Method and machine for producing a continuous filter rod

Abstract

A method and machine produces a continuous filter rod. At least one type of finite, essentially completely separated fibers is transported with transport air to a conveyor. A fiber nonwoven is formed on one surface of the conveyor to result in the fibers at least partially contacting one another. The fiber nonwoven is deposited onto a wrapping material web. The fiber nonwoven is then wrapped a material web.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing a continuous filter rod, comprising: 
 transporting at least one type of finite, essentially completely separated fibers with transport air to a conveyor;    forming a fiber nonwoven on one surface of the conveyor to result in the fibers at least partially contacting one another;    depositing the fiber nonwoven onto a wrapping material web; and    wrapping the fiber nonwoven with the wrapping material web.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapping step includes compacting the fiber nonwoven.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the wrapping step or following the wrapping step, the method further comprises applying energy to the fiber nonwoven to create a bond at points of contacts between the fibers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of the  claim 1 , wherein the continuous filter rod is subsequently cut into at least one of filters and filter elements, and wherein the fibers have a length shorter than the filters and the filter elements.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one type of fibers contains fibers with an average diameter between about 10 μm and about 40 μm.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one type of fibers contains fibers with an average diameter between about 20 μm and about 38 μm.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding additives to the fibers.  
     
     
         8 . The method of the  claim 1 , further comprising compacting the fiber nonwoven prior to the depositing step.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor conveys the fiber nonwoven in a movement direction, and wherein the compacting step includes compacting the fiber nonwoven in at least two directions that are perpendicular to the movement direction.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the depositing step includes mechanically removing the fiber nonwoven from the conveyor.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the removing step includes utilizing compressed air.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising shaping the fiber nonwoven prior to the depositing step.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the conveyor conveys the fiber nonwoven in a movement direction, and wherein in the forming step includes forming at least a semicircle crosswise to the movement direction.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the forming step includes forming a full circle.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the depositing step occurs at least in part before the forming step.  
     
     
         16 . A filter element cut from the continuous filter rod produced according to the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         17 . A machine for producing a continuous filter rod, comprising: 
 a conveyor;    a fiber compiling device that transports separated fiber materials with transport air to the conveyor to form a fiber nonwoven;    a format device downstream of the compiling device for wrapping a material web around the fiber nonwoven; and    a transferring device for transferring the fiber nonwoven from the conveyor to the format device.    
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one compacting device at the conveyor.  
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein at least a section of the conveyor forms at least a part of the compacting device.  
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the conveyor comprises at least one suction belt.  
     
     
         21 . The machine of  claim 20 , wherein the conveyor comprises at least three suction belts.  
     
     
         22 . The machine of  claim 20 , further comprising means for removing the fiber nonwoven from the suction belt with compressed air.  
     
     
         23 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the transferring device comprises a transport belt.  
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 23 , wherein the transport belt has a concave design.  
     
     
         25 . The machine of  claim 23 , wherein the transferring device comprises two transport belts.  
     
     
         26 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the transferring device comprises a nozzle through which the fiber nonwoven is transported.  
     
     
         27 . The machine of  claim 26 , wherein the nozzle shapes the fiber nonwoven into at least one of a round and oval form.