Device for separating tobacco and transport air and arrangement and method for forming at least two tobacco rods in an endless rod maker

Abstract

Device and method for separating tobacco and transport air. The device includes an inlet structured to receive tobacco carried by transport air flow, and a discharge side coupled to at least two sites to discharge the received tobacco separated from the transport air flow. A tobacco guide wall is provided that is movable so that the discharge side consecutively communicates with the at least two sites. 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 . A device for separating tobacco and transport air, comprising: 
 an inlet structured to receive tobacco carried by transport air flow;    a discharge side coupled to at least two sites to discharge the received tobacco separated from the transport air flow;    a tobacco guide wall; and    said tobacco guide wall being movable so that said discharge side consecutively communicates with the at least two sites.    
   
   
       2 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a separating element structured and arranged to separate the received tobacco from the transport air flow.    
   
   
       3 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco guide wall is formed in a convex manner.  
   
   
       4 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco guide wall is at least partially pivotable.  
   
   
       5 . The device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of said tobacco guide wall comprises a flap.  
   
   
       6 . The device in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a gate having a guide wall coupled to said discharge side, wherein said tobacco guide wall is structured to align with a guide wall of a gate.  
   
   
       7 . An arrangement for assembling at least two tobacco rods in an endless rod maker comprising the device in accordance with  claim 1 , said arrangement further comprising: 
 at least one suction rod conveyor;    feed devices, positioned downstream from said device, being structured and arranged to convey at least one of portioned and sifted tobacco on at least two flow surfaces leading to said at least one suction rod conveyor;    said feed devices comprising at least two ducts arranged one behind the other, in a direction crosswise to a conveyor direction of said suction rod conveyor.    
   
   
       8 . The arrangement in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a gate for at least one of portioning and separating the transport air flow from the received tobacco, which is positioned between said device and each duct.  
   
   
       9 . An arrangement for assembling at least two tobacco rods in an endless rod maker, comprising: 
 at least one suction rod conveyor;    feed devices for conveying at least one of dosed and sifted tobacco to at least two flow surfaces leading to said at least one suction rod conveyor;    said feed devices comprising at least two ducts;    gates for at least one of portioning tobacco and separating transport air from tobacco positioned upstream from respective ducts; and    a single tobacco/air separation device being structured and arranged to supply the gates with tobacco.    
   
   
       10 . The arrangement in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said ducts are alternatingly supplied with tobacco.  
   
   
       11 . An endless rod maker comprising said device in accordance with  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . An endless rod maker comprising said arrangement in accordance with  claim 9 .  
   
   
       13 . A method for assembling at least two tobacco rods from a single tobacco supply, comprising: 
 conveying tobacco in a flow of transport air;    separating the tobacco from the transport air;    alternatingly feeding the tobacco to at least two ducts to alternatingly charge the at least two ducts with tobacco;    conveying the tobacco from the at least two ducts onto at least one flow surface; and    feeding the tobacco to at least two suction rod conveyors.    
   
   
       14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein after the separating of the tobacco from the transport air and before alternatingly feeding the tobacco to the at least two ducts, the method comprises: 
 alternatingly feeding the tobacco to at least two gates for at least one of portioning tobacco and separating residual transport air.    
   
   
       15 . The method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein one gate is provided for each duct.  
   
   
       16 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the ducts are arranged one behind the other, with respect to a direction crosswise to a conveyor direction of the tobacco on the suction rod conveyors.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a first flow channel;    a second flow channel;    a first discharge coupled to said first flow channel;    a second discharge coupled to said second flow channel;    an inlet channel coupled to said first and second flow channels;    a separator element structured and arranged to separate transport air from tobacco in a flow of the transport air; and    said first and second flow channels comprising a movable common wall structured and arranged to control flow of tobacco to one of the first and second flow channel.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said first and second flow channels comprise partially circular paths, and said separator element is radially inside of said movable common wall.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a first gate coupled to said first discharge; and    a second gate coupled to said second discharge;    wherein said first and second gates are structured and arranged to at least one of portion tobacco and separate residual transport air from the tobacco.    
   
   
       20 . An endless rod maker comprising said apparatus in accordance with  claim 17.