fibers and the single-length longitudinal objects, into individual filter rods. The cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects comprises a multi-flute drum conveyor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a machine for manufacturing filter rods.

BACKGROUND

In tobacco industry products, mouthpieces comprising filtering material are commonly used. Full filter segments having a circular cross-section, as well as tube segments with a tube that may have any thickness of the wall, are used. There are known mouthpieces, in which full segments and tube segments are juxtaposed with each other, wherein the full segments and the tube segments are made of different materials or are both made of the same type of material. There is a need to manufacture such two-segment mouthpieces in a simple and inexpensive manner, and so that fibers of the filtering material extend along the whole length of the mouthpiece. In tobacco industry there is a need for machines, which manufacture said mouthpieces in a simple method in a single technological operation.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention.

As such, a machine for manufacturing tobacco industry filter rods, the filter rods comprising single-length longitudinal objects and method for using the same, comprises: a preparation unit for preparing a strand of filtering fibers; a forming unit for forming a continuous filter rod from the strand of the filtering fibers; a feeding unit for feeding multiple-length longitudinal objects; a cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects; a transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects; a positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects in the continuous filter rod while it is being formed; a cutting head for cutting the formed continuous filter rod that comprises the filtering fibers and the single-length longitudinal objects, into individual filter rods; wherein the cutting unit for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects comprises a multi-flute drum conveyor.

The feeding unit for feeding the multiple-length longitudinal objects may comprise a channel configured to feed the multiple-length longitudinal objects in a form of a mass flow.

The transferring unit may be configured to transfer the single-length longitudinal objects in the form of a flow of the single-length longitudinal objects along a duct.

The transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects may comprise a transferring drum having a spiral element on its side surface.

A separating unit may be located at the end of the duct and configured to receive the single-length longitudinal objects and to transfer the single-length longitudinal objects, one by one, to the positioning unit.

The positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod may comprise a rotary positioning disc having a horizontal axis, wherein the positioning disc may comprise transporting seats for the single-length longitudinal objects.

The positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod being formed may comprise a longitudinal pushing-off element for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects out of the transporting seats of the positioning disc.

The positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod may comprise a rotary pushing element for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects out of the transporting seats of the positioning disc.

The machine may comprise a gluing unit for supplying glue onto the single-length longitudinal objects.

The gluing unit may have a nozzle for supplying glue is located at a circumference of the positioning disc.

The multiple-length longitudinal object may have a form of a tube.

The machine according to the present invention provides high quality of manufactured rods, the quality being indicated by both a repeatability of positioning of the tube along the rod, as well as a central positioning of the tube in a cross-section of the rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The present machine(s) will be described further, by way of example, with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various techniques, methods, systems, or apparatuses described herein.

FIG. 1 presents a cross-section of a filter rod.

FIG. 2 presents a cross-section of a single mouthpiece.

FIG. 3 presents a multiple-length longitudinal object.

FIG. 4 presents a machine for manufacturing filter rods.

FIG. 5 presents a transporting path of single-length longitudinal objects.

FIG. 6 presents a fragment of the machine for manufacturing filter rods.

FIG. 7 presents a cross-section across a positioning unit of the machine of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 presents a fragment of the machine for manufacturing filter rods.

FIG. 9 presents a cross-section across a positioning unit of the machine of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 presents a fragment of the machine for manufacturing filter rods.

FIG. 11 presents a cross-section across a positioning unit of the machine of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of a filter rod 1 is presented in a cross-section in FIG. 1. It comprises two longitudinal objects in a form of tubes 2. The tubes 2 are located centrally along an X axis of the filter rod 1. The tubes 2 are arranged along the X axis such that each filter rod 1 may be cut into two parts along a plane k that is perpendicular to the X axis, and each of that two parts may be cut along two planes: m and n, which are distanced from each other and from the plane k, and which are perpendicular to the X axis. Therefore, four mouthpieces 3 can be obtained from the single filter rod 1, wherein a full end 4 as well as a tube end 5 (FIG. 2) may be directed towards a tobacco rod in a cigarette. The mouthpiece 3 may be used as one of segments of a multi-segment mouthpiece. FIG. 3 presents a multiple-length longitudinal object—a tube 6, which during the manufacturing process of the filter rods is cut into several tubes 2, which will be referenced herein as single-length longitudinal objects 2, wherein the multiple-length longitudinal object 6 is cut along several planes c perpendicular to a longitudinal axis Z of the tube 6.

A machine 10 for manufacturing filter rods 1 having single-length longitudinal objects 2 is shown in FIG. 4. The machine comprises a preparation unit 11 for preparing a strand of filtering fibers, a forming unit 12 for forming a continuous filter rod CR from a strand F of filtering fibers, a feeding unit 13 for feeding the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 as a mass flow MF, a cutting unit 14 for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 into single-length longitudinal objects 2, a transferring unit 15 for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects 2 as a flow of single-length longitudinal objects 2, a positioning unit 16 for placing the single-length longitudinal objects 2 into the continuous filter rod CR, a cutting head 17 for cutting the formed continuous filter rod CR (that comprises the filtering fibers and the single-length longitudinal objects 2), into single filter rods 1.

In the preparation unit 11 for preparing the strand of filtering fibers, the strand F is subject to stretching, both in a transfer direction and in a direction transverse with respect to the transfer direction. Individual fibers of the strand F are separated, therefore it is possible to form a uniform rod having a circular cross-section in a preliminary forming unit 18 for forming the strand F of filtering fibers, in which the strand F of filtering fibers is gradually compressed, in order to make it possible to form a continuous rod CR having a circular cross-section at the output of the forming unit 12. The machine comprises a wrapper feeding unit 19 for feeding a wrapper P.

The feeding unit 13 for feeding the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 is located above the forming unit 12 for forming the continuous filter rod CR from the strand F of filtering fibers. The feeding unit 13 comprises a channel 20 configured to feed the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 in the form of the mass flow MF i.e. a multilayer stream of the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6. Moreover, the feeding unit 13 comprises a hopper 21 located directly above the cutting unit 14. The cutting unit 14 comprises a multi-flute drum conveyor 22 and a disc knife unit 23. The multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 are placed into the flutes of the drum conveyor 22 and the single-length longitudinal objects 2 obtained after cutting are received from the flutes of this conveyor in order to form the flow SF of single-length longitudinal objects 2. The single-length longitudinal objects 2 are transferred as the flow SF of single-length longitudinal objects 2 along a substantially horizontal duct 25 (FIG. 5). The single-length longitudinal objects 2 are transferred in groups G by means of pushers 24, wherein only one group G is presented in the drawing to improve clarity. In the presented embodiment, the single-length longitudinal objects 2 are transferred further by means of a transferring drum 26 having a spiral element 27 located on a side surface 28 of the transferring drum 26. The spiral element 27 pushes the single-length longitudinal objects 2 during rotation of the transferring drum 26. The single-length longitudinal objects 2 are transferred from the transferring unit 15 to the positioning unit 16 directly or by means of a separating unit 29. The aim of the positioning unit 16 is to place the single-length longitudinal objects 2 inside continuous, cylindrically shaped strand F of the acetate fibers being formed, the single-length longitudinal objects 2 being placed by means of a positioning disc 30 with transporting seats 31. The transporting path of the flow SF may be located tangentially to the positioning disc 30. Placing of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 is performed when the fibers are initially formed, loosely enough, so that when the single-length longitudinal object 2 is being inserted, the fibers of the strand F are moved apart and will surround this object during further forming of the fiber strand F, such that a uniform density of the filtering material can be obtained around the said object. The density of the strand F of the filtering fibers (across the cross-section of the strand) at this stage is low and uniform enough, so as to achieve accurate central positioning of the single-length longitudinal object 2 in the filtering fibers strand F by means of the positioning disc 30 in the continuous rod CR. The transporting seats 31 may be formed by means of pushers 32 on a circumference 33. The rotary motion of the positioning disc 30 defining the position of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 is synchronized with the transferring of the wrapper P and the strand F of the filtering fibers, therefore the longitudinal arrangement of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 in the continuous rod CR being formed is repeatable and set with high accuracy. In the presented embodiment, the positioning disc 30 has a horizontal axis Y of rotation. The positioning unit 16 for placing the single-length longitudinal objects 2 in the filter rod comprises a longitudinal pushing element 34, presented in a cross-section in FIG. 7, for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects 2 out of the transporting slots 31 of the positioning disc 30 during rotation of this disc. The stationary pushing elements 34, 34′ may be substituted by rotary mounted pushing elements 37, 37′, for example such as discs presented in FIG. 8 and presented in a cross-section in FIG. 9. The purpose of the stationary pushing elements 34, 34′ as well as the rotary mounted pushing elements 37, 37′ is to provide the central positioning of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 in the cross-section of the continuous rod CR, because the central positioning is set for the whole length of the inserted object. The transporting seat 31′ may have a form of a cylindrical groove of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the single-length longitudinal object 2. The single-length longitudinal objects 2 may be held by means of an arc guide 38. Alternatively, or additionally, the single-length longitudinal objects 2 may be held in the transporting seats 31′ by means of negative pressure supplied through ducts 39.

At the circumference 33 of the positioning disc 30 there is located a gluing unit 35 configured to supply glue onto the single-length longitudinal objects 2. The gluing unit may have a nozzle 36 that supplies the glue in a cyclic pulse manner. Owing to use of the glue, a single-length longitudinal object 2 is being fixed immovably with respect to the fibers of the continuous filter rod CR that is being formed.

FIG. 10 presents a fragment of the machine comprising the positioning unit 16′ with transporting seats 31′ arranged peripherally by protrusions 40 at the circumference 33′ of the positioning disc 30′. Each transporting seat 31′ has two protrusions 40, which limit the single-length longitudinal object 2 which is placed in the transporting seat 31′ at both sides. Such solution facilitates obtaining a uniform longitudinal arrangement of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 in the continuous rod CR, because the positioning of the single-length longitudinal object 2 is defined at both sides. The single-length longitudinal object 2 is fed into the transporting seat 31′ from the top by means of the separating unit 29. The single-length longitudinal object 2 is transferred in the transporting seat 31′, wherein at the outside it is held by means of a guide 38′ having an inner guiding surface 41 corresponding to the diameter of the single-length longitudinal object 2 (FIG. 11). The guides may have any shape. Side guides 42, 42′ may be additionally implemented, which are referenced by dashed lines. FIG. 11 presents also two gluing units 35′, which supply glue onto the outer surface of the single-length longitudinal object 2. Alternatively, it is possible to locate the gluing unit only at one side of the transporting path of these objects.

Claims

1. A machine for manufacturing tobacco industry filter rods, comprising:

a preparation unit for preparing a strand of filtering fibers;

a forming unit for forming a continuous filter rod from the strand of the filtering fibers;

a feeding unit for feeding multiple-length longitudinal objects;

a cutting unit, comprising a multi-flute drum conveyor, for cutting the multiple-length longitudinal objects into the single-length longitudinal objects;

a transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects;

a positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects in the continuous filter rod while it is being formed; and

a cutting head for cutting the formed continuous filter rod that comprises the filtering fibers and the single-length longitudinal objects, into individual filter rods.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit for feeding the multiple-length longitudinal objects comprises a channel configured to feed the multiple-length longitudinal objects in a form of a mass flow.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the transferring unit is configured to transfer the single-length longitudinal objects in the form of a flow of the single-length longitudinal objects along a duct.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the transferring unit for transferring the single-length longitudinal objects comprises a transferring drum having a spiral element on a side surface.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a separating unit is located at the end of the duct and configured to receive the single-length longitudinal objects and to transfer the single-length longitudinal objects, one by one, to the positioning unit.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod comprises a rotary positioning disc having a horizontal axis and transporting seats for the single-length longitudinal objects.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod being formed comprises a longitudinal pushing-off element for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects out of the transporting seats of the positioning disc.

8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit for placing the single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod comprises a rotary pushing element for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects out of the transporting seats of the positioning disc.

9. The machine according to claim 1, comprising a gluing unit for supplying glue onto the single-length longitudinal objects.

10. The machine according to claim 1, wherein a nozzle for supplying glue is located at a circumference of the positioning disc.

11. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the multiple-length longitudinal object is tubular in form.