U.S. patent application number 12/528238 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for process and device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SWEDISH MATCH NORTH EUROPE AB. Invention is credited to Sture Bjork, Sven Norling.
Application Number | 20100108082 12/528238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39710283 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100108082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norling; Sven ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
PROCESS AND DEVICE
Abstract
A device and a process for forming and cutting portions of
tobacco from a strand of tobacco is provided with an element for
feeding the strand of tobacco, such as at least one belt or roll,
as well as a cutting element, such as a knife. The device may have
additional feeder bands for advancing the strand of tobacco to the
position for cutting, and may be under the control of a
computerized control system.
Inventors: |
Norling; Sven; (Upplands
Vasby, SE) ; Bjork; Sture; (Arvika, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
SWEDISH MATCH NORTH EUROPE
AB
STOCKHOLM
SE
|
Family ID: |
39710283 |
Appl. No.: |
12/528238 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
February 23, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE07/00167 |
371 Date: |
December 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 7/02 20130101; A24B
7/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/282 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/33 20060101
A24C005/33 |
Claims
1. A continuous process for manufacture of portion tobacco,
characterized in that it comprises the steps of (a) feeding a
strand of tobacco by means of a feeding device, with concomitant
compacting of the strand; and (b) cutting of individual pieces of
portion tobacco by means of a cutting tool.
2. The process according to claim 1, whereby the strand of tobacco
is readily supplied as a pre-manufactured strand.
3. The process according to claim 1, whereby the feeding device for
compacting purposes comprises two continuous belts.
4. The process according to claim 3, wherein the feeding device is
fitted with an additional feeder band for safe advancement of the
tobacco strand to the cutting tool.
5. The process according to claim 3, wherein the feeder bands run
on the outer surface of said belts.
6. The process according to claim 1, whereby the feeding device for
compacting purposes is a cog belt or a V-belt.
7. The process according to claim 1, whereby the feeding device for
compacting purposes comprises at least one roll.
8. The process according to claim 1, whereby the strand of tobacco
receives a shape with a flat lower side and a curved upper side, by
means of the feeding device for compacting purposes.
9. The process according to claim 1, whereby the cutting tool is
fitted with a resilient stripper, which compacts the edges
surrounding the cutting tool and rebounds when the cutting tool is
returned to its original, upper position, thus letting the tobacco
come loose from the cutting tool.
10. The process according to claim 1, whereby the process is
provided with a blowing device for separation of the cut pieces of
portion tobacco.
11. A device (10) for forming and cutting portions of tobacco (14)
from a strand of tobacco (12), comprising an arrangement for
compacting and forming a strand of tobacco and cutting of
individual portions thereof.
12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
compacting and advancement arrangement comprises a belt (20).
13. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
belt is a cog belt or V-belt.
14. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
compacting and advancement arrangement comprises at least one roll
(110).
15. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
device is arranged with feeder bands (20, 21) for feeding the
strand of tobacco from the compacting and forming arrangement
forward to a position for cutting, whereupon a cutting tool (80) is
lowered and at least one resilient stripper (92) takes hold of the
strand of tobacco when the cutting tool is lowered and holds the
tobacco when the cutting tool is raised.
16. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
cutting tool has a blunt, V-shaped edge.
17. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
functioning of the device is controlled by a computerized control
system.
18. The process according to claim 2, whereby the feeding device
for compacting purposes comprises two continuous belts.
19. The process according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device is
fitted with an additional feeder band for safe advancement of the
tobacco strand to the cutting tool.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to the field of processes and devices
for production for portion tobacco.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portion tobacco has received additional attention in recent
years, partly due to the restrictions imposed on tobacco smokers.
This new demand has led to increased focus on providing means for
efficiently producing portion tobacco on an industrial scale, as an
alternative to the traditional approach involving for example
compression of the tobacco strand during long periods of time. The
humidity of the raw product has made the production cumbersome, due
to stickiness. This problem has previously been solved by providing
the tobacco with a pouch, or through a supplement of additives.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
[0003] The current invention provides a process and a device for
the production of portion tobacco without a pouch on an industrial
scale, whereby the difficulty of feeding the tobacco strand through
the device is solved.
[0004] As starting material for the process according to the
current invention, a strand of tobacco is used. In one embodiment
of the invention, the strand is made up of the halves of tobacco
leaves that remain after the centrally located stem has been
removed. In another embodiment, shredded tobacco leaves are used
for manufacturing the strand of tobacco. In yet another embodiment,
the strand according to any of the preceding embodiments is further
supplied with a tobacco filler comprised of smaller pieces of
tobacco. The strand of tobacco may be produced at the site of
production, or be pre-ordered and delivered in advance of
production.
[0005] The device comprises a roll, on which a strand of tobacco is
wound. This strand is in one embodiment compacted and shaped by
being fed through two continuous belts, for example cog belts or
V-belts, or other conventional belts, located opposite to each
other, which may be manufactured from metal or a polymeric
material, preferably from a material that is easily cleaned. The
bands may or may not run on tooth wheels. The residence time
between the belts, which translates to the length of the feed, is
adjusted to get sufficient compaction. The compaction results in a
loss of fluid, and thus in a decrease of stickiness of the strand
of tobacco. The upper belt, with its curved or grooved upper
surface, gives the portions of tobacco a curved upper surface. The
lower belt on the other hand has a flat, smooth surface against the
strand of tobacco. The lower belt is important for feeding the
sticky strand of tobacco, which otherwise tends to get stuck. An
alternative for compaction and forming of the strand of tobacco is
the use of at least one roll. This roll would be provided with a
central groove. For increased feeding speed without detriment to
the compaction the device may be fitted with several rolls after
one another. The device may be composed of opposite rolls, for the
sake of feeding. As an alternative, the upper roll may be
accompanied by for example a lower belt, such as a cog belt or a
V-belt. To ensure smooth feeding without undue adherence to the
rolls, the device may be fitted with doctor blade(s) after the
roll(s), i.e. strippers that are in close contact with the rolls.
These doctor blades may be spring-mounted and simultaneously keep
the strand of tobacco from following the roll or any of the rolls,
and guide the strand of tobacco in a straight line between the one
or more rolls.
[0006] The strand of tobacco has considerable resiliency, wherefore
compression must be effected with a certain force. This force may
be exerted by choosing an appropriate residence time during
compression. This chosen time may correspond to a certain length of
the belt, or a certain number of rolls. The force may also be
controlled by adjustable retaining devices that may be located
directly underneath the belts. These retaining devices are
preferably located at the side of the belt that points away from
the strand of tobacco, and ensure that the belt is in a stretched
position.
[0007] After the strand of tobacco has received the desired shape,
individual pieces of portion tobacco are formed by a cutting
process. This process comprises a cutting tool, the end of which
may have a blunt, V-shaped edge. Thereby, the newly cut portions of
tobacco are pushed away from the strand of tobacco, which may
constitute an advantage in respect of packaging (cf. below). The
cutting tool preferably has low friction, and may be covered by for
example Teflon or Impreglon, to reduce adherence to the tobacco.
The shape of the cutting tool may moreover assist in forming the
cut pieces of tobacco, such as in the form of a pillow. The ground
layer beneath the cutting tool is preferably made out of a
replaceable polymeric material. On one or both sides of the cutting
tool, an optional stripper may be fitted to make the sticky strand
of tobacco easier come loose from the cutting tool. The stripper
may also ensure that the strand of tobacco remains in close contact
with the lower belt or the lower roll, as the case may be. The
stripper is lowered concomitantly with the cutting tool, and
retains its lower position during a limited period of time, whereby
the cutting tool is allowed to be transported to and assume its
upper position, ready for cutting of the next portion of tobacco,
after the strand has been fed forward to the subsequent cutting
position. The positioning in height of the stripper may be
accomplished by resilient means, such as a simple spring, still
forcing the stripper downwards, when the cutting tool is raised.
Also the stripper may assist in forming the portions of tobacco in
the desired shape by compacting of the edges of the portion,
resulting in the abovementioned appearance of a pillow. The
stripper(s) may be covered by for example teflon or Impreglon. Cut
portions of tobacco may be separated from each other by a blowing
device, for example using compressed air, prior to packaging. The
portions of tobacco may then leave the device via a ramp.
Alternatively, cutting may be executed directly above the location
of packing, making the ramp superfluous. A packaging line may be
directly connected to the device described herein.
[0008] Due to the size of the toothed wheels in closest proximity
to the cutting tool, the cutting tool may need to be located at a
certain distance from said toothed wheel. In order to ensure safe
feeding of the strand of tobacco until cutting, additional,
continuous, opposite feeder bands may be used. These bands are
preferably made out of a polymeric material, and enclose the strand
of tobacco in close proximity. In one embodiment, the feeder bands
run on the outside of the toothed wheels that engage the upper belt
and lower belt, respectively. In yet another embodiment, the strand
of tobacco is throughout the device fed between the feeder bands,
whereby the strand of tobacco is never in direct contact with the
belts. This may be advantageous for efficient feeding of the strand
of tobacco as well as for hygienic reasons. The feeder bands
preferably hang on forward tensioning wheels as close to the
cutting tool as possible. These forward tensioning wheels are small
enough, with a sharp radius, to make the sticky strand of tobacco
easier leave the feeder bands before cutting. This sharp radius may
make additional strippers superfluous. The feeder bands may also
hang on additional tensioning wheels.
[0009] The method described above comprises one production line.
However, the method preferentially comprises more than one
production line, for efficiency purposes. The production lines are
preferably parallel production lines.
[0010] The device according to the present invention is preferably
controlled by a computerized state of the art control system.
[0011] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments shall merely be seen
as an illustration of the spirit and scope of the current
invention, and in no way whatsoever as a limitation.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the device for
production of portion tobacco, detailing cog belts and feeder
bands, and the means to advance these belts, as well a cutting
tool.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear view, partly in section of an embodiment of
the device for production of portion tobacco along the short side,
in detail showing the toothed wheels.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device comprising rolls for
compacting, wherein the preferred position of doctor blades
appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an inlet 1 into the device 10 for a strand of
tobacco, which is wound on a roll (not shown).
[0016] Following the inlet 1, the strand of tobacco is engaged by
two opposite continuous cog belts 60 and 70, which are each looped
on two toothed wheels 40, 41 and 50, 51, respectively. Adjacent
parts of the cog belts 60, 70 are forced into engagement with the
strand by retaining devices 65, 66 whereby good compacting of the
strand of tobacco is ensured. The length of the two compacting cog
belts 60, 70 is approximately 30 cm, for sufficient compacting.
[0017] Opposite continuous feeder bands 20, 21 extend from a
downstream end of the cog belt to a position in close proximity to
the cutting tool 80. The feeder bands 20, 21 run on the outside of
the tooth wheels 40, 41, 50, 51 and forward tensioning wheels 71,
72 nearby the cutting tool 80 as well as on the additional
tensioning wheels 30, 31 below and above the cog belts,
respectively. The cutting tool 80 is actuated by a pneumatic
cylinder 100. On both sides of the cutting tool 80, there is
mounted two resilient stripper devices 92, 94, which are lowered at
the same time as the cutting tool 80, and by means of in each case
a spring (not shown) retain their position for a certain period of
time when the cutting tool is returning to its original position,
thus holding the strand of tobacco. Immediately downstream of the
stripper devices 92, 94, there is a ramp 96, for transport of the
portions of tobacco downwards, in anticipation of packaging.
[0018] In a magnification of the cutting zone in FIG. 1, the
cutting zone with the cutting tool 80 and its ground layer 98 is
detailed. In the figure, it is clearly seen how the edges of the
portions of tobacco 14 are formed from the strand of tobacco 12, by
way of compacting during cutting by the blunt-ended cutting tool
80.
[0019] In FIG. 2, a rear view of the cog belts 60, 60, 70 can be
seen. The upper cog belts 60, 60 are designed with a groove 61,
wherein the strand of tobacco runs. The upstream tooth wheels 40,
50 are via respective shafts 45, 55 connected to an electrical
motor (not shown). A transmission between the two shafts 45, 55
makes one motor sufficient for advancing all belts. As is readily
seen in FIG. 2, two upper cog belts 60, 60 in parallel are located
opposite one, broader lower belt 70 for efficiency purposes.
Moreover, the pneumatic cylinder 100 is shown.
[0020] FIG. 3 clearly shows two opposite rolls (110, 111)
surrounding a strand of tobacco (12). The doctor blades (113, 114)
ensure that the strand of tobacco retains its correct path through
the device.
* * * * *