Apparatus and method for the simultaneous manufacture of multiple cigarette rods

Abstract

Apparatus and method for manufacture of continuous tobacco rods. At least one continuous rod conveyor, having at least two suction tapes, that transports continuous tobacco rods constructed from tobacco fleece as continuous double rods, at least one separator associated with each suction tape structured and arranged to separate surplus tobacco from continuous tobacco rods, and at least one garniture tape and at least one garniture structured to shape continuous tobacco rods. At least one device is structured to deliver cigarette paper onto each garniture tape, and at least one gluing device is structured and arranged to glue projecting edges of cigarette papers. At least one rod conveyor is structured and arranged to manufacture at least two continuous double rods, which are arranged in pairs. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1 . An apparatus for the manufacture of continuous tobacco rods which are guided parallel and adjacent to each other to form continuous double rods, from at least one continuously delivered tobacco fleece, comprising: 
 at least one continuous rod conveyor, including at least two suction tapes, that transports continuous tobacco rods constructed from the tobacco fleece as continuous double-rods;    at least one separator associated with each suction tape structured and arranged to separate surplus tobacco from the continuous tobacco rods;    at least one garniture tape and at least one garniture structured to shape the continuous tobacco rods;    at least one device structured to deliver cigarette papers onto each garniture tape; and    at least one gluing device structured and arranged to glue projecting edges of the cigarette papers, which are substantially wrapped around the continuous tobacco rod,    wherein said at least one rod conveyor is structured and arranged to manufacture at least two continuous double rods, which are arranged in pairs.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a measurer that determines one of a weight and density of an individual one of the continuous single tobacco rods.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a separating device structured to separate the continuous double rods to form cigarettes.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is structured and arranged to manufacture an even number of the continuous tobacco rods, 
 wherein the continuous tobacco rods are respectively arranged in pairs.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is structured and arranged such that the two continuous double rods are arranged parallel to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is structured and arranged such that the two continuous double rods are arranged offset in height from each other and adjacent to each other.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is structured and arranged such that the two continuous double rods are arranged one above the other.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein first and second continuous tobacco rods of a first continuous double rod are positioned vertically below third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of a second continuous double rod, respectively.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a distance between said first and second continuous double rods is at least as large as a distance between one of said first and second continuous tobacco rods of said first continuous double rod and said third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of said second continuous double rod.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a distance between said first and second continuous double rods is larger than a distance between one of said first and second continuous tobacco rods of said first continuous double rod and said third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of said second continuous double rod.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one continuous rod conveyor comprises at least two continuous rod conveyors, said at least one separator comprises at least two separators, said at least one garniture tape comprises at least two garniture tapes, and said at least one gluing device comprises at least two gluing devices, and 
 wherein each of said at least two continuous rod conveyors, each of said at least two separators, each of said at least two garniture tapes, and each of said at least two gluing devices are arranged offset from with respect to height and located adjacent each other to process the continuous double rods.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one continuous rod conveyor comprises at least two continuous rod conveyors, said at least one separator comprises at least two separators, said at least one garniture tape comprises at least two garniture tapes, and said at least one gluing device comprises at least two gluing devices, and 
 wherein each of said at least two continuous rod conveyors, each of said at least two separators, each of said at least two garniture tapes, and each of said at least two gluing devices are arranged one above the other to process the continuous double rods.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is structured and arranged such that the two continuous double rods can be driven separately from each other in such a way that the continuous double rods can be manufactured independently of each other.  
   
   
       14 . A method for the manufacture of continuous tobacco rods, which are guided parallel and adjacent to each other as continuous double rods, from at least one continuously delivered tobacco fleece, the method comprising: 
 transporting at least two continuous double rods as continuous tobacco rods on at least two suction tapes of at least one continuous rod conveyor;    separating surplus tobacco from the continuous tobacco rods;    delivering cigarette papers onto the garniture tapes;    depositing the continuous tobacco rods on one of garniture tapes or the cigarette papers;    shaping the continuous tobacco rods;    simultaneously wrapping the continuous tobacco rods with the cigarette paper;    gluing respectively projecting edges of the cigarette papers, which are substantially wrapped round the continuous tobacco rods; and    closing the cigarette papers, whereby the at least two continuous double rods are simultaneously manufactured.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising: measuring one of a weight and density of the continuous tobacco rods.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 separating the continuous double rods to form cigarettes.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein an even number of continuous tobacco rods are manufactured simultaneously, 
 wherein the continuous tobacco rods are each arranged in pairs to form double rods.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein two continuous double rods are guided parallel to each other.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the two continuous double rods are guided offset in height from each other and parallel adjacent to each other during processing.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the two continuous double rods are guided one above the other.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein first and second continuous tobacco rods of a first continuous double rod are positioned vertically below third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of a second continuous double rod, respectively.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a distance between said first and second continuous double rods is at least as large as a distance between one of said first and second continuous tobacco rods of said first continuous double rod and said third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of said second continuous double rod.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a distance between said first and second continuous double rods is larger than a distance between one of said first and second continuous tobacco rods of said first continuous double rod and said third and fourth continuous tobacco rods of said second continuous double rod.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein each continuous double rod is deposited, transported, separated, delivered., shaped, and glued-by separate elements.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising separately driving the continuous double rods.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for manufacturing tobacco rods using the method according to  claim 14 , said apparatus comprising: 
 at least two continuous rod conveyors, wherein each continuous rod conveyor is structured to transport a continuous double rod.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for the manufacture of tobacco products comprising: 
 at least one continuous rod conveyor arranged to transport a plurality of continuous tobacco rods as continuous double tobacco rods;    at least one garniture structured and arranged to shape the plurality of continuous tobacco rods;    at least one gluing device structured and arranged to glue respective projecting edges of cigarette papers of said plurality of continuous tobacco rods.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a measuring unit structured and arranged to determine one of a weight and density of the plurality of continuous double tobacco rods.    
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a separating unit structured and arranged to separate the plurality of continuous double tobacco rods to form cigarettes.