Device for applying filters to cigarettes

Abstract

Filter tips are applied to cigarettes by a device equipped with a conveying roller ( 9 ) on which assemblies ( 4 ) composed of two cigarettes ( 5 ) and a double length filter plug ( 6 ) placed between them are united with tipping papers ( 11 ), also with a flexible rolling conveyor ( 12 ) looped around first and second pulleys ( 16, 18 ) and combining with the roller ( 9 ) to create a concave channel ( 13 ) along which a tipping paper is rolled around the relative filter. The rolling surface of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) is faced with metal cleats ( 24 ) ordered transversely one beside the next. To ensure that the conveyor ( 12 ) runs concentrically with the roller ( 9 ) and maintain a constant depth along the channel ( 13 ), the device is equipped with magnets ( 30 ) and guide wheels ( 33 ) positioned on the side of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) opposite from the channel ( 13 ) in such a way that the magnets ( 30 ) will interact with the cleats ( 24 ) and with blocks ( 26 ) and screws ( 27 ) by which the cleats are clamped to the conveyor ( 12 ).

1 . A device for applying filters to cigarettes, comprising a first conveyor ( 8 ) serving to carry assemblies ( 4 ) composed of at least one cigarette ( 5 ) and a filter plug ( 6 ) placed end to end, and tipping papers ( 11 ) by which the assemblies ( 4 ) are joined permanently, also a rolling channel ( 13 ) of depth matched approximately to the diameter of the assemblies ( 4 ) received from the first conveyor ( 8 ), characterized in that the rolling channel ( 13 ) comprises a flexible rolling conveyor ( 12 ) at least on the one hand, looped around first and second transmission means ( 14 ,  15 ), and in that the rolling surface of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) is furnished with a plurality of rigid elements ( 23 ).  
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elements ( 23 ) comprise a plurality of cleats ( 24 ) ordered transversely one beside the next along the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) to provide a cladding.  
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein each cleat ( 24 ) is secured by respective fastening means ( 25 ) to the flexible conveyor ( 12 ).  
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein the fastening means ( 25 ) comprise a plurality of blocks ( 26 ) positioned on the side of the flexible conveyor (I  2 ) opposite to the cleats ( 24 ), each connected to a respective cleat ( 24 ) by clamping means ( 27 ).  
   
   
       5 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the rolling channel ( 13 ) comprises a first flexible conveyor ( 12 ) on the one hand, and a second flexible conveyor ( 12 ) on the other.  
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 5 , wherein the rolling channel ( 13 ) comprises a first flexible conveyor ( 12 ) on the one hand, and a second flexible conveyor ( 12 ) as in  claims 2  to  4  on the other.  
   
   
       7 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the rolling channel ( 13 ) extends along a predetermined and substantially rectilinear rolling path.  
   
   
       8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein both of the flexible conveyors ( 12 ) are looped around respective first and second transmission means ( 14 ,  15 ) comprising respective return pulleys ( 16 ,  18 ;  42 ,  43 ), one of the transmission means ( 14 ,  15 ) further comprising an outfeed and take-up conveyor ( 21 ) positioned to receive the assemblies ( 4   a ) emerging from the rolling channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       9 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein the rolling channel ( 13 ) extends along a predetermined and substantially curvilinear rolling path.  
   
   
       10 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the rolling channel ( 13 ) is created between a roller ( 9 ) with aspirating seats ( 10 ) on the one hand, coinciding with the first conveyor ( 8 ), and a flexible conveyor ( 12 ) on the other.  
   
   
       11 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second transmission means ( 14 ,  15 ) of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) comprise a first and a second return pulley ( 16 ,  18 ), the first transmission means ( 14 ) establishing an infeed conveyor ( 17 ), the second transmission means ( 15 ) further comprising an outfeed and take-up conveyor ( 21 ) disposed coaxially with the respective second return pulley ( 18 ) and serving to receive the assemblies ( 4   a ) emerging from the rolling channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       12 . A device as in  claim 11 , comprising retaining means ( 28 ) and guiding and locating means ( 29 ) associated with the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) and positioned on the side of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) opposite from the channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       13 . A device as in  claim 12 , wherein the retaining means ( 28 ) comprise a plurality of magnetic elements ( 30 ) interacting with the fastening means ( 25 ) and/or the cleats ( 24 ).  
   
   
       14 . A device as in  claim 12 , wherein the guiding and locating means ( 29 ) comprise a plurality of freely revolving wheels ( 33 ) offered in contact to the surface of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ).  
   
   
       15 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein the magnetic elements ( 30 ) are carried by at least one member ( 32 ) of nonmagnetic material extending parallel to the rolling channel ( 13 ) and interposed between two sets of guiding and locating wheels ( 33 ).  
   
   
       16 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein the single sets of guiding and locating wheels ( 33 ) are ordered in respective rows occupying parallel planes, with each wheel ( 33 ) of each row partly overlapping at least one wheel of the adjacent row.  
   
   
       17 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the flexible conveyor ( 12 ) presents a toothed profile ( 34 ) in mesh with teeth ( 37 ) presented by the guiding and locating wheels ( 33 ) and with teeth ( 35 ,  26 ) presented by the pulleys ( 16 ,  18 ).  
   
   
       18 . A device as in  claim 17 , wherein each of the cleats ( 24 ) presents a rolling surface fashioned with a reeded profile ( 38 ).  
   
   
       19 . A device as in  claim 18 , wherein at least one cleat ( 24 ) per given unit number of cleats is furnished with at least one rib or lip ( 39 ) serving to initiate the rolling action internally of the rolling channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       20 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein the outfeed and take-up conveyor ( 21 ) in receipt of the assemblies ( 4   a ) from the rolling channel ( 13 ) comprises a roller ( 19 ) by which the emerging assemblies ( 4   a ) are taken up and distanced selectively one from the next.  
   
   
       21 . A device as in  claim 20 , wherein the take-up roller ( 19 ) functions as a means by which to shorten the distance between successive assemblies ( 4   a ) emerging from the rolling channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       22 . A device as in  claim 21 , wherein the take-up roller ( 19 ) presents peripheral recesses ( 20 ) spaced apart at a distance less than the distance separating successive assemblies ( 4   a ) emerging from the rolling channel ( 13 ).  
   
   
       23 . A device as in  claim 22 , wherein the take-up roller ( 19 ) is rigidly associated with the second return pulley ( 18 ) of the flexible conveyor ( 12 ).