U.S. patent application number 10/546262 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for device for applying filters to cigarettes.
Invention is credited to Fiorenzo Draghetti.
Application Number | 20060169295 10/546262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32894138 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060169295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo |
August 3, 2006 |
Device for applying filters to cigarettes
Abstract
Filter tips are applied to cigarettes by a device equipped with
a conveying roller (9) on which assemblies (4) composed of two
cigarettes (5) and a double length filter plug (6) placed between
them are united with tipping papers (11), also with a flexible
rolling conveyor (12) looped around first and second pulleys (16,
18) and combining with the roller (9) to create a concave channel
(13) along which a tipping paper is rolled around the relative
filter. The rolling surface of the flexible conveyor (12) is faced
with metal cleats (24) ordered transversely one beside the next. To
ensure that the conveyor (12) runs concentrically with the roller
(9) and maintain a constant depth along the channel (13), the
device is equipped with magnets (30) and guide wheels (33)
positioned on the side of the flexible conveyor (12) opposite from
the channel (13) in such a way that the magnets (30) will interact
with the cleats (24) and with blocks (26) and screws (27) by which
the cleats are clamped to the conveyor (12).
Inventors: |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo;
(Medicina, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harbin King & Klima
500 Ninth Street SE
Washington
DC
20003
US
|
Family ID: |
32894138 |
Appl. No.: |
10/546262 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
February 13, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB04/00497 |
371 Date: |
August 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/471 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/094 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/47 20060101
A24C005/47 |
Claims
1. A device for applying filters to cigarettes, comprising a first
conveyor (8) serving to carry assemblies (4) composed of at least
one cigarette (5) and a filter plug (6) placed end to end, and
tipping papers (11) by which the assemblies (4) are joined
permanently, also a rolling channel (13) of depth matched
approximately to the diameter of the assemblies (4) received from
the first conveyor (8), characterized in that the rolling channel
(13) comprises a flexible rolling conveyor (12) at least on the one
hand, looped around first and second transmission means (14, 15),
and in that the rolling surface of the flexible conveyor (12) is
furnished with a plurality of rigid elements (23).
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the rigid elements (23) comprise
a plurality of cleats (24) ordered transversely one beside the next
along the flexible conveyor (12) to provide a cladding.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein each cleat (24) is secured by
respective fastening means (25) to the flexible conveyor (12).
4. A device as in claim 3, wherein the fastening means (25)
comprise a plurality of blocks (26) positioned on the side of the
flexible conveyor (I 2) opposite to the cleats (24), each connected
to a respective cleat (24) by clamping means (27).
5. A device as in claim 1, wherein the rolling channel (13)
comprises a first flexible conveyor (12) on the one hand, and a
second flexible conveyor (12) on the other.
6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the rolling channel (13)
comprises a first flexible conveyor (12) on the one hand, and a
second flexible conveyor (12) as in claims 2 to 4 on the other.
7. A device as in claim 6, wherein the rolling channel (13) extends
along a predetermined and substantially rectilinear rolling
path.
8. A device as in claim 7, wherein both of the flexible conveyors
(12) are looped around respective first and second transmission
means (14, 15) comprising respective return pulleys (16, 18; 42,
43), one of the transmission means (14, 15) further comprising an
outfeed and take-up conveyor (21) positioned to receive the
assemblies (4a) emerging from the rolling channel (13).
9. A device as in claim 2, wherein the rolling channel (13) extends
along a predetermined and substantially curvilinear rolling
path.
10. A device as in claim 9, wherein the rolling channel (13) is
created between a roller (9) with aspirating seats (10) on the one
hand, coinciding with the first conveyor (8), and a flexible
conveyor (12) on the other.
11. A device as in claim 10, wherein the first and second
transmission means (14, 15) of the flexible conveyor (12) comprise
a first and a second return pulley (16, 18), the first transmission
means (14) establishing an infeed conveyor (17), the second
transmission means (15) further comprising an outfeed and take-up
conveyor (21) disposed coaxially with the respective second return
pulley (18) and serving to receive the assemblies (4a) emerging
from the rolling channel (13).
12. A device as in claim 11, comprising retaining means (28) and
guiding and locating means (29) associated with the flexible
conveyor (12) and positioned on the side of the flexible conveyor
(12) opposite from the channel (13).
13. A device as in claim 12, wherein the retaining means (28)
comprise a plurality of magnetic elements (30) interacting with the
fastening means (25) and/or the cleats (24).
14. A device as in claim 12, wherein the guiding and locating means
(29) comprise a plurality of freely revolving wheels (33) offered
in contact to the surface of the flexible conveyor (12).
15. A device as in claim 14, wherein the magnetic elements (30) are
carried by at least one member (32) of nonmagnetic material
extending parallel to the rolling channel (13) and interposed
between two sets of guiding and locating wheels (33).
16. A device as in claim 15, wherein the single sets of guiding and
locating wheels (33) are ordered in respective rows occupying
parallel planes, with each wheel (33) of each row partly
overlapping at least one wheel of the adjacent row.
17. A device as in claim 16, wherein the flexible conveyor (12)
presents a toothed profile (34) in mesh with teeth (37) presented
by the guiding and locating wheels (33) and with teeth (35, 26)
presented by the pulleys (16, 18).
18. A device as in claim 17, wherein each of the cleats (24)
presents a rolling surface fashioned with a reeded profile
(38).
19. A device as in claim 18, wherein at least one cleat (24) per
given unit number of cleats is furnished with at least one rib or
lip (39) serving to initiate the rolling action internally of the
rolling channel (13).
20. A device as in claim 8, wherein the outfeed and take-up
conveyor (21) in receipt of the assemblies (4a) from the rolling
channel (13) comprises a roller (19) by which the emerging
assemblies (4a) are taken up and distanced selectively one from the
next.
21. A device as in claim 20, wherein the take-up roller (19)
functions as a means by which to shorten the distance between
successive assemblies (4a) emerging from the rolling channel
(13).
22. A device as in claim 21, wherein the take-up roller (19)
presents peripheral recesses (20) spaced apart at a distance less
than the distance separating successive assemblies (4a) emerging
from the rolling channel (13).
23. A device as in claim 22, wherein the take-up roller (19) is
rigidly associated with the second return pulley (18) of the
flexible conveyor (12).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for applying
filters to cigarettes, and in particular to a device by which
cigarettes and filters are joined together with gummed tipping
papers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, filters are applied to cigarettes by
machines referred to as filter tip attachments, in a succession of
steps briefly described below.
[0003] Cigarettes are ordered in pairs, with the two cigarettes of
each pair axially aligned and a filter plug double the length of a
tip for one cigarette interposed between them in end-to-end
contact, likewise axially aligned. The group or assembly made up of
the single cigarettes and the filter plug is joined permanently by
means of a gummed tipping paper wrapped around the filter plug and
overlapping each of the corresponding cigarette ends by about three
millimetres.
[0004] According to prior art practice, these assembling and
joining steps can be brought about on the surface of a conveying
drum, onto which the aforementioned assemblies and the gummed
papers are directed, in an operation whereby each assembly is
rolled against a relative paper. The rolling action is induced
along a passage delimited on the one hand by the drum and on the
other by a fixed plate of arched profile that combines with the
outer surface of the drum to create a rolling channel.
[0005] It happens with this type of method that when given
operating speeds are exceeded by the filter tip attachment,
cigarettes entering the rolling channel at an angular velocity of
zero, referred to their own axes, are accelerated to a relatively
high speed of rotation and subjected consequently to high stresses
tending to spoil the cigarettes irreparably, with the loss of
tobacco particles from their ends.
[0006] Employing a different method also embraced by the prior art,
the rolling channel is created between the drum on the one hand,
and on the other, a belt driven at a speed different to that of the
drum and embodied usually in a flexible and resilient material. In
this instance, however, the belt material tends to wear
rapidly.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a device
for applying filters to cigarettes that will be unaffected by the
drawbacks typical of prior art devices as described above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The stated object is realized in a device according to the
present invention for applying filters to cigarettes, of which the
characterizing features are recited in claim 1 appended.
[0009] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of
example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a filter tip attachment,
viewed schematically in elevation with certain parts omitted and
comprising a device for applying filters to cigarettes embodied in
accordance with the present invention,;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a part of FIG. 1, viewed from above and in a
section taken on III-III with certain parts omitted;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. 2 in an enlarged and exploded
view;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a detail of FIG. 4 in a different
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of a filter tip attachment,
viewed schematically in elevation with certain parts omitted and
comprising the device of FIG. 1 in a different embodiment.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, 1 denotes a portion of
a filter tip attachment, in its entirety, comprising a device for
applying filters to cigarettes, denoted 2 in its entirety, 3
denotes a fluted drum 3 rotatable anticlockwise as viewed in FIG.
1, on which to advance assemblies 4 composed (as illustrated in
FIG. 3) of two cigarettes 5 and a double length filter plug 6
interposed between the two cigarettes. The assemblies 4 are
directed by the drum 3 through a transfer station 7 and into the
device 2, of which the infeed stage includes a first conveyor 8
consisting in a roller 9, rotatable clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1
and furnished peripherally with a plurality of aspirating seats or
grooves 10 each serving to accommodate a respective assembly 4
together with a tipping paper 11 cut from continuous strip by a
rotary blade of conventional embodiment (not illustrated) operating
in conjunction with the roller 9 at a point upstream of the
transfer station 7.
[0017] Positioned in close proximity to the roller 9, downstream of
the transfer station 7, is a flexible rolling conveyor 12 that
combines with the outer cylindrical surface of the roller 9 to
establish a rolling channel 13. The flexible rolling conveyor 12 is
looped around first and second transmission means denoted 14 and 15
of which the first, upstream, comprises a first freely revolving
return pulley 16 combining with the flexible conveyor 12 by which
it is partly enveloped to create an infeed conveyor 17 preceding
the rolling channel 13, whilst the second, downstream, comprises a
second power driven return pulley 18 and, rigidly and
concentrically associated with the pulley, a take-up roller 19 of
which the periphery affords a plurality of recesses 20 placed to
receive the assemblies 4 emerging from the rolling channel 13, each
with a tipping paper 11 wrapped around the double filter plug 6 and
the cigarettes 5 and denoted 4a. The pulley 18 and roller 19 thus
constitute an outfeed and take-up conveyor 21.
[0018] In operation, the peripheral speed of the conveying roller 9
is greater than the speed of the flexible conveyor 12 along the
channel 13, thereby inducing the rolling action.
[0019] Also shown in FIG. 1 is a roller 22, indicated by phantom
lines, rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the roller
19 by which the assemblies 4a are taken up from the conveying
roller 9 and serving to feed the assemblies 4a on to further
processing means not illustrated.
[0020] As discernible from the drawings, the outside face of the
flexible conveyor 12, which can be fashioned as a web or belt of
resilient and flexible material, is furnished with a plurality of
rigid cladding elements 23 consisting, as illustrated in FIG. 5, of
metal cleats 24 ordered one beside the next and disposed
transversely to the selfsame conveyor 12. Positioned on the
opposite inside face of the flexible conveyor 12, coinciding with
each of the cleats 24, are fastening means 25 taking the form of
blocks 26 secured to the respective cleats 24 by clamping means 27
such as screws or bolts.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, it will be seen that
the rolling channel 13 is formed entirely between the cylindrical
surface of the conveying roller 9 on the one hand and the
corresponding branch of the flexible conveyor 12 on the other,
presenting a curved profile; accordingly, the channel 12 is
furnished with retaining means and with guiding and locating means
denoted 28 and 29 respectively, in their entirety, by which the
conveyor 12 is made to describe a path concentric with the roller 9
and the depth of the channel 13 maintained constant and
substantially identical to the diameter of the cigarette and filter
assemblies 4.
[0022] With reference in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, the retaining
means 28 consist in a plurality of magnetic elements 30 fashioned
as discs and embedded in a pair of nonmagnetic parallel bars 31
cradled by an arched member 32 consisting also of nonmagnetic
material and extending parallel to the rolling channel 13.
[0023] The function of the magnetic elements 30 is to interact with
the cleats 24 and with the fastening means 25 and thereby attract
the flexible conveyor 12 along the length of the rolling channel 13
in such a way as to maintain the correct position of the conveyor
12 relative to the conveying roller 9, as described above.
[0024] The guiding and locating means 29 comprise a plurality of
freely revolving wheels 33 rotatable about axes parallel to the
axis of the conveying roller 9 and offered in contact to the inside
face of the flexible conveyor 12.
[0025] In the example of FIG. 3, the wheels 33 are ordered in three
faces parallel to the two bars 31, which are interposed between the
races of wheels 33. Each race comprises two rows of wheels 33 lying
in parallel planes with each wheel 33 of each row partly
overlapping one or two wheels of the parallel and adjacent row, so
to afford substantially continuous support to the flexible conveyor
12. In particular, the inside face of the flexible conveyor 12
affords a toothed profile 34 in mesh with corresponding teeth
afforded by the first and second pulleys 16 and 18 and by the
freely revolving wheels 33, denoted 35, 36 and 37 respectively.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the surfaces of the cleats
24 combining to establish one face of the rolling channel 13 each
present a reeded profile 38 that constitutes the rolling surface
proper.
[0027] In addition, every second cleat 24 of the rolling surface,
in the example illustrated, is furnished along the edge located
downstream in the direction followed by the conveyor 12 along the
channel 13, with a rib or lip 39 of which the function is to
interact positively with each assembly 4 directed into the rolling
channel 13 so as to initiate the rolling step brought about along
the channel 13.
[0028] In the example of FIG. 5, more particularly, the adjoining
edges of successive cleats 24 present a broken outline 40 and
interlock one with the next in such a way as to prevent dust or
foreign matter, typically tobacco particles, from fouling the parts
of the flexible conveyor 12 beneath. In this instance the
aforementioned rib or lip 39 will occupy a substantially
intermediate position on the cleat 24.
[0029] Moreover, and with protection likewise in mind, the device 2
according to the invention is equipped with two guards 41, one only
of which visible in FIG. 1, flanking the flexible conveyor 12 on
either side and occupying respective vertical planes adjacent to
the two return pulleys 16 and 18. The protected space between the
two guards 41 will accommodate the drive for the live pulley
18.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the
assemblies 4 enter the rolling channel 13 spaced apart at a first
pitch p1 and reach the outfeed end of the channel 13 at a second
pitch p2 shorter than the first. To the end of extracting specific
and higher levels of performance from the filter tip attachment in
terms of output, a further reduction in pitch is also necessary.
This is obtained at the outfeed end of the rolling channel 13, at
the moment of transferring the assemblies 4a from the channel to
the take-up roller 19: more exactly, the roller 19 is greater in
diameter than the pulley 18 with which it is rigidly associated,
and presents a predetermined number of recesses 20 spaced apart in
such a manner as to shorten the distance between the advancing
assemblies 4a from the aforementioned second pitch p2 to a further
selected pitch p3.
[0031] In the example of FIG. 6, the rolling channel 13 is created
between two flexible conveyors 12, one on either side, embodied in
entirely the same way as the conveyor 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, the
channel 13 in this instance extending through a rectilinear path
and the conveying roller 9 being replaced by a flexible conveyor 12
looped around two pulleys 42 and 43 identical to the pulleys 16 and
18 described previously. The pulley denoted 42 will be rigidly
associated with a roller 44 presenting seats or grooves 45 similar
to the seats or grooves 10 of the conveying roller 9, by which the
assemblies 4 are taken up from the drum 3 and transferred to the
rolling channel 13.
* * * * *