U.S. patent application number 11/436175 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for arrangement for producing filter cigarettes.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAUNI MASCHINENBAU AG. Invention is credited to Joachim Meyer, Siegfried Schlisio.
Application Number | 20060201523 11/436175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34609132 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060201523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schlisio; Siegfried ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Arrangement for producing filter cigarettes
Abstract
Arrangement and process for producing filter cigarettes. The
arrangement includes a rod formation device structured and arranged
to form a tobacco rod, a filter tipping device structured and
arranged to apply filter plugs to at least a portion of the tobacco
rod, and an assembly device structured and arranged to assemble
multi-segment filter plugs from at least three filter segments. The
instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention
disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of
the invention in any way.
Inventors: |
Schlisio; Siegfried;
(Geesthacht, DE) ; Meyer; Joachim; (Handorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
HAUNI MASCHINENBAU AG
Hamburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
34609132 |
Appl. No.: |
11/436175 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP04/11369 |
Oct 12, 2004 |
|
|
|
11436175 |
May 18, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/475 20130101;
A24D 3/0287 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/094 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/47 20060101
A24C005/47 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 19, 2003 |
DE |
103 54 135.7 |
Claims
1. An arrangement for producing filter cigarettes, comprising: a
rod formation device structured and arranged to form a tobacco rod;
a filter tipping device structured and arranged to apply filter
plugs to at least a portion of the tobacco rod; and an assembly
device structured and arranged to assemble multi-segment filter
plugs from at least three filter segments.
2. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter
plugs are applied to cut tobacco rods cut from the tobacco rod.
3. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
cutting device structured and arranged to divide the tobacco rod
into cut tobacco rods, wherein the filter plugs are applied to the
cut tobacco rods.
4. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the assembly
device comprises at least one tipping device for multi-segment
filter plugs.
5. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the assembly
device comprises at least one of at least one test unit and a
processing unit for multi-segment filter plugs.
6. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the assembly
device comprises a plurality of independent functional units.
7. The arrangement in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of the
plurality of functional units respectively provides one filter
segment piece.
8. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rod
formation device, the filter tipping device and the assembly device
are arranged in a T-shaped manner.
9. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rod
formation device, the filter tipping device and the assembly device
are arranged in an L-shaped manner.
10. The arrangement in accordance with claim 2, further comprising
at least one tipping device structured and arranged to wrap
multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups.
11. The arrangement in accordance with claim 2, further comprising
at least one of at least one test unit and a processing unit for
multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups.
12. The arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
assembly device is arranged in the filter tipping device.
13. A process for producing filter cigarettes, the process
comprising: forming a tobacco rod; forming a multi-segment filter
plug; applying the multi-segment filter plug to at least a portion
of the tobacco rod.
14. The process in accordance with claim 13, wherein the
multi-segment filter plug comprises at least three filter segment
pieces.
15. The process in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:
cutting the tobacco rod; separating adjacent ends of the cut
tobacco rods, wherein the applying the multi-segment filter plug
comprises inserting the multi-segment filter plug between the
separated ends of the cut tobacco rods.
16. The process in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
multi-segment filter plug is not wrapped when it is inserted
between the separated ends of the cut tobacco rods.
17. The process in accordance with claim 15, further comprising
wrapping the multi-segment filter plug before it is inserted
between the separated ends of the cut tobacco rods.
18. The process in accordance with claim 17, further comprising
processing the wrapped multi-segment filter plug with a laser.
19. The process in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:
supplying each filter segment piece of the multi-segment filter
plug from a respective functional unit of a multi-segment filter
plug assembly device.
20. The process in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:
wrapping a cut tobacco rod/multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco
rod group; and dividing the cut tobacco rod/multi-segment filter
plug/cut tobacco rod group.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation of International
Patent Application No. PCT/EP2004/011369 filed Oct. 12, 2004, and
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of German Patent
Application No. DE 103 54 135.7, filed on Nov. 19, 2003. Moreover,
the disclosure of International Patent Application No.
PCT/EP2004/011369 is expressly incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement for producing filter
cigarettes. In this manner, a rod formation device for forming a
tobacco rod and a filter tipping device for applying filter plugs
to cut tobacco rods cut from the tobacco rod are provided.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] To produce filter cigarettes, cut tobacco is prepared in a
distributor and processed to form at least one tobacco rod and
transferred to a rod unit, by which the at least one tobacco rod is
wrapped with paper and cut into double-length cut tobacco rods.
Subsequently, the double-length cut tobacco rods are transferred
from the rod unit to a filter tipper and cut into cut tobacco rods
of single length. In this way, double-length filter rods are
applied to the cut tobacco rods, wrapped by a tipping paper and cut
into filter cigarettes of single unit length.
[0006] Endless rod makers by the assignee of the instant
application are known under the name "PROTOS." The instant
assignee's filter tipping machines have the label "MAX."
[0007] Moreover, it is known that filter rods of multiple unit
length, which are cut into double-length filter plugs, are sent by
a filter rod sender to a receiving station in the filter tipping
machine so that filter rods can be removed from a filter rod
magazine and cut into filter plugs.
[0008] Moreover, it is desirable in the tobacco-processing industry
to produce multi-segment filters that are composed of different
segments or filter pieces, e.g., of different materials. These
materials are, e.g., cellulose acetate, paper, web, granulate,
sifted elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and capsules
and the like. Such multi-segment filters, which also cover the term
"multiple filter" within the scope of this invention, after the
formation of groups of filter segments, e.g., in a continuous
process are wrapped with wrapping material, such as, e.g., paper,
and then divided into filter rods of two-fold, four-fold or
six-fold length to be further processed.
[0009] A rod formation device for filter rods is known from DE-OS
24 52 749 in which in a group formation device operating
transversely groups of filter segments or groups of filter rods are
formed and then transferred to the rod formation device such that
the groups of filter rods are wrapped with wrapping material in a
longitudinally axial manner. The group formation device is here a
device that is to be completely replaced in the event of a change
of the filter segments or of the sequence of the filter
segments.
[0010] The machine KDF-2E of the instant assignee is a filter rod
formation device, and the instant assignee's machine GC E is a
typical group formation device. Both devices are known in the trade
and are marketed together as machines of the MULFI type.
[0011] Moreover, a device for wrapping groups of filter segments
with a wrapping material to produce multi-segment filters of the
tobacco-processing industry and a multi-segment filter production
device are known from International Publication No. WO
03/037113.
[0012] German Patent Application No. DE-T-695 28 549 (and U.S.
patent family member U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,851) discloses a
separating device for the production of filters for cigarettes in
which a filter plug feed device has two magazines from which
multiple-length filter rods are removed and cut so that after
multiple cutting, staggering and pushing processes at the same time
on the same conveyor drum double-length dual filters are formed out
of the cut filter rods. These dual filters are subsequently
inserted between pairs of cut tobacco rods spaced apart in a
longitudinally axial manner.
[0013] A method and a device for producing filter cigarettes with
dual filters are known from European Patent Application No. EP-A-1
016 350. Filter components of different unit length are hereby
inserted one after the other between the cut tobacco rods. To this
end the filter rods are respectively removed from two magazines and
cut into filter components, whereby the conveyor paths of the
filter components from the two magazines are embodied separately
from one another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention simplifies the production of filter
cigarettes, such that it is possible to produce and process filter
cigarettes with multi-segment filters.
[0015] Accordingly, the present invention provides an arrangement
for producing filter cigarettes that includes a rod formation
device for forming a tobacco rod, a filter tipping machine for
applying filter plugs to cut tobacco rods cut from the tobacco rod,
and a device for assembling multi-segment filter plugs from at
least three filter segment pieces.
[0016] Within the scope of the invention, a multi-segment filter
means in particular a filter of at least three different filter
segment pieces. The filter segment pieces comprise different
materials or are produced in a different way. To form a
multi-segment filter, the filter segment pieces are conveyed to a
production flow for the multi-segment filter.
[0017] The invention utilizes the concept of coupling a filter
segment group assembly device, as is known, e.g., from
International Publication No. WO 03/037113, directly to a filter
tipping machine. By the present invention, filter segment pieces
are assembled to form a multi-segment filter plug, in particular of
double unit length, so that the filter plug with or without
wrapping is applied to a cut tobacco rod. A higher processing speed
in the filter tipping machine is thus achieved.
[0018] In the filter tipping machine only those multi-segment
filter plugs are processed which are formed in the device according
to the invention and provided to the filter tipping machine for
further processing. Longer transport paths for the filter plugs to
be processed are thus also dispensed with. Overall a gentle filter
processing is rendered possible, since it is no longer necessary to
form a mass flow of finished filter rods. Moreover, the instant
assignee's filter rod manufacturing machine known under the label
"KDF" can be replaced by the device according to the invention for
assembling multi-segment filter plugs. Improved logistics result
because the corresponding components of a filter cigarette, cut
tobacco rods and filter plugs, are produced at the same time and
next to one another in a joint arrangement.
[0019] According to the invention it is provided that a mass flow
with double-length cut tobacco rods and a mass flow with assembled,
preferably double-length, multi-segment filter plugs are conveyed
to the filter tipping machine and processed at this machine. It is
not necessary to wrap the assembled multi-segment filter plugs with
a web, such that not wrapped multi-segment filter plugs, comprising
several filter segment pieces, can also applied to the cut tobacco
rods. Not until a further step are the multi-segment filter plugs
and the cut tobacco rods wrapped with a connecting sheet or a
tipping paper web and, after a severing cut through the
double-length filter plug, cut into filter cigarettes.
[0020] In contrast to the prior art according to German Patent
Application No. DE-T-695 28 549 or European Patent Application No.
EP-A-1 016 359, the device according to the invention makes it
possible to produce multi-segment filter plugs with more than two
filter segment pieces. The filter segment pieces are hereby fed
individually to a production flow for the multi-segment filter
plug. A production flow of a multi-segment filter plug is
understood to be the mass flow along which the manufacture of a
multi-segment filter plug is produced by the addition of further
individual filter segment pieces. At the end of the production
flow, a complete, in particular double-length, preferably
symmetrically constructed multi-segment filter plug is formed,
which is joined to cut tobacco rods and finished to form individual
filter cigarettes in following processing steps.
[0021] According to the invention, the manufacturing of a
multi-segment filter is performed in a spatially separated manner
from other processing at a filter tipping device. In this way, the
device for assembling a multi-segment filter and the filter tipping
device can be arranged in a modular and variable manner whereby the
devices are easily accessible for the operators.
[0022] Moreover, according to a further development it is provided
that the device for assembling multi-segment filter plugs has at
least one tipping device for the multi-segment filter plugs so that
the multi-segment filter plugs are fed to the filter tipping
machine as wrapped filter plugs.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the device for assembling
multi-segment filter plugs has at least one test element and/or one
processing element for the multi-segment filter plugs. For example,
individual filter segment pieces are processed or perforated by a
laser, so that the perforation of the filter piece is tested at a
test device. Furthermore, it helps increase quality or quality
control, if another processing device is provided following the
test device so that, e.g., an inadequately perforated filter
segment piece is processed again.
[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the device for assembling
multi-segment filter plugs can be divided into independent
functional units. A high degree of variability in multi-segment
filter production is given if the assembly device can be subdivided
into a plurality of independent functional units. In order to
produce different multi-segment filters, a rapid and cost-effective
adjustment is possible in which, if applicable, the independent
functional units need only be rearranged and adapted or only a few
modules or functional units have to be added. Within the framework
of this invention, the term "functional unit" also includes the
term "module."
[0025] A particularly space-saving device can be realized if one
functional unit is provided for respectively one filter segment
piece.
[0026] A filter segment group assembly device with individual
functional units for filter segment pieces is known from
International Publication No. WO 03/037113, the disclosure of which
is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0027] A special embodiment of the arrangement is given if the rod
formation device, the filter tipping device and the device for
assembling multi-segment filter plugs are arranged in a T-shaped
manner.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the rod formation device, the
filter tipping device and the device for assembling multi-segment
filter plugs are arranged in an L-shaped manner.
[0029] In both of the above-noted embodiments, i.e., T-shaped and
L-shaped arrangements, a compact construction is achieved, whereby
each independent unit of the arrangement is very easily accessible.
Depending on the spatial or space conditions and production
requirement, it is possible to choose between the L-shaped or
T-shaped arrangement. A high degree of variability of the
arrangement is thus achieved. The choice of the arrangement
according to the invention of the different modules or independent
units itself has no impact on the quality of the filter cigarettes
produced.
[0030] In particular, at least one tipping device is provided for
the multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups so that the
applied filter plugs are joined to the cut tobacco rods.
[0031] In a preferred further development, at least one test
element and/or one processing element is provided for multi-segment
filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups so that permanently filter
cigarettes with a high constant quality are produced when the
filter plugs are processed and the filter cigarettes are
tested.
[0032] Preferably, the device for assembling multi-segment filter
plugs is integrated into the filter tipping device.
[0033] The present invention is directed to an arrangement for
producing filter cigarettes. The arrangement includes a rod
formation device structured and arranged to form a tobacco rod, a
filter tipping device structured and arranged to apply filter plugs
to at least a portion of the tobacco rod, and an assembly device
structured and arranged to assemble multi-segment filter plugs from
at least three filter segments.
[0034] According to a feature of the invention, the filter plugs
can be applied to cut tobacco rods cut from the tobacco rod.
[0035] The arrangement can also include a cutting device structured
and arranged to divide the tobacco rod into cut tobacco rods, so
that the filter plugs can be applied to the cut tobacco rods.
[0036] In accordance with the present invention, the assembly
device may include at least one tipping device for multi-segment
filter plugs.
[0037] Further, the assembly device can include at least one of at
least one test unit and a processing unit for multi-segment filter
plugs.
[0038] According to the instant invention, the assembly device may
include a plurality of independent functional units. Moreover, each
of the plurality of functional units can respectively provide one
filter segment piece.
[0039] In accordance with another feature of the present invention,
the rod formation device, the filter tipping device and the
assembly device can be arranged in a T-shaped manner.
Alternatively, the rod formation device, the filter tipping device
and the assembly device may be arranged in an L-shaped manner.
[0040] According to a further feature of the invention, at least
one tipping device can be structured and arranged to wrap
multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups.
[0041] In accordance with a still further feature of the invention,
the arrangement may also include at least one of at least one test
unit and a processing unit for multi-segment filter plug/cut
tobacco rod groups.
[0042] Still further, the assembly device can be arranged in the
filter tipping device.
[0043] The present invention is directed to a process for producing
filter cigarettes. The process can include forming a tobacco rod,
forming a multi-segment filter plug, and applying the multi-segment
filter plug to at least a portion of the tobacco rod.
[0044] According to a feature of the invention, the multi-segment
filter plug may include at least three filter segment pieces.
[0045] In accordance with a feature of the invention, the process
can also include cutting the tobacco rod and separating adjacent
ends of the cut tobacco rods. Moreover, the applying the
multi-segment filter plug can include inserting the multi-segment
filter plug between the separated ends of the cut tobacco rods.
Further, the multi-segment filter plug may not be wrapped when it
is inserted between the separated ends of the cut tobacco rods.
Alternatively, the process may further include wrapping the
multi-segment filter plug before it is inserted between the
separated ends of the cut tobacco rods. Further still, the process
may also include processing the wrapped multi-segment filter plug
with a laser.
[0046] According to another feature of the invention, the process
may also include supplying each filter segment piece of the
multi-segment filter plug from a respective functional unit of a
multi-segment filter plug assembly device.
[0047] In accordance with still yet another feature of the present
invention, the process may include wrapping a cut tobacco
rod/multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod group, and dividing
the cut tobacco rod/multi-segment filter plug/cut tobacco rod
group.
[0048] 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
[0049] 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:
[0050] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an arrangement according to
the invention for producing filter cigarettes;
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangement
of the invention depicted in FIG. 1;
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates sectional side view of an alternative
arrangement of the invention depicted in FIG. 1;
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates an other embodiment of the invention for
producing filter cigarettes; and
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangement
of the invention depicted in FIG. 4.
[0055] In the drawings the same or same types of elements and/or
parts are provided with the same reference numbers so that a
repeated introduction of them is omitted accordingly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0056] 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.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement according to the invention for
producing filter cigarettes in a schematic representation. The
arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is embodied in a T-shaped manner,
whereby at least one tobacco rod is produced by a rod unit 300 and
cut into cut tobacco rods that are transferred to a filter tipping
unit 200. Rod unit 300 can also be operated in a double-rod process
so that two tobacco rods are produced. A distributor unit VE is
connected ahead of rod unit 300 to prepare and process the cut
tobacco to form at least one tobacco rod, e.g., one or two rods, to
be transferred to rod unit 300. Rod unit 300 wraps the tobacco rods
with paper and cuts them into double-length cut tobacco rods.
[0058] Moreover, a filter segment assembly device 100 is arranged
in a straight-line continuation of filter tipping unit 200, e.g.,
as continuation as it were of the T-bar (cross) of the T-shaped
arrangement. Filter segment assembly device 100 assembles
multi-segment filter plugs from filter segment pieces. The
assembled filter plugs preferably have a double unit length or a
multiple of the double unit length.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of a drum arrangement
of a filter segment assembly device 100 and a filter tipping unit
200, as they are arranged in FIG. 1. Filter segment assembly device
100 and filter tipping device 200 are arranged in a straight line
or plane. The double-length cut tobacco rods processed by rod unit
300 (FIG. 1) are received by a receiver drum 201 and transported
further to a cutting knife 202 to divide the double-length cut
tobacco rods into cut tobacco rods of single length. Subsequently
the cut tobacco rods of single length are spread apart in a
longitudinally axial manner on a pusher drum 203.
[0060] At the same time as the transfer of the cut tobacco rods,
filter segments from independent functional units 110.1 to 110.4
are assembled to form multi-segment filter plugs of several filter
segments on filter segment assembly device 100.
[0061] For further details of functional units 110.1 to 110.4,
reference is made to the disclosure of incorporated document
International Publication No. WO 03/037113, in which a
multi-segment filter manufacturing device with several functional
units is described in detail.
[0062] After the assembly of the individual filter segments, the
assembled multi-segment filter plugs of double length are
transferred from a transfer drum 111.1 of the last functional unit
110.1 in the conveyor direction of the filter segments to a wobble
drum 150 on which the assembled multi-segment filter plugs are
pushed together. Subsequently the double-length multi-segment
filter plugs are conveyed via further conveyor drums to a loading
drum 160 that transfers the multi-segment filter plugs to an
assembly drum 210. After the transfer of the multi-segment filter
plugs to assembly drum 210, the single-length cut tobacco rods
spaced apart in a longitudinally axial manner are transferred from
pusher drum 203 to assembly drum 210 so that cut tobacco rod/filter
plug/cut tobacco rod groups are arranged on assembly drum 210 and
subsequently transferred to a conveyor drum 211 that is preferably
embodied as a pusher drum.
[0063] Subsequently the assembled cut tobacco rod/filter plug/cut
tobacco rod groups are transported to a tipping device 220 with two
tipping apparatuses 221 and 222, so that the groups of smokers'
products are provided with a tipping paper web. A tipping device of
this type is described in detail in the instant assignee's European
Patent Application No. 03 008 450.3, the disclosure of which is
expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0064] After the joining of the cut tobacco rod/filter plug/cut
tobacco rod groups, the double-length joined groups are cut on a
cutting drum 240 by a cutting knife 241 into filter cigarettes of
single unit length.
[0065] The single-unit length filter cigarettes formed are
subsequently transported via further conveyor units to a packing
machine of the tobacco-processing industry.
[0066] According to the embodiment or arrangement shown in FIG. 2,
double-unit length multi-segment filter plugs that are not joined,
i.e., not provided with a connecting sheet, are conveyed to loading
drum 160.
[0067] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the assembled
multi-segment filter plugs are provided with a connecting sheet by
a tipping device 120, which has two tipping apparatuses 121 and
122. A tipping device of this type is described in detail in the
above-noted European Patent Application No. 03 008 450.3.
[0068] After the wrapping of the multi-segment filter plugs, the
filter plugs can be additionally processed by a laser unit 130 on
their transport path to loading drum 160. Laser unit 130 is
indicated by broken lines, since the processing of the wrapped
filter plugs can be carried out optionally.
[0069] Furthermore, a test unit can be provided for the filter
plugs on the transport path of the filter plugs to loading drum
160. A further processing station can be optionally provided after
the test unit for reworking so that high-quality multi-segment
filter plugs are transferred from loading drum 160 to assembly drum
210.
[0070] FIGS. 4 and 5 show another arrangement according to the
invention for producing filter cigarettes, whereby the arrangement
is embodied in the shape of an L. The cut tobacco rods are hereby
transferred to a transfer module 200.1 of a filter tipping device.
The manufacture of the filter cigarettes takes place in a
manufacturing module 200.2, in which cut tobacco rod/multi-segment
filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups are joined with tipping paper
webs by tipping device 220. A filter segment assembly device 100
for producing multi-segment filter plugs is arranged between
transfer module 200.1 and manufacturing module 200.2.
[0071] After the double-length cut tobacco rods have been received
on receiver drum 201, the cut tobacco rods are cut by cutting knife
202 and, in a following step, spaced apart in a longitudinally
axial manner before the cut tobacco rods spaced apart in a
longitudinally axial manner reach the filter segment assembly
device 100 and are conveyed by the conveyor drums of functional
units 110.1 to 110.4 to manufacturing module 200.2.
[0072] At each functional unit 110.1 to 110.4, filter pieces are
inserted between the cut tobacco rods, which are spaced apart in a
longitudinally axial manner, and transported further to the next
functional unit. The last filter segment piece is inserted at
functional unit 110.1, so that multi-segment filter plugs in double
unit length are present on the transfer drum 111.1 between the cut
tobacco rods spaced apart in a longitudinally axial manner.
[0073] Subsequently the cut tobacco rod/filter plug/cut tobacco rod
groups are pushed together in a longitudinally axial manner on
wobble drum 150 and fed to tipping device 220 so that the cut
tobacco rod/filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups are joined and
wrapped with a tipping paper web. Subsequently, the joined cut
tobacco rod/filter plug/cut tobacco rod groups are cut on cutting
drum 240 by cutting knife 241 into filter cigarettes of single unit
length.
[0074] Moreover, further optional processing can be performed,
e.g., by a laser unit, and/or tests of the cigarette properties can
be performed a test unit.
[0075] By the arrangement according to the invention, a direct
coupling between a multi-segment assembly device and a filter
tipping device can be achieved, such that multi-segment filter
plugs are assembled in the filter segment assembly device.
[0076] After the assembly of the multi-segment filter plugs, the
filter plugs are transferred to the filter tipping unit which
simultaneously receives cut tobacco rods from a rod machine, cuts
them and spreads them apart in a longitudinally axial manner.
[0077] Optionally, the multi-segment filter plugs can be rolled
with a wrapping paper before the assembly with the cut tobacco
rods.
[0078] 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. TABLE-US-00001 List of
Reference Numbers 100 Filter segment assembly device 110.1-110.4
Functional unit 111.1 Transfer drum 120 Tipping device 121 Tipping
apparatus 122 Tipping apparatus 130 Laser unit 150 Wobble drum 160
Loading drum 200 Filter tipping device 200.1 Transfer module 200.2
Manufacturing module 201 Receiver drum 202 Cutting knife 203 Pusher
drum 210 Assembly drum 211 Conveyor drum 220 Tipping device 221
Tipping apparatus 222 Tipping apparatus 240 Cutting drum 241
Cutting knife 300 Rod unit VE Distributor unit
* * * * *