Method for producing a mouthpiece cover of a cigarette

Abstract

A method and a device for producing a mouthpiece cover (2) and/or a filter wrap of a cigarette, a mouthpiece cover material and/or a filter wrap material being provided with at least one inspection hole (4) of a definable shape.

Claims

1. A method for producing a cigarette mouthpiece, the method comprising steps of: providing a mouthpiece cover material and/or a filter wrap material having a plurality of holes of predeterminable shape arranged in at least one row, the mouthpiece cover material and/or the filter wrap material comprising a cover-paper comprising the plurality of inspection holes and a continuous plastic layer laminated to the cover-paper and completely covering the plurality of inspection holes and a backside of the cover-paper; applying adhesive onto a surface of the continuous plastic layer via a glue roller, the surface facing away from the plurality of inspection holes and the cover-paper, the continuous plastic layer preventing oozing of the adhesive through the plurality of inspection holes and preventing the adhesive from contacting the cover-paper, separating a platelet comprising an inspection hole from the mouthpiece cover material and/or the filter wrap material after the applying of the adhesive onto the continuous plastic layer; and applying the platelet to a filter strand by adhering the continuous plastic layer to the filter strand via the adhesive on the continuous plastic layer; wherein the continuous plastic layer is arranged underneath the cover-paper.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic layer is transparent or semi-transparent.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuous plastic layer comprises cellophane.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the continuous plastic layer comprises cellophane.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one row is a linear row.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one row of the plurality of inspection holes comprises at least two mutually parallel rows.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one window is formed from a plurality of spatially adjacent inspection holes of the plurality of inspection holes.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of inspection holes comprises at least two inspection holes of different size.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of inspection holes are produced by stamping and/or cutting sections of the cover-paper.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a laser is used to produce the plurality of inspection holes.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mechanical stamping device is used for the production of the plurality of inspection holes.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one intermediate layer is arranged between the cover-paper and the continuous plastic layer.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one intermediate layer comprises at least one inspection opening.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one inspection hole of the at least one intermediate layer is smaller than an inspection hole of the plurality of inspection holes of the cover-paper.

Description

(1) The invention and all of its additional advantages are explained in more detail by way of several non-restrictive exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The latter show in schematic view:

(2) FIG. 1 a detailed view of a device according to the invention with a cross section of a mouthpiece cover paper to be produced;

(3) FIG. 2 a plan view of a first variant of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 a plan view of a second variant of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 a plan view of a third variant of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 a plan view of a fourth variant of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 different variants of inspection holes of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 further variants of inspection holes of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 1 with an optical sensor for detecting inspection holes;

(10) FIG. 9 an exploded view of a detail of the design of a cigarette mouthpiece according to the invention;

(11) FIG. 10 a further variant of a mouthpiece cover paper according to the invention with laminated foil;

(12) FIG. 11 a cross section of the variant from FIG. 10 along the line XI-XI;

(13) FIG. 12 a device for applying glue onto a mouthpiece cover paper;

(14) FIG. 13 the device of FIG. 12 with a mouthpiece cover paper according to the invention according to FIG. 2;

(15) FIG. 14 the device of FIG. 12 with a mouthpiece cover paper according to the invention according to FIGS. 11 and 12;

(16) FIG. 15 a cross section of a filter strand with a mouthpiece cover to be adhered;

(17) FIG. 16 a perspective view of a further variant of a mouthpiece cover paper according to the invention;

(18) FIG. 17 a plan view of the mouthpiece cover paper of FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 a perspective view of a further variant of a mouthpiece cover paper according to the invention.

(20) First of all, it should be noted that in the variously described exemplary embodiments the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numerals and same component names. Also details relating to position used in the description, such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. relate to the currently described and represented figure and in case of a change in position should be adjusted to the new position. Furthermore, also individual features or combinations of features from the various exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent in themselves independent or inventive solutions.

(21) According to FIG. 1 a device 1 according to the invention for producing a mouthpiece cover 2 and/or a filter wrap of a cigarette comprises at least one device 3 for cutting and/or stamping inspection holes 4 in a mouthpiece cover material and/or filter wrap material.

(22) The device 3 for cutting and/or stamping can be for example a laser system or a mechanical stamping device.

(23) The mouthpiece cover material and the filter wrap material are preferably paper. The mouthpiece cover 2 and filter wrap can however in principle also be produced from any other suitable material, for example from a plastic film or a laminate, for example an alumina laminated paper, cellophane, steamed materials, woven fabric etc.

(24) According to the method of the invention for producing a mouthpiece cover 2 and/or a filter wrap of a cigarette the mouthpiece cover material and/or a filter wrap material are provided with at least one inspection hole 4 of predefinable shape. For this inspection holes 4 are cut or stamped in the mouthpiece cover material or the filter wrap material by means of the cutting or stamping device 3.

(25) By means of the device 3 the mouthpiece cover material 2 and/or the filter wrap material can be provided with a predeterminable pattern consisting of a plurality of inspection holes 4. The mouthpiece cover material 2 according to the invention thus comprises one or more inspection holes 4, which allows or allow the view of an underlying layer with the naked eye. For example, the inspection holes 4 can have a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 25 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm. This results in addition to the good detectability of the inspection holes 4 during the production of the cigarette mouthpiece in the good aeration of the cigarette mouthpiece.

(26) Examples of different hole shapes and patterns of inspection holes 4 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 7. Thus the mouthpiece cover 2 of the invention according to FIGS. 2-4 can comprise a plurality of inspection holes 4 arranged in at least one row. Said row can in principle have any shape. Thus the row can be a linear row or can also be curved (FIG. 4). Also two or more rows can be arranged next to one another or parallel to one another on the mouthpiece cover 2 (FIG. 2).

(27) As shown in FIG. 2, between two adjacent inspection holes 4 a logo 5 can also be applied onto the mouthpiece cover 2.

(28) According to FIG. 3 a zone perforation 6 can also be arranged between two adjacent inspection holes 4.

(29) FIG. 5 shows such an arrangement of inspection holes 4 and zone perforations 6 in more detail.

(30) According to FIG. 6 the inspection holes 4 can have any contours. Thus the contours of the inspection holes 4 can be for example geometric outlines (circle, triangle, etc.), any stylized shapes (heart, flower etc.) or symbols can also be created.

(31) As shown in FIG. 7, but also in FIG. 5, windows 7 of any shape can be formed from several spatially adjacent inspection holes 4. It should also be mentioned at this point that in all of the embodiments described the inspection windows 4 of one and the same mouthpiece cover 2 and/or one and the same filter wrap can have different sizes.

(32) According to FIG. 8 the position of the inspection holes 4 can be determined precisely by means of an optical sensor 8, for example an infrared sensor. This is very significant mainly with regard to the production of the cigarette mouthpiece, as the exact cutting and alignment of the mouthpiece cover to the other components of the cigarette mouthpiece to be produced is made possible, such as for example the filter wrap.

(33) As shown in FIG. 9 in a multipart design of a cigarette mouthpiece 9 at least one intermediate layer 11 can also be arranged between the mouthpiece cover 2 and the filter wrap 10.

(34) Said intermediate layer 11 can be provided with at least one material with a predeterminable function, in particular to release an aroma and/or influence smoke values. Thus the intermediate layer 11 could be made for example of paper treated with effective substances, such as chemically reactive substances.

(35) Furthermore, the intermediate layer 11 can also comprise at least one inspection hole 12, through which a view of the underlying layer, for example of the filter wrap 10 is made possible. The filter wrap 10 can also comprise inspection holes 13 through which the underlying, here not shown filter, can be seen. The inspection holes 12 of the intermediate layer 11 can in this case be smaller than the inspection holes 4 of the mouthpiece cover paper 2. If the filter wrap 10 comprises inspection holes 13, the latter can preferably also be smaller than the inspection holes 12 of the intermediate layer 11. In the present case “smaller” means smaller diameter or smaller area.

(36) Of course, a design of the mouthpiece 9 is also possible in which no intermediate layer 11 is provided between the mouthpiece cover 2 and filter wrap 10.

(37) Furthermore, designs of the cigarette mouthpiece 9 are also possible in which between the mouthpiece cover 2 and filter wrap 10 a plurality of intermediate layers 11 are arranged. To achieve special optical effects the different layers 2, 11, 10 can also be colored (differently). At this point it should also be noted that it is not absolutely necessary in all of the embodiments of the invention for the filter wrap 10 to also have an inspection hole 13, thus the filter wrap 10 could also be designed as a conventional filter wrap.

(38) According to FIGS. 10 and 11 during the production, underneath the material of the mouthpiece cover 2 and/or material of the filter wrap provided with at least one inspection hole 4 a continuous layer 14 of transparent or semi-transparent material can be applied, for example made of plastic, paper, cellophane etc., which covers the inspection holes 4. More preferably, a cellophane layer is applied as the layer 14. The layer 14 can be adhered to the material of the mouthpiece cover 2, for example a mouthpiece cover paper and/or the filter wrap. The adhesion can be performed by using a hot-melt adhesive or by means of a cold adhesive or other suitable adhesion or bonding methods, such as stamping etc. The adhesion can also be performed for example by hot foil stamping methods.

(39) As shown in FIG. 12 glue or adhesive can be applied onto the mouthpiece cover 2 by means of a glue roller 15. The glue 16 can be applied in this case to a lower side of the mouthpiece cover 2. The directions of movement of the mouthpiece cover 2 and the glue roller 15 are indicated by arrows in FIGS. 12 to 14.

(40) It can be seen from FIG. 13 that during the application of glue 16, the latter can exit through the inspection holes 4. The glue 16 can be prevented from oozing through the inspection holes 4 according to FIG. 14 by applying the layer 14 onto the material web the mouthpiece cover 2. The glue 16 is applied according to the shown embodiment onto the plastic layer 14, which is preferably a cellophane layer.

(41) After the application of adhesive or glue 16 the material web of the mouthpiece cover 2 or the filter wrap 10 can be separated by means of a cutting device in a device for producing a cigarette, a so-called cigarette maker. In a further processing stage the separated platelets of the mouthpiece cover 2 are adhered to filter strands.

(42) FIG. 15 shows a cross section of a filter strand 17, onto which a separated platelet 18 of a mouthpiece cover 2 according to the invention is adhered.

(43) According to FIGS. 16 and 17 the mouthpiece cover 2 and/or the filter wrap 10 comprising the inspection hole 4 can be rotated at least in part around the longitudinal axis of the cigarette mouthpiece 9 and/or in can be displaced in longitudinal direction of the cigarette mouthpiece 9. If only the filter wrap 10 is rotatable or displaceable, it is an advantage if at least two inspection holes 4 are provided in the mouthpiece cover 2, which are arranged to be diametrically opposite one another in relation to the cigarette mouthpiece 9. This enables the simple gripping and movement of the filter wrap 10.

(44) As shown in FIG. 16, the layer 14 can also be arranged only in the area below the inspection holes 4 in order to prevent the passage of glue along a glue track.

(45) As shown in FIG. 17 the mouthpiece cover material of the invention is adhered after its separation into platelets in the cigarette maker onto a filter strand. The filter strand is in this case arranged between the tobacco strands of a double cigarette. To separate the cigarettes the filter strand is divided by cutting and the double cigarette is separated into two individual cigarettes.

(46) According to FIG. 18 the glue 16 can be applied in an area around and underneath the inspection holes 4. It is also possible however for the glue to be applied over the entire cylinder width of the mouthpiece cover material.

(47) Lastly, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments only show possible embodiment variants of the solution according to the invention, wherein the invention is not restricted to the specifically shown embodiment variants. In particular, also combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible, whereby this variability owing to the teaching on technical procedure of the present invention lies within the ability of a person skilled in this technical field. The scope of protection also includes all conceivable embodiment variants, which realize the concept of the solution forming the basis of the invention and are not described or represented explicitly or are possible by combining individual details of the shown and described embodiment variants. Likewise the protection also extends to the individual components of the device according to the invention insofar as the latter in themselves are essential to the implementation of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(48) 1 Device for producing a mouthpiece cover and/or filter wrap 2 Mouthpiece cover 3 Device for cutting and/or stamping 4 Inspection hole 5 Logo 6 Zone perforation 7 Window formed by a plurality of inspection holes 8 Sensor 9 Cigarette mouthpiece 10 Filter wrap 11 Intermediate layer 12 Inspection holes of the intermediate layer 13 Inspection holes of the filter wrap 14 Plastic layer 15 Glue roller 16 Glue 17 Filter strand 18 Platelet 19 Winning code 20 Area 21 Predetermined breaking points 22 Material 23 Cigarette mouthpiece 24 Mouthpiece cover 25 Filter wrap 26 Chamber 27 Filler 28 Tobacco strand 29 Cigarette mouthpiece 30 Strip 31 Strip 32 Transparent or semi-transparent material 33 Filter strand