Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02563986 2006-10-23
Fine-cut-tobacco portion ack and process for producing
fine-cut-tobacco portion packs
The invention relates to a fine-cut-tobacco portion
pack for use in making home-made cigarettes and to a
process for producing such fine-cut-tobacco portion
packs.
For making home-made cigarettes, it is possible to
"roll" the same, in the case of which the user removes
fine-cut tobacco from a larger supply pack and encloses
it in a cigarette paper, if appropriate using a filter.
In a similar method, the user fills loose fine-cut
tobacco into a stuffing device and, with the aid of the
latter, forces the tobacco into a prefabricated
cigarette tube. In both cases, the user has to estimate
the size of the tobacco portion intended for the
cigarette, so that the quantity of tobacco occasionally
varies to a fairly great extent from cigarette to
cigarette. The steps of removing tobacco from the
supply pack and dividing up the tobacco easily result
in the environment being polluted since relatively
small pieces of tobacco drop off. Furthermore, the
tobacco may be contaminated by the user's fingers. This
method of making home-made cigarettes is fairly
laborious overall, irrespective of whether the
cigarette paper is rolled around the tobacco portion
manually or with the aid of a mechanical device or
whether use is made of a stuffing device and
prefabricated cigarette tubes.
EP 1 347 690 Bl discloses a fine-cut-tobacco portion
pack for making home-made cigarettes in which a fine-
cut-tobacco filling is enclosed in a tubular wrapper
which is open at both ends and is made of non-smokable
material. This wrapper is pushed into a prefabricated
cigarette tube, and the tobacco is then transferred
into the cigarette tube with the aid of a stuffing
device as the wrapper is pulled out. This fine-cut-
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tobacco portion pack is part of a system which,
moreover, requires prefabricated cigarette tubes and is
therefore not aimed at users who prefer "rolling"
cigarettes.
The object of the invention is to find a possible way
of making it easier to make home-made cigarettes, in
particular to "roll" cigarettes or to stuff cigarettes,
this method having been mentioned in the introduction,
with the aid of a stuffing device for loose tobacco.
This object is achieved by a fine-cut-tobacco portion
pack having the features of Claim 1, and by a system
having a number of such fine-cut-tobacco portion packs
according to Claim 15, and by a process for producing
such fine-cut-tobacco portion packs having the features
of Claim 17. Advantageous configurations of the
invention can be gathered from the subclaims.
The fine-cut-tobacco portion pack according to the
invention is suitable for use in making home-made
cigarettes and has a wrapper which encloses a fine-cut-
tobacco filling on all sides. The fine-cut-tobacco
filling preferably has a tobacco portion for making a
single cigarette; this tobacco portion is separated per
se since there are no further tobacco portions. As an
alternative, the wrapper may contain a fine-cut-tobacco
filling with a plurality of separated tobacco portions,
which makes it possible to make a plurality of
cigarettes. Here and in the following, a "tobacco
portion" is understood as meaning the quantity of fine-
cut tobacco which is necessary for one (a single)
cigarette.
The fine-cut-tobacco portion pack according to the
invention provides the user, once the wrapper has been
opened, with a tobacco portion for making a cigarette
without there being any need beforehand, in a fairly
laborious manner, to remove the tobacco from a larger
CA 02563986 2006-10-23
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supply pack and divide up the same. This also prevents,
or at least considerably reduces the likelihood of, the
environment being polluted and the tobacco being
contaminated. The task of making home-made cigarettes,
in particular by "rolling" or by stuffing with the aid
of a stuffing device for loose tobacco, is made
significantly easier by the fine-cut-tobacco portion
pack according to the invention. If the wrapper is
sealed tight, it also retains the moisture in the
tobacco and maintains the freshness and the aroma of
the fine-cut-tobacco filling, which results in a
considerable improvement in quality.
If the fine-cut-tobacco filling has tobacco portions
for making a plurality of cigarettes, e.g. two
cigarettes, a few cigarettes or even a larger number of
cigarettes, these tobacco portions are separated, that
is to say pre-divided, so that the abovementioned
advantages are likewise achieved.
In the case of preferred configurations of the
invention, the wrapper is provided with an opening
means for opening the wrapper. Such an opening means
makes it easier to open the wrapper, in particular if
no auxiliary means is used for this purpose.
In addition, however, it is also conceivable for a
device with the aid of which a fine-cut-tobacco filling
contained in the wrapper is to be rolled in a cigarette
paper, or introduced into a prefabricated cigarette
tube, to be provided with an additional means which can
be actuated to open the wrapper.
If the wrapper has an elongate basic shape, so that a
longitudinal direction is predetermined, examples of
possible opening means are longitudinal perforations in
the wrapper or a longitudinal seam in the wrapper
bonded by spots of adhesive, but also one or more
transverse perforations, e.g. encircling transverse
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perforations at both ends of the wrapper. Such opening
means are formed by weakenings in the wrapper at which
the user can tear open the wrapper in a defined manner.
A further possibility is a longitudinal slit in the
wrapper, which can be manipulated by the user in order
thus to remove the wrapper completely from the tobacco
filling.
If the wrapper is to be sealed tight, for example a
tear-open strip or a tear-open thread, as are known per
se, are suitable as opening means. Further examples are
a notch on the periphery of the wrapper, this
constituting an aid for tearing the wrapper, a
torsional region on the wrapper, that is to say a
region (preferably at the end of the wrapper) in which
the wrapper is twisted, or strings or threads with
which the wrapper is tied up (e.g. in a torsional
region). A further conceivable opening means is a lid,
e.g., in the case of the wrapper being configured as a
cardboard sleeve, a removable lid on one of the end
sides. The opening means mentioned in this paragraph do
not require any wrapper with a predetermined
longitudinal direction and are therefore also suitable
for wrappers which do not have an elongate basic shape.
Suitable materials for the wrapper are, for example,
paper, aluminium foil, metal foils in general, plastic
films, aluminium-laminated papers, plastic-laminated
papers, laminates or nonwovens and also perforated
material. The wrapper is preferably non-smokable.
Cardboard and aluminium-coated papers are also possible
materials for the wrapper.
The fine-cut-tobacco filling is preferably adapted in
shape to a finished cigarette. In this case, the user
need only shape the tobacco filling to a small extent,
if at all, following its removal from the wrapper. An
example of an appropriate wrapper is a wrapper of
cylindrical basic shape which is sealed (that is to
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say, for example, adhesively bonded or welded) at a
flat, transversely running seam zone at both ends or
which is twisted and/or tied up (e.g. wound with a
string, also without any knot being formed) at both
ends. This wrapper is preferably not formed from two
layers which are sealed at outwardly projecting seam
zones on two opposite longitudinal sides of the
wrapper.
The at least one tobacco portion may also be of
compact, e.g. tablet-like, formation. If the wrapper is
configured as a blister pack, such a compact form is
particularly advantageous since in this case the
tobacco portion (or a preselected tobacco portion in
the case of a plurality of tobacco portions in a common
wrapper) can be pushed out of the wrapper in a manner
similar to a tablet.
In the case of a preferred embodiment, the at least one
tobacco portion has a cylindrical shape and is enclosed
within the wrapper in a tubular casing, preferably made
of paper. In order to achieve a compact form here, it
is possible for the diameter of the cylindrical shape
to be at least equal to the length of the latter. This
configuration is particularly advantageous if a
plurality of tobacco portions are located in a common
wrapper, since the casings ensure that the tobacco
portions are separated.
In order to facilitate handling by the user, a number
of fine-cut-tobacco portion packs may be arranged one
beside the other, the fine-cut-tobacco portion packs
being connected to one another by a fastening means.
For this purpose, use may be made, for example, of at
least one material strip, preferably made of paper, on
which the fine-cut-tobacco portion packs are fixed.
In the case of the process according to the invention
for producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs, a
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continuous linear arrangement of fine-cut tobacco is
produced on an endless-rod machine and divided up into
individual portions (which are preferably elongate, but
may also have a compact shape). These individual
portions are then wrapped with the wrappers of the
fine-cut-tobacco portion packs, although it is also
possible for some of the necessary process steps to
have taken place prior to the dividing-up step. An
individual portion here has the tobacco portion for
making one (a single) cigarette. It is possible for
each individual portion to be introduced into a
separate wrapper or for a plurality of separated
individual portions in each case to be introduced into
a common wrapper.
For carrying out the process according to the
invention, use may be made of a conventional endless-
rod machine, which has the advantage of a very high
operating speed. The only modification to the existing
cigarette rod-making process is that the fine-cut
tobacco has to be divided up into individual portions;
a number of possibilities are given for this
hereinbelow. Once the individual portions have been
provided, they can be wrapped with the aid of
conventional process steps. As has already been
indicated, it is also possible for some of the wrapping
steps to have been incorporated in the cigarette rod-
making process (see below) . The process according to
the invention thus operates at high speeds and, since
it is based essentially on existing technology, is
cost-effective.
One possible way of dividing up the fine-cut tobacco is
to interrupt the continuous linear arrangement of fine-
cut tobacco at equal intervals, this resulting in the
desired portions between the interruptions. The
interruption may be effected, for example, by means of
two trimmer discs. In this case, the tobacco runs over
two rotating trimmer discs, of which the axes are
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oriented parallel to one another and perpendicularly to
the transporting direction of the tobacco. The surfaces
of the trimmer discs are formed such that, during each
revolution of the trimmer discs, they enter into the
tobacco stream at least once and thus displace the
particles of fine-cut tobacco so as to effect an
interruption, i.e. a tobacco-free zone.
In the case of a preferred configuration of the process
according to the invention, for dividing-up purposes,
on a conventional cigarette machine, the fine-cut
tobacco for each individual portion is enclosed in a
casing which is open at both ends. The casing
preferably has paper. This configuration of the process
has the advantage that a conventional production line
with an endless-rod machine, on which it is possible to
produce conventional cigarettes with a wrapper made of
cigarette paper, need not be changed, in practice, in
order to produce encased individual portions for fine-
cut-tobacco fillings according to the invention. The
only difference is that, in order to reduce costs, very
inexpensive paper, rather than cigarette paper, is
preferably used for the casing. This is because the
casings only have the task of holding the individual
portions together, in order that they can be easily
handled and transported. It is therefore possible for
the individual portions to be produced at high speed on
an installation which is actually set up for producing
conventional cigarette rods, and to be divided up
automatically with the aid of the casings, as a result
of which this configuration of the process is
particularly advantageous. In the case of a preferred
embodiment, the casings of the individual portions are
removed before the individual portions are enclosed in
the wrappers of the fine-cut-tobacco portion packs.
In order to remove the casings, it is possible for a
respective individual portion with casing to be
introduced into an accommodating space, e.g. a bore
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serving as an accommodating means, and to be retained
therein, preferably with the aid of a negative
pressure, the individual portion being ejected out of
the casing, preferably pneumatically. The respective
individual portions here are preferably ejected onto a
transporting means, e.g. a transporting belt, in which
each individual portion is accommodated in a
depression. In the case of this process step, use is
preferably made of a rotating turret which has a number
of accommodating means for the introduction of a
respective individual portion with casing, the
individual portions ejected out of the respective
casing being discharged by the turret in a transporting
plane which differs from the introduction plane. From
this transporting plane, the individual portions can be
transported by a conveying means, e.g. the already
mentioned transporting belt, to a station, where they
are wrapped with the wrappers of the fine-cut-tobacco
portion packs.
It may also be advantageous if the casings of the
individual portions are not removed prior to the
individual portions being wrapped. On the one hand,
this makes it possible to reduce costs. On the other
hand, such an embodiment is particularly practical if a
plurality of separated tobacco portions are enclosed in
a common wrapper, because the casings then keep the
individual portions separated. In these cases, the user
removes the casings, which can be facilitated, for
example, by a device on a stuffing unit.
In the case of another configuration of the process
according to the invention, the fine-cut tobacco is
dimensionally stabilized prior to the dividing-up step.
It is thus conceivable for the fine-cut tobacco to be
deep-frozen, for example, with the aid of liquid
nitrogen and to be cut into the desired individual
portions prior to being thawed. In the case of another
method of dimensional stabilization, the individual
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portions are dimensionally stabilized following the
dividing-up step, so that they can easily be further
processed or more easily be transported away. Here too,
it is possible, in turn, to use, for example, liquid
nitrogen, or use is made of, for example, meshes which
enclose the respective individual portions and are
preferably removed again in a later process step, in a
manner similar to the casings. Another possible method
of dimensional stabilization is for the fine-cut
tobacco or the individual portions to be adhesively
bonded, e.g. with the aid of sugar solution or starch.
In the case of the process according to the invention
for producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs, the
respective wrappers may be configured as transversely
running sections of an endless tubular bag which are
located one beside the other and are separated by
sealing seams. Individual fine-cut-tobacco portion
packs can be produced from such an endless tubular bag
by cuts which pass longitudinally through the sealing
seams and leave intact a respective sealing seam on
both sides of the cutting line. These portion packs can
then be packaged in a larger unit and supplied, in this
form, to the user.
It is also conceivable for a relatively large section
of the endless tubular bag with a number of fine-cut-
tobacco portion packs to be made available to the user.
In this case, perforation lines preferably run
longitudinally through the sealing seams, so that the
user can easily detach an individual fine-cut-tobacco
portion pack at the end of a tubular-bag section.
In the case of a particularly preferred embodiment of
the process according to the invention, the fine-cut
tobacco on a conventional cigarette machine is enclosed
in a continuous wrapper and, for dividing-up purposes,
the wrapped rod is severed at predetermined intervals,
this resulting in wrapped individual portions, each for
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making a single cigarette. The respective wrappers are
then closed at both end sides. For this purpose, the
fine-cut tobacco contained in the wrapper can be forced
into the interior of the wrapper (e.g. with the aid of
push rods) at the end sides, and the wrapper can then
be pressed flat and closed (e.g. by sealing, such as
adhesive bonding or welding, or by mechanical
connection, such as pressing, stamping or interlocking)
at both ends. In the case of this variant, most steps,
including the dividing-up step and a considerable part
of the wrapping step, can be carried out within the
context of a conventional cigarette rod-making process;
it is only the final parts of the wrapping step
(closing the end sides of a respective wrapper) which
have to take place separately.
The invention is explained further hereinbelow with
reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a fine-
cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 2 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 3 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 4 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 5 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 6 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 7 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
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Figure 8 shows a view of a section of a tubular bag
with four fine-cut-tobacco portion packs
according to a further embodiment,
Figure 9 shows a plan view of a fine-cut-tobacco
portion pack detached from the section
according to Figure 8,
Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a box serving as
external packaging and having fine-cut-
tobacco portion packs located therein,
Figure 11 shows a schematic view of a process step in
the production of fine-cut-tobacco portion
packs,
Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a process step in
another exemplary embodiment of a process for
producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs,
Figure 13 shows a longitudinal section through the
tobacco arrangement according to Figure 12,
the longitudinal section running through a
trimmer disc,
Figure 14 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack,
Figure 15 shows a view of an embodiment of a fine-cut-
tobacco portion pack with a plurality of
separated tobacco portions,
Figure 16 shows a view of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack with a
plurality of separated tobacco portions,
Figure 17 shows views of a further embodiment of a
fine-cut-tobacco portion pack with a
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plurality of separated tobacco portions, to
be precise in part (a) in a plan view, in
part (b) as a side view showing the narrow
side, in part (c) as a side view showing the
longitudinal side, in part (d) as a three-
dimensional view obliquely from above, and in
part (e) as a three-dimensional view
obliquely from beneath,
Figure 18 shows schematic views of process steps in a
further exemplary embodiment of a process for
producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs, and
Figure 19 shows a view of a system having a number of
fine-cut-tobacco portion packs which are
arranged one beside the other on a material
strip.
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a fine-cut-
tobacco portion pack (referred to hereinbelow as
portion pack), which is designated 10. The portion pack
10 has a wrapper 12 which encloses on all sides a fine-
cut-tobacco filling which is located in the interior of
the wrapper 12 and is not depicted specifically in
Figure 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the fine-cut-
tobacco filling corresponds to a tobacco portion for
making a single cigarette. In the exemplary embodiment,
the wrapper 12 is closed. The wrapper 12 has a
cylindrical basic shape, so that the fine-cut-tobacco
filling located in the wrapper 12 has a shape similar
to that of a cigarette. The wrapper 12 is sealed at a
flat, transversely running seam zone 14, 15 at both
ends. The wrapper 12 thus has the form of a cylinder
with pressed-flat ends. The term "sealing" covers a
wide range of meanings. These include, for example,
adhesive bonding or welding, the sealing techniques
which are possible in each case depending on the
material of the wrapper 12.
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In the exemplary embodiment, the wrapper 12 consists of
aluminium-laminated paper. Other wrapper materials are
likewise possible, e.g. aluminium-coated paper,
aluminium foil or other types of metal foil, plastic
film or exclusively paper. If use is made exclusively
of paper, the latter may be provided with perforations
in order to rule out the situation where the portion
pack 10 is smoked like a cigarette without the paper
being completely removed beforehand.
The portion pack 10 is closed on all sides, also along
a longitudinal seam, which is not depicted in Figure 1.
The wrapper 12 thus forms sealed packaging which keeps
the fine-cut tobacco located therein fresh.
If the user wishes to make a cigarette, he/she picks up
the portion pack 10 and tears open the wrapper 12. In
order to facilitate the opening operation, a notch 16
is arranged in the seam zone 15, it being possible to
tear the wrapper 12 relatively easily at the notch. The
fine-cut tobacco can be poured out of the opened
portion pack 10, in a precisely divided-up portion,
onto a cigarette paper, so that the user can readily
roll a cigarette manually. As an alternative, he/she
can use a device for this purpose once the fine-cut
tobacco has been removed from the portion pack 10. This
device may also be provided with opening means which
make it easier for the user to open the portion pack
10.
Figure 2 shows, as a further embodiment, a portion pack
20, which is of similar construction to the portion
pack 10 and contains two flat seam zones 24 and 25 at
the ends of a wrapper 22. In order to facilitate the
opening operation, the wrapper 22 has encircling
transverse perforations 26. The transverse perforations
26 allow the wrapper 22 to be easily torn open, so that
the fine-cut tobacco located therein can be strewn out
of both halves of the wrapper 22.
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Figure 3 illustrates, as a further embodiment, a
portion pack 30, which is of similar construction to
the portion packs 10 and 20 and has a wrapper 32 with
two flat seam zones 34 and 35 at the ends. The opening
means provided this time is formed by longitudinal
perforations 38 along which the wrapper 32 can easily
be opened in order to pour out the tobacco located
therein.
The embodiment of a portion pack 40, which is shown in
Figure 4, is once again of similar construction, in
respect of its basic shape, to the embodiments
explained above and has a cylindrical wrapper 42 with
two flat seam zones 44 and 45 at the ends. The opening
means used is formed by two transverse perforations 46
and 47 which run over the circumference of the wrapper
42 and are located in the vicinity of the ends.
In order to open the wrapper 42, the two endpieces are
torn off at the transverse perforations 46 and 47. The
user then obtains a cylindrical sleeve with fine-cut
tobacco which is open at both ends. This sleeve can be
used in order to stuff the tobacco into a filter-
cigarette tube.
If the portion pack 40 is to be used for conventional
rolling of a cigarette, however, it is more practical
if the wrapper 42 can easily be opened along a
longitudinal seam (not depicted in Figure 4).
Figure 5 shows, as a further embodiment, a portion pack
50 with a wrapper 52 of cylindrical basic shape and two
flat seam zones 54 and 55 at the ends, in a manner
similar to above. The wrapper 52 can easily be opened
by a tear-open strip 58. The tear-open strip 58 is
located within the wrapper 52 and is guided outwards at
the end of the seam zone 54, so that its end 59 is
accessible in order that the user can grip the tear-
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open strip 58.
The embodiment of a portion pack 60, which is
illustrated in Figure 6, once again has a wrapper 62 of
cylindrical basic shape with two flat seam zones 64 and
65 at the ends. The wrapper 62 is closed longitudinally
along a longitudinal-seam zone 66, along which the
material of the wrapper 62 overlaps to form two layers
which are connected to one another with the aid of
three spots of adhesive 67. Figure 6 shows a state at
the beginning of the opening step of the wrapper 62,
when the outer layer of the longitudinal-seam zone 66,
this layer being designated 68, is swung up and the
spots of adhesive 67 are detached. Pulling on the
swung-up outer layer 68 then allows the wrapper 62 to
be fully opened.
Figure 7 shows, as a further embodiment, an elongate
portion pack 70 in which a wrapper 72 has been twisted
at the ends 74 and 75. In the exemplary embodiment, the
wrapper 72 is additionally held together by strings 76
and 77 at the respective ends 74 and 75. As is likewise
the case with most of the previous embodiments, a
longitudinal seam is not depicted. If the longitudinal
seam of the wrapper 72 is not sealed, the wrapper 72 is
easier to open. Conversely, the wrapper 72 maintains
the aroma of the fine-cut-tobacco filling to better
effect if the longitudinal seam is sealed.
Figure 8 illustrates a relatively long section of an
endless tubular bag 80 which is closed on both
longitudinal sides and is divided up into sections by
transversely running sealing seams 82 located parallel
to one another. Each of these sections forms a portion
pack 84 which is provided with a wrapper 83 and is
filled with fine-cut tobacco. Perforations run along
the centre of the sealing seams 82 in each case. On
account of these perforations, the individual portion
packs 84 can easily be detached from the rest of the
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tubular bag 80.
Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of such a portion pack
84. It is possible to see two relatively wide, flat
seam zones 86 and 87 at both ends, these originating
from the longitudinal sides of the tubular bag 80, and
the parts 88 and 89 of the corresponding sealing seams
82, these parts remaining on the portion pack 84 in
question.
In the exemplary embodiment, the tubular bag is
produced from plastic film, and the sealing seams 82
and the seam zones 86 and 87 are produced by welding.
Other materials are likewise conceivable, and it is
also possible to use other sealing techniques.
Figure 10 shows external packaging 90 which is
configured as a box, has a swing-action lid 92 and
contains a number of portions 94. Such a box is
suitable, in particular, for portion packs in the
manner of the embodiments explained with reference to
Figures 1 to 7, but also for a tubular bag 80 with a
number of interconnected or else separate portion packs
84 or for dimensionally stabilized portions.
In the case of an alternative configuration likewise
explained with reference to Figure 10, 94 designates
individual tobacco portions, rather than individual
wrapped portion packs, each for making a cigarette,
these cigarettes, rather than having dedicated
wrappers, being separated from one another by the
compartment divider which is illustrated in Figure 10.
In this case, the box 90 performs the function of the
wrapper, and the swing-action lid 92 is an opening
means for the wrapper.
An exemplary embodiment of a process for producing
fine-cut-tobacco portion packs is explained
hereinbelow. Figure 11 provides a schematic
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illustration of a process step thereof.
In the case of the process for producing the portion
packs, in the first instance, a continuous linear
arrangement of fine-cut tobacco is produced in a known
manner on an endless-rod machine, enclosed in a casing
and divided up into individual portions. If these
process steps were carried out in a completely
conventional manner, then they would provide individual
(filter-free) cigarettes each enclosed in cigarette
paper. In the present process, however, a more
straightforward paper material is used instead of the
cigarette paper; this is the only difference in
relation to the conventional process. Rather than
comprising finished cigarettes, the product thus
comprises individual portions 100 of fine-cut tobacco,
each enclosed in a casing 102 made of straightforward
paper. It is also possible to use other materials for
the casing, e.g. foil, film or nonwoven material; the
casing material is preferably cost-effective and/or
recyclable.
Figure 11 illustrates how the casings 102, which are
useful for the dividing-up operation but are no longer
needed thereafter, can be removed again.
This takes place with the aid of a rotating turret 110
which has a number of bores 111 running parallel to one
another. A transporting belt 112 with depressions 113
moves beneath the turret 110.
At an introduction location 114, an individual portion
100 with casing 102 is introduced into one of the bores
111. Within the bore 111, the casing 102 is retained
with the aid of a negative pressure, which is applied
via openings on the inner wall of the bore 111. The
turret 110, meanwhile, rotates to an ejecting location
115, where the individual portion 100 of fine-cut
tobacco is blown out of the bore 111 with the aid of
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compressed air and passes into a depression 113 of the
transporting belt 112.
The turret 110 transports the remaining casing 102 to a
discharging location 116, where the casing 102 is
discharged with the aid of compressed air once the
negative pressure has been switched off. The casing 102
can then be disposed of or passed on for further
processing.
In the meantime, the transporting belt 112 has reached
a feed location 117, where the individual portion 100
is moved away from the transporting belt 112 and fed to
a conventional packaging apparatus. In the exemplary
embodiment, the individual portion 100 has been divided
up as a tobacco portion for making a single cigarette.
In the packaging apparatus, the individual portion 100
is enclosed in an all-round wrapper.
Process steps of another exemplary embodiment of a
process for producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs
are illustrated with reference to Figures 12 and 13.
In this case of this exemplary embodiment, a linear
arrangement of fine-cut tobacco is produced on an
endless-rod machine and fed as a continuous tobacco
stream 120 (without wrapper) to a dividing-up means,
which subdivides the fine-cut tobacco into elongate
individual portions.
The dividing-up means has two trimmer discs 122, 123
which rotate in opposite directions, and at a small
distance apart from one another, about mutually
parallel axes, see Figure 12. The axes of rotation are
oriented perpendicularly to the transporting direction
of the tobacco 120. The trimmer discs 122, 123 are
arranged such that the tobacco 120, which is fed at
124, passes essentially onto the top sides of the
trimmer discs 122, 123. The trimmer discs 122, 123 are
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provided along their periphery in each case with
protrusions 126, 127 which project upwards, the
protrusions 126 of one trimmer disc 122 being aligned
with the protrusions 127 of the other trimmer disc 123.
In the exemplary embodiment, six protrusions 126 and
127 are distributed uniformly in each case over the
circumference of the respective trimmer discs 122, 123.
If particles of the fine-cut-tobacco stream 120 pass
into the region of two protrusions 126 and 127, they
are displaced from the tobacco 120, see Figures 12 and
13, so that an interruption 128 is formed in the
tobacco stream 120. The tobacco 120 is thus subdivided
into individual portions 130. Trimmer discs of the type
described are also used in conventional cigarette
installations, although in this case they are installed
the other way round (top side downwards), so that
particles of tobacco collect in the now depression-
forming "protrusions", which results in the tobacco
being compacted in certain zones (top reinforcement for
the cigarettes produced from the tobacco).
As is illustrated schematically in Figure 12, as the
process proceeds, the individual portions 130 are
accommodated downstream of the trimmer discs 122, 123
by a material strip 132 which also serves as a
transporting means and of which, at 134, part is
positioned longitudinally over the individual portions
130, so that the individual portions 130 are enclosed
between two layers which, in this embodiment, are
formed by the one material strip 132. These two layers
are connected to one another along a longitudinal seam
and thus form, in the first instance, a continuous
wrapper for the individual portions 130. At a station
136, at the locations of the interruptions 128 between
the individual portions 130, this wrapper is pressed
flat and closed or sealed and severed, as a result of
which finished fine-cut-tobacco portion packs 138 are
produced. The wrapper 140 of a portion pack 138 is thus
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formed from the previously continuous wrapper. At the
pressed-flat locations 142, respective seam zones are
produced at the ends of the portion packs 138.
The process described prior to the explanation of
Figure 11 can also be carried out without the casings
being removed again. This straightforwardly achieves,
by means of a conventional cigarette rod-making
process, individual tobacco portions which are each
enclosed in a casing which is open at both end sides.
In further process steps, this casing is provided with
an (additional) all-round wrapper.
Figure 14 shows, as an exemplary embodiment of the
product of such a process, a portion pack 150. The
portion pack 150 has a wrapper 152 (with a foil or film
154) which encloses a tobacco portion 156 which is
provided with a casing 158 and in this case is of
compact formation (in the exemplary embodiment of
approximately 15 mm in length and approximately 15 mm
in diameter). The foil or film 154, which is
transparent in the exemplary embodiment, is folded over
along a folding line 155, and the two resulting foil or
film layers are sealed to one another along a
peripheral zone 159 which extends over three sides.
Once the wrapper 152 has been opened, the user can
remove the casing 158. It is also possible here,
however, for the casing 158 to be used for holding the
tobacco portion 156 together as it is introduced into a
suitable device for making home-made cigarettes, the
casing being removed, if appropriate, by this device.
Figure 15 illustrates a similar embodiment, albeit this
time for a plurality of separated tobacco portions. The
portion pack, which is designated 160 here, has a
wrapper 162 with a first foil or film 164 and a second
foil or film 165, these being sealed to one another
along an all-round peripheral zone. The wrapper 162
encloses a number of tobacco portions 166 each having a
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dedicated casing 168. The tobacco portions 166 are
separated and pre-divided by the casings 168 and can
thus be easily handled once the wrapper 162 has been
opened.
A portion pack for a plurality of separated tobacco
portions is also shown in Figure 16. Here, the portion
pack, which is designated 170, contains a wrapper 172
in the form of a cardboard sleeve 174 with a base and a
reclosable lid 175. Each of the individual tobacco
portions 176 is located in a casing 178 and is thus
separated from the rest of the tobacco portions 176.
Instead of a cardboard sleeve, it is also possible to
use a metal sleeve or a plastic sleeve.
Figure 17 uses parts (a) to (e) to illustrate different
views of a portion pack 180 configured as a blister
pack. In this case, a wrapper 182 has a blister part
184 (in the exemplary embodiment made of polyester)
which is closed by a flat film or foil 185 (e.g. made
of plastic or aluminium). The film or foil 185 is
connected to the blister part 184, e.g. by adhesive
bonding or sealing, along its peripheral region.
Instead of the film or foil 185, a layer of paper is
also conceivable. A respective tobacco portion for
making a home-made cigarette is located in the cavities
186 formed in the blister part 184. These tobacco
portions, as before, may each be enclosed in a casing.
It is also conceivable, however, for the cavities 186
of the blister part 184 to be filled directly with
fine-cut tobacco prior to the film or foil 185 being
applied.
The portion pack 180 can be handled in a manner
analogous to a conventional tablet pack, pressure
applied to the blister part 184 destroying the film or
foil 185 over a cavity 186, so that the fine-cut
tobacco contained in the cavity 186 can be discharged,
for example, into an opening in a device for making
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home-made cigarettes.
In the case of a variant of this embodiment, the film
or foil 185 can easily be pulled off the blister part
184 (e.g. by means of a lug or starting from a
peripheral location which is only lightly adhesively
bonded to the blister part 184, if at all), to render
the cavities 186 with the tobacco portions accessible.
It is further conceivable for the portion pack 180 to
be subdivided by perforation lines such that tearing
along the perforation lines allows individual cavities
186 or groups of cavities 186 to be detached from the
rest of the portion pack 180. If appropriate, each of
the cavities or each of the detachable groups of
cavities may be provided with an auxilliary opening
means mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Figure 18 is used to explain a further embodiment of a
process for producing fine-cut-tobacco portion packs.
In the first instance here, as described above, a
continuous linear arrangement of fine-cut tobacco is
produced in a cigarette rod-making process, this
tobacco being enclosed in a continuous wrapper on an
endless-rod machine (in particular a cigarette
machine). However - unlike previous cases - this
wrapper already consists of the material of the wrapper
of finished portion packs. For dividing-up purposes,
the wrapped rod is severed at predetermined intervals,
this resulting in wrapped individual portions each
intended for making a cigarette, although the wrappers
of these portions, in the first instance, are not yet
closed.
Figure 18 illustrates schematically how these wrapped
individual portions are processed further in order to
close the wrappers. The steps carried out here can be
carried out in a station in a modified cigarette
machine or a modified filter-attachment machine. In the
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first instance, an elongate tobacco portion 190 is thus
enclosed in each case in a wrapper 192 which is open at
both end sides 193, and the fine-cut tobacco reaches as
far as the end sides 193.
In Figure 18 (a), two push rods 194 are moved up to the
end sides 193 and, according to Figure 18(b), they are
driven into the wrappers 192, so that the fine-cut
tobacco is compacted there, and cavities 195 remain
following the return of the push rods 194 according to
Figure 18 (c) . Instead of the push rods 194, it is also
possible to use slides, cams or mandrels. These means
are preferably mounted on one or more drums and are
driven thereby.
In the next step, the wrapper 192 is pressed flat and
closed at its two end regions with the aid of pressing
means 196, as is illustrated in Figure 18(d) and Figure
18 (e) . This can take place, for example, with the aid
of drums, pressing belts or pressure-exerting plates.
Purely mechanical techniques such as pressing, stamping
and/or interconnecting, which in the exemplary
embodiment are preferably carried out in a single
operation by the movement of the pressing means 196,
are suitable for closing purposes. As an alternative,
or in addition, it is possible to use techniques such
as welding, adhesive bonding and/or sealing, for which
purpose an additive (e.g. adhesive) may have to be
provided.
Figure 18(f) shows the finished portion pack, in this
case designated 200, which is configured like the
embodiment according to Figure 2. If required, in a
manner similar to the notch 16 in Figure 1, a notch can
be stamped or punched into one of the seam zones 198,
199 during the movement of the pressing means 196.
Figure 19 illustrates a system in which a number of
portion packs 200 are arranged one beside the other on
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a material strip 202. This can facilitate handling by
the user. The exemplary embodiment provides a material
strip 202 made of paper, to which the portion packs 200
are adhesively bonded. Other materials (e.g. plastic)
or a different number of material strips are likewise
conceivable.
