Process and device for conveying a wrapper strip in a machine of the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

Process and apparatus for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry. The process includes guiding at least one wrapper strip along a conveyor path from a wrapping strip supply to a garniture device, and fixing the at least one wrapper strip in at least one preset position along the conveyor path. 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 process for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: 
 guiding at least one wrapper strip along a conveyor path from a wrapping strip supply to a garniture device; and    fixing the at least one wrapper strip in at least one preset position along the conveyor path.    
   
   
       2 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising wrapping a rod of at least one of a smokeable material and a filter material with the at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       3 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fixing of the at least one wrapper strip occurs during a stoppage of at least one part of the machine.  
   
   
       4 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 releasing the at least one wrapper strip from the at least one preset position in which it is fixed; and    conveying the at least one wrapper strip from the at least one preset position along the conveyor path.    
   
   
       5 . The process in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the conveying of the at least one wrapper strip occurs either during or after a start up of at least one part of the machine.  
   
   
       6 . The process in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the conveying comprises directing a transporting airflow in a feed direction of the at least one wrapper strip, whereby the at least one wrapper strip is transported by the directed airflow.  
   
   
       7 . The process in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a fixing unit is arranged to fix and subsequently release the at least one wrapper strip, and 
 wherein the conveying occurs after the subsequent release of the at least one wrapper strip by the fixing unit.    
   
   
       8 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a feed device, through which the conveyor path extends, and the at least one wrapper strip is fixed in a feed device of the machine.  
   
   
       9 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising severing the at least one wrapper strip in a region of the preset position either during or after the fixing of the at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       10 . The process in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the severing of the at least one wrapper strip forms a fixed portion of the at least one wrapper strip and a downstream portion of the at least one wrapper strip located downstream of the fixed portion, relative to a conveyor path direction.  
   
   
       11 . The process in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising removing the downstream portion of the at least one wrapper strip from the conveyor path; and 
 conveying the fixed portion of the at least one wrapper strip subsequent to the removal of the downstream portion.    
   
   
       12 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fixing of the at least one wrapper strip comprises holding the at least one wrapper strip in place in the region of the preset position with a mechanical device.  
   
   
       13 . The process in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a cylinder/piston device.  
   
   
       14 . The process in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical device clamps the at least one wrapper strip in place in the region of the preset position.  
   
   
       15 . The process in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a piston having a pressure surface arranged to move against a thrust bearing biased by a spring.  
   
   
       16 . The process in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein a cutting edge is coupled to the piston.  
   
   
       17 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fixing of the at least one wrapper strip comprises holding the at least one wrapper strip in place in the region of the preset position via suction air.  
   
   
       18 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising severing of the at least one wrapper strip with a cutting device.  
   
   
       19 . The process in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the cutting device comprises a knife.  
   
   
       20 . The process in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the cutting device comprises an optical cutter.  
   
   
       21 . The process in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the optical cutter comprises a laser.  
   
   
       22 . A process for emptying a rod machine of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: 
 guiding at least one wrapper strip for wrapping a rod of smokeable material or of filter material through a feed device;    severing the at least one wrapper strip in the feed device, thereby forming a first and a second wrapper strip;    positionally fixing the first wrapper strip in the feed device; and    removing the second wrapper strip from the feed device.    
   
   
       23 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the rod machine comprises one of a cigarette rod machine or filter rod machine.  
   
   
       24 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the fixing of the first wrapper strip comprises holding the first wrapper strip in place in the feed device with a mechanical device.  
   
   
       25 . The process in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a cylinder/piston device.  
   
   
       26 . The process in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the mechanical device clamps the first wrapper strip in place in the feed device.  
   
   
       27 . The process in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a piston having a pressure surface arranged to move against a thrust bearing biased by a spring.  
   
   
       28 . The process in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein a cutting edge is coupled to the piston.  
   
   
       29 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the fixing of the first wrapper strip comprises holding the first wrapper strip in place in the feed device via suction air.  
   
   
       30 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the severing of the at least one wrapper strip comprises cutting the at least one wrapper strip with a cutting device.  
   
   
       31 . The process in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the cutting device comprises a knife.  
   
   
       32 . The process in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the cutting device comprises an optical cutter.  
   
   
       33 . The process in accordance with  claim 32 , wherein the optical cutter comprises a laser.  
   
   
       34 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 releasing the first wrapper strip; and    automatically feeding the first wrapper strip by directing a transporting airflow in a feed direction of the at least one wrapper strip, whereby the at least one wrapper strip is transported by the directed airflow.    
   
   
       35 . The process in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein a fixing unit is arranged to fix and subsequently release the at least one wrapper strip in the feed device, and 
 wherein automatic feeding occurs after the subsequent release of the at least one wrapper strip by the fixing unit.    
   
   
       36 . A process for operating a rod machine of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: 
 guiding at least one wrapper strip for wrapping a rod of smokeable material or of filter material through a feed device;    transferring the at least one rod onto the at least one wrapper strip in a region of the feed element;    guiding the at least one rod and the at least one wrapper strip to a garniture, wherein the at least one rod is continuously wrapped with the at least one wrapper strip,    wherein, upon a stoppage in at least a part of the machine, the process further comprises:    severing the at least one wrapper strip in the feed device, thereby forming a first and a second wrapper strip;    positionally fixing the first wrapper strip in the feed device;    removing the second wrapper strip from the feed device;    releasing the first wrapper strip;    automatically feeding a leading edge of the first wrapper strip to the feed element;    transferring the at least one rod onto the at least one wrapper strip in a region of the feed element;    guiding the at least one rod and the at least one wrapper strip to the garniture; and    continuously wrapping the at least one rod with the at least one wrapper strip.    
   
   
       37 . A feed device for feeding at least one wrapper strip to a feed element that feeds the at least one wrapper strip to a rod of smokeable material or of filter material of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: 
 a cutting element arranged to sever the at least one wrapper strip; and    a fixing unit structured and arranged to positionally fix one end of the severed wrapper strip.    
   
   
       38 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein the at least one wrapper strip comprises a plurality of wrapper strips, and said cutting element comprises one cutting element per wrapper strip.  
   
   
       39 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said the cutting element is a knife.  
   
   
       40 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said cutting element comprises said fixing unit.  
   
   
       41 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said fixing unit comprises a mechanical element structured and arranged to clamp said one end of said severed wrapper strip.  
   
   
       42 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said fixing unit comprises a suction device structured and arranged to suction said one end of said severed wrapper strip.  
   
   
       43 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said fixing unit is arranged upstream of said cutting element, relative to a wrapper travel direction.  
   
   
       44 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , further comprising a transporting airflow supply structured and arranged to blow air in a feed direction of the at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       45 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 44 , wherein said fixing unit is structured and arranged to release the at least one wrapper strip subsequently to the fixing, and 
 after the subsequent release of the at least one wrapper strip by the fixing unit, said transporting airflow supply blows the air in order to automatically feed the at least one wrapper strip.    
   
   
       46 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , further comprising a base body and a lid structured and arranged to form a feed channel, through which the at least one wrapper strip is guided.  
   
   
       47 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 46 , further comprising a flap arranged upstream of said base body and on a same side of the at least one wrapper strip as said base body.  
   
   
       48 . The feed device in accordance with  claim 47 , further comprising transporting airflow nozzles located within said flap and said lid, said transporting airflow nozzles being directed to feed the at least one wrapper strip through said feed channel.  
   
   
       49 . An apparatus comprising the feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , and further comprising: 
 at least one wrapper strip supply structured and arranged to supply the at least one wrapper strip;    a garniture;    a conveyor element arranged to guide the at least one rod and the at least one wrapper strip;    a device for feeding the at least one wrapper strip from said at least one wrapper strip supply to said conveyor element,    wherein said feed device is located between said at least one wrapper strip supply and said conveyor element.    
   
   
       50 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 49 , further comprising an air supply arranged to direct air in a transport direction of the at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 50 , wherein, subsequent to a stoppage in the apparatus, said air supply is utilized to automatically feed the at least one wrapper strip from said at least one wrapper strip supply to said conveyor element.  
   
   
       52 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 49 , further comprising an actuation device coupled to said cutting element, such that, in the event of a stoppage in the apparatus, the actuation device actuates said cutting element.  
   
   
       53 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 52 , wherein said actuation device is also arranged to actuate said fixing device to positionally hold said one end of said at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       54 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 53 , wherein said actuation device is also structured and arranged to release said one end of said at least one wrapper strip, whereby the air directed by said air supply threads said at least one wrapper strip.  
   
   
       55 . A rod machine comprising the feed device in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein said rod machine is structured and arranged as at least one of a filter rod machine or cigarette rod machine.  
   
   
       56 . A rod machine comprising the apparatus in accordance with  claim 49 , wherein said rod machine is structured and arranged as at least one of a filter rod machine or cigarette rod machine.