Abstract

A method of, and equipment for gathering fibres entrained a gas stream, for example by melt blowing, comprises an enclosure having an inlet, through which a gas stream carrying entrained fibres may be directed into the enclosure, a fibre outlet from which an assembly of gathered fibres may be withdrawn from the enclosure and an exhaust outlet through which gas may pass out of the enclosure. The enclosure is constructed to provide a pathway for the fibres from the inlet to the fibre outlet in which surplus gas in the gas stream is separated from the entrained fibres and directed to the exhaust outlet, thereby reducing turbulence in the fibres in the enclosure which may affect the quality of the finished assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokable material, which is smoked in use. The modular apparatus comprises a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article between two tobacco rods, a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts, a separator configured to separate a first group comprising a rod of smokable material and one of said parts from a second group comprising a rod of smokable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24C 5/39 - Tobacco feeding devices

Abstract

A modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use. The modular apparatus comprises a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article between two tobacco rods, a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts, a separator configured to separate a first group comprising a rod of smokeable material and one of said parts from a second group comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24C 5/39 - Tobacco feeding devices

Abstract

A method of, and equipment for gathering fibres (12) entrained a gas stream, for example by melt blowing, comprises an enclosure (50) having an inlet (57), through which a gas stream carrying entrained fibres (12) may be directed into the enclosure (50), a fibre outlet (58) from which an assembly of gathered fibres (12) may be withdrawn from the enclosure (50) and an exhaust outlet (41) through which gas may pass out of the enclosure (50). The enclosure (50) is constructed to provide a pathway for the fibres (12) from the inlet (57) to the fibre outlet (58) in which surplus gas in the gas stream is separated from the entrained fibres (12) and directed to the exhaust outlet (41), thereby reducing turbulence in the fibres (12) in the enclosure (50) which may affect the quality of the finished assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A method of, and equipment for gathering fibres (12) entrained a gas stream, for example by melt blowing, comprises an enclosure (50) having an inlet (57), through which a gas stream carrying entrained fibres (12) may be directed into the enclosure (50), a fibre outlet (58) from which an assembly of gathered fibres (12) may be withdrawn from the enclosure (50) and an exhaust outlet (41) through which gas may pass out of the enclosure (50). The enclosure (50) is constructed to provide a pathway for the fibres (12) from the inlet (57) to the fibre outlet (58) in which surplus gas in the gas stream is separated from the entrained fibres (12) and directed to the exhaust outlet (41), thereby reducing turbulence in the fibres (12) in the enclosure (50) which may affect the quality of the finished assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/18 - Forming the rod
• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

The present application relates to a smoking article assembly machine. The smoking article assembly machine has a web of tipping paper conveying path. The smoking article assembly machine also has a mechanical cutter (70) configured to perform a cutting action to form a pattern (5) including a line (6) having a dimension of at least5mm on a web (11) of tipping paper (4) passing along the web of tipping paper conveying path, and a web severing device (60) configured to sever the web (11) of tipping paper (4) into segments for wrapping smoking articles. The present application also relates to a method of making a smoking article.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a tipping paper suction drum (10) adapted to receive a web (13) of tipping paper which is cut on the tipping paper suction drum to form successive patches (8) of tipping paper for wrapping smoking articles. The tipping paper suction drum is adapted to rotate at a speed greater than the speed at which the web of tipping paper is fed onto the tipping paper suction drum such that spaces are formed between the cut patches of tipping paper. A peripheral surface (14) of the tipping paper suction drum has suction holes (16) arranged to pull the leading portion of the web of tipping paper towards the surface of the tipping paper suction drum in the time between successive cuts.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces

Abstract

A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly comprises a plurality of modules and a plurality of respective interface units, and a controller to control said plurality of modules via said interface units. The modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokable material, which is smoked in use.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24C 5/10 - Machines with wrapping rollers

Abstract

A smoking article assembly apparatus is disclosed. It comprises a first cutting station configured to cut a filter rod into filter segments, a tipping station configured to join the filter segments to tobacco rods so as to form a smoking article assembly, and a second cutting station configured to cut the smoking article assembly in the region of the filter segments so as to form two smoking articles.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces

Abstract

Rolling Drum Assembly for use in Smoking Article Manufacture The rolling drum assembly has a rolling drum (4) with a peripheral surface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles (1, 2) and a tipping paper patch (3). The rolling drum assembly also has a roll hand (9) adapted to roll the collation of rod articles (1, 2) between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum (4) and the roll hand (9) such that the tipping paper patch (3) is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoldng article. The rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping paper patch (3) at least twice around the collation of rod articles (1, 2).

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces

Abstract

A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly comprises a plurality of modules and a plurality of respective interface units, and a controller to control said plurality of modules via said interface units. The modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24C 5/10 - Machines with wrapping rollers

Abstract

b) comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article (35) between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24C 5/39 - Tobacco feeding devices

Abstract

A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly comprises a plurality of modules and a plurality of respective interface units, and a controller to control said plurality of modules via said interface units. The modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/00 - Making cigarettesMaking tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes

Abstract

A modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use. The modular apparatus comprises a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article (33) between two tobacco rods (32a, 32b), a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts (33a, 33b), a separator configured to separate a first group (34a) comprising a rod of smokeable material and one of said parts from a second group (34b) comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article (35) between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use. The modular apparatus comprises a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article between two tobacco rods, a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts, a separator configured to separate a first group comprising a rod of smokeable material and one of said parts from a second group comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokeable material, which is smoked in use. The modular apparatus comprises a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article (33) between two tobacco rods (32a, 32b), a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts (33a, 33b), a separator configured to separate a first group (34a) comprising a rod of smokeable material and one of said parts from a second group (34b) comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts and a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article (35) between the first and second groups.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A feed mechanism (1) to feed objects for insertion into tobacco industry products comprises a rotary member for receiving objects, the rotary member (4) having a plurality of channels (9), each channel (9) being adapted so that in use objects assemble in a row in the channel (9) which rotates with the rotary member (4), each channel (9) having an outlet (13) for dispensing an object from the channel (9); and a pneumatic mechanism (5) configured to hold an object in a row prior to the object being dispensed.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

A smoking article (10) comprising a first part (13) configured to be movable relative to a second part (11) of the smoking article. The first part (13) having a first engaging surface (31). The second part (11) having a second engaging surface (32), the second engaging surface engagable with the first engaging surface (31) to limit relative longitudinal movement between the first and second parts. The first engaging surface (31) and/or second engaging surface (32) is preferably formed on a folded over portion of sheet material..

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/04 - Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
• A24C 5/47 - Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces

Abstract

A flow control device 4 for a smoking article comprises a body having first and second longitudinally arranged body portions 7, 10 rotatable relative to one another between a first position and a second position. The first 7 and second 10 body portions are configured to define a first smoke flow path through the device 4 in the first position and a second smoke flow path through the device 4 in the second position and to cause an adjustment to the direction of smoke flow upon rotation from the first position to the second position, thereby to allow smoke to pass through the second smoke flow path.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/04 - Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure

Abstract

A fluid release mechanism for a smoking article comprises two longitudinally arranged parts (2,3), rotatable relative to one another from a first to a second position, a space to receive a fluid- containing member (4,5) and a contacting member (6,7) for contacting the fluid containing member in the second position, wherein the contacting member is arranged so that rotating from the first position to the second position causes relative angular movement between the contacting member and said space which causes the contacting member to enter the space for contacting and rupturing the fluid- containing member, thereby to release fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/04 - Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure

Abstract

A smoking article such as a filter cigarette includes a rotary flow control device (2) in its filter assembly that comprises first, second and third body portions (3, 4, 5). The first body portion (1) contains a plug (6) of filter material and is attached to a tobacco rod (1). The second portion (4) contains different smoke flavourants in different sectors (18), which can be aligned by manual rotation individually with a smoke flow passageway (13, 35) to impart different flavours to the smoke that passes to the mouth of the consumer. The second body portion (4) is rotated through the agency of the third body portion (5). First and second ratchet mechanisms (14,19; 20, 24) are disposed between the second body portion (4) and the first and third body portions respectively to allow assured rotation of the second portion to select individual flavourants for the smoke passing to the consumer.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/04 - Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure

Abstract

A machine for making filter rods for use in the manufacture of smoking articles comprises a garniture configured to receive filter plug material and filter wrapping material and to form a wrapped elongate filter rod, the garniture comprising a tongue; the maker further comprises a rotatable object-transport member arranged to receive objects from an object store and to deliver said objects directly into the tongue such that the objects are inserted into filter plug material passing through the tongue and a cutter configured to cut the elongate filter rod, thereby forming filter rod segments having one or more objects therein.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24D 3/02 - Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Abstract

An applicator operable to apply an additive to a smoking article wrapping material comprises a conveyance mechanism for conveying the wrapping material along a path and an inlet to receive a gaseous flow for entraining additive, the applicator being configured such that in use, additive entrained in the gaseous flow is caused to be diverted towards the wrapping material.

IPC Classes  ?

• A24C 5/00 - Making cigarettesMaking tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
• B05B 5/14 - Plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects specially adapted for coating continuously moving elongated bodies, e.g. wires, strips, pipes