EP2217100A2

EP2217100A2 - Device for treating at least two filter strands

Info

Publication number: EP2217100A2
Application number: EP08854235A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sönke Horn; Stephan Wolff; Jan Peisker; Stefan Wiesemann; Thorsten Scherbarth; Karsten Meinke
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Koerber Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2007-11-27
Filing date: 2008-11-15
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Also published as: WO2009068196A3; KR20100098411A; CN101877974A; JP2011504731A; CN101877974B; KR101355551B1; JP5638957B2; WO2009068196A2; DE102007057396A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating at least two filter strands (8a, 8b), comprising at least two filter guide paths of the tabacco industry, along which a filter strand (8a; 8b) is guided, and a supply device (40) for supplying at least one granulate or powdery additive to the filter guide paths for introducing into the filter strands (8a; 8b). The invention is characterised in that the supply device (40) comprises at least two supply sections (40a, 40b) to which at least one supply section (e.g. 40a) of a filter guide path (z.B. 8a) is associated, and a dosing device (50) that is used to dose the amount of additive (70) that is to be supplied via the supply device (40) and for distributing to the associated filter guide path.

Description

Device for processing at least two filter tows

The invention relates to a device for processing at least two filter tows of the tobacco-processing industry, with at least two Filtertowfüfü- rungsstrecken, along each of which a filter tow line is guided, and a supply device for supplying at least one granular or powdery additive to the filter tow lines for the feed in the filter towers.

By feeding granular or powdery additives, such as activated carbon (also called Charcoal), PE granules, plasticizers or other substances, with the aid of such a device in filter tow the quality of the filter to be produced from it can be specifically influenced in a certain way. In addition, it should be noted that in the present context, the term "additive" is to be understood both a single substance and a plurality or mixture of substances, which may each also form an additive in each case.

A device of the aforementioned type is known in principle from DE 10 2006 001 643 A1. WO 00/51451 A1 and EP 1 314 363 A1 describe a single-strand filter-strand production machine which also provides the possibility of feeding in, in particular special granular or powdery, additives, such as activated carbon, has in the filter tows.

It is an object of the present invention to further improve the feeding of at least one additive into the filter tow line for a double or multiple-strand filter production.

This object is achieved by a device for processing at least two filter tows, with at least two filter tow lines of the tobacco processing industry, along each of which a filter tow line is guided, and a supply device for supplying at least one granular or powdery additive to the filter tow paths for the feed in the filter tow, characterized in that the supply means comprises at least two supply sections, of which at least one supply section is associated with a filter tow path, and a metering device for metering the amount of the supplied via the supply additive and delivery to the associated filter tow path is provided.

Characterized in that according to the invention a feed section, which is part of the supply means, each associated with a filter tow path, the feed of at least one additive in the filter tow for a two- or multi-strand filter production can make much more flexible. For the invention offers the possibility of a separate supply of at least one additive for the different filter tows. Thus, for example, it is possible to provide different grades, compositions and grades of at least one additive via the feed sections to the various filter towpaths. The same applies to the amount of at least one additive which can be selected and adjusted differently with the aid of the arrangement according to the invention for the individual filter tow paths, for which purpose a metering device is additionally provided. Thus, the invention also provides the ability to feed the additive in a defined amount in the filter tows. Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metering device has at least two dosing agents, of which in each case one dosing agent of a filter tow-away device is assigned. In a further development of this embodiment, at least one dosing agent has at least one dosing roller. Thus, in this embodiment, there is the possibility of not only a separate additive supply, but also a separate dosage for the different filter tows.

Preferably, the supply sections each have at least one memory for temporary storage of at least one additive. Furthermore, the feed sections preferably each have at least one shaft leading to the metering device. Thus, both memories can be filled with different additive, which passes into the shafts to the metering device, which then emits the additive in a defined amount to the filter tow paths and thus the filter tows.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a deflection device for deflecting the filter tow paths is provided in a substantially superposed arrangement. In the area where the filter tow strands lie substantially one above the other, they are then sprinkled with additive by the metering device, whereby a simultaneous application of at least one additive can be achieved in a particularly simple manner. They can already be offset from each other. An elaborate merging of the filter towers from a juxtaposed alignment is omitted in this embodiment.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the metering device for dispensing the additive in strip-shaped sections is formed on a filter tow line, wherein the strip-shaped sections are arranged at an angle smaller than 90 ° relative to the direction of movement of the filter tow line. Preferably, at least one metering roller is arranged with its axis of rotation at an angle smaller than 90 ° with respect to the direction of movement of the filter tow line. In this context, it should be noted for the sake of completeness, that the same inclination can be achieved even at an angle of greater than 90 ° with respect to the direction of movement of the filter tow strand, since it geometrically results in the same result, whether an acute angle or the adjacent one obtuse angle is used as a measured variable. In this embodiment, the application process with respect to the longitudinal extension of the filter tow is drawn in length, so that can be achieved by the inclination of the filter tow to the metering device and in particular the metering a more uniform distribution of the additive on the filter tow line. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when using Metering rollers, which are formed as a grooved rollers, as is drawn by the inclination of the dispensing of the individual groove-shaped wells with respect to the strand direction in the length.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by a deflection device with first deflecting means for deflecting at least two filter tow lines from a substantially superposed arrangement into a mutually divergent orientation and with second deflection means for deflecting the filter tow paths from the mutually divergent orientation in FIG a substantially adjacent arrangement, wherein each of the first deflection means is associated with a deflection of a filter tow path and of the second deflection means also each a deflection of a filter tow path. Preferably, the first deflection means are inclined to each other. Due to this inclination, a substantially constant tensile stress can be generated over the entire width of the filter tow line. In a further development, the second deflecting means are designed to bring the deflected filter tow lines into a mutually convergent alignment. As a result, the center lines of the filter tows can be easily merge without a one-sided tension occurs. Subsequently, the filter tow paths run side by side to the metering device, where additive is applied in the filter tows.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 schematically in perspective view to a greater part a plant for the production of cigarette filters in the two-strand process;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the system of FIG. 1;

Figure 3 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granules according to a preferred first embodiment;

Figure 4 shows schematically in cross-section an arrangement of two metering rollers used in the embodiment of Figure 3 with associated drive motors; Figure 5 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granules according to a preferred second embodiment;

Figure 6 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate according to a preferred third embodiment;

Figure 7 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate according to a preferred fourth embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a metering roller commonly used for two strands according to a preferred fifth embodiment;

Figure 9 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granules according to a preferred sixth embodiment;

Figure 10 shows a part of a device for the introduction of activated carbon granules schematically in a side view (a), a front view (b) and a top view (C);

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a filter tow strip and an overlying metering roller in a conventional, with respect to the strand direction approximately rectangular arrangement (a) and in a contrast oblique arrangement according to a preferred eighth embodiment (b);

Figure 12 is a schematic front view of two adjacent metering rollers and two correspondingly assigned and shown in cross section filter towers in a parallel arrangement to the metering rollers (a) and in contrast obliquely placed arrangement according to a preferred ninth embodiment (b);

13 shows a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate in a first operating position in side view (a) and front view (b) and in a second operating position in side view (c) according to a preferred tenth embodiment; Figure 14 is a perspective schematic schematic view of a modular construction of the system of Figures 1 and 2 (a) and provided for this purpose conveyor (b) according to a preferred eleventh embodiment;

Figure 15 shows schematically in cross section a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate according to a preferred twelfth embodiment;

Figure 16 is a schematic plan view of part of an apparatus for the introduction of activated carbon granulate according to a preferred thirteenth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a part of an apparatus for introducing granular activated carbon according to a preferred fourteenth embodiment;

Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate according to a preferred fifteenth embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows a schematic perspective view of a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granules according to a preferred sixteenth

Execution;

Figure 20 is a schematic perspective view of a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate according to a preferred seventeenth embodiment;

FIG. 21 shows a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granulate schematically in a front view (a), a side view (b) and a top view (c) according to a preferred eighteenth embodiment;

FIG. 22 shows a part of an apparatus for introducing activated carbon granules schematically in a first side view (a), a second side view (b) and a top view (c) according to a preferred nineteenth embodiment; and FIG. 23 shows a schematic block diagram of an arrangement for conveying process air in a circuit according to a preferred twentieth embodiment.

In the figures, only schematically functional components, components, system parts and a device containing these according to the invention for processing filter tow strands for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as in particular cigarettes in the strand method are shown, wherein the figures only in each case substantially only for the Understanding the invention required parts and components show. Components of the machine and system which are customary in mechanical engineering, such as details of the machine frame, mountings, bearings and linings, are generally not shown in the drawings in the interest of better clarity.

The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying figures form components of a system for the production of filter rods in the two-strand method.

In Figure 1 is a perspective view and in Figure 2 in side view schematically shows a plant for the production of cigarette filters in the two-strand process shown. This plant consists in the illustrated embodiment of three components, each forming a device, namely a device 2 for the simultaneous production of two filter tows, a device 4 for the introduction of activated carbon granules, also referred to as charcoal, in the filter tow produced by the device 2 and a device 6 for the production of filter rods from the filter tows.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment the device 2 for the production of two filter tows consists of two processing modules 12 which, viewed in the process direction, are arranged behind one another.

Each of the treatment modules 12 has a housing 14, the upper side of which is provided with an inlet 16 through which a filter tow 8a and 8b respectively enters. The filter tow 8a or 8b is withdrawn prior to entering the processing module 12 of a filter towballs not shown in the figures and via a above the processing module 12 befindliches and not shown in the figures deflecting and Towausbungsungsorgan, which is arranged at the upper end of a support arm, also not shown in the figures, directed towards the inlet 16.

After entering through the inlet 16 of the filter tow 8a and 8b, the processing module 12 is guided along an unspecified Towführungsstrecke. For slowing down the filter tow strip downstream of the inlet 16, each conditioning module 12 in the illustrated embodiment has a braking device 20 which usually includes a pair of brake rollers not visible in the drawings.

After the braking device 20, the filter tow 8a or 8b passes through different processing devices in each processing module 12. After the filter tow strip 8a or 8b first undergoes pre-stretching between the braking device 20 and a downstream pair of rollers 22, the filter tow 8a or 8b is guided through a stretching device known per se, which passes through the pair of rollers 22 and a further downstream pair of rollers 24 is formed and makes a Hauptre- cover on the filter tow 8a and 8b.

Downstream of the lower pair of rollers 24 passes in the illustrated embodiment, the filter tow 8a and 8b, a treatment device 26 in which the filter tow 8a and 8b is sprayed with a liquid treatment agent.

After emerging from the treatment device 26, the filter tow strip 8a or 8b is deflected in each processing module 12 via a deflection roller 28 in the direction of the device 4 for the introduction of activated carbon granules. While in the embodiment shown in each processing module 12, a single filter tow 8a and 8b is formed and processed, both filter tow strips 8a, 8b enter together in the device 4 for the introduction of activated carbon granules, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be seen. There they are separated by lower guide rollers 30a, 30b separated in approximately vertical direction and thereby in the direction of upper guide rollers, of which only in Figure 2 facing the viewer first upper guide roller 32a for the first filter tow 8a is recognizable, while a directly next to this The second upper deflecting roller, which is referred to as "32b" in later-described embodiments, remains invisible to the second filter tow band 8b in Figures 1 and 2. Those upper deflecting rollers, in turn, provide a deflection in an approximately horizontal direction to a transport nozzle 34, which is adjoined by an inlet finger 36, in which a round shaping of the filter tow strip to a filter towstring takes place. FIG. 1 also shows that the filter tow strips 8a, 8b have a flat strip shape at least from the exit from the processing modules 12 of the device 2 to the transport nozzle 34 at the outlet of the device 4.

In the device 4, the introduction of activated carbon granules in the filter tows 8a, 8b is made between the upper pulleys and the transport nozzle 34. For this purpose, a supply device 40 is provided which, according to FIGS. 1 and 2, has a storage container 42 whose outlet (not shown) is connected at its lower end to a metering device 50 via a shaft 44. In the storage container 42 activated carbon granules are filled, which passes through the supply shaft 44 to the metering device 50. By the metering device 50, the amount of activated carbon granules obtained via the supply shaft 44 is metered and introduced into the filter tow strips 8a, 8b in a corresponding metered form. Since in the illustrated embodiment, the supply shaft 44 connects to the lower end of the storage container 42 and the metering device 50 is located below the supply shaft 44, the activated carbon granules passes by gravity from the storage tank 42 via the supply shaft 44 to the metering device 50. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the filter tow 8a , 8b below the metering device 50 are guided past this, the dispensing of the metered amount of activated carbon granules from the metering device 50 to the filter tows 8a, 8b also takes place by gravity, by the activated carbon granules are scattered by the metering device 50 on the filter tows 8a, 8b.

The feed finger 36 connected downstream of the transport nozzle 34 forms the transition from the device 4 to the device 6 and ensures that a filter tow line is formed from the filter tow strip 8a or 8b, which is then processed into finished filter rods in the device 6.

While, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeder 40 has only a single container store 42 and a single supply chute 44, FIG. 3 shows a portion of the apparatus 4 according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention wherein the feeder 40 is in two feeder sections 40a, 40b is divided. Furthermore, a first filter tow 8a and a second filter tow 8b are shown in side-by-side arrangement in cross-section in FIG. The first filter tow strip 8a is guided along a first filter tow path and the second filter tow 8b is guided along a second filter tow path. The two Filter towpaths are not shown in the figures. Of the two feed sections 40a, 40b, the first feed section 40a of the first filter tow path leading the first filter tow 8a and the second feed section 40b of the second filter tow leading the second filter tow 8b are associated.

As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the first supply section 40a has a first storage container 42a and a first supply shaft 44a adjoining and below it, and the second supply section 40b has a second storage container 42b and a second supply shaft 44b adjoining and arranged below it. The two storage tanks 42a and 42b are used to receive activated carbon granules, wherein individual walls of the storage tanks 42a, 42b or the storage tanks 42a, 42b can be designed or stored as a whole swingable in order to avoid bridging of the activated carbon granules. In the preferred first embodiment according to FIG. 3, the metering device 50 has two coaxially juxtaposed, rotatably mounted metering rollers 52a, 52b, of which a first metering roller 52a between the first supply shaft 44a and the first filter tow strip 8a and a second metering roller 52b between the second supply shaft 44b and the second filter tow 8b is arranged. The common axis of rotation 53 of the two metering rollers 52a, 52b extends approximately parallel to the plane in which the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b run below the two metering rollers 52a, 52b. The supply shafts 44a, 44b are arranged above the metering rollers 52a, 52b and end with their outlet directly above the circumference of the metering rollers 52a, 52b, as shown in FIG. In contrast, the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b extend below the metering rollers 52a, 52b in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 53 and to the image viewing plane of FIG. 3, the distance between the filter tow strips 8a, 8b and the circumference of the metering rollers 52a, 52b being relatively small.

In the illustrated embodiment, the metering rollers 52a, 52b are formed as so-called. Nutenwalzen by distributed over the circumference groove-shaped troughs are formed, which are parallel to the axis of rotation 53 and adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 3, by way of example, some of these groove-shaped depressions 54 are shown schematically.

By the two storage containers 42a, 42b, which are arranged parallel to each other in the illustrated embodiment, the activated carbon granules passes by gravity into the underlying supply shafts 44a, 44b. Both storage tanks Incidentally, 42a, 42b can be filled, if necessary, with different activated carbon granules. Through an opening at the lower end of the supply shafts 44a, 44b, the activated carbon granules fall onto the circumference of the metering rollers 52a, 52b, whereby the groove-shaped depressions 54 are filled. The metering rollers 52a, 52b then convey the activated carbon granules in a defined quantity to the filter tow strips 8a, 8b by rotation, where they then fall out of the groove-shaped depressions 54 and thus are scattered onto the filter tow strips 8a, 8b.

Since the two metering rollers 52, 52b in the illustrated embodiment are close to each other, it is advantageous to arrange a separating plate 56 between the two metering rollers 52a, 52b, which extends approximately at right angles to the axis of rotation 53 and the two metering rollers 52a, 52b spatially separated from each other. In this way it is prevented that activated carbon granules from the one metering roller reaches the other metering roller.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 thus offers the possibility of a separate activated carbon granulate guide for both strands for a two-strand machine. Thus, the additive to be dosed may be different for each strand.

As FIG. 4 shows, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 each metering roller 52a or 52b is driven individually by a separate motor 58a or 58b. Thus, the rotational speed for each metering roller 52a, 52b can be controlled individually, whereby different dosages and thus different loadings of the respective filter tow strip 8a or 8b can be realized.

To control the amount of activated carbon granules, a control device (not shown in the figures) is provided which controls the drives 58a, 58b. By using such a control device, which of course works online, so while the process is running, it comes to a minimization of weight fluctuations in the filter tows. Because in order to achieve a constant weight of the filter to be produced, the amount of activated carbon granules supplied must not fluctuate too much. In this case, the supplied amount of activated carbon granulate can be controlled by a sensor, which is preferably designed to work optically and / or using infrared light and / or microwaves and / or to measure the electrical conductivity of the additive. In case of weight fluctuations, the delivery rate is controlled by adjusting the rotational speed of the metering rollers 52a, 52b, by the drive motors 58a, 58b of the metering rollers 52a, 52b are controlled by the control device accordingly.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment according to FIG. 3 in that additionally a closing mechanism 60 is provided, by means of which the activated carbon granule feed from the respective supply shaft 44a or 44b to the metering roller 52a or 52b can be blocked if required , Thus, it is possible in this embodiment, if necessary, the Aktivkohlegranulatzufuhr in a filter tow 8a or 8b separate and produce from these so-called. White filter rods.

While in the embodiments according to Figures 3 and 4 each have a supply section only a single storage container with a supply shaft connected thereto, Figure 6 shows a preferred third embodiment in which a supply section 40a a plurality, in the present case three, adjacent storage container 42aa, 42ab , 42ac, at whose lower end in each case a supply shaft 44aa, 44ab and 44ac is connected. The supply shafts 44aa, 44ab, 44ac point to a common metering roller 52a. Between the metering roller 52a and the filter tow line 8a leading, associated filter tow path is also still a mixing chamber 62. With regard to the matching structural details, reference is made to the description of Figure 3. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, several types of activated carbon granules may be provided over multiple supply strands in front of the common metering roller 52a. Before being dispensed onto the filter tow 8a, the activated carbon granules in the mixing chamber 62 are mixed with one another. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to dispense with the mixing chamber 62 and instead to scatter the activated carbon granules from the common metering roller 52a directly onto the filter tow 8a. This design allows a rapid change of grade or individual material mix by appropriate switching.

FIG. 7 shows a preferred fourth embodiment, which differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 6 in that, instead of a common metering roller, separate metering rollers 52a, 52ab and 52ac are provided, each metering roller being associated with one of the supply shafts 44aa, 44ab, 44ac and, on the other hand, a return line 64 is provided which leads from the filter tow line leading the filter tow 8a to one of the storage containers. The repatriation Device 64 consists in particular of a hose or pipe and operates pneumatically, preferably in the suction mode.

Also in the embodiment according to FIG. 7, different types of activated carbon granules can be provided via the several, here three, supply strands. This results in a Aktivkohlegranulatmischung, which is variable in this embodiment by individual change and adjustment of the conveying or rotational speed of the individual metering rollers 52aa, 52ab, 52ac. Due to the return line 64 too much promoted or excess activated carbon granules are deducted from the filter tow 8a and returned at least one of the storage container. In the present case, the return takes place in the (according to Figure 7 right) storage tank 42ac, which may be preferably provided only for the reception of recycled activated carbon granules.

For the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 contain only one feed section, thus being provided only for one filter tow path and therefore only one strand.

While in the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, each filter tow path is assigned an individual metering roller, it is alternatively also conceivable to provide a common metering roller for a plurality of filter tow paths and, accordingly, for a plurality of filter tow strips. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 8 as a preferred fifth embodiment, in which a common metering roller 52 is assigned two filter tows 8a, 8b. Thus, in this embodiment, both filter tows 8a, 8b are loaded by the common metering roller 52 with the same amount of activated carbon granules. A second metering roller and a second drive omitted in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred sixth embodiment, which differs from the second embodiment according to FIG. 5 in that, instead of a closing mechanism, a metering slide 66 is provided at the outlet of each supply shaft 44a, 44b, which occupies not only an open position and a closed position, but between them Both end positions can take any position. For this purpose, the metering slide 66 is movably mounted in the conveying path and thus in the mass flow of the activated charcoal granulate. This movement can be linear or take place by pivoting. The movement of the metering slides 66, which expediently se consist of a plate-shaped element, is preferably carried out by an associated drive not shown in the figures, which is controlled by the aforementioned control device. As a result of the partial opening and closing of the metering slides 66, the flow rate of the activated carbon granulate through the supply shafts 44a, 44b to the metering rollers 52a, 52b can be adjusted accordingly. In this embodiment, it is also possible to keep the rotational speed of the two metering rollers 52a, 52b constant and to carry out the metering exclusively via the metering slides 66.

FIG. 10 shows a detail of the device 4 in the region of the deflection rollers 32a, 32b according to a preferred seventh embodiment. The special feature of this embodiment is that the filter tow strips 8a, 8b are deflected from their substantially vertical orientation via two deflection rollers 32a, 32b into an approximately horizontally oriented arrangement which also lies one above the other, as shown in particular in FIG. 10a. After this deflection, downstream of the deflection rollers 32a, 32b, the feed of the activated charcoal granules takes place. In this case, the activated carbon granules from the metering rollers 52a, 52b via scattering chambers 68a, 68b led to the filter tow strips 8a, 8b, where they are sprinkled with the activated carbon granules. At this point, the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b may be guided along the filter tow paths such that they are offset by the distance A, relative to the central axis. In this design eliminates a complex merging of adjacent filter towers.

Usually, the respective metering roller with its axis of rotation is approximately at right angles to the longitudinal extension or direction of movement of the associated filter tow strip. This is shown in FIG. 11a using the example of the first metering roller 52a associated with the first filter tow strip 8a. If the metering rollers are formed as Nutenwalzen, which is the case in the representation of Figure 11 and thus the activated carbon granules are taken up and transported by the groove-shaped wells, the delivery of the activated carbon granules is carried on the filter tow in discrete quantities, which are spaced apart, such as show at right angles to the direction of movement of the filter tow strip 8a extending strip-shaped portions 70. By changing the angle between the rotation axis 53 of the metering roller 52a and the direction of movement of the filter tow strip 8a, the discharge of the individual troughs on the metering roller 52a with respect to the strand direction is prolonged. This comes it leads to a more uniform distribution of the activated carbon granules. This is achieved by tilting of metering roller 52a and filter tow 8a relative to each other, as shown in Figure 11 b according to a preferred eighth embodiment.

FIG. 12a shows the same arrangement for two strands in front view as FIG. 11a for a strand in plan view, in which the metering rollers 52a, 52b not only at right angles to the longitudinal extent or direction of movement of the filter tow strips 8a, 8b but at the same time parallel to their longitudinal axis of rotation 53 Level are aligned, in which the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b are at least in the area below the metering rollers 52a, 52b.

In contrast to the arrangement of FIG. 12a, it is also conceivable to skew the two adjacent filter tow strips 8a, 8b in the region of the feed of the activated carbon granulate, in which the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b are tilted about their longitudinal axis such that their the activated carbon granules of the metering rollers 52a, 52b receiving sides facing each other. This arrangement is shown in Figure 12b according to a preferred ninth embodiment. By tilting the filter tow strips 8a, 8b, the distance between their central axes can be reduced, as shown by a comparison of the distance Ba in FIG. 12a with the distance Bb in FIG. 12b. As a result, merging of the filter tow strips 8a, 8b or of the resulting tow filter webs is defused to a later desired value of the strand spacing (for example, 38 mm). After tilting the filter tow strips 8a, 8b, the activated carbon granules are scattered by the metering rollers 52a, 52b into the filter tow strips 8a, 8b.

With a so-called swivel turret design, a change in the production between a so-called "black" filter strand provided with additive and an activated carbon-free, so-called "white" strand can be carried out, so that one can switch back and forth between these two production possibilities ,

Figure 13 shows a preferred tenth embodiment with such a swivel turret. 13, the swivel turret is shown in simplified form as a plate-shaped swivel body 74, which has two plate-shaped sections 74a, 74b lying at right angles to one another and thus has an L-shaped cross section, as can be seen in particular from FIG. On the first section 74a are all the components required for feeding and feeding at least one additive into a filter tow line. advantage. These are a supply shaft 42a, a metering roller 52a mounted rotatably underneath, and a chaff 68a arranged below the metering roller 52a and a transport nozzle 34a, which lies downstream of the chaff 68a in the transport direction of the filter tow strip 8a to be processed. Thus, the first portion 74a of the pivot body 74 serves as a support for the arrangement of supply shaft 42a, metering roller 52a, chute 68a and transport nozzle 34a, as can be seen in particular Figures 13a and b. In this case, the arrangement is such that in the position shown in FIGS. 13a and b for the application of activated carbon granules, the supply shaft 42a, the metering roller 52a and the chaff 68a are substantially vertical to one another, so that the activated charcoal granules are influenced by the influence of gravity the supply shaft 42a passes through the metering roller 52a in the chute 68a and can be spread on the guided through the chaff 68a filter tow.

On the other hand, only a further transport nozzle 134a is mounted on the second section 74b of the swivel body 74. Thus, the second portion 74b of the pivot body 74 serves as a substantially sole support for the further transport nozzle 134a, as shown in FIGS. 13b and c.

The swivel body 74 is pivotally mounted by 90 ° between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. The storage takes over a pivot joint 76, which is shown schematically in Figure 13b. The swivel joint 76 is seated in the connecting region between the two sections 74a, 74b of the swivel body 74 arranged at right angles to one another, wherein the swivel axis runs parallel to the transport direction of the filter tow strip 8a and thus to the line direction.

FIGS. 13a and b show the swivel body 74 in its first pivotal position, in which the chaff 68a and the transport nozzle 34a lie in the filter tow path leading to the filter tow 8a. In this first pivot position thus takes place the application of activated carbon granules. FIG. 13a schematically shows the filter tow 8a, which is provided with activated charcoal pellets in the direction of the transport nozzle 34a after emerging from the chaff 68a, which is indicated by black color in FIG. 13a.

By pivoting from the first pivot position according to FIGS. 13a and 13b to the second pivot position shown in FIG. 13c, the arrangement of stray shaft 68a and transport nozzle 34a is swung out of the filter tow guide section and instead takes place. of which the further transport nozzle 134a pivoted into the filter tow path. Thus, in the second pivoting position according to FIG. 13c, it is not possible to apply with activated carbon granulate, but instead the filter tow strip 8a is conducted directly to the transport nozzle 134a uninfluenced, as FIG. 13c further shows.

Accordingly, the swivel body 74 has two defined swivel positions, namely the first swivel position according to FIGS. 13a and b and the second swivel position according to FIG. 13c. The arrangement must of course be made so that lie in the first pivot position of the spreader 68a and downstream transport nozzle 34a in the (stationary) Filterertowführungsstrecke and in the second pivot position shown in Figure 13c, only the further transport nozzle 134a in the filter tow path. In order to ensure a locking of the pivoting body 74 in the first and the second pivot position, a corresponding locking device should be provided, which preferably has locking means for latching in the respective pivot position.

After all, the preferred tenth embodiment according to Figure 13 allows a change between so-called "black" strand with activated carbon granules and so-called "white" strand without activated carbon granules. In this context, it should be noted for the sake of completeness, that the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is intended only for one filter tow path and thus only affects one strand.

However, the change between "black" and white "strand can also be realized, for example, by complete replacement of the device 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose, the device 4 is to be provided between the devices 2 and 6 as a modular functional subassembly which can be easily exchanged, as can be seen schematically from FIG. 14, in which a preferred eleventh embodiment is shown. While a common base frame of the entire machine or system is not shown in the figures, the device 4 can be detached from such a base frame and replaced with the aid of a conveyor 77 shown schematically in FIG. 14b.

Figure 15 shows a preferred twelfth embodiment, which differs from the embodiment of Figure 9 essentially in that instead of at the output of

Supply shafts arranged metering slides between the metering rollers 52a,

52b and the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b leading filter tow paths Metering plates 78 are arranged which influence the effective width of the active granulate mass flow guided by the respective metering roller 52a, 52b to the filter tow strip 8a or 8b associated therewith and thus the amount of activated carbon granulate 70 to be applied. In the embodiment shown in Figure 15 two Dosierbleche 78 are arranged in the middle between the two activated carbon granulate streams and thus between the two strands and stored so movable that, if necessary, the left metering plate 78 in the coming from the left feed section 40a left Aktivkohlegranulatstrom and the right dosing plate 78 can move into the right activated carbon granulate stream coming from the right feeding section 40b. The movement of the two metering plates 78 preferably takes place independently of one another. For this purpose, independently operating drives are provided, which are controlled independently of each other by the aforementioned control device. The drives are not shown in FIG. The movement of the two metering plates 78 can take place transversely to the direction of movement of the granular mass flow, as indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 15; For this purpose, the drives are to be provided as linear drives. In this context, it is also conceivable, for example, to connect the two inclined arranged metering plates 78 to a common unit, which is subjected to a corresponding linear movement. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also conceivable to pivotally mount the two metering plates 78 and, for example, to hang them together on a hinge, wherein the pivot axis should extend substantially at approximately right angles to the viewing plane of FIG. 15; For this purpose, the drives are then to be provided as part-turn actuators. In this embodiment, therefore, the metering plates 78 act as baffles.

Excess activated carbon granules collected by the metering plates 78 are returned by means of return lines into a storage container (not shown in FIG. 15) of the associated supply section 40a or 40b. With regard to the construction and function of the return line 64, reference is made to the description of the preferred fourth embodiment shown in FIG. Unlike in the embodiment of FIG. 7, in the embodiment of FIG. 15, a return line 64 is provided for each strand, wherein only one inlet-side end of the return lines 64 of FIG. 15 can be seen in cross-section, which is used to receive trapped by the respective dosing plate 78 Granules has an upwardly open trough shape. Figure 16 shows a preferred thirteenth embodiment in which the metering device 50 in addition to the metering roller 52a for a strand also has an adjusting mechanism 80 for selectively reducing the width of a filter tow 8a. The adjusting mechanism 80 according to FIG. 16 has two guide plates which rest against the side edges of the filter tow strip 8a and are movable transversely to its longitudinal extent, namely between a maximum distance C _max corresponding to the full width of the filter _{tow strip} 8a in the extended state and a minimum distance C _min in which the effective width of the filter tow strip 8a is correspondingly reduced. For this adjusting mechanism 80, an unillustrated drive is provided, which is controlled by the aforementioned control device accordingly. In this embodiment, preferably the activated carbon granules are always sprinkled in the same amount at full width by the metering roller 52a. The full width corresponding to the maximum distance C _max means maximum loading of the filter tow 8a with activated carbon granules 70. By reducing the effective width of the filter tow 8a optionally up to the minimum distance C _min , however, correspondingly less activated carbon _granules are taken. Thus, the adjusting mechanism 80 affects the amount of activated carbon granules applied. The excess activated charcoal granulate is thereby returned to the process, for which purpose, for example, a return device according to the return lines shown in FIGS. 7 and 15 is to be provided.

FIG. 17 shows a preferred fourteenth embodiment based on a strand, which differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 9 in that the metering slide 66 is arranged between the metering roller 52a and the associated filter tow path and thus the filter tow 8a guided therefrom, one upwards to the metering roller 52a has open trough shape and is connected to a return line 64. The metering slide 66 is according to double arrow X transversely to the longitudinal extent and transport direction of the filter tow strip 8a and thus movable transversely to the strand direction. With regard to the construction and function of the return line 64, reference is made to the description of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 15.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 17, the metering roller 52a preferably conveys a constant flow of activated charcoal granulate. By changing the position of the metering slide 66 can then regulate the amount of activated carbon granules 70, which is strewn on the filter tow 8a. The portion of the active substance collected by the metering slide 66 amount of carbon granules is recycled through the return line 64 and thus can be recycled to the process.

FIG. 18 shows a preferred fifteenth embodiment, which differs from the preferred third embodiment according to FIG. 6 essentially in that movable dividing walls 82, 84 are provided between the supply shafts 44aa, 44ab, 44ac, which are transverse to the longitudinal direction and transport direction of the filter tow strip 8a and 8b thus are mounted displaceably transversely to the strand direction. To move the partitions 82, 84 corresponding drives are provided, which are not shown in Figure 18 and are controlled by the aforementioned control device. By this arrangement, different grades and qualities of at least one additive can be made available and fed to the metering roller 52a at the same time. The width of the individual supply shafts 44aa, 44ab, 44ac to be set by the adjustable partitions 82, 84 depends on the desired mixing ratio. The wider a supply shaft is adjusted, the higher is the respective proportion of the additive supplied by this supply shaft in the metering roller 52a and subsequently in the filter tow 8a.

FIG. 19 shows a preferred sixteenth embodiment, which differs from the preferred sixth embodiment according to FIG. 9 in that a metering roller is missing and the metering device 50 essentially has only one metering slide 66 associated with the feed section 40a. With regard to the arrangement and function of the metering slide, reference is made to the description of the preferred sixth embodiment shown in FIG. Below the metering slide 66 seated at the outlet of the supply shaft 44a, there is a baffle plate 86, which is coupled to a weighing device 88, which preferably has a weighing cell. The baffle plate 86 is inclined obliquely downwards and ends directly at the head of a Schüttelrinne 90, which is inclined in the direction of the filter tow line 8a leading Filterertowführungsstrecke obliquely downwards, as Figure 19 reveals. In this embodiment, the dosage of the activated carbon granules takes place substantially exclusively with the aid of the metering slide 66. After emerging from the supply shaft 44a falls below the metering slide 66, the activated carbon granules on the baffle plate 86, where using the weighing device 88, the exact weight of the activated carbon granules is determined. After transition from the baffle plate 86 to the vibrating channel 90, the activated carbon granules 70 in the vibrating channel 90 are made uniform to a substantially constant mass flow and conveyed to the filter tow 8a. Figure 20 shows a preferred seventeenth embodiment, which differs from the preferred sixteenth embodiment according to Figure 19 in that instead of a baffle plate and a weighing device a metering screw 92 is installed, which ensures a substantially defined feed of activated carbon granules. Incidentally, this embodiment works similarly to the preferred sixteenth embodiment shown in FIG. Thus, in the preferred seventeenth embodiment with the aid of the vibrating chute 90, the activated carbon granules are warped to a substantially constant mass flow and introduced into the filter tow 8a.

For the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 contain only one feed section 40a, are thus provided only for one filter tow path and therefore only relate to one strand.

FIG. 21 shows a further detail of the device 4 in the region of the deflection rollers 30a, 30b and 32a, 32b according to a preferred eighteenth embodiment. The special feature of this embodiment is that the filter tow strips 8a, 8b are deflected from an approximately horizontally oriented and at the same time substantially superimposed arrangement initially via two lower deflection rollers 30a, 30b in an approximately vertically oriented and at the same time divergent orientation. In order to achieve this divergent orientation, the two lower deflection rollers 30a, 30b, which lie in an approximately horizontal direction one behind the other, are inclined relative to one another, as shown in FIG. 21a. For this purpose, the oblique position of the axes of rotation of the two lower deflection rollers 30a, 30b granted such that deflected by these in an approximately vertical direction sections of the two filter tow strips 8a, 8b in an approximately adjacent arrangement of two adjacent upper Umlenkrol- len 32a, 32b end, at which the filter tow strips 8a, 8b are deflected into an approximately horizontally oriented and further adjacent arrangement, and then downstream of these below the metering rollers 52a, 52b sprinkled with activated carbon granules. As can be seen in particular Figures 21a and c, and the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b are mutually correspondingly inclined, in such a way that by the inclination of both the lower guide rollers 30a, 30b and the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b in the filter tow 8a , 8b over the entire width of a substantially uniform tensile stress prevails. In addition, the inclination of the two upper guide rollers 32a, 32b can be selected such that the filter tow strips 8a, 8b after deflection by the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b be merged again, as can be seen in particular Figure 21c, without unilateral tensile stresses occur. In this way, further merging of the filter tow paths and thus of the filter tow strips 8a, 8b guided by them is simplified.

Figure 22 shows the same portion of the device 4 as Figure 21, but according to a preferred nineteenth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the preferred eighteenth embodiment according to FIG. 21 in that the lower deflecting rollers 30a, 30b located one behind the other in the horizontal direction are not inclined but lie parallel to one another. A further difference from the preferred eighteenth embodiment according to FIG. 21 is that, after the filter tow strips 8a, 8b have been deflected by the lower deflection rollers 30a, 30b from a substantially horizontally oriented and superimposed arrangement in the vertical direction, the filter tow strips 8a, 8b are rotated about their longitudinal axis or be twisted before they are deflected around the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b in an approximately horizontally oriented and at the same time adjacent arrangement. As can be seen in particular Figure 22a, the twist or twist angle is about 90 °. Thus, the arrangement of the two juxtaposed upper deflection rollers 32a, 32b is aligned approximately transversely to the lower deflection rollers 30a, 30b. Similar to the preferred eighteenth embodiment according to FIG. 21, in this embodiment as well, the upper deflection rollers 32a, 32b are set slightly inclined in order to bring the filter tow strips 8a, 8b back together somewhat, as FIG. 22c shows, without undesirably one-sided tensile stresses occur. Rather, in this embodiment, the inclination of the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b chosen so that in the filter tow strips 8a, 8b over the entire width of a substantially uniform tensile stress is achieved. Further, by the inclination of the upper guide rollers 32a, 32b further merging of the filter tow strips 8a, 8b simplified. As shown particularly schematically in FIG. 22b, after being deflected by the upper deflection rollers 32a, 32b, the filter towers pass below the metering device 50 past the latter in order to be loaded there with activated charcoal granulate and subsequently each into an inlet finger, wherein in FIG. 22b only the one inlet finger 36a is shown recognizable for the filter tow 8a.

By promoting the process air in a circuit, the air consumption of the device can be minimized. For this purpose, Figure 23 shows a preferred twentieth embodiment, in which the process air through a suction pipe 94 at the exit of the inlet finger 36a with Assistance sucked by a blower 96 and passed through another line 98 back into the transport nozzle 34a, in which the filter tow 8a enters. With this device can not only achieve a reduction in air consumption, but also avoid contamination of the ambient air.

The aforementioned embodiments have been described in connection with the feeding of activated carbon granulate into filter tows. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to use the embodiments described above in general for the feeding of any type of granular or pulverulent additives.

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for processing at least two filter tows (8a, 8b), with at least two filter tow lines of the tobacco processing industry, along each of which a filter tow line (8a, 8b) is guided, and a supply device (40) for supplying at least one granular or pulverulent additive to the filter tow paths for feeding into the filter tows (8a, 8b), characterized in that the supply means (40) at least two supply sections (40a, 40b), each of which at least one feed section (eg 40a) of a filter tow path (eg 8a), and a metering device (50) is provided for metering the amount of the additive (70) supplied via the supply device (40) and delivery to the associated filter tow path.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering device (50) has at least two dosing means (52a, 52b), of which in each case a dosing of a filter tow path is associated.

3. Device according to 1 or 2, characterized in that the metering device (50) has at least one metering means (52), which is associated with at least two filter tow paths together.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by a control device for controlling the metering device and thus the amount of additive to be dispensed.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device has at least one sensor device, which is preferably designed to operate optically and / or using infrared light and / or microwaves and / or to measure the electrical conductivity of the additive.

6. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device (50) has at least one metering roller (52; 52a, 52b).

7. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one dosing means comprises at least one metering roller (52; 52a, 52b).

8. Device according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the metering roller (52) over the at least two filter towführungsstrecken, preferably extends approximately in the transverse direction.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 and according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by at least one drive device which drives the at least one metering roller (52; 52a, 52b) and is controlled by the regulating device.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive device has at least two drives, each of which drives a metering roller and is controlled separately from the control device.

11. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that at least one metering roller (52; 52a, 52b) is designed as a grooved roller.

12. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply section each have at least one memory (42a, 42b) for temporarily storing at least one additive.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that at least two memories (42aa, 42ab, 42ac) are jointly assigned to a filter tow path.

14. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply sections (40a, 40b) each have at least one leading to the metering shaft (44a, 44b).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that at the output of at least one memory (42a, 42b) leading to the metering shaft (44a, 44b) is arranged.

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that two adjacent adjacent shafts (44aa, 44ab; 44ab, 44ac) are separated from one another by a dividing wall (82; 84) which serves to change the volume ratio between these two shafts in their Position is arranged variable.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the two adjacent shafts (44aa, 44ab; 44ab, 44ac) lie at an angle, preferably approximately transversely, to the transport direction of the filter towpath (s) adjacent to one another.

18. Device according to at least one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the dividing wall (82; 84) is displaceably mounted transversely to the transport direction of the associated filter tow guide path.

19. The device according to at least one of claims 14 to 18, characterized by closure means (60) for closing the at least one shaft (44a, 44b).

20. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by arranged between the tow guide separating means (56).

21. Device according to claims 2 and 20, characterized in that the separating means (56) between the dosing means (52 a, 52 b) are arranged.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the separating means (56) have partitions or dividers.

23. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two supply sections (42aa, 42ab, 42ac) are jointly assigned to a filter tow path, the metering device (50) between the at least two supply sections (42aa, 42ab, 42ac) on the one hand and the filter tow path on the other hand is provided and between the output of the metering device (50) and the Towführungsstrecke a mixing chamber (62) is provided.

24. Device according to claims 2 and 23, characterized in that a common dosing (52a) between the at least two supply sections (42aa, 42ab, 42ac) on the one hand and the filter tow path provided on the other hand and between the output of the dosing (52a) and the tow guide path the mixing chamber (62) is arranged.

25. Device according to claim at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a feedback device (64) for returning excess additive from at least one filter tow path to at least one of the supply sections (42ac).

26. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device has at least one movable in at least one filter tow path movable metering slide (66).

27. Device according to claims 25 and 26, characterized in that the metering slide (66) is connected to the return device (66), so that a portion of the additive trapped by the metering slide (66) can be returned by the return device (66).

28. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the at least one dosing means comprises at least one metering slide (66).

29. The device according to at least one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the regulating device is designed to control the position of the metering slide (66).

30. Device according to claims 6 and 29, characterized in that the at least one metering roller (52 a, 52 b) can be driven substantially at a constant speed.

31. The device according to claim 12 and at least one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that at the output of at least one memory a metering slide is arranged.

32. Apparatus according to claim 14 and _. at least one of claims 26 to 31, characterized in that at least one metering slide (66) in at least one slot (44a, 44b) is arranged to be movable.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the at least one metering slide (66) at the output of at least one shaft (44a, 44b) is arranged.

34. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a deflection device (32) for deflecting the filter tow guide sections into a substantially superposed arrangement.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the deflection device (32) has at least one deflection roller.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the superimposed sections of the tow guide sections are offset from each other.

37. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device (50) for dispensing the additive (70) in strip-shaped sections on a Filtertowstrang (8a) is formed, wherein the strip-shaped sections at an angle smaller than 90 ° opposite the movement direction of the filter tow strand (8a) are arranged.

38. Device according to claims 6 and 37, characterized in that at least one metering roller (52a) is arranged with its axis of rotation at an angle smaller than 90 ° with respect to the direction of movement of the filter tow line (8a).

39. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the metering device (50) located portion of at least one filter tow path is formed so that the guided by this filter tow line (8a, 8b) assumes a substantially strip shape and in one Plane lying opposite to the direction in which the metering device (50) delivers the additive to the filter tow line (8a, 8b) is inclined about the longitudinal axis in which the filter tow line (8a, 8b) moves.

40. Device according to claims 6 and 39, characterized in that the plane opposite the axis of rotation (53) of the metering roller (52a, 52b) is inclined by an angle which is greater than 0 ° and smaller than 90 °.

41. Apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, characterized in that in the region of the metering device (50) located portion of at least two adjacent filter tow paths is formed so that there the portions of the filter tows (8a, 8b) are arranged obliquely to each other and their Additive from the metering device (50) receiving sides facing each other or are opposite.

42. The device according to at least one of claims 37 to 41, characterized by an adjusting device for selectively adjusting the relative orientation between the in the region of the metering device (50) located portion of the filter tow paths and the metering device (50).

43. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (74, 76) for moving the metering device (50) between a working position in which the metering device (50) gives off additive, and a blocking position in which the delivery of additive Is blocked.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that the means for moving a between the working position and the locking position has a rotatably mounted rotary body (74b) on which the metering device (50) is arranged.

45. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (4) can be arranged as a replaceable module between a filter tow manufacturing device (2) and a filter tow strand forming device (6).

46. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing device (50) has at least one dosing means (78) which is designed to reduce the width of the mass flow of at least one additive (70) supplied by at least one feed section (40a; ) to influence.

47. Apparatus according to claims 25 and 46, characterized in that the at least one dosing means is coupled to the return means (64).

48. Apparatus according to claim 46 or 47, characterized in that the at least one dosing means has a movably mounted guide plate (78).

49. Apparatus according to claim 4 and according to at least one of claims 46 to 48, characterized in that the at least one dosing means (78) is controllable by the control device.

50. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device (50) has adjusting means (80) for changing the width of at least one filter tow line (8a).

51. Device according to claims 4 and 50, characterized in that the adjusting means (80) are controllable by the regulating device.

52. Apparatus according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that the adjusting means comprise at least one pair of spaced lateral guide means (80) which receive the filter tow line (8a) between them, in abutment with the side edges of this filter tow are and at an angle, preferably approximately at right angles, to the longitudinal extent of the filter tow strand (8a) are movable.

53. Apparatus according to claim 52, characterized in that the guide means in the longitudinal direction of the filter tow strand (8a) extending plate-shaped elements (80).

54. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device (50) has at least one leading to at least one filter tow path Schüttelrinne (90).

55. Device according to claims 2 and 54, characterized in that at least one dosing means has at least one vibrating channel (90).

56. Apparatus according to claim 4 and according to claim 54 or 55, characterized in that the control device has at least one weighing device (88) for determining the weight of the additive (70) and depending on the determined weight of the associated dosing (90) and thus the Amount of the dispensed additive (70) controls.

57. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device has at least one metering screw (92).

58. Device according to claims 2 and 57, characterized in that at least one dosing agent has at least one metering screw (92).

59. Apparatus according to claim 54 and also according to claim 57 or 58, characterized in that a vibrating chute (90) is arranged between a metering screw (92) and a filter tow guide path.

60. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a deflection device with first deflection means (30a, 30b) for deflecting at least two filter tow paths from a substantially superimposed arrangement in a mutually divergent orientation and with second deflection means (32a, 32b) for Deflection of filter towpaths the mutually divergent orientation in a substantially juxtaposed arrangement, wherein each of the first deflection means a deflection of a filter tow path and of the second deflection means is also assigned in each case a deflection of a Filtertowführungsstrecke.

61. Apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that the first deflection means (30a, 30b), viewed in the transport direction of the filter tow paths, substantially one behind the other, and the second deflection means (32a, 32b) are substantially adjacent.

62. Apparatus according to claim 61, characterized in that the first deflection means (30a, 30b) are mutually inclined.

63. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 59, characterized by a deflection device with first deflection means (30a, 30b) for deflecting at least two filter tow paths from a substantially superimposed arrangement in alignment with a greater distance from each other and with guide means (32a , 32b) for rotating the filter tow guide sections about the longitudinal axis extending in the transport direction into a substantially adjacent arrangement, one of the first deflection means each being associated with a deflection means of a filter tow path and the guide means also each having a guide means of a filter tow route.

64. Apparatus according to claim 63, characterized in that the first deflection means (30a, 30b) are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

65. Apparatus according to claim 63 or 64, characterized in that the guide means are second deflection means (32a, 32b).

66. The device according to at least one of claims 60 to 62 and 65, characterized in that the second deflection means (32a, 32b) are adapted to bring the deflected by these filter tow lines in a mutually converging orientation.

67. Apparatus according to claim 66, characterized in that the second deflection means (32b, 32b) is arranged inclined relative to one another.

68. Device according to at least one of claims 60 to 67, characterized in that the deflection means (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) are rollers.

69. Apparatus according to claim 68 and according to claim 62 or 67, characterized in that the rollers are arranged with their axes of rotation inclined to each other.

70. Device according to claims 64 and 68, characterized in that the first deflection means (30a, 30b) provided rollers are arranged with their axes of rotation substantially parallel to each other.