CA2285141A1 - Apparatus for making filter cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

Groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces, for example, cigarettes and mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines, carry adhesive-coated uniting bands at the time of entry into a channel between the peripheral rolling surface of a rotary drum and the complementary rolling surface of a stationary rolling member. The uniting bands are convoluted around portions of or around the entire mouthpieces and around the neighboring portions of the respective cigarette or cigarettes. At least a portion of the one and/or the other rolling surface is grooved and/or otherwise roughened to ensure a more predictable rolling of groups in the channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
This application claims the priority of German patent application Serial No. 198 47 336.2 filed October 14, 1998. The disclosure of the German patent application, as well as that of each US and foreign patent and patent application mentioned in the specification of the present application, is incorporated herein by reference.

BACRGRODND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for connecting rod-shaped commodities end-to-end, and more particularly to improvements in apparatus which can be utilized with advantage as filter tipping machines wherein succesive groups or arrays each consisting of two or more rod-shaped smokers' products are joined end-to-end by so-called uniting bands, such as adb.esive-coated pieces or patches of cigarette paper, artificial cork or other forms or types of so-called tipping paper.
It is well known to make filter cigarettes of unit length by placing a plain cigarette of unit length I
end-to-end with a filter mouthpiece of unit length and by thereupon connecting the two rod-shaped articles to each other by means of a uniting band which is convoluted around a portion of or around the entire filter mouthpiece as well as around the adjacent end portion of the plain cigarette. Pairs of filter ciga rettes of unit length can be produced by placing a filter mouthpiece of double unit length between two plain cigarettes of unit length, by draping an adhesive-coated uniting band around the entire mouthpiece and around tb.e neighboring end portions of the two plain cigarettes, and by thereupon severing the resulting filter cigarette of double unit length midway across the tubular wrapper, i.e., midway across the converted uniting band.
Similar or identical procedures and apparatus can be resorted to far the making of filter cigars, cigarillos or other types of filter tipped smokers' products.
The making of filter cigarettes having an elliptical cross-sectional outline (i.e., of th.e so-called oval cigarettes) is analogous, except that the apparatus or units for draping uniting bands around groups of neighboring oval plain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines are somewhat more complex because th.e draping unit of such filter tipping machine must cause the elongated oval cigarettes and the aligned oval filter mouthpieces to roll about their respective longitudinal axes by resorting to a more complex wrapping or rolling mechan-ism. Reference may be had to published German patent application Serial No. 195 07 395 A and to the corres-ponding U.S. patent No. 5,632,285 granted May 27, 1997 to ~~Dah.lgrtin for "APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTER TIPPED
SMOKERS' PRODUCTS HAVING A NON-CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTI-ONAL OUTLINE".
The ' 285 patent to Dahlgrtln discloses a filter tipping machine wherein successive groups or arrays of plain oval cigarettes and oval filter mouthpieces are admitted into an arcuate rolling channel between the peripheral surface (first rolling surface) of a rotary drum-shaped first rolling member and a second rolling surface provided on a stationary or mobile second rolling member. A stationary strip- or rail-shaped device is provided at the inlet of the rolling channel to ensure or to render it more likely that all constituents of the arrays or groups entering the roll-ing channel by moving sideways are compelled to begin to turn about their own axes simultaneously and immediately upon entering the inlet of the rolling chan-nel. This ensures, among other advantages, that each uniting band is more reliably convoluted around the abutting ends of rod-shaped commodities (oval cigarettes and oval filter mouthpieces) during travel of successive groups or arrays through a relatively short rolling channel. In most instances, a filter tipping machine is designed to make succesive pairs of filter cigarettes by assembling rod-shaped groups or arrays in each of which a filter mouthpiece of double unit length is placed between and is connected, end-to-end, with the neighboring end portions of two plain cigarettes (oval or cylindrical) of unit length.

The purpose of the aforementioned stationary strip- or rail-shaped device (which may but need not be affixed to the second rolling member) is to consi-derably enhance the likelihood of the establishment of a properly configurated (eye-pleasing) and at least substantially impervious seal between the abutting filter mouthpiece and plain cigarette or cigarettes.
This is accomplished by the aforementioned expedient that the strip- or rail-shaped device ensures that the rolling of all constituents of each group or array entering the rolling channel begins at the same time.
In accordance with. a prior proposal which is disclosed in German patent No. 25 04 772 C3 and in the corresponding U.S. patent No. 4,023,577 granted May 17, 1977 to Preston et al. for "MANUFACTURE OF CIGA-RETTES", it is proposed to reduce the pressure upon cigarettes in a rolling channel by engaging the external surfaces of the cigarettes by a toothed member which. is located at the inlet of the channel. Such toothed member is further intended to ensure that an article entering the channel will be compelled to roll during advancement toward the outlet of the channel.
This proposal failed to gain acceptance in the making of filter cigarettes and the like.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus which is even more reliable than the pa-tented apparatus of Dahlgrtin, particularly as concerns the treatment of the rod-shaped constituents and the adhesive-coated uniting bands) of a g.rx~xtp durinq and immediately subsequent to entry into the rolling ch.an-nel.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, such as a filter tipping machine, which is particularly suited for predictable making of short or long series of eye-pleasing and properly assembled oval cigarettes.
A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for controlling the movements of successive groups or arrays of coaxial rod-shaped constituents and one or more uniting bands in the region of the aforediscussed strip-or rail-shaped rotation initiating and synchronizing device at the inlet of the rolling channel in apparatus of the type disclosed in the '285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of making high-quality oval filter cigarettes.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-vide an apparatus which can be installed in, and/or can form part of, new filter tipping machines as well as in existing filter tipping machines for all kinds of filter-tipped smokers' products including oval cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and the like.
A further object of the invention is to construct, assemble, configurate and finish various group-contacting constituents of a filter tipping machine in such a way that their influence upon the movements and/or other parameters of groups or arrays of rod-shaped articles in a filter tipping or an analogous machine does not change, or does not change appreciably, in response to wear on continuous extensive use of a filter tipping or an analogous ma chine.
Another object of th.e invention is to provide an apparatus, such as a filter tipping machine, which can turn out high-quality products (such as filter tipped cigarettes having an elliptical cross-sectional outline) at a rate required in a modern high-speed pro-duction line.
An additional object of the invention is to pro-vide a novel and improved method of finishing the pro-duct-contacting surface or surfaces of one or more con-stituents of the above outlined apparatus in such. a _ g way that, where and/or when required, the surface or surfaces cannot slip relative to the product or products and vice versa.
Still another object of the invention is to pro s vide rod-shaped products which. are produced in accordance with the method and/or in the apparatus of the present invention.
_ g _ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is embodied in an apparatus which can be utilized to connect to each other elongated at least substantially rod-sb.aped commodities of groups of axially aligned commodities having neighboring end portions wb.ich are connectable to each other by adhesive-coated (adherent) uniting bands to be convoluted around the neighboring end portions. The improved apparatus comprises a mobile rolling member having a first rolling surface, and a second rolling member having a second rolling surface which defines with the first rolling surface a rolling channel. The mobile rolling member is arranged to advance successive groups of a series of groups into and along the rolling channel with attendant rolling of uniting bands around the neighboring end portions of the respective commodi-ties and, in accordance with. an advantageous feature of tb.e invention, at least a portion of at least one of the rolling surfaces is roughened.
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, tb.e aforementioned potion of the at least one rolling surface is or can be roughened by resorting to a suitable standard chasing tool.
The aforementioned portion of the at least one rolling surface can be rougb.ened by providing it with crossing grooves. Such grooves can include a first set of at least substantially parallel grooves and a second set of substantially parallel grooves which are inclined relative to the grooves of the first set. At least some of the grooves can be inclined relative to the longitudinal extensions of the elongated commodities in the rolling channel. For example, th.e grooves can include a first set of grooves which are at least substantially parallel to th.e longitudinal extensions of commodities in the rolling channel, and at least one second set of grooves which are inclined relative to the longitudinal extensions of commodities in the rolling channel. The grooves of the second set can be at least substantially normal to the longitudinal extensions of commodities in the rolling channel.
The crossing grooves can be dimensioned, distributed and oriented in such a way that they together form a network of grooves covering at least the aforementioned portion of the at least one rolling surface. In their entirety, the grooves of the network of grooves in the at Least one rolling surface can define in such rolling surface a plurality of raised portions having minute top lands.
The mobile rolling member can include or consti-tute a rotary drum or an analogous conveyor having a peripheral surface including or constituting the at least rolling surface.
The second rolling surface is or can be stationary.
Furthermore, at least a portion of each of the rolling surfaces can be roughened.
Th.e commodities of each group can have a substantially elliptical cross-sectional outline, and the rolling surfaces can be designed to roil adhesive-coated uniting bands around such groups having substantially elliptical cross-sectional outlines. At least one of the rolling surfaces can have an undulate profile, particularly if the commodities have at least substantially elliptical or oval cross-sectional out-lines.
The improved apparatus can further comprise a group-contacting device which is disposed at the inlet of the rolling channel and includes a first portion arranged to induce simultaneous rolling - relative to the rolling surfaces - of all commodities of successive groups being advanced toward the inlet of the rolling channel. The group-contacting device can further com-prise a second portion which is arranged to guide suc-cessive groups from th.e first portion of the device into or toward the inlet of the channel. Each. group of aligned commodities can comprise at least one rod-shaped smokers' product (such as a plain cigarette), at least one filter mouthpiece for tobacco smoke having an end portion sdjacent an end portion of the smokers' product, and at least one uniting band adhering at least to the end portion of the at least one filter mouthpiece and to the end portion of the smokers' product.
The second portion of th.e group-contacting device can be provided with an at least substantially uninterrupted guide surface for successive groups advancing beyond the first portion of the device. The second portion of the group-contacting device can be provided with an at least partially arcuate Quide surface for successive groups advancing beyond the first portion of the device. Such guide surface can be roughened, e.g., grooved.
The first portion of the group-contacting device can have a toothed or otherwise configurated (such as substantially undulate) group-contacting part.
The grooves of the aforementioned portion of the at least one rolling surface can have a depth of between about 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm, for example, a depth of about 0.5 mm.

An important advantage of the aforediscussed roughened rolling surface or surfaces is that the two rolling members can ensure predictable rolling of the uniting band or bands about selected portions of the groups of axially aligned commodities (such as plain cigarettes having a circular or elliptical cross-secti-onal outline and filter mouthpieces of unit length or multiple unit length and having a circular or ellip-tical cross-sectional outline} without undue compression of such commodities. This will be readily appreciated since the roughened rolling surface or surfaces is or are less likely to slide relative to the external surfaces of th.e rod-shaped commodities (and/or vice versa) than a smooth surface.
It has been ascertained that roughening of one or more rolling surfaces is of particular advantage if the rod-shaped commodities have elliptical cross-sectional outlines. Furthermore, it has been ascertained that the absence of need of the application of prononced pressure upon the commodities in the rolling channel reduces the likelihood of excessive softening of the filter cigarettes or other filter tipped rod-shaped smokers' products. Still further, the treatment in the rolling channel reduces the likelihood of damage to the rather sensitive cigarette paper if the rolling surfaces are grooved and/or otherwise roughened. Also, the seams where the marginal ,portions of the wrappers of plain cigarettes and/or filter mouthpieces overlap are less likely to burst open during advancement of the respective commodities in the rolling channel if at least a portion of the rolling surface of at least one of the rolling members is roughened in the above outlined manner.
The novel features which. are considered as ch.a racteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in th.e appended claims. Th.e improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with. numerous addi tional important and advantageous features and attri bates thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain pre-sently preferred specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of the drawings in the '285 patent to Dahlgrfin and further shows one form of that portion of a group contacting device which forms part of the invention and controls the movements of successive groups of rod-shaped constituents at the inlet of the rolling channel-;
Fig. 2 is a larger-scale partly sectional view of a detail in the structure shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a smaller-scale perspective view of the two rolling members and of the group contacting device in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 3a is an expanded view of a portion of one presently preferred first rolling surface within the circle shown in th.e upper part of Fig. 3;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of that portion of the group-contacting device which i-s encircled in the lower part of Fig. 3 and embodies one form of tb.e invention; and ~ Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of a modified group-contacting device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREF'EItRED $NHODIN~NTS
That portion of a filter tipping machine which forms part of or constitutes one embodiment of the improved apparatus 30 is shown in Figs. 1-3 and 3a.
With the exception of a group guiding portion or guide 72a of a group-contacting device, which. latter further includes a strip- or rail-shaped portion 72, the apparatus 30 is or can be identical with or plainly analogous to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the '285 patent to Dahlgrtln. Such apparatus can receive successive groups 52 consisting of aligned (coaxial) rod-shaped constituents or components and at least one adhesive-coated uniting band 53 (only one shown in Fig.

2) from the corresponding part of the machine shown in Fig. 1 of the '285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
It is assumed that each group 52 comprises two coaxial plain oval cigarettes of unit length, an oval filter mouthpiece of double unit length between and abutting the two plain cigarettes, and an adhesive-coated sheet-like (non-convoluted) uniting band 53 in linear (tangential) contact with the entire filter mouthpiece as well as with the adjacent inner end portions of the plain cigarettes. It is clear that only one side of each sheet-like uniting band 53 is coated with a suitable adhesive.
_ 17 -When the wrapping operation is completed, the uniting band 53 is rolled around the filter mouthpiece of double unit length as well as around the neighboring end portions of the two plain cigarettes of the thus obtained oval filter cigarette 71 of double unit length; such converted uniting band then forms a tube having an oval cross-sectional outline and being ready to be severed midway between its ends, i.e., th.e filter cigarette 7i of double unit length is converted into a pair of oval filter cigarettes of unit length which are mirror images of one another because their mouthpieces or filter plugs (of unit length) are adjacent each other.
The apparatus 30 further comprises a mobile first rolling member 29 here shown as a drum driven by a suitable prime mover to rotate (see the arrow 63) about a preferably horizontal axis 69 and having an undulate peripheral (first) rolling surface 62 confronting and complementary to - an undulate concave second rolling surface 54 provided on a normally or preferably stationary second rolling member 31 of the apparatus 30.
The drum 29 comprises or constitutes a cylin-drical sleeve 56 which is provided with the aforemen-tinned first rolling surface 62 and is rotatable about a stationary shaft 57 constituting a stationary valuing member and serving to regulate the retention of successive groups 52 and their uniting bands 53 at the rolling surface 62 during transport of successive groups 52 toward the inlet (at 72) of an arcuate roll-ing channel 67 between the surfaces 54 and 62. The peripheral surface of the valuing member 57 has suit-ably distributed suction chambers 58 which are connected to a standard suction generating device (e. g., a pump, not shown), and the suction chambers 58 draw air from neighboring orbiting radially extend-ing suction ports 61 extending from t~rw internal surface to the rolling surface 62 of the sleeve 56.
The radially outer ends of the ports 61 attract groups 52 on their way toward the strip- or rail-shaped portion 72 of the composite group-contacting device 72, 72a of the apparatus 30. The radialiy outer ends of the suction ports 61 communicate with elongated receptacles ar flutes 59 which are provided in the rolling surface 62 and are parallel to the axis 69.
Such flutes receive portions of groups 52 during advancement of such groups toward the inlet of the rolling channel 67, i.e., into the range of the portion 72 of the group-contacting device 72, 72a.
The rolling member 31 is adjustable relative to the rolling surface 62 by a motor 66 (e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic double-acting cylinder and piston unit) by way of a suitable linkage 64 (e. g., a parallel motion). For example, the motor 66 will .be actuated to move the rolling member 31 away from the sleeve 56 in order to clean the rolling surface 54 and/or to remove groups 52 which are jammed in.the channel 67 and/or to remove remnants of damaged or destroyed groups 52 from the rolling channel. Furthermore, the motor 66 will be actuated to adjust the position of the rolling surface 54 relative to the rolling surface 62 in order to ensure an optimal rolling of uniting bands 53 on their way from the inlet to the outlet of the channel 67.
As can be seen in each of Figs . 1 to 3 ( and for the rolling surface 62 also in Fig. 3a), each of the rolling surfaces 54, 62 has an undulate shape such as is necessary to ensure reliable rolling of the uniting bands 53 around the rod-shaped constituents of the respective groups 52 when the groups are confined in and advance along the rolling channel 67 due to rotation of the sleeve 56 in the direction of the arrow 63 and also because those suction ports 6I which comma nicate with the channel 67 are sealed from the suction chambers 58. The configuration of the undulate rolling surfaces 54, 62, the distance of the rolling surface 54 from the axis 69, and the rotational speed of the sleeve 56 in the direction of the arrow 63 are such that successive groups 52 roll in the channel 67 with at least substantially uninterrupted and hence predictable and reliable guidance of the peripheral surfaces of the oval constituents of the groups so that th.e axes of the groups travel along an arcuate path 68 (indicated by dot-dash lines) having a center of curvature on the axis 69.
The just described mode of compelling the axes of the groups 52 to travel along the arcuate path 68 ensures that the center of gravity of the mass of each group also advances along a predetermined arcuate path (namely that denoted by the arcuate dot-dash line 68 or close thereto) even though the oval constituents of each group 52 turn about their common axis during advancement from the inlet (at 72, 72a) toward the outlet (at 54g) of the rolling channel 67. The result is that the quality of the filter cigarettes 71 of double unit length emerging from the channel 67 is highly satisfactory, i.e., the mutual axial as well as angular positions of all oval constituents are the same as during advancement (by suction) toward the inlet of the channel 67 (or even more accurate), and each uniting band 53 is converted into a tube having an elliptical cross-sectional outline and closely fol-lowing the adjacent portions of the external surface of the entire filter mouthpiece of double unit length as well as the adjacent end portions of the two plain cigarettes of unit length.
The strip- or rail-shaped portion 72 of the group-contacting device 72, 72a is dimensioned, confi-gurated and positioned with a view to ensure a highly i0 satisfactory start of rolling movement of all rod-shaped constituents of each of a short or long series of successive oncoming groups 52. The reasons for this are fully explained in the '285 patent to Dahlgr~in.
The portion 72 is located at the inlet of the channel 67, i.e., at the upstream end of the rolling surface 54. Actually, the portion 72 can be said to serve as a means for expelling the rod-shaped constituents of the oncoming groups 52 from their respective flutes 59 (in which the groups 52 were held by suction via ZO ports 61) and fox simultaneously setting all rod-shaped constituents of the oncoming groups into rotary (roll-ing) motion.
The lower of the two suction chambers 58 which are shown in Fig. 2 terminates (as seen in the direc tion of the arrow 63) radially inwardly of the portion 72 so that suction in such chamber 58 cannot interfere with the intended function of the portion 72. Such positioning of the portion 72 relative to the downstream end of the adjacent suction chamber 58 is desirable and advantageous because it contributes to gentle treatment of all parts of the groups 52.
The undulate shapes of tb.e rolling surfaces 54, 62 are selected in such a way that each thereof includes a series of successive identical sections.
Moreover, the number of identical sections (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, 54f, 54g} of the rolling surface ~ 54 is or can be selected in such a way that the rod-shaped constituents of each. group 52 advancing from the inlet to the outlet of the arcuate rolling channel 67 complete a full revolution or a whole multiple of a full revolution. The free ends of the lead lines for the reference characters 54a-54g paint to the apices of successive hills of the concave undulate rolling surface 54. A group 52 advancing in the channel 67 is compelled to complete several convolutions about the common axis of its rod-shaped constituents because each rolling between the apices of two consecutive hills (e. g., between those denoted by the characters 54a-54b, 54b-54c, etc.} involves an angular displace-ment through 180°. An advancement from 54a to 54e causes a group 52 to complete two full revolutions about the common axis of its rod-shaped constituents.
Each group 52 advancing in the channel 67 from 54a and all the way to 54g completes three full revolutions.
Repeated rolling of successive groups 52 on their way from the inlet and all the way to the outlet of the channel 67 reliably ensures predictable rolling of the entire uniting bands 56 around the adjacent filter mouthpieces and neighboring end portions of the respective pairs of oval cigarettes, i.e., the appear-ance of each .filter cigarette 71 is highly satisfactory and the quality of the connections between its filter mouthpiece and plain cigarettes is equally satisfac-tory. Moreover, a suction port 61 catches up with the finished filter cigarettte 71 of double unit length when it begins to communicate with the upper suction chamber 58 of Fig. 2 and while such cigarette 71 is in the adjacent flute 59 of the surface 62 so that the rotating sleeve 56 entrains successive filter cigarettes 71 to a transfer station, such as the transfer station between 29 and 32 in Fig. 1 of the '285 patent to Dahlgr$n, for advancement to a severing station (33, 34 in Fig. 1 of the '285 patent) where the filter cigarettes 71 of double unit length are halved to yield pairs of identical mirror symmetrical filter cigarettes of unit length. Further processing of such filter cigarettes of unit length is or can be the same as described with reference to Fig . 1 of th.e ' 285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
Fig. 3 shows the sleeve of the rolling member 29, the undulate peripheral rolling surface 62 of the sleeve, the rolling member 31 and its undulate rolling surface 54, the channel 67 between the rolling surfaces 54, 62, and th.e group-contacting device including the first portion 72 and a second portion 72a with a concave guide surface extending from the portion 72 toward the interior of the channel 67. More specific-ally, the guide surface of the portion 72a slopes from the port~.on 72, away from the rolling surface 62 and toward the section 54a of the rolling surface 54.
As shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, the rolling surface 62 is provided with two sets of shallow grooves or rifles. The grooves of one set are parallel to the axis 69 (i.e., to the axis of the sleeve 56 of the rolling member 29), and the grooves of the other set are parallel to each other and normal to the grooves of the one set. Thus, in the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 3a, the grooves of the other set extend at least substantially circumferentially of the sleeve 56 and are inclined relative to the axes of the rod-shaped . con-stituents of groups 52 in the channel 67 as well as relative to the axes of the rod-shaped constituents of the groups 52 being attracted into the flutes 59 of the rolling surface 62 by the suction. ports 61 on their way toward the inlet of the channel 67.
Tb,e illustrated sets of parallel or nearly parallel grooves can be formed by resorting to one or more suitable roughening or scratching implements, e.g., to chasing tools (not shown). Furthermore, the rolling surface 62 can be roughened by providing it with three or more sets of grooves, and the grooves of any given set may but need not be parallel to each other. Sets of parallel grooves are often preferred on the ground that they can be provided in the surface 62 by resorting to one or more relatively simple tools and i.n a time-saving manner. In their entirety, the two sets of grooves in the rolling surface 62 form a network which. covers (but need not always cove) th.e entire rolling surface and defines a relatively large number of raised portions or platforms having relatively small (and b.ereinafter referred to as minu-te) identical or differently dimensioned and/or configurated top lands or faces. An advantage of such design and/or finish of the rolling surface 62 is that it can reliably engage the external surface of a group 52, without causing any scoring or other optical or mechanical damage to the constituents of the group, with. the result that the rolling of the uniting bands 53 around the rod-shaped constituents of the respective groups 52 takes place in a highly predictable and reproducible fashion. In other words, the minute top faces or lands of the raised portions defined by the network or networks of crossing sets of grooves in the rolling surface 62 of the sleeve 56 prevent or minimize slippage of the components of the group 52 relative to th.e conveyor 29.
It has been found that the grooves can fulfill their intended purpose (particularly to prevent any slippage or excessive slippage of the groups 52 relative to the sleeve 56) even if they are rather shallow or very shallow. A satisfactory depth is between about 0.3 and 1.2 mm, especially about 0.5 mm.
It was further ascertained that th.e grooves in the rolling surface 62 meet their purpose even if none of the grooves are parallel to th.e axis 69 and/or even if the grooves of one set are not normal (or even close to normal) to the grooves of any other set.
Another important advantage of the grooves and of the resulting elimination or reduction of slippage between the rolling surface 62 and th.e external surfa ces of the groups 52 is that th.e rolling of the groups in the channel 67 necessitates the application of lesser or weaker forces which exerts a beneficial in-fluence upon one or more parameters (such as the hardness) of the filter cigarettes 71.
For the sake of clarity, the flutes (59) in the rolling surface 62 shown in Figs. 3 and 3a are not as pronounced as in Fig. 2.
As shown in Fig. 3, the rolling surface 54 of the rolling member 31 can be provided with two or more sets of grooves similar to, identical with or different from those shown in the roiling surface 62 of the sleeve 56 of the rolling member 29. The same holds true for the concave guide surface of the portion 72a of the group-contacting device 72, 72a. The provision of grooves in th.e rolling surface 54 further reduces the likelihood of slippage between the external surfaces of the groups 52 and the rolling surfaces 54, 67 during advancement of the groups in the rolling channel 67. An advantage of grooves in the guide surface of the portion 72a is that the advancement of successive groups 52 from the portion 72 toward engagement with th.e rolling surfaces 54, 62 at the inlet of the channel 67 is even more predictable.
The provision of grooves or analogous uneven-nesses in the rolling surfaces is equally advantageous if they are provided in surfaces for the rolling of cylindrical groups, i.e., in connection with. the making of standard filter cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars having tobacco-containing portions and filter material-containing portions (mouthpieces) with a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional outline. Filter tipping machines of such character (i.e., for the making of standard non-oval filter cigarettes) are dis-20 closed, for example, in U.S. patent No. 5.,135,008 granted August 4, 1992 to Oesterling et al. for "METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTER CIGARETTES". Refer-ence may also be had to U.S. patent No. 4,969,551 granted November 13, 1990 to Heitmann et al. for "ME-TROD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ROLLING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES".
It has been found that the advantages of sets and/or networks of grooves and raised portions or platforms defined by intersecting grooves are just as apparent when the rolling mechanism for uniting bands is employed in a machine for the making of circular (standard) filter cigarettes.
The strip- or rail-shaped portion 72 of the no-vel group-contacting (combined movement synchronizing and group guiding) device 72, 72a can be provided With a row of teeth 72b (Fig. 4) or with a row of undula-tions or rounded projections (scallops) 72c (Fig. 5).
The teeth 72b or th,e undulations (scallops) 72c extend toward the rolling surface 62 adjacent the inlet of .the rolling channel 67, i.e., at the concave guide surface of the portion 72a. Such teeth 72b and/or undulations (scallops) 72c and/or analogous configurations can be formed in a grinding machine or any other suitable material removing machine tool.
The just discussed configurations on the portion 72 are desirable in the machines or apparatus for the making of cylindrical as well as for th.e making of oval filter cigarettes.
The provision of a network or any other suitable array of crossing and/or otherwise distributed grooves in the guide surface of the portion 72a is particularly desirable if th.e rod-shaped constituents of the groups 52 have an elliptical cross-sectional outline.
However, and as already mentioned hereinbefore, at least the toothed or scalloped portion (72b or 72c) and/or the provision of the concave guide surface on the portion 72a can be put to use in all kinds of filter tipping machines (for rod-shaped circular or oval ( i , a . , non-round) filter cigarettes ) , particularly in machines or apparatus employing the portion 72 (with projections 72b or 72c), because the surface of the portion 72a can also serve as a means for gently and predictably guiding the groups 52 away from the portion 72, i.e., into the inlet of the rolling channel 67.
Any dropping or other unpredictable and abrupt depart-s ure of groups 52 from contact with the portion 72 could affect the rolling of uniting bands around cylindrical and particularly around oval rod-shaped constituents of filter cigarettes or th.e like.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of the above outlined contribution to the art of making filter cigarettes and, therefore, such, adaptations should and are intended to be compre-hended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. Apparatus for connecting to each other elongated at least substantially rod-shaped commodities of groups of axially aligned commodities having neighboring end portions connectable to each other by adhesive-coated uniting bands to be convoluted around the neighboring end portions, comprising:
a mobile rolling member having a first rolling surface; and a second rolling member having a second rolling surface defining with. said first rolling surface a rolling channel, said mobile rolling member being arranged to advance successive groups of a series of groups into and along said rolling channel with attendant rolling of uniting bands around the neighboring end portions of the respective commodities, at least a portion of at least one of said rolling surfaces being roughened.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least said portion of said at least one rolling surface is roughened as a result of contact with a chasing tool.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least said portion of said at least one rolling surface has crossing grooves.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said grooves include a first set of at least substantially parallel grooves and a second set of substantially parallel grooves inclined relative to the grooves of said first set.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least some of said grooves are inclined relative to the longitudinal extensions of commodities in said rolling channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said grooves include a first set of grooves at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal extensions of commodities in said rolling channel and at least one second set of grooves inclined relative to said longitudinal extensions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the grooves of said second set are at least substantially normal to the longitudinal extensions of commodities in said rolling channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said crossing grooves together form a network of grooves covering at least said portion of said at least one rolling surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the grooves of said network define in said at least one rolling surface a plurality of raised portions having minute top lands.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mobile rolling member includes a rotary drum having a peripheral surface including said at least one rolling surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second rolling surface is stationary.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each. of said rolling surfaces is roughened.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the commodities of each group have a substantially elliptical cross-sectional outline, said rolling surfaces being configurated to roll adhesive-coated uniting bands around such groups having substantially elliptical cross-sectional outlines.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of said rolling surfaces has an undulate profile.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roiling channel has an inlet and an outlet and further comprising a group-contacting device disposed at said inlet and including a first portion arranged to induce simultaneous rolling, relative to said rolling surfaces, of all commodities of successive groups being advanced toward said inlet, said device further having a second portion arranged to guide successive groups from said first portion into said channel.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each group of aligned commodities comprises at least one rod-shaped smokers' product, at least one rod-shaped filter mouthpiece for tobacco smoke having an end portion adjacent an end portion of the smokers' product, and at least one uniting band adhering at least to the end portion of the at least one filter mouthpiece and to the end portion of the smokers' product.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said device has an at least substantially uninterrupted guide surface for successive groups advancing beyond said first portion of said device.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said device has an at least partially arcuate guide surface for successive groups advancing beyond said first portion of said device.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said device has an at least partially roughened group-contacting guide surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first portion of said device has a toothed group-contacting part.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first portion of said device has a substantially undulate group-contacting part.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least said portion of said at least one rolling surface has a plurality of grooves at least some of which cross each ther, said grooves having a depth of between about 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said depth is about 0.5 mm.