U.S. patent application number 11/384358 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for method and a system for the manufacture of tobacco products.
Invention is credited to Fiorenzo Draghetti, Edoardo Soglia.
Application Number | 20060213532 11/384358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36602460 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo ; et
al. |
September 28, 2006 |
Method and a system for the manufacture of tobacco products
Abstract
Tobacco products are manufactured by a system including at least
a first production machine turning out the tobacco products and at
least one user machine in receipt of the products, connected
together in cascade. In the event of a stoppage at the user
machine, the speed of the first machine is reduced to a first
level, lower than that of the normal operating speed, whereupon the
lower speed is maintained for a programmed length of time during
which the tobacco products that continue to be turned out by the
first machine are ejected at an outfeed station, and thus prevented
from reaching the user machine.
Inventors: |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo;
(Medicina, IT) ; Soglia; Edoardo; (Casalecchio Di
Reno, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harbin King & Klima
500 Ninth Street SE
Washington
DC
20003
US
|
Family ID: |
36602460 |
Appl. No.: |
11/384358 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/280 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/31 20130101; B65B
19/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/280 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/34 20060101
A24C005/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2005 |
IT |
BO2005A000185 |
Claims
1. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products in a system
comprising at least a first production machine turning out tobacco
products, and at least one user machine in receipt of such tobacco
products, including the steps of: adjusting the speed of the first
machine to a first level, slower than normal operating speed, at
least in the event of a break in the operation of the user machine;
causing tobacco products turned out in the course of the first step
to be ejected at the outfeed of the first machine.
2. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 1,
wherein the system comprises a first machine equipped with means
for the production of at least one continuous rod of a tobacco
product, means by which the continuous rod is cut into sticks, and
a second user machine in receipt of the sticks, comprising the
steps of: adjusting the speed of the first machine to a first
level, slower than normal operating speed, at least in the event of
a break in the operation of the second user machine; ejecting the
sticks turned out in the course of the first step.
3. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 2,
wherein the first machine consists in a cigarette maker turning out
cigarette sticks, and the user machine consists in a filter tip
attachment machine by which filters are applied to the cigarette
sticks.
4. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 1,
wherein the system comprises a filter maker turning out filter
plugs, and a filter tip attachment machine by which filter plugs
are applied to cigarette sticks, comprising the steps of: adjusting
the speed of the filter maker to a first level, slower than normal
operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation
of the filter tip attachment machine; ejecting the filter plugs
turned out in the course of the first step.
5. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 1,
wherein the system comprises a packer machine and/or a cellophaner
machine turning out packets, connected in cascade to a cartoner
machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.
6. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 1,
wherein the system comprises a cartoner machine by which the
packets are assembled in multiple packs, connected in cascade to a
cellophaner machine.
7. A method as in claim 1, including the further step of
maintaining the speed of the first machine at the first level for a
predetermined length of time.
8. A method as in claim 1, including the further step of adjusting
the speed of the first machine to the first level when the system
is started up.
9. A method as in claim 1, including the steps of measuring the
duration of the break in operation of the second user machine,
comparing the duration of the break with a predetermined time
reference value, and suspending the operation of the first machine
when the duration of the break matches the predetermined time
reference value.
10. A system for the manufacture of tobacco products, comprising:
at least a first production machine turning out tobacco products;
at least one user machine in receipt of the tobacco products; drive
means to which the first machine is coupled; a master control unit
by which the drive means are caused to operate at least at a lower
first level of speed and at a higher second level of speed, assumed
in normal operation; ejector means interposed between the outfeed
of the first machine and the infeed of the user machine and
interlocked to the master control unit; first sensing means
connected on the output side to the master control unit and
generating signals to indicate a break in operation of the user
machine.
11. A system as in claim 10, comprising second sensing means
connected on the output side to the master control unit and
generating signals to indicate the start-up of the first
machine.
12. A system as in claim 10, wherein the master control unit is
programmed to generate a signal serving to adjust the speed of the
drive means to the lower first level, and a signal serving to
activate the ejector means, in response to a signal received from
the first sensing means or the second sensing means.
13. A system as in claim 10, wherein the master control unit
comprises means by which to measure the duration of the break in
operation of the user machine, also means by which to compare the
duration of the break in operation with a predetermined time
reference value, and is designed to generate: a signal serving to
adjust the speed of the drive means to the lower first level and a
signal serving to activate the ejector means, in response to a
signal received from the first sensing means; a signal serving to
adjust the speed of the drive means to the higher second level of
normal operating speed and a signal serving to deactivate the
ejector means, when the signal generated by the first sensing means
ceases within an interval of time less than the predetermined
reference value; a signal serving to shut down the drive means in
the event that the duration of the break in operation of the user
machine persists for a time equal to that of the reference
value.
14. A system as in claim 10, wherein the first machine consists in
a cigarette maker turning out cigarette sticks for assembly into
cigarettes, and the user machine consists in a filter tip
attachment machine by which filters are applied to the cigarette
sticks.
15. A system as in claim 10, wherein the first machine consists in
a filter maker turning out filter plugs, and the user machine
consists in a filter tip attachment machine by which filters are
applied to cigarette sticks.
16. A system as in claim 10, wherein the first machine consists in
a packer machine and/or a cellophaner machine turning out packets,
connected in cascade to a user machine consisting in a cartoner
machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.
17. A system as in claim 10, wherein the first machine consists in
a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple
packs, connected in cascade to a cellophaner machine for
overwrapping cartons.
18. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 2,
wherein the system comprises a filter maker turning out filter
plugs, and a filter tip attachment machine by which filter plugs
are applied to cigarette sticks, comprising the steps of: adjusting
the speed of the filter maker to a first level, slower than normal
operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation
of the filter tip attachment machine; ejecting the filter plugs
turned out in the course of the first step.
19. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 2,
wherein the system comprises a packer machine and/or a cellophaner
machine turning out packets, connected in cascade to a cartoner
machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.
20. A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in claim 2,
wherein the system comprises a cartoner machine by which the
packets are assembled in multiple packs, connected in cascade to a
cellophaner machine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and to a system
for the manufacture of tobacco products.
[0002] A conventional system of the type in question appears
normally as a line comprising a plurality of machines linked one to
the next in cascade.
[0003] More exactly, such a line typically comprises a cigarette
maker at the upstream end and, proceeding downstream along the feed
direction followed by the products, a filter tip attachment
machine, then a packer, a cellophaner for overwrapping packets, a
cartoner by which packets are wrapped in multiples, and a further
cellophaner or equivalent machine by which the cartons are
overwrapped.
[0004] Such lines can also be equipped with temporary storage units
or "buffers", interposed between cascaded machines and serving to
compensate any imbalances in output between these same machines, as
well as allowing one machine to keep operating for a given period
of time in the event of another machine connected directly to this
same machine being shut down temporarily due to a fault or for
maintenance purposes.
[0005] Since it is impossible to install such buffers between every
single pair of machines making up the production line, and given
therefore that lines will also include machines linked directly one
to another, it is obvious that a stoppage occurring in one machine
for whatever reason will result also in a stoppage of the machine,
or machines, directly linked to this same machine.
[0006] The consequences of these enforced stoppages are
conspicuously negative, in terms both of production losses and of
wasted material, particularly when involving machines equipped with
devices (such as printing or gumming equipment) that need a certain
amount of time at each restart for normal operating conditions to
be established.
[0007] An example of the aforementioned situation would be that of
a stoppage occurring on a line equipped with a cigarette maker and
a filter tip attachment machine connected directly one to
another.
[0008] In cigarette makers of conventional embodiment, a stream of
tobacco particles supplied by one feed unit, and a continuous strip
of paper supplied by another unit, are directed into a garniture
section along which the paper is wrapped progressively around the
stream of tobacco to form a continuous cigarette rod.
[0009] Emerging from one end of the garniture section, the
cigarette rod is caused by the cigarette maker to advance along a
predetermined feed path, passing through a succession of quality
control devices and into a cutting station where it is divided up
by a rotary cutter device into discrete cigarette sticks of
prescribed length.
[0010] Operating downstream of the cutter device are transfer means
by which the cigarette sticks are taken up and conveyed to the
infeed of the filter tip attachment machine.
[0011] Conventionally, the filter tip attachment machine comprises
a succession of rotating drums furnished with aspirating flutes
accommodating the single cigarette sticks; as the sticks progress
from the infeed to the outfeed stage of the machine, they are
paired with respective filter plugs to form respective filter
cigarettes.
[0012] Likewise conventionally, once the system has been started
up, a certain interval of time must elapse before cigarettes of an
acceptable quality can be produced, given that the various machine
units, and in particular those of the cigarette maker, need to
stabilize at normal operating speed, temperature, etc.
[0013] During this interval, a cut-off device operating between the
garniture section and the rotary cutter will slice through the
continuous cigarette rod and divert it away from the line so it
cannot reach the filter tip attachment machine.
[0014] The operation of the cut-off device will also be invoked in
the event of the filter tip attachment machine being forced to shut
down suddenly, due to a fault or for maintenance purposes.
[0015] During these transient phases in the operation of the
system, when the cigarette maker continues to function for a
certain duration while the filter tip attachment machine remains
inactive, notable quantities of tobacco are lost, not least through
the effect of the high operating speeds of which modern cigarette
makers and filter tip attachment machines are capable, and
especially in the case of twin-track, dual-rod type cigarette
makers.
[0016] Even where the tobacco in question is reclaimed, its quality
is significantly degraded thereafter.
[0017] Moreover, should the period for which the filter tip
attachment machine remains inactive persist beyond a given limit,
the cigarette maker will also shut down. To restore normal
operating conditions of the system in this situation, an operator
must intervene manually to remove a length of continuous cigarette
rod that will be left between the cut-off device and the rotary
cutter.
[0018] The task of removing this fragment of cigarette rod is a
complex one, since besides opening up the casing of the machine it
may also be necessary to disturb the quality control and gumming
devices, dismantling them in part and occasioning lengthy periods
of inactivity as a result.
[0019] A further example of the difficulty in question is afforded
by the portion of the production line made up of the packer and the
cellophaner. In this instance, a stoppage occurring at the
cellophaner for whatever reason will in turn force a stoppage of
the packer, resulting in loss of time and waste of wrapping
materials and cigarettes alike, as the packets currently being
assembled must be discarded before normal operation can be
resumed.
[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a method
and a system for manufacturing tobacco products, by which the
drawbacks described above can be minimized and eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The stated object is realized according to the present
invention through the adoption of a method for the manufacture of
tobacco products in a system comprising at least a first production
machine turning out tobacco products, and at least one user machine
in receipt of the selfsame products.
[0022] Such a method comprises a first step, triggered by a break
in operation at the user machine, of adjusting the speed of the
first machine to a first level, slower than normal operating speed,
and a second step of causing tobacco products turned out in the
course of the first step to be ejected at the outfeed of the first
machine.
[0023] The object of the invention is realized similarly in a
system for the manufacture of tobacco products comprising at least
a first production machine turning out tobacco products, at least
one user machine in receipt of the tobacco products, drive means to
which the first machine is coupled, a master control unit by which
the drive means are caused to operate at least at a lower first
level of speed and at a higher second level of speed, assumed in
normal operation, ejector means interposed between the outfeed of
the first machine and the infeed of the user machine and
interlocked to the master control unit, and sensing means connected
on the output side to the master control unit, such as will
generate signals to indicate a break in the operation of the user
machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of
example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a system for manufacturing tobacco products,
able to implement the method according to the present invention,
illustrated schematically with blocks and viewed in
perspective;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a cigarette maker and a filter tip attachment
machine forming part of the system in FIG. 1, illustrated
schematically and viewed in perspective.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes a system or line
for manufacturing tobacco products, comprising a plurality of
machines connected one to another.
[0028] More exactly, proceeding from the upstream to the downstream
end of the line along the direction F followed by the products, the
system 1 comprises a cigarette maker 2 turning out cigarette sticks
3, a filter tip attachment machine 4 turning out filter cigarettes,
and a packer 5 turning out packets 28, to which the filter tip
attachment machine 4 is connected by way of a cigarette buffer
denoted 6.
[0029] The packer 5 is connected to a cellophaner 7 by which the
packets 28 are overwrapped. Packets 28 emerging from the
cellophaner 7 are directed into a cartoner 8 and assembled in
multiple packs, which thereupon are conveyed to a further
cellophaner or overwrapper 9 and enveloped in cellophane or
paper.
[0030] The cigarette maker 2 is driven by a relative motor denoted
10, the packer 5 is driven by a motor denoted 11 and the cartoner 8
is driven by a motor denoted 12. The motors 10, 11 and 12 are
connected to a master control unit denoted 13.
[0031] Also indicated in FIG. 1 are sensing means 14, 15 and 16
associated respectively with the filter tip attachment machine 4,
the packet cellophaner 7 and the carton overwrapper 9, such as will
respond to a break in the operation of the relative machine by
relaying a signal to the control unit 13.
[0032] The cigarette maker 2, packer 5 and cartoner 8 are
definable, for reasons that will become clear in due course, as
production machines turning out tobacco products, whilst the filter
tip attachment machine 5, the cellophaner 7 and the overwrapper 9
are also definable as users of these same products.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 2, the cigarette maker 2 is composed
of a feed device 17 supplying tobacco particles, a feed unit 18
designed to gather and advance the particles in two streams 19, a
feed unit 20 advancing a continuous strip of paper 21 decoiled from
a roll 22, and a garniture section 23 along which two continuous
cigarettes rods 24 are formed.
[0034] The outfeed end of the garniture section 23 is equipped with
a cut-off device 25 by which the two continuous cigarette rods 24
can be severed and diverted toward a tobacco reclaiming device, not
illustrated in the drawings.
[0035] Beyond the cut-off device 25 are quality control devices
shown schematically as blocks denoted 26, and a rotary cutter 27 by
which the two continuous rods 24 are divided up into cigarette
sticks 3 of predetermined length.
[0036] The filter tip attachment, or user machine 4, comprises a
transfer unit 29 by which the cigarette sticks 3 are taken up and
placed on a first drum or roller 30 of a plurality of rollers 31
furnished with aspirating flutes proportioned to accommodate the
single sticks 3.
[0037] In the course of their progress from the infeed end to the
outfeed end of the filter tip attachment machine 4, the cigarette
sticks 3 are assembled with respective filter plugs 32 dispensed
from a feed hopper 33, to form filter cigarettes 34.
[0038] Located at a given point between the outfeed of the
cigarette maker 2 and the infeed of the filter tip attachment
machine 4, and more exactly between the rotary cutter 27 and the
transfer unit 29, are ejector means 35 by which cigarette sticks 3
can be diverted into a recovery vessel shown schematically as a
block denoted 36.
[0039] With the system in operation, and assuming normal
conditions, the cigarette maker 2 and filter tip attachment machine
4 are set in motion at a given operating speed by the respective
motors, and the cigarette sticks 3 are directed by the transfer
unit 29 onto the rollers 30 and 31 of the filter tip attachment
machine 4, whereupon each successive stick 3 is fitted with a
respective filter plug 32 to create a succession of filter
cigarettes 34.
[0040] In the event that the operation of the filter tip attachment
machine 4 should be interrupted due to a fault, or in order to
carry out maintenance work, a signal is relayed by the sensing
means 14 to the master control unit 13, indicating that a stoppage
has occurred.
[0041] The control unit 13 in turn outputs a signal to the motor 10
of the cigarette maker 2, causing its speed to drop to a first
level lower than normal operating speed.
[0042] At the same time, a further signal is sent by the control
unit 13 to the ejector means 35, which will proceed to divert the
sticks 3 turned out by the cigarette maker 2 while operating at
lower speed, directing them into the recovery vessel 36.
[0043] This continues to be the situation until normal operation of
the filter tip attachment machine 4 is restored, an event signaled
to the control unit 13 by the sensing means 14 as and when
verifiable, or until a predetermined time out occurs.
[0044] In effect, the master control unit 13 comprises time
measurement means 37 serving to monitor the duration of the
stoppage affecting the filter tip attachment machine 4, and
comparison means 38 by which the duration of the stoppage monitored
via the time measurement means 37 is compared with a predetermined
reference value.
[0045] Should the filter tip attachment machine 4 return to normal
operation within an interval of time no longer than the reference
value, the master control unit 13 will generate an output signal
piloting the motor 10 of the cigarette maker 2 to resume normal
operating speed, and a further signal deactivating the ejector
means 35.
[0046] In the event of the stoppage at the filter tip attachment
machine 4 persisting beyond the time reference value
aforementioned, a signal generated by the control unit 13 will
cause the motor 10 to shut off, and the entire system 1 is shut
down.
[0047] Self-evidently, the method is also applicable to other pairs
of production and user machines making up the system 1.
[0048] For example, in the eventuality of a stoppage at the
cellophaner 7 overwrapping the packets 28, the control unit 13
receives a signal from the sensing means 15 and responds by
generating output signals that will reduce the speed of the motor
11 driving the packer 5, as well as activating means 39 by which
the packets 28 emerging from the packer 5 are ejected.
[0049] Likewise in this instance, the considerations are exactly
the same as described above for the pair of machines illustrated in
FIG. 2.
[0050] In a further example of the method, not shown in the
drawings, the aforementioned pair of machines might include a
filter maker turning out plugs or composite filters, connected on
the outfeed side to a user machine that could again be the filter
tip attachment machine 4,
[0051] It will be seen that the method according to the present
invention is especially advantageous when applied to the cigarette
maker 1 and filter tip attachment machine 4 of the system 1. In
effect, the procedure is such that normal operation of the system 1
can be restored following a stoppage of the downstream machine 4
lasting no longer than a predetermined duration, without any need
for manual operations on the cut-off device 25 as required in prior
art systems.
[0052] Lastly, in the event of the cigarette maker 2 being affected
by stoppages of short duration, and use of the cut-off device 25
may not be required, the cigarette maker 2 similarly can be
equipped with sensing means 40 designed to relay a signal to the
master control unit 13 indicating the inactive state of the machine
2, whereupon the unit 13 will respond by executing exactly the same
comparisons and functions as described above.
* * * * *