EP2995209A1 - Filling system for filling a smoking cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling system for filling a tobacco product cartridge (1) with a filling material (7) and to a corresponding filling method. The tobacco product cartridge (1) has a cartridge case (2) and a frontal, air-permeable retention membrane (3). The filling system has a filling material supply (8), a holder (9) for the cartridge case (2) and a vacuum connection (10) for acting on the retention diaphragm (3) with negative pressure. The empty cartridge case (2) is brought with its open, the retaining membrane (3) opposite end face (6) by means of the holder (9) in contact with the Füllgutvorrat (8). The interior of the cartridge case (2) is acted upon by the retaining membrane (3) through negative pressure and thereby a subset of the contents (7) from the Füllgutvorrat (8) sucked into the interior of the cartridge case (2), wherein the filling material (7) the retention membrane (3) is retained.

Description

The invention relates to a filling system for filling a tobacco product cartridge with a filling.

In tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos, pipe tobacco or the like, in addition to tobacco, additional substances play an increasing role. These additional substances may be flavorings. However, activated carbon or similar substances are also suitable for reducing the pollutant content in the smoke.

One way to provide tobacco or a tobacco preparation and / or said substances for smoking is the use of a smoking article cartridge that can be used in a cigarette, a whistle, an electrical replacement device or the like, and containing a corresponding filling. Such a smoking article cartridge comprises a cartridge case, which has an air-permeable retention membrane on the front side, and which is also filled with the particular active substance-containing filling material. Such a smoking article cartridge is used so that the retaining membrane faces the user, and that the smoke is sucked through the smoking article cartridge. The smoke or steam passing through the smoking article cartridge may be appropriately flavored and / or filtered while the active ingredient is retained at the containment membrane and does not enter the respiratory tract of the user.

Except for the structural design of the smoking article and high demands are placed on the accuracy of their filling. On the one hand, it is important that a precisely measured subset of the contents is introduced into the empty tobacco product cartridge. On the other hand, it depends on a certain compression state of the contents within the smoking product cartridge.

The invention has for its object to provide a filling system for filling a smoke cartridge with a product which is adapted to produce reproducible and closely tolerated filling conditions at high clock rates.

This object is achieved by a filling system having the features of claim 1.

The invention is further based on the object of specifying a method for filling a tobacco product cartridge by means of said filling system, which allows the exact setting and reproducible compliance with fixed filling parameters under the boundary conditions of a large-scale filling.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 6.

First, the invention is based on the finding according to the invention that for the intended use of the tobacco product cartridges a dosage of the contents by volume or weight is insufficient. Rather, it should be considered as an additional parameter that the filled tobacco product cartridge generates a certain intake or flow resistance, on the one hand to take into account the habits of the smoker, and on the other hand to maintain the possibly existing tobacco heat to the desired extent. The filling material within the smoking article cartridge must therefore undergo a certain compression state during the filling process, which in turn defines the suction or flow resistance in interaction with the respective material properties of the filling material.

In order to achieve this, the filling system according to the invention has a filling material reservoir, a holder for the cartridge case and a vacuum connection for acting on the retaining diaphragm with negative pressure. The holder is designed to guide the cartridge case for filling them to the product stock. The filling system is further adapted to pressurize the interior of the cartridge case through the retaining membrane with negative pressure and thereby cause a vacuum filling of the cartridge case from the contents of the filling out.

In the corresponding method according to the invention, first of all the empty cartridge case with its open end face lying opposite the retaining membrane is brought into contact with the contents of the contents by means of the holder. Furthermore, the interior of the cartridge case is acted upon by the retaining membrane through negative pressure. As a result, a subset of the filling material is sucked from the filling material in the interior of the cartridge case, wherein the filling material is retained on the retaining membrane.

The interaction of retention membrane and negative pressure first ensures that the smoking article cartridge is filled to the brim. In addition, by controlling the vacuum level, a certain compression state of the filling material within the smoking article cartridge can be brought about. The combination of the brimful, volumetric dosing of the filling material with the mentioned compression state ensures the desired goal: The smoking article cartridge contains the one hand, the contents in the desired amount and on the other hand creates the desired intake or flow resistance during smoking. In addition, the device and method are equally suitable for handling under laboratory conditions as well as in small and even large series. Even at high clock rates, the defined filling state can be maintained within narrow tolerances.

In an advantageous embodiment of the filling system according to the invention, this has a vacuum sensor for measuring the flow resistance of the cartridge case. In the associated method step, by means of the vacuum sensor, a measurement of the flow resistance of the cartridge case to determine their degree of filling performed. In particular, a continuous or intermittent measurement of the intake vacuum is performed during the filling process by means of the vacuum sensor, wherein the filling process is terminated when falling below a predetermined limit negative pressure.

The use of the vacuum sensor takes into account the fact that initially the level of the filling material within the cartridge case increases, and that subsequently sets an increasing compaction of the contents within the smoking product cartridge. With increasing fill level and increasing compaction, the flow resistance and thus the applied vacuum level increase. In other words, the suction-side pressure decreases with increasing compaction, which is used as a control or controlled variable for the compaction level to be maintained. The selected limit negative pressure is the measure of the suction resistance which occurs later during use. The fact that the filling process is terminated when the intake vacuum falls below the predetermined limit negative pressure or exceeds a limit in its absolute value as a pressure difference to the ambient pressure in its absolute value, the exact compliance with the subsequent self-adjusting suction is ensured.

As an alternative to the aforementioned negative pressure measurement during the filling process or in addition thereto, a measurement of the flow resistance of the cartridge case to determine its filling quality can be carried out following the filling process by means of the vacuum sensor. The negative pressure measurement carried out here provides direct information as to whether the relevant smoking article cartridge will later have the desired throughflow or suction resistance during operation. In case of deviations, a sorting out can take place.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling system may additionally or alternatively also have a flow sensor for measuring the amount of air drawn from the cartridge case. In the associated method step, by means of the flow sensor, a measurement of the sucked from the cartridge case air quantity to determine their degree of filling made. In particular, during the filling process by means of Flow sensor made a continuous and intermittent measurement of the amount of air, the filling process is terminated when falling below a predetermined amount of air. In addition to the setting of the flow resistance discussed above, this can also be used to ensure that a specific filling quantity is achieved within the smoking article cartridge.

For the filling process, it may be sufficient that the cartridge case is brought with its open end face to the surface of the filling material in the filling material reservoir and then the filling material is sucked from the filling material into the interior of the cartridge case. In this case, it is ensured that the contents of the filling material do not experience any or at least no appreciable pressure through the cartridge case, so that no unwanted compaction of the contents of the contents occurs. Alternatively, it may be expedient that the cartridge case is at least partially and in particular completely immersed in the contents of the filling for their filling with their open end face ahead. It is here at least partially applied the principle of the riser, whereby the suction process is supported. This can favor a proper filling of the cartridge case with the contents.

The filling system advantageously comprises a first sealing device for sealing the retention membrane on a first end face of the cartridge case. Expediently, the filling system also comprises a second sealing device for sealing a cover film onto a second end face of the cartridge shell opposite the retaining membrane. In the associated method steps, the retention membrane is sealed onto the first end face of the cartridge case immediately before the filling process. Subsequently, the filling described above. Once this is completed, the cover sheet is sealed to the second, the retaining membrane opposite end of the cartridge case. The first sealing process, the filling and the subsequent second sealing process can therefore be carried out directly in succession with the same device without adversely affecting the cycle rate. Unprocessed, empty cartridge cases can be fed into the filling system in any position, without having to pay attention to the correct alignment of a previously applied retention membrane.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen Längsschnittdarstellung eine fertiggestellte Rauchwarenpatrone, welche erfindungsgemäß befüllt und abgesiegelt wurde,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Längsschnittdarstellung ein erstes Teilsystem des erfindungsgemäßen Befüllsystems mit einem Siegelhalter und mit einer eingesetzten, leeren Patronenhülse beim Aufsiegeln der Rückhaltemembran,

Fig. 3

die Anordnung nach Fig. 2 beim Überführen der Patronenhülse in einen Halter des zweiten Teilsystems für den späteren Befüllvorgang,

Fig. 4

die Anordnung nach Fig. 3 mit Einzelheiten zur Ausgestaltung des zweiten Teilsystems des erfindungsgemäßen Befüllsystems mit dessen Halter bei vollständig eingesetzter Patronenhülse,

Fig. 5

die Anordnung nach Fig. 4 beim Aufsetzen der Patronenhülse auf einen Füllgutvorrat,

Fig. 6

die Anordnung nach Fig. 5 mit in den Füllgutvorrat eingetauchter Patronenhülse,

Fig. 7

die Anordnung nach Fig. 6 beim Abstreifen von überschüssigem Füllgut von der Unterkante der Patronenhülse mittels eines Abstreifers, und

Fig. 8

die Anordnung nach Fig. 4 beim abschließenden Aufsiegeln einer Deckfolie auf die befüllte Patronenhülse.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a finished tobacco product cartridge which has been inventively filled and sealed,

Fig. 2

in a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first subsystem of the filling system according to the invention with a seal holder and with an inserted, empty cartridge case when sealing the retention membrane,

Fig. 3

the arrangement after Fig. 2 when transferring the cartridge case into a holder of the second subsystem for the subsequent filling process,

Fig. 4

the arrangement after Fig. 3 with details of the configuration of the second subsystem of the filling system according to the invention with its holder with fully inserted cartridge case,

Fig. 5

the arrangement after Fig. 4 when placing the cartridge case on a product stock,

Fig. 6

the arrangement after Fig. 5 with cartridge case immersed in the product stock,

Fig. 7

the arrangement after Fig. 6 during stripping of excess contents of the lower edge of the cartridge case by means of a scraper, and

Fig. 8

the arrangement after Fig. 4 the final sealing of a cover sheet on the filled cartridge case.

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a finished, ready-to-use smoking product cartridge 1. The tobacco product cartridge 1 comprises a cartridge case 2, the interior of which is completely filled with a filling material 7. The smoking article 1 extends along a longitudinal axis and is formed here cylindrical. But there are also deviant, non-circular cross-sectional shapes into consideration. In the direction of its longitudinal axis, the cartridge case 2 has a first end face 5 and a longitudinally opposite second end face 6. On the circumferential at the first end 5 edge of the cartridge case 2, an air-permeable retaining membrane 3 is sealed. The retaining membrane 3 is designed such that, although it leaves air, smoke and / or steam, not the fibrous, granular or powdery filling material 7 located in the interior of the cartridge case 2. At the second, the retaining membrane opposite end face 6 of the cartridge case 2, a cover sheet 4 is sealed on its peripheral edge, which may be tight overall. However, it is also possible to use as cover sheet 4 the same material with the same properties as in the retaining membrane 3. In any case, limit the circumferential wall of the cartridge case 2, the retaining membrane 3 and the cover sheet 4, the interior of the smoking article 1, which is volumetrically completely filled with a filling material 7. But it can also be a partial filling appropriate.

As contents 7 are tobacco, a tobacco preparation, a carrier material with flavorings and / or the like into consideration. Alternatively or in combination therewith, activated carbon or another suitable filter material can also be introduced. The thus prepared smoking article cartridge 1 can be inserted into a cigarette, a whistle or the like. In the case of an impermeable cover sheet 4 this is pierced before use. The emanating from the tobacco smoke smoke is sucked through the tobacco product cartridge 1 by the user. In the case of filled additives (flavoring agents, filter materials and / or the like.) While the smoke is treated by the contents 7 in the desired manner, ie aromatized and / or filtered. The smoking article cartridge 1 is used in an orientation in which the retention membrane 3 faces the user. The retention membrane 3 keeps under the action of the suction pressure applied by the user, the filling material 7 in the interior of the smoking article 1 back. As an alternative to the above-described provision or preparation of the tobacco smoke, such a smoking article cartridge 1 can also be used in replacement devices which simulate smoking, in particular to reduce harmful effects, without causing tobacco combustion to take place. The term "tobacco products" used here also explicitly includes such goods or products that serve a simulation of smoking or a replacement thereof, for example, by electrically generated vapor formation.

The tobacco product cartridge 1 described above is filled in a filling system according to the invention with process steps according to the invention and completed, as shown below by way of example with reference to FIG Fig. 2 to 8 is described:

Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first subsystem of the filling system according to the invention, according to which a tubular seal holder 14 is provided. In the seal holder 14 is an axially movable plunger 15. An empty, open on both sides cartridge case 2 is inserted into the seal holder 14 and rests on the plunger 15 such that its first end face 5 protrudes from the seal holder 14. In this configuration, a corresponding sheet-like material is placed on the first end face 5 and sealed by means of a schematically indicated first sealing device 12 on the first end face 5 to form the retaining membrane 3.

Fig. 3 shows the arrangement after Fig. 2 wherein the first subsystem described above now interacts with a second subsystem of the filling system. The second subsystem comprises a likewise tubular holder 9, in which now the cartridge case 2 is inserted with its first end face 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the holder 9 is used as a punching device, by means of which the sealed-retaining membrane 3 is punched konturbündig to the cartridge case 2 from the sheet material described above. But it may also be appropriate to use a separate punching device instead of the holder 9.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement after Fig. 3 in the subsequent process step, in which case the holder 9 is shown completed by additional details. In the interior of the holder 9 is a stop 21. For the transfer of the cartridge case 2 from the seal holder 14 in the holder 9, the plunger 15 is moved according to an arrow 17 such that the cartridge case 2 with its first end face 5 to rest 21 comes.

The holder 9 is provided with a vacuum connection 10, which extends through the stop 21 through to the receiving space for the cartridge case 2. By means of the vacuum connection 10, the negative pressure originating from a vacuum source, not shown, can be passed through the retaining membrane 3 into the interior of the cartridge case 2. In the region of the vacuum port 10 is still a schematically indicated vacuum sensor 11 and also schematically to interpreted flow sensor 20, whose function will be discussed in more detail below.

Fig. 5 shows the arrangement after Fig. 4 after the cartridge case 2 according to Fig. 4 transferred from the seal holder 14 in the holder 9 and the seal holder 14 has been removed. In this configuration, the initially empty cartridge case 2 is brought with its open, the retaining membrane 3 opposite end 6 by means of the holder 9 in contact with a Füllgutvorrat 8. For this purpose, an open-topped container is provided, in which the selected filling material 7 as a loose bulk material to form the contents vorrats 8 is located. As a "contact" in the above sense does not necessarily take place an actual contact of the second end face 6 with the Füllgutvorrat 8. It may also be sufficient for such a close approximation that the filling material 7 can be sucked out of the filling material supply 8 into the cartridge case 2. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the cartridge case 2, starting from the position to Fig. 5 for their filling with their open end 6 ahead at least partially and in particular - as in Fig. 6 shown - is completely immersed in the Füllgutvorrat 8. In any case, it is preferred according to the illustration Fig. 6 only the cartridge case 2, but not the holder 9 immersed in the Füllgutvorrat 8.

Starting from the position of the cartridge case 2 after Fig. 5 , to Fig. 6 or an intermediate position thereof with only partially immersed cartridge case 2 is now the filling of the interior of the cartridge case 2 with the contents 7 from the Füllgutvorrat 8. For this purpose, a suction is introduced through the negative pressure port 10 through the retaining membrane 3 into the interior of the cartridge case 2. This intake vacuum causes a suction of the filling material 7 from the product stock 8. By a suitable process control, a partial filling can take place. Preferably, the cartridge case 2 is completely, that is completely filled with the filling material 7. The retaining membrane 3 holds back the contents 7, so that this can not get into the vacuum port 10.

The acting negative pressure initially causes a loose filling of the cartridge case 2, which by the immersion after Fig. 6 can be supported. When the negative pressure continues to apply, this is followed by an increasing compaction of the filling material 7 within the cartridge case 2. The latter has an effect on the level of the negative pressure in the vacuum connection 10. When the cartridge case 2 is initially empty, the negative pressure in the negative pressure closure 10 is limited to the level determined by the throughflow resistance the retaining membrane 3 is specified. As the degree of filling within the cartridge shell increases, so does the flow resistance that arises during the suction, as a result of which the suction pressure in the region of the vacuum connection 10 drops. In other words, increases the pressure difference between the negative pressure in the region of the vacuum port 10 and the input side of the cartridge case 2 acting ambient pressure. Hereinafter, however, for the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to the decreasing value of intake negative pressure.

In order to determine the filling level-dependent intake vacuum, a vacuum sensor 11 is mounted in the vacuum-carrying part of the holder 9, which is connected to a control or regulating device, not shown, of the filling system. In addition, in the region of the vacuum connection 10, a flow sensor 20 is mounted, which is also connected to said control or regulating device, and by means of which the air sucked through the retaining membrane 3 can be determined. Of the Vacuum sensor 11 and / or the flow sensor 20 can advantageously be used for process control as described below:

First, during the filling process after the Fig. 5 or 6 a choice of continuous or intermittent measurement of the acting and changing during the intake suction pressure to be made. Previously, a limit negative pressure was set, which is used to determine a correct filling state. Initially, the intake vacuum is hardly lower than the ambient pressure, so it still has a comparatively large absolute value. As the fill level increases, so does the flow resistance, as a result of which the intake vacuum decreases. Once it has been determined by means of the vacuum sensor that the intake vacuum has fallen below said limit negative pressure, the filling process is terminated by the cartridge case 2 is removed from the Füllgutvorrat 8. Alternatively or additionally, during the filling process by means of the flow sensor 20, a continuous or intermittent measurement of the amount of air that was sucked through the retaining membrane 3 from the interior of the cartridge case 2. Again, a corresponding limit has previously been set. Exceeding this limit or the predetermined amount of air can also be used as a signal for the achievement of the desired filling state and thus for the completion of the filling process.

After completion of the filling process, the cartridge case 2 is lifted by means of the holder 9 from the contents 8, as in Fig. 7 is shown. It may be expedient to maintain a certain minimum negative pressure at the vacuum connection 10 in order to prevent the filling material 7 from falling out of the still open cartridge case 2. In addition, the vacuum still applied following the filling process described above can be used to measure the flow resistance of the cartridge case 2 by means of the vacuum sensor 11 to determine its filling quality. In addition, excess contents 7 on the second end face 6 are stripped away from the cartridge case 2 by means of a scraper 19. According to the schematic representation of Fig. 7 done this stripping a relative movement of the holder 9 relative to an edge 19 of the product container corresponding to an arrow 18th

Finally, the filling system according to the invention also comprises a second sealing device 13 according to FIG Fig. 8 , for which here again the seal holder 14 already described is used. Of course, it may also be expedient to provide a separate second sealing device 13. Anyway, following the filling process described above, a cover sheet 4 is applied to the second end face 6 of the cartridge case 2 and sealed by means of the second sealing device 13 on the peripheral edge thereof. In the embodiment according to Fig. 8 Follows the pressing and sealing by means of the plunger 15, wherein the peripheral edge of the seal holder 14 is used for punching out punching the cover sheet 4. Again, however, a separate punching device may be advantageous. In the illustrated preferred embodiment with the interplay of the seal holder 14 and the holder 9, however, the filling system according to the invention is divided into only two subsystems, which can be attached, for example, to two counter-rotating rollers, wheels, plates or the like, and therefore a particular continuous process flow enable.

Claims (15)

Filling system for filling a smoking article cartridge (1) with a filling material (7), the smoking article cartridge (1) having a cartridge case (2) and an end-side, air-permeable retention membrane (3), wherein the filling system comprises a filling material supply (8), a holder (9 ) for the cartridge case (2) and a vacuum connection (10) for acting on the retention diaphragm (3) with negative pressure, wherein the holder (9) is adapted to guide the cartridge case (2) for filling it to the contents (8); and wherein the filling system is adapted to pressurize the interior of the cartridge case (2) with negative pressure through the retaining diaphragm (3) and thereby to effect a vacuum filling of the cartridge case (2) from the contents (8). Filling system according to claim 1,
characterized in that the filling system comprises a vacuum sensor (11) for measuring the flow resistance of the cartridge case (2). Filling system according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the filling system comprises a flow sensor (20) for measuring the air sucked from the cartridge case (2). Filling system according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the filling system comprises a first sealing device (12) for sealing the retaining membrane (3) on a first end face (5) of the cartridge case (2). Filling system according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the filling system comprises a second sealing device (13) for sealing a cover film (4) on a second, the retaining membrane (3) opposite the end face (6) of the cartridge case (2). Method for filling a tobacco product cartridge (1) with a filling material (7) by means of a filling system according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following method steps: - The empty cartridge case (2) is brought with its open, the retaining membrane (3) opposite end face (6) by means of the holder (9) in contact with the Füllgutvorrat (8); - The interior of the cartridge case (2) is acted upon by the retaining membrane (3) through negative pressure and thereby a subset of the contents (7) from the Füllgutvorrat (8) sucked into the interior of the cartridge case (2), wherein the contents (7) is retained at the retention membrane (3). Method according to claim 6,
characterized in that by means of the vacuum sensor (11), a measurement of the Ansaugunterdruckes for determining the filling state of the cartridge case (2) is made. Method according to claim 7,
characterized in that during the filling process by means of the vacuum sensor (11) a continuous or intermittent measurement of Ansaugunterdruckes is made, and that the filling process is terminated when falling below a predetermined limit negative pressure. Method according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that following the filling process by means of the vacuum sensor (11), a measurement of the flow resistance of the cartridge case (2) is carried out to determine their filling quality. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9,
characterized in that by means of the flow sensor (20), a measurement of the sucked from the cartridge case (2) amount of air to determine their degree of filling is made. Method according to claim 10,
characterized in that during the filling process by means of the flow sensor (20) a continuous or intermittent measurement of the amount of air is made, and that the filling process is terminated when exceeding a predetermined amount of air. Method according to one of claims 6 to 11,
characterized in that the cartridge case (2) with its open end face (6) brought to the surface of the filling material (7) in the Füllgutvorrat (8) and then the filling material (7) from the filling material (8) into the interior of the cartridge case (2 ) is sucked. Method according to one of claims 6 to 11,
characterized in that the cartridge case (2) for their filling with its open end face (6) is preceded immersed at least partially and in particular completely in the Füllgutvorrat (8). Method according to one of claims 6 to 13,
characterized in that immediately before the filling process, the retaining membrane (3) on the first end face (5) of the cartridge case (2) is sealed. Method according to one of claims 6 to 14,
characterized in that the cover film (4) is sealed to the second, the retaining diaphragm (3) opposite the end face (6) of the cartridge case (2) subsequent to the filling operation.

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