U.S. patent application number 12/416476 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-07 for apparatus and method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hauni Maschinenbau AG. Invention is credited to Patrick Fricke, Thomas Gruss, Willfried Hoffmann, Stephan Plewa, Hartmut Ringel, Bernd Seliger.
Application Number | 20100252056 12/416476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42269568 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100252056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gruss; Thomas ; et
al. |
October 7, 2010 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR METERING ORAL TOBACCO IN PORTIONS SUITABLE
FOR CONSUMPTION
Abstract
An apparatus for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable
for consumption including a delivery device to hold and deliver the
tobacco and a metering device to receive the tobacco from the
delivery device. The metering device includes a shaping component
operative to shape and press the tobacco into at least one endless
tobacco rod and a slicing component operative to slice the endless
tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape
and weight and to discharge the tobacco portions for subsequent
processing. Further, a method for metering oral tobacco in portions
suitable for consumption, includes the steps of delivering the
tobacco, continuous shaping and pressing the tobacco into at least
one endless tobacco rod, slicing the endless tobacco rod into
pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight, and
conveying the tobacco portions to a subsequent processing
station.
Inventors: |
Gruss; Thomas; (Seevetal,
DE) ; Fricke; Patrick; (Hamburg, DE) ;
Hoffmann; Willfried; (Locust Hill, VA) ; Ringel;
Hartmut; (Oerlinghausen, DE) ; Seliger; Bernd;
(Oerlinghausen, DE) ; Plewa; Stephan; (Schloss
Holte-Stukenbrock, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VENABLE LLP
P.O. BOX 34385
WASHINGTON
DC
20043-9998
US
|
Assignee: |
Hauni Maschinenbau AG
Hamburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
42269568 |
Appl. No.: |
12/416476 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 1/36 20130101; B65B
29/00 20130101; B65B 9/207 20130101; B65B 19/34 20130101; B65B
9/213 20130101; B65B 63/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/112 |
International
Class: |
A24B 1/10 20060101
A24B001/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable
for consumption, comprising: a delivery device to hold and deliver
the tobacco; and a metering device to receive the tobacco from the
delivery device, wherein the metering device comprises a shaping
component operative to shape and press the tobacco into at least
one endless tobacco rod and a slicing component operative to slice
the endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with
respect to shape and weight and to discharge the tobacco portions
for subsequent processing.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaping component
is constructed to simultaneously shape and press the tobacco into a
plurality of endless tobacco rods.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slicing component
is operative to simultaneously slice the plurality of endless
tobacco rods.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a
plurality of slicing components each assigned to slice one of the
plurality of endless tobacco rods.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage
device to receive the tobacco portions discharged from the metering
device, wherein the storage device includes separate receptacles to
store at least two tobacco portions of the same endless tobacco
rod.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slicing component
comprises one of a blade or wire.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one of a
sealed-edge or tubular bag machine to receive and package the
tobacco portions discharged from the metering device.
8. A method for metering oral tobacco in portions suitable for
consumption, the steps comprising: delivering the tobacco;
continuously shaping and pressing the tobacco into at least one
endless tobacco rod; slicing the endless tobacco rod into
pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight; and
conveying the tobacco portions to a subsequent processing
station.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of continuously
shaping and pressing simultaneously shapes the tobacco into a
plurality of endless tobacco rods and the step of slicing
simultaneously slices the plurality of endless tobacco rods into
pre-defined tobacco portions.
10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of
storing the tobacco portions before conveying the tobacco portions
to the subsequent processing station.
11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of slicing
comprises one of cutting or shearing.
12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of delivering
includes delivering the tobacco to a central location and the step
of shaping and pressing includes dividing the tobacco into a
plurality of endless tobacco rods.
13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of
delivering the tobacco portions from the processing station to one
of a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine for filling bags.
14. A method according to claim 8, including processing the steps
of delivering the tobacco, shaping and pressing the tobacco,
slicing the endless tobacco rod and conveying the tobacco portions
in a rectilinear direction
15. A method according to claim 8, wherein the processing is in a
downward vertical direction.
16. A combination comprising: the metering apparatus according to
claim 1; and a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine coupled for
receiving the tobacco portions produced by the metering apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns an apparatus for metering oral
tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, comprising a delivery
device for the tobacco and a metering device for forming and
discharging tobacco portions suitable for consumption. The
invention further concerns a method for metering oral tobacco in
portions suitable for consumption.
[0002] Apparatuses and methods of this kind are used in the
tobacco-processing industry to process oral tobacco (or tobacco
mixtures), that is, tobacco which is put wholly in the mouth for
smoke-free consumption, namely, in particular to meter and dispense
it. Here, a distinction is made between the so-called sliced
tobacco which is put in the mouth for consumption e.g. in a bag
made of cellulose or the like, and the so-called loose tobacco
which is put in the mouth for consumption directly, that is,
without a surrounding package. For this there are in general the
two product groups SNUS and SNUFF. SNUS is a product which is
processed, for example, in Scandinavia and for which the tobacco is
inter alia pasteurised. SNUFF, a product common, for example, in
North America, is a fermented tobacco. Both product groups are
sliced in bags or supplied loose. The term "tobacco" here includes
not only the actual tobacco, but also tobacco with additives,
flavourings or the like.
[0003] The sliced tobacco, which is consumed in packaged form, for
example in a bag made of cellulose or the like, must be sliced into
portions suitable for consumption and put in the bags before
packing in tins, boxes, combination packs or the like. The tobacco
portions, of which the weight and size can vary and are, for
example, usually in the region of a milligram to one or more grams,
are divided from a tobacco flow that is delivered continuously or
intermittently, by means of metering devices, and usually packed by
means of so-called sealed-edge or tubular bag machines such as are
known, for example, from German Patent Document DE 10 2005 017 474
A1 or German Patent Document DE 10 2007 041 808 A1. The loose
tobacco which is directly put into the mouth is filled unpacked in
tins, boxes, combination packs or the like, metering or slicing
into portions suitable for consumption being performed by the
consumer. In this case the consumer determines the size and weight
of the tobacco portion.
[0004] For metering the tobacco portions suitable for packing or
consumption, in particular for filling the bags or the like with
tobacco portions, from practical experience are known apparatuses
comprising filling chambers into which the tobacco delivered via
belts, funnels or the like, usually loose tobacco, is brushed in or
sucked in. The volume of a filling chamber corresponds to a portion
suitable for packing or consumption. From the filling chamber, the
tobacco portion is passed to a subsequent apparatus, for example
the sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. This can be effected or
assisted by force of gravity, suction, compressed air or in some
other ordinary way. For instance, the portions can be blown out
through feed pipes through which the bag paper is passed.
[0005] However, the known apparatuses have the drawback that only
free-flowing tobacco, that is, tobacco with a low residual moisture
content, can be processed. To put it another way, the known
apparatuses and methods are very sensitive to damp tobacco, that
is, tobacco with a residual moisture content of, for example, more
than 20% up to a residual moisture content of, for example, 60% or
more, or to tobacco with oils, flavourings or the like that
increase the moisture content of the tobacco. This means that the
damp and therefore sticky tobacco leads to deposits in the
apparatuses and, at worst, blockage of the apparatus and
interruption of the process. Hence short cleaning intervals are
necessary, which leads to downtimes and outage times. Another
drawback lies in that metering and slicing of the individual
portions is very imprecise in particular due to the deposits. To
put it another way, the weight and volume of the individual
portions vary. Slicing of the loose tobacco also has the drawback
that, because it is done by the consumer, it is very imprecise, as
a result of which consumption may be impaired.
SUMMARY
[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an
improved apparatus and method for metering tobacco, in particular
damp tobacco with a residual moisture content of more than 30%.
[0007] The above and other objects are accomplished according to
one aspect of the invention wherein there is provided an apparatus
for metering oral tobacco into portions suitable for consumption
including a delivery device to hold and deliver the tobacco and a
metering device to receive the tobacco from the delivery device.
The metering device includes a shaping component operative to shape
and press the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod and a
slicing component operative to slice the endless tobacco rod into
pre-defined tobacco portions with respect to shape and weight and
to discharge the tobacco portions for subsequent processing.
[0008] In an embodiment, by shaping and pressing the tobacco on the
one hand and slicing into defined tobacco portions on the other
hand, even damp tobacco with a high residual moisture content
(usually between 30% and 60%, or higher) can be sliced precisely
into so-called pressed blanks or pellets, so that reproducible
metering which soils the apparatus only to a minor extent is
ensured. Due to the fact that the pellets are already pressed and
shaped before introduction into the bag, careful and inherently
stable transport can be ensured. This crucially helps to obtain the
so-called "white portions." "White portions" means that the bags
remain unchanged in colour on filling with the tobacco portions,
and so in particular no tobacco juice leads to colouration of the
bags. The embodiment allows precise metering of tobacco portions
ready for consumption, which are to be consumed optionally directly
or in a bag. In general, the design according to the embodiment
leads to increased process reliability with few downtimes.
[0009] In another embodiment, the apparatus is constructed and
designed for simultaneously shaping and pressing a plurality of
endless tobacco rods. As a result, the efficiency of the apparatus
is increased. In particular this design allows, for example, direct
allocation of one endless tobacco rod to each feed pipe of a
sealed-edge or tubular bag machine, as a result of which the output
of the sealed-edge or tubular bag machine is increased.
[0010] Advantageously, in another embodiment, a plurality of
endless tobacco rods may be assigned a common element for
simultaneous slicing. This means that with one element at least one
tobacco portion each can be separated from all endless tobacco rods
synchronously, as a result of which a high capacity is
obtained.
[0011] In another embodiment, behind each slicing component is
arranged a storage device which is constructed and designed for
spatially separate reception of at least two tobacco portions of
the same endless tobacco rod. With this design it is ensured that
the continuously manufactured endless tobacco rods or tobacco
portions separated from the endless tobacco rods can optionally be
conveyed continuously or cyclically to the subsequent apparatus,
for example the sealed edge or tubular bag machine.
[0012] Further, another embodiment discloses a method for metering
oral tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, the steps
including delivering the tobacco, continuous shaping and pressing
the tobacco into at least one endless tobacco rod, slicing the
endless tobacco rod into pre-defined tobacco portions with respect
to shape and weight, and conveying the tobacco portions to a
subsequent processing station. The resulting advantages of the
method have already been described in connection with the
apparatus, on account of which reference is made to the foregoing
passages to avoid repetition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be more readily understood from
the following detailed description when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for metering oral
tobacco in portions suitable for consumption, including a delivery
device and a metering device, according to the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a storage device for receiving
a plurality of tobacco portions of the same endless tobacco rod
according to the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a feed pipe of the storage
device with a filled and sealed bag according to the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the shaping component and the
slicing component of the metering device according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus 10 for metering
oral tobacco 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the tobacco) in
portions 17 suitable for consumption, including a delivery device
12 and a metering device 13, according to the invention. The
metering device 13 for forming and discharging portions suitable
for consumption has a shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing
the tobacco 11 into at least one endless tobacco rod 15 as well as
a slicing component 16 for slicing the endless tobacco rod 15 into
tobacco portions 17 defined with respect to size and weight. Such
tobacco portions can be packed in bags or provided as blanks such
as tablets.
[0019] The delivery device 12 can be constructed differently and
may be, for example, a conveyor belt, a chute or, as shown in FIG.
1, a funnel. The metering device 13 for forming and discharging the
portions suitable for consumption serves to form individual
portions from the continuously delivered (loose) tobacco,
optionally for filling a bag or other packages, and deliver them to
the bag or package. For this purpose the metering device 13 has the
shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing the tobacco 11 which
in the embodiment shown is an extrusion press with rotary rollers.
But other ordinary apparatuses for shaping and pressing tobacco can
be used as well. The slicing component 16 for slicing or separating
individual tobacco portions 17 from the endless tobacco rod 15 can
be a blade, a wire or any other tool suitable for cutting or
shearing.
[0020] The shaping component 14 may be constructed and designed for
simultaneously shaping and pressing a plurality of endless tobacco
rods 15. In the embodiment shown, four endless tobacco rods 15 can
be made simultaneously. Naturally, fewer than four or more than
four can be made simultaneously, for example even up to sixteen
endless tobacco rods 15. For this purpose the shaping component 14
can provide a separate shaping and pressing component for each
endless tobacco rod 15, for example according to the number of
endless tobacco rods 15 wanted. In the embodiment according to the
figures, however, a central shaping component 14 is provided and
assigned a multi-path jet, nozzle or the like. To put it another
way, the jet or nozzle has a number of openings which defines the
number of endless tobacco rods 15 running alongside each other. The
plurality of endless tobacco rods 15 may be guided in parallel.
With respect to the orientation of the endless tobacco rods 15,
different arrangements or orientations of the jet or nozzle are
possible. For example, the endless tobacco rods 15 according to
FIG. 1 run parallel in the width dimension B of the delivery device
12 or funnel, while the endless tobacco rods 15 in the embodiment
according to FIG. 4 lie parallel and adjacent to each other in the
length dimension L of the rotary rollers. To put it another way,
the jet or nozzle can be constructed or arranged so that the
endless tobacco rods 15 have different directions of emergence from
the metering device 13.
[0021] For slicing or separating the individual tobacco portions 17
from the endless tobacco rods 15, the slicing component 16 is
arranged behind the shaping and pressing element or the jet or
nozzle in the direction of flow of the endless tobacco rods 15. In
the embodiment described, the slicing component 16 is constructed
so that all endless tobacco rods 15 can be processed simultaneously
with the slicing component 16. In other words, a common slicing
component 16 is provided, which slices all the endless tobacco rods
15 with a single separating movement. In other embodiments each
endless tobacco rod can be assigned its own separate slicing
component 16.
[0022] Directly behind the slicing component 16 for portioning or
separating can be arranged a processing station such as, for
example, a sealed edge or tubular bag machine. Optionally, however,
the metering device 13 can also be followed by a storage device 18
(see FIG. 2) behind the slicing component 16 in the direction of
flow of the endless tobacco rods 15. The storage device 18
uncouples the metering device 13 from a subsequent processing
station and can be arranged centrally. Each endless tobacco rod 15
may be assigned its own storage device 18 which is constructed and
designed for spatially separate reception of at least two tobacco
portions 17 of the same endless tobacco rod 15. This means that the
continuously produced tobacco portions 17 can be received in the
storage device 18 and dispensed again cyclically. In the embodiment
shown, the storage device 18 is a kind of turntable 19 with a
plurality of receptacles 20 for the tobacco portions 17. By
rotation of the turntable 19 the receptacles 20 can be moved out of
a receiving position A.sub.UF into a dispensing position A.sub.B
and vice versa. The turntable 19 has at least two or more
receptacles 20. In the region of the dispensing position A.sub.B is
provided a blow-out station 23 by means of which the tobacco
portions 17 located in the receptacles 20 can be conveyed to
subsequent processing stations, for example to feed pipes 21 of a
sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. The storage device 18 can also
be constructed as a sliding element or in some other known way. In
FIG. 3 is shown such a feed pipe 21 through which the bag paper is
passed to make a filled and closed sealed-edge bag 22.
[0023] As already mentioned, the apparatus 10 can in particular be
combined with a sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. The apparatus
10 can however also be connected to other processing stations, in
particular packing machines.
[0024] Below, the principle of the method is described in more
detail with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 4. Tobacco 11, tobacco mixtures
or the like are delivered to the apparatus 10 for metering oral
tobacco via the delivery device 12. This tobacco 11 is continuously
shaped and pressed in the shaping component 14 into at least one or
a plurality of endless tobacco rods 15. The endless tobacco rods 15
which may be guided in parallel are then cut. This means that
individual tobacco portions 17 defined in size and weight are
separated from the or each endless tobacco rod 15. These tobacco
portions 17 are then delivered directly or via the storage device
18 to a subsequent processing station.
[0025] Shaping and pressing of the plurality of endless tobacco
rods 15 may take place simultaneously, as may cutting of the
endless tobacco rods 15 into tobacco portions 17. In the event that
the tobacco portions 17 are conveyed cyclically to the subsequent
processing station, the tobacco portions 17 are stored. For this
purpose the tobacco portions 17 drop into receptacles 20 of a
turntable 19. By rotation of the turntable 19, a free receptacle 10
is provided beneath each exit of an endless tobacco rod from the
shaping component 14 for shaping and pressing and behind the
separating slicing component 16. As soon as the receptacle 20 is
full, the turntable 19 is rotated further. Therefore, in the region
of the receiving position A.sub.UF there is always an empty
receptacle 20. Further, the filled receptacles 20 are transported
to the dispensing position A.sub.B and there the tobacco portions
17 are ejected. The tobacco portions 17 may be delivered to a
sealed-edge or tubular bag machine. It is however possible to
deliver the tobacco portions 17, of which the shape and weight can
of course vary, to any processing stations. When metering and
conveying the tobacco portion 17 suitable for packing and
consumption, care must be taken that the tobacco 11, the endless
tobacco rods 15 and the tobacco portions 17 have the same direction
of flow, for example a rectilinear or downward vertical direction.
But other directions of conveying, for example in the horizontal
direction, are possible as well.
[0026] It will be understood that the above description of the
present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes
and adaptations, and that the same are intended to be comprehended
within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended
claims.
* * * * *