[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for manufacturing filters applicable to
tobacco products, and in particular to cigarettes. Such a machine is disclosed e.g.
in
US-A-3 645 175.
[0002] Conventionally, the manufacture of cigarette filters involves processing a continuous
stream of filter material, such as cellulose acetate, drawn from a compacted bale.
[0003] The stream is fed along a set path through processing stations, where it is first
stretched lengthwise and crosswise and then impregnated with chemical additives, typically
triacetin.
[0004] At a further station, the filter material is gathered by shaping means into a continuous
rope, or bundle, of cylindrical appearance.
[0005] In prior art filter makers, the shaping means appear as a funnel-like duct through
which the continuous stream is directed, with the result that cross sectional area
of the stream is reduced by degrees, and the stream transformed ultimately into a
rope or bundle of predetermined diameter.
[0006] Located downstream of the funnel-like duct is a connecting element that serves to
transfer and guide the stream into a wrapping station where the continuous bundle,
advancing along a predetermined direction, is enveloped gradually in a continuous
strip of paper material and fashioned thus into a continuous filter rod that will
then be divided up into single filter plugs by a rotary cutter device.
[0007] The wrapping station comprises a transport belt looped around two return rollers,
of which the top branch runs slidably along a tongue affording a longitudinal groove;
the groove presents a cross section varying continuously between the infeed end and
the outfeed end of the tongue, considered along the feed direction of the bundle,
and appearing substantially cylindrical at the outfeed end, with a radius of curvature
substantially equal to the radius of a filter.
[0008] The transport belt sliding in the aforementioned groove constitutes a garniture tape
by which the strip of paper is forced to wrap around the bundle, thereby forming the
aforementioned continuous filter rod.
[0009] The connecting element is positioned above the top branch of the transport belt and
comprises a first tubular portion of funnel-like appearance, joined to the means by
which the filter material is shaped into a bundle, also a second portion of trough-like
appearance with a concave face directed toward the selfsame top branch of the belt.
[0010] The second portion presents a cross sectional profile that diminishes gradually along
the feed direction of the continuous bundle, so as to avoid interference with the
garniture device and allow the paper strip to wrap progressively around the bundle.
[0011] The forwardmost end of the second portion lies below and in close proximity to the
entry point of folding means by which the two longitudinal edges of the strip of paper
material are overlapped, one edge having being gummed previously, and secured to form
a plugwrap around the rod.
[0012] The forward motion of the continuous bundle and the relative strip of paper on the
transport belt is assisted by the compressive force applied to the bundle through
the second portion of the connecting element.
[0013] As machine parts, feed and transfer devices of the type in question are costly in
the extreme by reason both of the complex manufacturing steps involved in their production,
and of the materials utilized, which must afford high resistance to wear and mechanical
stresses.
[0014] It has been found in practice that where a jam or obstruction impedes the sliding
motion of the looped belt, the stresses in question are such as to degrade the integrity
of the second portion of the connecting element, being structurally the more fragile,
with the result that the entire connecting element needs to be replaced.
[0015] To limit the costs generated by this drawback, certain devices of prior art design
are equipped with a first and second portion embodied as two distinct pieces, so that
a failure of the second portion will not necessarily signify replacement of the entire
connecting element.
[0016] Conventionally, to set up the machine ready for operation, the feed system is set
in motion until a given length of bundled filter material has emerged from the shaping
means.
[0017] The first inlet portion of the connecting element is then disassembled, having released
the fastening means by which it is held in place.
[0018] Next, the leading end of the bundle is inserted a suitable distance into the first
portion, by hand, whereupon the first portion can be returned to its operating position
between the shaping means and the second portion of the connecting element.
[0019] Self-evidently, such a procedure is laborious and time-consuming for operators, as
well as carrying the risk of breakages should the dismantled portion suffer accidental
impact or fall.
[0020] Further drawbacks affecting machines of prior art design include the possibility
that the bundle of filter material can become jammed internally of the connecting
element.
[0021] Given the particular structure of such machines, in effect, the task of restoring
normal operation is rendered notably complex due to the difficulty experienced by
the operator in accessing the area affected by the jam.
[0022] Likewise in this instance, the first portion of the connecting element needs to be
disassembled.
[0023] The object of the present invention is to provide a filter maker unaffected by the
various drawbacks associated with the prior art as described above.
[0024] The stated object is realized according to the invention in a machine for manufacturing
filters applicable to tobacco products, as characterized in one or more of the appended
claims.
[0025] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a schematic front view of a machine manufacturing filters for tobacco
products, in accordance with the present invention;
- figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the machine in figure 1, viewed schematically and
in perspective;
- figure 3 shows the detail of figure 2 in a second configuration;
- figure 4 shows the detail of figures 2 and 3, viewed in perspective from below.
[0026] With reference to figure 1, numeral 1 denotes a machine manufacturing filters for
tobacco products, in particular cigarettes, embodied in accordance with the present
invention.
[0027] Whilst the following specification describes a single track filter maker, the elements
disclosed are referable equally to a twin track machine.
[0028] The machine 1 comprises a magazine 2 containing filter material, from which this
same material is drawn off and formed into a continuous stream 3 by means not illustrated
in the drawings.
[0029] The stream 3 is directed along a feed path P, following a direction F arrowed in
figure 1, toward longitudinal and transverse stretching means shown schematically
as two pairs of contrarotating rollers denoted 4 and 5 respectively.
[0030] Downstream of the stretching means 4 and 5, the machine 1 comprises a chemical treatment
unit 6 by which the advancing stream 3 of filter material is impregnated with chemical
additives, for example triacetin.
[0031] Further downstream, beyond the chemical treatment unit 6, the stream 3 of filter
material advances through feed means 7 provided by a plurality of guide rollers, and
into a shaping device 8 of which the function is to gather the selfsame stream 3 into
a continuous rope or bundle 9 of cylindrical appearance.
[0032] More exactly, the cylindrical bundle 9 is shaped by a device 8 of funnel-like appearance
designed to induce a gradual reduction in the cross-sectional area of the stream 3;
to this end, the device 8 is equipped with an outlet nozzle 10 presenting across section
of diameter substantially identical to the diameter of a single filter tip.
[0033] Numeral 11 denotes a garniture tongue along which the advancing bundle 9 is enveloped
progressively in a strip 12 of paper plugwrap material, decoiled from a roll (not
illustrated), so as to fashion a continuous filter rod 13.
[0034] Emerging at the outfeed end of the tongue 11, the continuousfilterrod 13 is divided
up by a rotary cutting device 14 into single plugs 15.
[0035] Referring to figure 2, the garniture tongue 11 appears as a block 16 presenting a
horizontal top face 17 with a longitudinal groove 18.
[0036] The groove 18 presents a cross section varying continuously between the infeed end
and the outfeed end of the tongue, along the feed direction of the bundle, and presenting
a substantially cylindrical shape at the outfeed end, of which the radius of curvature
is substantially equal to the radius of a filter plug.
[0037] The aforementioned groove 18 accommodates the sliding motion of a fabric transport
belt, or garniture tape 19, looped around two rollers 20 (one only of which is indicated
in the drawings) placed at the two opposite ends of the tongue 11.
[0038] The garniture tape 19 forces the strip 12 of paper material to wrap by degrees around
the continuous bundle 9.
[0039] The continuous bundle 9 is fed onto the garniture tongue 11 by way of a connecting
element 21 between the shaping device 8 and the selfsame tongue.
[0040] As illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 4, the connecting element 21 comprises a movable
inlet portion 22 and a fixed outlet portion 23.
[0041] The fixed outlet portion 23 is rigidly associated by way of a relative mounting 24
(figures 2 and 3) with a bracket 25 associated rigidly in turn with a vertical bulkhead
25a of the machine frame 1, and presents a trough-like appearance with a concave face
directed down toward the garniture tape 19, of which the curvature remains constant
and the cross sectional profile reduces gradually along the feed direction of the
bundle 9.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the fixed portion 23 and the mounting 24 will be embodied
in one piece.
[0043] The endmost tip 23a of the fixed portion 23 is cantilevered from the mounting 24,
projecting at a level above the garniture tape 19 and below folding means 26 of which
the function is to complete the rod 13 by overlapping and securing the longitudinal
edges of the strip 12 of paper material, one of which having been gummed previously
by gluing means not illustrated in the drawings.
[0044] As discernible in particular from figures 2 and 4, the movable inlet portion 22 comprises
a first tubular segment 27 consisting in a frustoconical collar 28 offered to the
nozzle 10 of the shaping device 8, and a similarly frustoconical neck 29 attached
to the collar.
[0045] The first tubular segment 27 extends into a second trough-like segment 30 presenting
a concave face 30a directed toward the garniture tape 19, of which the curvature remains
constant and the cross sectional profile reduces gradually down to a size matching
the inlet end of the fixed portion 23.
[0046] The movable inlet portion 22 presents a plurality of through holes 31 piercing the
frustoconical duct piece 29 and the second trough-like segment 30.
[0047] Numeral 32 denotes a hinge mechanism, in its entirety, by means of which the movable
portion 22 of the connecting element 21 can be rotated between a first operating position
illustrated in figure 2, in which the gathering bundle 9 of filter material is transferred
and guided from the shaping device 8 to the garniture tongue 11, and a second position
of disengagement from the aforementioned operating position, illustrated in figure
3.
[0048] More exactly, the movable portion 22 is rigidly associated with an overslung mounting
33 hinged to the bulkhead 25a by way of a horizontal pivot 34 placed transversely
to the feed direction followed by the bundle 9 and located above the downstream end
of the movable portion 22.
[0049] The mounting 33 is connected in its turn, by way of a pivot 35 parallel with the
hinge pivot 34, to a first end 36a of a linkage rod 36.
[0050] The second end 36b of the rod 36 is connected by way of a pivot 37, also parallel
with the hinge pivot 34, to a first end 38a of a rocking arm 38 of which the second
end 38b is anchored rotatably to the bulkhead 25a by way of a further pivot 39, likewise
parallel with the hinge pivot 34.
[0051] The linkage rod 36 is furnished with a knob 40, positioned above the pivot denoted
37, by means of which to operate the hinge mechanism 32.
[0052] The mounting 33, rod 36 and rocking arm 38 thus combine to establish the aforementioned
hinge mechanism 32, which allows the movable portion 22 to be displaced from the operating
position between the nozzle 10 of the shaping device 8 and the fixed portion 23 of
the connecting element 21 to the aforementioned position of disengagement, illustrated
in figure 3, in which the movable portion 22 is distanced from the feed path P and
disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical.
[0053] In operation, at the start of each operating cycle, the operator will seize the knob
40 and pull the movable portion 22 of the connecting element 21 upwards into the position
of disengagement, then set the machine 1 running long enough for a predetermined length
of the bundle 9 of filter material to emerge from the nozzle 10 of the shaping device
8.
[0054] The leading end of the bundle 9 is inserted into the collar 28 of the movable portion
22, by hand, and advanced through a distance substantially equivalent to the longitudinal
dimension of the selfsame movable portion 22.
[0055] The movable portion 22 of the connecting element 21 is then returned to the operating
position, where the leading end of the bundle 9, now located under the second trough-like
segment 30, is compressed by this same segment against the garniture tape 19 together
with the interposed strip 12 of paper material.
[0056] Following this preparatory step, the machine 1 is set in motion and the garniture
tape 19 will draw the bundle 9 of filter material together with the strip 12 of paper
along the groove 18 of the garniture tongue 11.
[0057] Self-evidently, the step of preparing the machine for operation is rendered swift
and reliable by the connecting element 21 according to the invention, since the bundle
9 of filter material can be fed onto the garniture tongue 11 with no need to remove
any component parts of the connecting element 21, which are typically fragile and
costly.
[0058] In the event that a jam or blockage should occur along the feed path P during the
manufacturing cycle, localized in the fixed outlet portion 23 of the connecting element
21, the operator can simply shut off the machine 1, seize the knob 40 and lift the
movable portion 22 of the connecting element 21 into the position of disengagement,
clear of the feed path P.
[0059] It will be clear that with the movable portion 22 in this position, the section of
the machine 1 affected by the jam or blockage is rendered easily accessible, and normal
operating conditions can be restored quickly and safely.
1. A machine manufacturing filters for tobacco products, comprising:
- feed means (7) supplying at least one continuous stream (3) of filter material;
- a shaping device (8) by which the stream (3) is gathered into a continuous cylindrical
rope or bundle (9) of such filter material;
- a garniture tongue (11) on which the bundle (9) is wrapped in a strip (12) of paper
material while advancing along a predetermined feed path (P), to form a continuous
filter rod (13);
- a cutter device (14) by which the rod (13) is divided into discrete filter plugs
(15),
characterized
- in that it comprises a connecting element (21) located between the outfeed stage of the shaping
device (8) and the infeed stage of the garniture tongue (11) along which the bundle
(9) is wrapped;
- in that the connecting element (21) comprises an inlet portion (22) capable of movement between
a first operating position in which the bundle (9) of filter material is transferred
and guided from the shaping device (8) to the garniture tongue (11), and a second
position of disengagement from the operating position in which the movable portion
22 is distanced from the feed path P and disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially
vertical.
2. A machine as in claim 1, wherein the movement of the inlet portion (22) between the
operating position and the position of disengagement is an alternating movement.
3. A machine as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the movable inlet portion (22) comprises
at least one tubular segment (27).
4. A machine as in claim 3, wherein the movable inlet portion (22) comprises a second
segment (30) of trough-like embodiment presenting a concave face directed toward the
garniture tongue (11).
5. A machine as in claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting element (21) comprises a fixed
outlet portion (23) of trough-like embodiment presenting a concave face directed toward
the garniture tongue (11).
6. A machine as in claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable inlet portion (22) is supported
hingedly by way of a relative mounting (24) pivotable on a horizontal axis disposed
transversely to the feed direction followed by the continuous bundle (9) of filter
material.
7. A machine as in claim 3, wherein the tubular segment (27) of the movable inlet portion
(22) comprises a frustoconical collar (28).
8. A machine as in claim 7, wherein the tubular segment (27) presents a frustoconical
neck (29) located downstream of the collar (28), by which the section of the continuous
bundle (9) is controlled and maintained at a predetermined diameter.
9. A machine as in claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the second trough-like segment (30) and
the fixed trough-like outlet portion (23) present a cross-sectional profile that reduces
progressively along the feed path (P) followed by the bundle (9).
10. A machine as in claims 1 to 9, further comprising means (32) by which to induce motion
in the movable inlet portion (22).
11. A machine as in claim 10, wherein motion inducing means comprise a hinge mechanism
(32).
1. Maschine zur Filterherstellung für Tabakprodukte, umfassend:
- Zuführungsmittel (7), die mindestens einen durchgehenden Strom (3) an Filtermaterial
zuführen;
- eine Formungsvorrichtung (8), mittels derer der Strom (3) zu einem durchgehenden
zylindrischen Seil oder Bündel (9) dieses Filtermaterials zusammengefasst wird;
- eine Zubehörzunge (11), auf der das Bündel (9) in einen Streifen (12) Papiermaterial
eingewickelt wird, während es entlang eines vorgegebenen Zuführungswegs (P) vorgeschoben
wird, um eine durchgehende Filterstange (13) zu bilden;
- eine Schneidvorrichtung (14), von der die Stange (13) in separate Filterstopfen
(15) getrennt wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
- dass sie ein Verbindungselement (21) umfasst, das zwischen der Austragsstufe der Formungsvorrichtung
(8) und der Zuführungsstufe der Zubehörzunge (11) befindlich ist, entlang dessen das
Bündel (9) eingewickelt wird;
- dass das Verbindungselement (21) einen Einlaufabschnitt (22) umfasst, der sich zwischen
einer ersten Betriebsposition, in der das Bündel (9) Filtermaterial übergeben und
von der Formungsvorrichtung (8) zur Zubehörzunge (11) geführt wird, und einer zweiten
Position, die von der Betriebsposition gelöst ist, in der der bewegbare Abschnitt
(22) vom Zuführungsweg (P) beabstandet und mit seiner Längsachse im Wesentlichen vertikal
angeordnet wird, bewegen kann.
2. Maschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Bewegung des Einlaufabschnitts (22) zwischen der
Betriebsposition und der losgelösten Position eine alternierende Bewegung ist.
3. Maschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der bewegbare Einlassabschnitt (22) mindestens
ein rohrförmiges Segment (27) umfasst.
4. Maschine nach Anspruch 3, wobei der bewegbare Einlassabschnitt (22) ein zweites Segment
(30) einer durchführungsähnlichen Ausführung umfasst, aufweisend eine konkave Seitenfläche,
die der Zubehörzunge (11) zugewandt ist.
5. Maschine nach Anspruch 1 bis 4, wobei das Verbindungselement (21) einen fixen Auslassabschnitt
(23) einer durchführungsähnlichen Ausführung umfasst, aufweisend eine konkave Seitenfläche,
die der Zubehörzunge (11) zugewandt ist.
6. Maschine nach Anspruch 1 bis 5, wobei der bewegbare Einlassabschnitt (22) gelenkig
durch ein entsprechendes Gehäuse (24) getragen wird, das auf einer horizontalen Achse
schwenkbar ist, angeordnet quer zur Zuführungsrichtung, gefolgt vom durchgehenden
Bündel (9) Filtermaterial.
7. Maschine nach Anspruch 3, wobei das rohrförmige Segment (27) des bewegbaren Einlassabschnitts
(22) einen kegelstumpfförmigen Kragen (28) umfasst.
8. Maschine nach Anspruch 7, wobei das rohrförmige Segment (27) einen kegelstumpfförmigen
Hals (29) aufweist, der sich stromabwärts des Kragens (28) befindet, durch den die
Sektion des durchgehenden Bündels (9) kontrolliert und auf einem vorgegebenen Durchmesser
beibehalten wird.
9. Maschine nach Anspruch 4 und 5, wobei das zweite durchführungsähnliche Segment (30)
und der fixe durchführungsähnliche Auslassabschnitt (23) ein Querschnittsprofil aufweisen,
das entlang des Zuführungswegs (P), den das Bündel (9) zurücklegt, progressiv abnimmt.
10. Maschine nach Anspruch 1 bis 9, zudem umfassend Mittel (32), mittels derer der bewegbare
Einlassabschnitt (22) angetrieben wird.
11. Maschine nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Antriebsmittel einen Gelenkmechanismus (32) umfassen.
1. Machine de fabrication de filtres pour produits du tabac, comprenant :
- des moyens d'alimentation (7) alimentant au moins un flux continu (3) de matériau
filtrant ;
- un dispositif de mise en forme (8) par lequel le flux (3) est rassemblé en un cordon
ou faisceau cylindrique continu (9) dudit matériau filtrant ;
- un canal de formation (11) sur lequel le faisceau (9) est enveloppé dans une bande
(12) de papier pendant sa progression le long d'un parcours d'alimentation (P) prédéfini,
pour former un bâtonnet-filtre continu (13) ;
- un dispositif de coupe (14) par lequel ledit bâtonnet (13) est divisé en bouts-filtres
(15) distincts,
caractérisée
- en ce qu'elle comprend un élément de raccordement (21) situé entre la phase de sortie du dispositif
de mise en forme (8) et la phase d'entrée du canal de formation (11) le long duquel
le faisceau (9) est enveloppé ;
- en ce que l'élément de raccordement (21) comprend une portion d'entrée (22) pouvant se déplacer
entre une première position fonctionnelle, dans laquelle le faisceau (9) de matériau
filtrant est transféré et guidé du dispositif de mise en forme (8) au canal de formation
(11), et une seconde position de désengagement de la position fonctionnelle dans laquelle
la portion mobile 22 est éloignée du parcours d'alimentation P et disposée avec son
axe longitudinal substantiellement vertical.
2. Machine selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le mouvement de la portion d'entrée
(22) entre la position fonctionnelle et la position de désengagement est un mouvement
alternatif.
3. Machine selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans laquelle la portion d'entrée mobile
(22) comprend au moins un segment tubulaire (27).
4. Machine selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la portion d'entrée mobile (22) comprend
un second segment (30) de mode de réalisation en forme d'auge présentant une face
concave orientée vers le canal de formation (11).
5. Machine selon les revendications de 1 à 4, dans laquelle l'élément de raccordement
(21) comprend une portion de sortie fixe (23) de mode de réalisation en forme d'auge
présentant une face concave orientée vers le canal de formation (11).
6. Machine selon les revendications de 1 à 5, dans laquelle la portion d'entrée mobile
(22) est supportée de façon articulée par l'intermédiaire d'un support (24) respectif
pouvant pivoter sur un axe horizontal disposé transversalement à la direction d'alimentation
suivie par le faisceau continu (9) de matériau filtrant.
7. Machine selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le segment tubulaire (27) de la portion
d'entrée mobile (22) comprend un collier troncoconique (28).
8. Machine selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle le segment tubulaire (27) présente
un col troncoconique (29) situé en aval du collier (28), par lequel la section du
faisceau continu (9) est commandée et maintenue à un diamètre prédéfini.
9. Machine selon les revendications 4 et 5, dans laquelle le deuxième segment en forme
d'auge (30) et la portion de sortie fixe en forme d'auge (23) présentent un profil
transversal qui se réduit progressivement le long du parcours d'alimentation (P) suivi
par le faisceau (9).
10. Machine selon les revendications de 1 à 9, comprenant de plus des moyens (32) permettant
d'induire le mouvement de la portion d'entrée mobile (22).
11. Machine selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle les moyens permettant d'induire le
mouvement comprennent un mécanisme articulé (32).