CN113226071A

CN113226071A - Machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry

Info

Publication number: CN113226071A
Application number: CN201980083579.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: I·尤塞皮; M·艾斯波斯蒂; N·巴尔丹扎; G·本尼; G·加姆博里尼; M·萨托尼; L·费迪里克
Original assignee: Jidi Co
Current assignee: Jidi Co; GD SpA
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2019-12-17
Publication date: 2021-08-06
Also published as: CA3118465A1; KR20210102205A; WO2020128827A1; IT201800020083A1; JP2022515109A; EP3897240A1

Abstract

A machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry, comprising: feeding means (10, 20) for feeding the first and second continuous webs (2, 3); a forming station (30) which folds and/or deforms the first continuous web (2) to give the first web (2) a formed configuration; a wrapping station (50) in which the second web (3) is wrapped around the first web (2) having a shaped configuration to obtain a continuous tube (100) defined by a tubular covering comprising the first web (2) having a shaped configuration; and a cutting station (70) for dividing the continuous tube into a series of tube segments (100).

Description

Machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry

Technical Field

The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry or of a loose material containing fibres, in particular tubular segments provided with a filler material, wherein the filler is obtained from a material in web form, preferably paper. In the context of the present invention, these tube segments may form part of a conventional cigarette or a heated but non-combustible cigarette, in particular a non-filtered cigarette or a handmade or self-rolled or self-made cigarette.

In such cigarettes, in fact, it is necessary to place a spacer element between the combustion or heating aerosol-generating element and the mouth of the smoker, in order to cool the smoke and, above all, to prevent the tobacco from reaching the mouth of the smoker. The term "tobacco" as used herein refers to any loose material containing fibers, whether of plant or other origin.

Background

A typical hand-made cigarette comprises a paper tube rolled up around a paper filler in the form of an insert, or obtained from the same sheet of paper.

In a manual method of making a tube, an outer sheet of paper material is rolled into the shape of a tube and then a filler insert is placed within the outer tube to partially fill the cavity defined by the outer tube. The filler can be made by manually folding another sheet of paper material, in particular forming a specific three-dimensional element for partially filling the tube and also acting as a barrier against the passage of tobacco fragments.

These cigarettes are basically made from ready-made paper sheets, very convenient to make by hand, but unsuitable for industrial production for obvious reasons of incompatibility with the production process, in particular considering the very low productivity that can be achieved by processing the paper sheet alone. Making the inserts individually is indeed very time consuming and does not guarantee reproducibility of the quality of the results.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, the technical purpose underlying the present invention is to provide a machine for making tubular lengths for the tobacco industry which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry which can manufacture tubes provided with at least one filling insert and which is characterized by the high speeds and repeatability typical of industrial processes.

The technical aim and aims specified are substantially achieved by a machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims 1 to 14.

Another object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a tubular segment for the tobacco industry comprising the technical features of one or more of the appended claims 15 to 22.

Drawings

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a detail of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

figure 2 schematically shows a machine according to a second embodiment of the invention;

figure 3 shows a detail of the machine of figure 1 or 2;

figures 4 and 5 are cross-sections of a portion of the machine of figures 1 or 2 along two successive section planes;

figure 6 is a cross section of a tubular section made with the machine of figure 2;

figure 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of figure 6;

figure 7 is a detail view showing a part of the machine of figure 1 or 2;

figure 8 schematically shows the operating steps carried out in the machine part of figure 7.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 indicates as a whole a machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry according to the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term "tobacco industry tubular section" is used to denote a tubular section that can be part of a smoking article, in particular as a component of a smoking article, such as a conventional cigarette or a heated but non-combustible cigarette, more particularly a non-filter cigarette or a hand-made or self-rolled cigarette. When used in such smoking articles, the function of such sections is to filter and/or cool and/or flavour and/or conduct heat/dissipate heat and/or aesthetics/characteristic appearance (reproducing the cross-sectional shape of a particular brand).

Further, in the context of the present invention, a tubular section (labeled 100 in the figures) is defined by the outer tube 110 and at least one insert 120 is disposed therein to at least partially fill the conduit within the outer tube 110.

In one embodiment, the outer tube 110 and/or the insert 120 are made from a continuous web of a respective paper material; however, materials other than paper may be used without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention. More specifically, for one or both of the continuous webs, different materials may be used, selected from (alone or mixed together) the following:

-material extracted from cellulose: such as cellulose acetate (tow);

tobacco, reconstituted tobacco (modified (recon)) or other plant-derived material: such as wheat, corn, sugar cane, hemp, sugar beet, palm, papaya, and the like.

-polymeric plastic material: for example, polylactic acid (PLA), Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the like.

Biodegradable or compostable materials, such as the following bio-plastics: Mater-Bi, PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate).

-a metal: such as aluminum, stainless steel.

These materials may also contain:

-plasticizers, solvents or humectants: for example, triacetate (triacetin), TEC (triethyl citrate), PEG 400 (low molecular weight polyethylene glycol);

-materials generating vapour, smoke or aerosol: for example, water, glycerol, propylene glycol, and the like;

natural or artificial flavors, e.g. mint, fruit extracts, sugar, licorice, liqueur flavors, cocoa, and the like;

materials with selective or adsorptive filtration effect: for example, activated carbon, silicone gel, and the like;

-materials facilitating the joining of the web components by gluing: typically PVA, glues of plant or animal origin, starch, alginates, fats, etc.

The above materials may be present in the web of tubes or inserts at the same time or may also be joined by chemical mixing or mechanically, for example by rolling, pressing, moulding, compressing, extruding, coating, dipping, sintering, gluing, powder or particle or wire inclusions, etc.

The web may be made using a process similar to that for making paper or reconstituted tobacco or plastic strips (e.g., pressing), or may also be a web, textile or nonwoven.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a machine 1 according to the invention. In its present embodiment, the machine 1 comprises: a first feeding device 10 for feeding a first continuous web and arranged to advance at least the first continuous web 2 along a first feed path P1; and a second feeding device 20 for feeding the second continuous web and configured to advance at least the second continuous web 3 along a respective second feed path P2.

The

webs

2, 3 may be made of paper or other material, depending on the type of tubular section desired.

Furthermore, the

webs

2, 3 are unwound from

respective rollers

2a, 3a, which are preferably motor-driven.

Preferably, the

webs

2, 3 are defined by a single layer, at least during the step of unwinding from the

respective rolls

2a, 3 a.

Machine 1 also comprises a forming station 30 arranged on first feed path P1 and configured to fold and/or deform first continuous web 2 to obtain a continuous web having a formed configuration-in other words, forming station 30 elastically and/or permanently deforms first web 2 so that it passes from a flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration, in particular a laterally gathered configuration, for example so that it is suitable to be inserted in a continuous tube behind it, thus partially filling it.

In the context of the present invention, the term "forming" referred to with respect to the first web means the three-dimensional configuration obtained by the process of elastic or permanent deformation, which is intended to give the web a transversal cross-section of a specific shape, which is externally visible in the final tubular section. The shape is preferably modeled as a geometric figure or symbol or a generic shape of varying complexity. By way of non-limiting example, the shape may be a wave-like configuration, as well as a star or leaf or letter (e.g., "S" or omega) or logo (e.g., trademark) or geometric figure (square, triangle, rectangle), or heart or other shape. In the context of the present invention, the particular shape does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, but is only one aspect of the present invention, as long as the continuous web is deformed to define a particular, predetermined shape, particularly one that evokes a particular image or feel to the user.

The forming station is shown in detail in FIG. 1A.

Advantageously, the forming station 30 is configured to operate steplessly, deforming the first web 2 while it is being steplessly advanced.

This is preferably achieved by the structure of the forming station 30 being arranged to pass the first web 2 uninterruptedly through a forming gap whose transverse cross-section gives the first web 2 the above-mentioned formed configuration. Preferably, the forming gap is defined by a slot extending along the opening line, i.e. the forming gap is spaced apart and non-coincident along the two ends of the line along which it extends.

In one embodiment, the forming station 30 is configured to at least partially elastically deform the first web 2. In more detail, this means that the longitudinal portions of the first web 2 are folded with respect to each other so as to allow "transverse compaction", or more generally "transverse compaction" of the first web 2, but reversible, so that the first web 2 thus shaped retains a certain elastic tendency to laterally return to its original shape, adapting it to the internal shape of the continuous tube into which it is to be inserted next.

In this embodiment, the forming gap extends along an opening line which is at least partially, preferably entirely, defined by a continuous curved stretch, in particular by a spline curve. The opening line may also have straight stretches, for example alternating with curved stretches or spline curves, to gently and gradually compact to prevent or limit permanent deformation.

As an addition or alternative to the elastic deformation just described, the forming station 30 is configured to at least partially permanently deform the first web 2, in particular to fold the first web 2 about one or more longitudinal folding lines. In more detail, this means permanently deforming certain specific areas of the first web 2, allowing lateral compaction to a higher degree than pure elastic deformation, and repeatedly folding the laminate.

In this embodiment, the forming gap extends along an opening line having one or more sharp corners defining respective longitudinal folding lines for permanently folding the first web 2.

As mentioned above, the forming station 30 may produce lateral compaction elastically or permanently, or a combination of both, in particular with alternating elastic deformation zones and permanent fold lines.

In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 3, the forming station 30 comprises a pair of

rollers

31, 32 between which the first web 2 passes, the rollers having respective matching shaped

external features

31a, 32a (i.e. the profile of the rollers themselves are shaped to match each other and are therefore geometrically compatible), which define the forming gap between the rollers. In other words, the

rollers

31 and 32, which are rotatable about parallel axes, have respective peripheral profiles (fig. 3) which correspond to each other in cross section with respect to a plane passing through the respective axes and are therefore shaped to match each other so as to define a forming gap of substantially uniform width through which the first web 2 is shaped.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a forming gap of the above-mentioned type is also defined by a second forming element, hereinafter referred to as preforming element 33, which is arranged upstream of the forming

rollers

31, 32 and is arranged to perform the first web 2.

Looking in more detail, the preformed element 33 may be defined by a rigid or monolithic element provided with a fixed forming gap through which the first web 2 undergoes an initial deformation to give the first web 2a configuration easier to pass through the pair of

rollers

31, 32.

In an embodiment not shown, the preformed element 33 may even be sufficient to serve as a separate forming element, instead of the pair of

rollers

31, 32.

In a preferred embodiment, the

rollers

31, 32 are alternatively constructed and/or arranged to be held together by a predetermined force, thereby compressing the first web 2 passing between the rollers. Thus, in this configuration, the size of the forming gap between the

rolls

31, 32 is defined by the thickness and compressibility of the first web 2. This advantageously allows to make the

rollers

31, 32 have not only the function of shaping the first web 2 but also the function of entraining the first web 2, wherein at least one of the two

rollers

31, 32 is associated with respective motor means.

Downstream of each of the

aforementioned feeding devices

10, 20 and forming station 30, the machine 1 also comprises a tubular guide 40, which tubular guide 40 is configured to guide the first web 2 as it leaves the forming station 30, keeping it in the formed configuration during the passage from the forming station to a wrapping station 50 (described below).

In fact, the passage of the first web 2 through the tubular guide 40 in this shaped configuration allows the first web 2 to retain its shape, in contrast to its tendency to elastically return to the laterally extended configuration.

The tubular guide 40 is shown in detail in fig. 7.

Preferably, the tubular guide 40 has at least one stretch 41 with a transverse cross section that is progressively reduced, for example with a diameter, so as to further laterally compact the formed first web 2 before it reaches the wrapping station 50, so as to give the first web 2 already formed the desired final transverse cross section.

Fig. 4 and 5 show the cross-section of the tubular guide 40, respectively upstream and downstream of the stretch 41 with reduced transverse cross-section, in particular at the cross-sections S1 and S2 of fig. 7.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular guide 40 is integrally formed as a single piece. However, it may also consist of a succession of parts which are connected to each other to form a single rigid body.

As shown in fig. 8, the tubular guide member 40 has an outlet end 42, the outlet opening 43 of the outlet end 42 being located in an inclined plane not perpendicular to the feed direction of the formed first web, so that the outlet opening 43 faces downwards.

In another embodiment, not shown, the tubular guide 40 itself may be a forming element, if the web 2 does not need to adopt a predetermined forming configuration, but only needs to pass through the tubular guide 40.

Downstream of the forming station 30 and the tubular guide 40, the machine 1 also comprises the wrapping station 50 described above, where the first feed path P1 and the second feed path P2 meet, and where the second web 3 is wrapped around the previously formed first web with the formed configuration, so as to obtain a continuous tube defined by the outer cover, enclosing the already shaped first web therein.

Looking in more detail, the wrapping station 50 is located at the end 42 of the tubular guide 40, the first web 2 comes out of this end 42 in a shaped configuration, and the second web 3 is wrapped at least partially directly around the end 42 of the tubular guide 40. The wrapping is done by overlapping the opposite lateral edges of the second web 3 and gluing them to each other.

The wrapping station preferably also comprises a belt (not shown) for guiding the second web 3 driven along the closed path and designed to act with a fixed deflector for guiding the second web 3 wrapped around the end 42 of the tubular guide 40.

As shown in fig. 8, the second web 3 comes from below during the initial wrapping movement around the end 42 of the tubular guide 40, and therefore the outlet opening 43 of the above-mentioned tubular guide 40 faces the central portion of the second web 3 wrapped around the end 42 itself. This advantageously allows exposing a portion of the second web 3 and/or of the shaped first web 2 so that the webs can be glued to each other to permanently join the shaped first web 2 to the second web 3.

In other words, at least the first web 2 or the second web 3, which is shaped, must interact with the gluing means 60 along their path in order to apply a layer of glue on at least one of the two

webs

2 or 3 in order to join the two

webs

2 and 3 to each other.

In one possible embodiment, the end 42 of the tubular guide 40 may have a frustoconical shape or otherwise taper in the direction of formation of the continuous tube.

In particular, gluing means 60 configured to apply an adhesive substance (for example vinyl or PVA or hot melt) on the shaped first or second web 3 can be arranged close to the wrapping station 50, more particularly close to the outlet opening 43. The gluing means 60 preferably comprise one or more spray heads, not shown, configured to direct a jet of glue onto the shaped first or second web 3, the nozzle not shown.

In an embodiment not shown, the gluing means can be arranged at different positions: for example on the first and/or second feed path P1, P2.

Downstream of the wrapping station 50 is a cutting station 70 for dividing the continuous tube into a series of tube segments 100. The cutting station 70 may comprise a rotary blade of a typical type, for example for cutting continuous cigarettes or filters, and is provided with a rotary drum fitted with one or more radial, preferably adjustable, blades.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the machine 1 according to the invention. The machine 1 of this embodiment differs from the embodiment of figure 1 in that it comprises, on the second feed path P2 upstream of the wrapping station 50, folding means 80 which operate on the second web 3 to fold the second web 3 about two parallel longitudinal fold lines to give the second web 3a three-layer structure.

In this case, the outer tube 110 thus produced can be seen in the view of fig. 6 and in the enlarged view of fig. 6A, showing the splicing zones of the joining of the opposite side edges of the two-layer, three-layer web 3.

More generally, the folding means 8 arranged on the second feed path P2 may be arranged to fold the second web 3 one or more times about one or more parallel longitudinal fold lines, so as to give the second web 3a multilayer structure. The folding carried out in this way is carried out in succession by one or more fixed deflectors having respective folding edges arranged at respective longitudinal folding lines. To facilitate folding of the second web about the longitudinal fold lines, scoring means (not shown) may be provided on the second feed path P2 upstream of the folding device 80 to form one or more longitudinal lines of weakness that will constitute the fold lines in the folding device 80.

The invention may be modified without departing from the inventive concept. For example, in the case of a multilayer outer tube, for example having at least two at least partially superposed webs, two or more second webs from respective rolls (or from a single roll cut longitudinally to form two webs) may be used and wrapped to present respective splicing zones, angularly spaced about the axis of the final tubular section, instead of using a single second web folded about one or more longitudinally parallel fold lines.

Furthermore, on the first feed path there may be an application device for applying additional substances, such as flavourings or substances suitable for increasing the heat-conducting and/or heat-dissipating properties of the first web, on the first web as it advances and/or after its formation.

According to another alternative possibility, a creasing and/or scoring device may be provided on the first feed path, so as to form one or more lines of weakness (continuous or with periodic interruptions) on the first web, to facilitate its subsequent deformation in the forming station. Alternatively, the first web may already have these creases and/or scored cuts as it is unwound from the respective roll.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the guide 40 may coincide completely or at least partially with the wrapping station 50, wherein the outer surface of the guide 40 allows wrapping of the second web 3.

The present invention achieves the preset aims and overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

In fact, the present invention provides a machine arranged to implement an industrial process for manufacturing tubular segments provided with at least one filling insert, wherein the segments can be made from respective continuous webs, allowing high productivity and a high level of quality and repeatability.

Claims

1. Machine for manufacturing tubular segments for the tobacco industry, in particular filled and with spacing and/or filtering functions, comprising:

-first feeding means (10) for feeding at least a first continuous web (2) and configured to advance said first continuous web (2) at least along a first feeding path (P1);

-second feeding means (20) for feeding at least a second continuous web (3) and configured to advance said second continuous web (3) at least along a respective second feeding path (P2);

-a forming station (30) arranged on said first feeding path (P1) and configured to fold and/or deform said first continuous web (2) so as to impart a forming configuration to said first web (2);

-downstream of said forming station (30), a wrapping station (50) at which said first feed path (P1) and said at least one second feed path (P2) converge and said second web (3) is wrapped around said first formed web (2) to obtain a continuous tube (100) defined by a tubular cover comprising said first formed web (2);

-a cutting station (70) for cutting the continuous tube, said cutting station being located downstream of the wrapping station (50) to divide the continuous tube into a series of tubular segments (100).

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the forming station (30) is configured for stepless operation, deforming the first web (2) while the first web (2) is advancing steplessly.

3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the forming station (30) is configured to deform the first web (2) at least partially elastically.

4. The machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that said forming station (30) is configured to at least partially permanently deform said first web (2), in particular to fold said first web (2) about one or more longitudinal folding lines.

5. The machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that said forming station (30) is configured to pass said first web (2) through a forming gap having a transverse cross-section such as to impart said forming configuration to said first web (2), said forming gap being defined by a slot extending along an opening line.

6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening line is defined at least partially, preferably completely, by a continuous curved stretch, and in particular by a spline curve.

7. Machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said opening line has one or more sharp edges defining respective longitudinal lines for permanently folding said first web (2).

8. The machine according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said forming station (30) comprises a pair of rollers (31, 32) between which said first web (2) passes, said rollers (31, 32) having respective outer features (31a, 32a) shaped in match, between which said forming gap is defined.

9. Machine according to claim 8, wherein said rollers (31, 32) define a station for entraining said first web (2).

10. The machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises, downstream of said forming station (30), a tubular guide (40) configured to guide said first web (2) having said formed configuration so that it maintains said formed configuration while moving from said forming station (30) to said wrapping station (50).

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein the tubular guide (40) has at least one stretching portion (41), the transverse cross section of the stretching portion (41) being progressively reduced so as to further laterally compact the first web (2) with the shaped configuration before it reaches the wrapping station (50).

12. Machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said wrapping station (50) is located at an end (42) of said tubular guide (40) from which said first web (2) comes out with said forming configuration, said second web (3) being preferably wrapped at least partially directly around said end (42) of said tubular guide (40).

13. Machine according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the end (42) of the tubular guide (40) has an outlet opening (43) in an inclined plane that is not perpendicular to the direction of feed of the first web (2) having the forming configuration, so that the outlet opening (43) faces the central portion of the second web (3) when the second web (3) is wrapped around the end (42) of the tubular guide (40).

14. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising gluing means (60) located in the vicinity of said wrapping station (50) and configured to apply adhesive substance on said first web (2) and/or on said second web (3), said gluing means (60) being preferably located at said outlet opening (43) of said tubular guide (40).

15. Method for producing a tubular segment for the tobacco industry, in particular a tubular segment with filler and with spacing and/or filtering function, comprising the following steps:

-feeding at least a first continuous web (2) along a first feeding path (P1);

-feeding at least a second continuous web (3) along a respective second feeding path (P2);

-folding and/or deforming the first continuous web (2) to give the first web (2) a formed configuration;

-wrapping the second web (3) around the shaped first web (2) to obtain a continuous tube (100) defined by a tubular covering comprising the shaped first web (2);

-cutting the continuous tube to obtain a series of tubular segments (100).

16. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of folding and/or deforming the first web (2) is carried out steplessly such that the first web (2) is deformed while the first web (2) is advancing steplessly.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the step of folding and/or deforming the first web (2) is performed by at least partially elastically deforming the first continuous web (2).

18. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the step of folding and/or deforming the first web (2) is performed by at least partially permanently deforming the first web (2), in particular by folding the first web (2) about one or more longitudinal folding lines.

19. A method according to one or more of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the step of folding and/or deforming the first web (2) is carried out by passing the first web (2) through a forming gap whose transverse cross-section is such as to impart the first web (2) with the forming configuration, the forming gap being defined by a slot extending along an opening line.

20. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that, between the step of folding and/or deforming said first web (2) and the step of wrapping, it further comprises the step of maintaining said first web (2) in said shaped configuration and/or progressively compacting said first web (2) transversally, preferably by means of at least one tubular guide (40), in which said first web (2) having said shaped configuration slides.

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping is performed by progressively wrapping the second web around the outlet end (42) of the tubular guide (40), preferably in direct contact with the outer surface of said end (42).

22. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that it further comprises a step of applying an adhesive substance on said first web (2) and/or said second web (3), the step of gluing preferably being carried out at said end (42) of said tubular guide (40).