EP1702523B1 - Method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves the tobacco sticks of double length or the tobacco sticks of single length which are conveyed with a transverse axial clearance to the adjacent tobacco sticks before bringing in the filter plug, which is smaller than the length of the connecting sheet.

Description

The invention relates to a process for the production of filter cigarettes, tobacco rods of double length cut into tobacco rods of simple length and longitudinally spaced axially, then between the longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs each a filter plug of double length is placed on a compilation drum, so that on the assembly drum tobacco rod Filterstopfen- Tobacco stick groups are formed, and the double-length filter plug are each connected to the two tobacco sticks of simple length by wrapping by means of a connecting leaflet, the tobacco sticks double length and / or the tobacco sticks simple length before introducing the filter plug with a transverse axial distance to the adjacent tobacco sticks , which is less than the length of the compound leaflet, be promoted.

In Filteransetzmaschinen is between cut and longitudinally axially spaced tobacco rods each a filter or mouthpiece inserted double length, wherein then a glued connection leaflet is attached to a tobacco rod mouthpiece tobacco rod group. In this case, the glued connection leaflet is fed via a suction roller to a padding device of the tobacco rod mouthpiece / tobacco rod group conveyed with a defined spacing distance.

In this case, a defined pitch is understood to be the transverse axial distance between the conveyed articles or article components.

In particular, the term "pitch" is understood to mean the transverse axial distance of the receiving troughs of a conveyor drum in which the smoking article groups are arranged and transported. The distance is measured from the trough center to the following center of the on the surface, the smoking article groups transporting trough conveyor. The pitch of a tray conveyor is therefore the transverse axial distance or the length of the (arc) arc between (adjacent) well centers on the circular line on which the well centers of the wells are arranged. In a linear tray conveyor, the pitch corresponds to the linear distance in the cross-axial direction between the well centers.

For the manufacture of filter cigarettes conveyed transaxially on a filter attachment machine, the performance of the filter attachment machine with respect to the filter cigarettes produced and ejected per unit time has increased over the course of time and has had to be adapted to the increased performance of the upstream cigarette rod maker.

Out WO-A-2004/002246 It is known to supply smoking article components consisting of tobacco rod double filter tobacco rod groups to a padding apparatus having a predetermined transverse axial distance from each other so that the padding paper leaflets are adhered to the smoking article groups. The predetermined spacing of the smoking article groups is approximately equal to the length of the tipping paper leaflets supplied by the tipping apparatus, but the spacing of the smoking article groups is not less than the leaflet length.

It is also in DE-A-44 22 280 discloses a method for producing filter cigarettes in which a sequence of tobacco articles is conveyed with a transverse axial distance which is approximately equal to and not less than the length of the respective connecting leaflet.

In EP-A-1 493 340 is a double-lane Filteransetzmaschine described in the shortened after passing double-length tobacco sticks the Queraxialen distances of the tobacco sticks and then cut into tobacco sticks simple length. After a cross-axial spread of the tobacco sticks double-length filter plug are placed on a compilation drum between the axially spaced tobacco rod pairs. Subsequently, two partial flows are formed from the one-way mass flow, wherein the transverse axial distance of the smoking article groups of the two partial flows is doubled so that tipping paper leaflets are attached to the individual smoking article groups without a tipping paper leaflet touching a second article group. To ensure a secure adherence of the tipping paper leaflets to the smoking article groups, the transverse axial distance between two smoking article groups of a material stream is greater than the length of the tipping paper leaflets to be adhered.

Moreover, in US-A-5 715 838 describes a filter attachment machine that receives double-length tobacco rods from a double-stranded cigarette making machine and conveys them cross-axially to a gathering drum. Here, the tobacco sticks double or single length are promoted before introducing a filter plug with a transverse axial distance which is smaller than the length of the connecting leaflets to be attached.

Furthermore, in EP-A-1 108 369 describes a method for producing filter cigarettes, wherein by a double-strand machine tobacco rods are conveyed in pairs, wherein the gap between a pair of adjacent double-length tobacco rods is substantially equal to the length of the connecting leaflet to be attached.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to ensure a high product quality of smoking articles even at higher production rates of a filter attachment, the cost of retrofitting in a format change should be kept as low as possible, especially when changing to another smoking article diameter ,

This object is achieved by a method for the production of filter cigarettes, tobacco rods of double length cut into tobacco sticks of simple length and longitudinally spaced axially, then between the longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs each a filter plug of double length is placed on a compilation drum, so that on the compilation drum tobacco rod Filter plug tobacco rod groups are formed, and the double-length filter plug with the two Tobacco sticks of simple length are connected by wrapping by means of a connecting leaflet, wherein the tobacco sticks double length and / or the tobacco sticks simple length before introducing the filter plug with a transaxial distance to the adjacent tobacco rods, which is less than the length of the compound leaves are promoted, thereby is further developed that are promoted on the compilation drum, the tobacco sticks with an increased transverse axial distance or on the compilation drum, the Queraxialen distances of the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups formed are increased.

The invention is based on the idea that for different formats, in particular diameter, of tobacco sticks or smoking articles, the same drum barrel is used on a filter attachment machine. Thus, only the drums for differently sized articles in diameter have to be replaced, so that no change to the conceptual design of the filter attachment machine and the geometries of the drums or drum body is required.

For this purpose, it is proposed in an alternative embodiment that after introducing the filter plug twice the length between the longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs and thus only after putting together the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups in a further or subsequent transport step, the transverse axial distance between the tobacco rod filter plug formed Tobacco stock groups is increased. For example, increasing the cross-axial spacing may be accomplished by assembling the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups during transport of the formed smoking article groups on the assembly drum such that the smoking article groups are spaced at a greater distance Promotional bodies are delivered.

Due to the cross-axial spacing between two conveyed tobacco articles which is less than the length of the tipping paper leaflets to be adhered, the production rate of the filter tipping machine is increased. Up to now, the concepts of filter cigarette production on a filter attachment machine have been based on the fact that the length of the connection lamina dictates the transverse axial spacing or pitch and thus limits the production output. Now, the subject of the invention assumes that the tobacco sticks or smoking articles are conveyed at a predetermined shorter distance than the length of the connecting leaflet before a leaflet is attached to the smoking article groups.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the transverse axial distance of the double-length tobacco rods or the tobacco rods of simple length before the introduction of the filter plug to a transverse axial distance which is less than the length of the connecting leaves, changed or reduced. By reducing the distance before introducing the filter plug, it is provided that even when inserting the filter plug, the filter plug are conveyed with a transverse axial distance which is smaller than the length of the connecting laminae. This also results in a gentler treatment of the filter plug, since the filter plug are promoted in the drum at a lower speed during delivery.

Furthermore, it is preferable if the transverse axial distance of the double or single length tobacco rods after transfer the tobacco sticks is reduced from a cigarette rod maker to a filter attachment machine.

In particular, the double or single length tobacco rods are conveyed before reduction of the transverse axial distance with a transverse axial distance equal to or greater than the length of the connecting leaflets.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the double-length filter plugs are conveyed when introduced between the tobacco rod pairs longitudinally spaced apart with a transverse axial distance to their adjacent filter plug, which is smaller than the length of the connecting blades. This results in a gentle treatment and promotion of the filter plug when introducing the filter plug between the tobacco rod pairs.

In another embodiment, as the double length filter plugs are inserted between the longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs, the transverse axial distance between the tobacco rod pairs is increased. As a result, an increase in distance is achieved when forming the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups, for example on a conveyor drum. For example, in assembling the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups, the longitudinally axially spaced tobacco rod pairs are accelerated during transfer to a reassembly drum so that the transverse axial distance to the trailing tobacco rod pair is increased, respectively.

For this purpose, it is also advantageous if, after increasing the transverse axial distance, the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups are conveyed with a transverse axial distance, the is equal to or smaller than the length of the bonding papers.

In particular, the tobacco sticks and / or the filter plug are conveyed with a transverse axial distance of 18 mm to 28 mm, in particular from 18 mm to 22 mm. These distances are typically smaller than the length of the usual connecting blades, which are typically greater than 32 mm.

Furthermore, the method is further developed in that the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups are supplied as articles of a first and second group each of a covering device and are each provided with a compound leaflet. As a result, one half of the articles (first group with tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups) from a coating apparatus and the other half (second group of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups) from another padding apparatus each provided with bonding papers.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the articles of the first and second group of a common rolling device are delivered and the articles of the first and second group are wrapped in the rolling device of the connecting sheets. By a subsequent single-lane rewinding of the article (tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups) a simple construction is possible while compact design. The provision of a single rolling device for all article groups saves material and costs.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the articles of the first and second group are first supplied to a first covering device, the articles of the first group are provided with a connecting blade from the first covering device, subsequently the articles of the first and second groups on different conveying paths of the common rolling device be delivered, the articles of the second group are supplied on their conveyance a second pad means and provided with a connection leaflets.

In particular, the conveying speed of the articles of the first and / or the second group is varied on a conveyor before and / or after the transfer of the respective connecting sheet. Thus, it is possible to adapt the speed ratios of the transported articles to the lining feed by means of a specific control of the speed of the tobacco articles. The adjustment can be made before and / or after the sticking process or the attachment of the connection leaflet, regardless of the speed in the rest of the production flow and the paper speed in the filter attachment machine. During the speed change, the tobacco articles or tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups are combined and moved individually, in pairs or any multiple. Not only is the speed changing, but so is the distance between the tobacco product groups.

In an advantageous embodiment, the articles in the first and / or second group are braked before the handover of the connection leaflet.

Furthermore, the articles of the first and / or second group are accelerated after the handover of the connection leaflet.

A further improvement is achieved in that the connection papers are partially applied after the transfer to the articles of the first and / or second group. For applying the one free end of a connecting leaflet to a tobacco article, a folding star or a so-called rolling star is provided. In particular, the leading free end of the leaflet is applied to the articles.

In a further development, the articles of the second group are taken from the common conveyor drum for the articles of the first and second group. In this case, the articles of the first and second group are supplied to the covering apparatus for the first group before the removal of the articles of the second group.

Furthermore, the articles of the first and second group are advantageously arranged alternately on a conveyor drum during the merging of the article groups, so that the articles are fed to the common rolling device.

In particular, the connection papers are transferred to the articles of the first and / or second group at a constant speed.

Fig. 1

eine Filteransetzmaschine mit zwei Belagpapieraggregaten in einer schematischen Vorderansicht im Ausschnitt;

Fig. 2

eine erfindungsgemäße Anordnung von Trommeln im Ausschnitt;

Fig. 3

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Trommelanordnung im Ausschnitt und

Fig. 4

eine dritte erfindungsgemäße Trommelanordnung gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform.

The invention will now be described by way of example without limitation of the general concept of the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, which are expressly referred to in the rest with respect to all details of the invention not explained in detail in the text. Show it:

Fig. 1

a Filteransetzmaschine with two Belagpapieraggregaten in a schematic front view in the neckline;

Fig. 2

an inventive arrangement of drums in the neckline;

Fig. 3

another drum arrangement according to the invention in the neck and

Fig. 4

a third drum arrangement according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

In Fig. 1 a filter attachment machine is shown in fragmentary form in a front view, wherein the filter attachment machine via a drum assembly T for the supply of tobacco sticks of a schematically drawn cigarette rod machine P tobacco sticks double use length receives. A cigarette rod machine is known under the name "PROTOS" of the patent applicant.

On their conveyor to a compilation drum 21, the tobacco sticks double use length are cut and spread. On the assembly drum 21 are transported over a further drum assembly M double-length filter plugs, which are inserted between two longitudinally spaced tobacco rods. As a result, a sequence of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups arranged transaxially behind one another is formed on the assembly drum 21.

The assembled article groups are transferred from the assembly drum 21 to a conveyor drum 22 and transported to a pad apparatus 10.1 for a first group 50 of assembled tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups. In DE-C-39 18 137 is described in detail a covering apparatus.

A glued in the dressing apparatus 10.1 and funded tipping paper strip 11.1 is on a cutting drum 12.1. cut from the blades of a knife drum 13.1 in padding leaves or compound leaflet 40.1. The cut connection sheets 40.1 are transferred or attached to the article groups of a first group 50 on the conveyor drum 22.

In the European Patent Application EP-A-1 466 535 a method for uniting smoking article components is described, wherein in the drawings, articles of a first and article of a second group (cf. Fig. 2 . Fig. 3 . Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b ). In this European patent application, the articles of the first group, each consisting of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups, provided with the reference numeral 50. Reference numeral 60 denotes the articles of the second group, also consisting of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups.

After adhering the connecting leaflets 40.1 to the articles 50 of the first group, the articles of the first (50) and second (60) groups are further transported, the front end of the connecting leaflet 40.1 projecting on the article groups 40.1. In the FIGS. 2 to 4 the article groups of the first group are designated by the reference numeral 50 and the article groups of the second group by the reference numeral 60. The connecting sheets for the article groups 50 are designated by the reference numeral 40.1.

The articles 50, 60 are conveyed to an application and removal drum 24, so that the article groups 60 not provided with a connection lamina are removed by the application and removal drum 24 and the front end of the connection laminae 40.1 is applied to the articles 50, respectively. The application and removal drum 24 has thus simultaneously the function of a folding star (for the article groups 50) and a removal drum (for the article groups 60) united.

The application and removal drum 24 transfers the removed articles 60 of the second group to a conveyor drum 25, which transports the articles 60 of the second group to a coating apparatus 10.2, in which a tipping paper strip 11.2 is promoted. The second coating apparatus 10.2 has a knife roller 13.2, which cuts the tipping paper strip 11.2 in cooperation with a suction roller 12.2.

The leaflets cut off from the tipping paper strip 11.2 are transferred to the tobacco articles or tobacco rod plug tobacco rod groups 60 and stapled. The front end of the connecting leaflet is then applied to the articles 60 on the conveyor drum 25 by means of a folding star 23.2. In this context, expressly Fig. 3 of the European Patent Application EP-A-1 466 535 referenced, in which this process is shown and described.

The conveyor drum 25 conveys the articles 60 of the second group to a drum 26. The conveyor drum 26 at the same time picks up on the conveyor drum 22 further transported article 50 of the first group, so that the articles of the first (50) and the second (60) group alternately be placed on the drum.

Subsequently, the articles of the first and second groups 50, 60 are transported to a roll block rolling device 27 so that the bonding leaflets are completely wrapped around the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups 50, 60. The finished wrapped articles 50, 60 are subsequently transferred to a conveyor drum 28 and a further conveyor drum 29 and provided for further processing on a filter attachment machine. In particular, filter cigarettes of simple usable length are produced from the double-length filter cigarettes.

In the FIGS. 2 to 4 are exemplary embodiments of the invention Drum arrangements T and M (see. Fig. 1 ), by means of which it is possible to transport smoking articles or tobacco rod or smoking article component groups with a transaxial distance to the adjacent article components, wherein the transverse axial distance is smaller than the length of the connecting sheets, which are cut off from the tipping paper strips 11.1 and 11.2.

For feeding double-length filter plug filter rods are removed from a magazine by means of a removal drum 200 and cut by means of one or more cutting blade 205 on the removal drum 200 simply or repeatedly and transferred to a staggering drum 210. On the staggering drum 210, the cut filter stoppers are staggered and transferred to a sliding drum 220, on which the filter stoppers are formed into a series of filter stoppers arranged transversely axially one behind the other. Subsequently, the filter plugs are discharged from the sliding drum 220 to an accelerator drum 230, so that the filter plugs are placed on a feed drum 150.

In the case of the drum arrangement T, those produced by a filter rod machine (see reference P in FIG Fig. 1 ) received tobacco rods of twice the length of a transfer drum 100 and transported to a Abbremstrommel 110. When transferring the double-length tobacco sticks from the take-over drum 100 to the Abbremstrommel 110 of the transverse axial distance between the tobacco rods double length is reduced to a size which is smaller than the length of the connecting sheets on the coating apparatus (see. Fig. 1 , Reference numerals 10.1, 10.2) are produced.

Subsequently, the double-length tobacco rods are transferred from the Abbremstrommel 110 to a cutting drum 120, on the double-length tobacco sticks are cut centrally by means of a cutting knife 125 so that tobacco sticks of simple use length are formed on the cutting drum 120. The cut tobacco sticks are transferred from the cutting drum 120 to a spreading drum 130, on which the cut tobacco sticks of simple length are longitudinally axially spaced, whereby a gap is created between the longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs, into which a filter plug is subsequently inserted.

Following the spreading drum 130, the longitudinally axially spaced tobacco rods are transferred to a conveyor drum 140, which transfers the tobacco sticks to the feed drum 150, so that on the feed drum 150 article groups consisting of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups are formed. The formed smoking article groups are transferred from the feed drum to the feed drum 22, so that in the manner described above in each case bonding tabs are attached to the smoking article groups.

At the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the tobacco sticks are conveyed after transfer from the transfer drum 100 to the Abbremstrommel 110 to the transfer of the conveyor drum 140 to the feed drum 150 with a shortened transverse axial distance which is less than the length of the connecting leaflets (eg 40.1).

In the transfer of the tobacco sticks of simple length from the conveyor drum 140 to the feed drum 150, the transverse axial distance between the tobacco sticks is increased by accelerating the conveyed tobacco sticks during transfer, so that the transverse axial distance of the tobacco sticks and the filter plug on the feed drum 150 is greater than the transverse axial distance of the conveyed tobacco sticks on the drum 140 and the filter plug on the accelerator drum 230th

At the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, the tobacco sticks or the filter plug, as already stated above, transported over the drum assembly M and T. In this embodiment, in contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 2 - The tobacco sticks simple length during the transfer from the removal drum 140 to the feed drum 150 is not accelerated, but are delivered with the same reduced transverse axial distance to the feed drum 150. For this purpose, the filter plugs from the accelerator drum 230 to the feed drum 150 are also conveyed at the same transverse axial distance as the tobacco sticks in the region between the brake drum 110 and the take-out drum 140.

After forming tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups on the feed drum 150, the distances to the neighbors are increased in the cross-axial direction, so that when dispensing the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups from the feed drum 150 to the conveyor drum 22, the article groups in transversely axial direction at an increased distance, wherein the increased transverse axial distance is greater than the length of the connecting leaflets which are adhered to the smoking article component groups.

In particular, in the embodiment in Fig. 3 the feed drum 150 is formed as a drum in which the transverse axial distance between the conveyed articles is variable. Preferably, the feed drum 150 is formed with cam-controlled movable arms or the like, whereby the Transverse axial distance between the promoted items can change. In the conveying region between the reception of the tobacco sticks from the removal drum 140 to the delivery of the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups formed on the conveyor drum 22, the transverse axial distance is increased. In the area after the delivery of the article to the conveyor drum 22 to the recording of the filter plug from the accelerator drum 230, the distances between the empty recordings are reduced, so that the funded at a constant distance filter plug are inserted.

Alternatively, in the area after the delivery of the articles to the conveyor drum 22 to the recording of the filter plug from the accelerator drum 230, the distances between the empty recordings initially kept constant and reduced after receiving the filter plug from the accelerator drum 230.

At the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, the tobacco sticks are promoted in the range between receiving the tobacco sticks double length on the Abbremstrommel 110 until the delivery of the smoking article groups 60 to the application and removal drum 24 with a constant transverse axial distance which is less than the length of the connecting leaflets 40.1, the the tobacco article groups 50 are attached.

Only after the removal of the article groups 60 from the conveyor drum 22, the distance of the smoking article groups 50 on the conveyor drum 22 is increased.

In the FIGS. 2 to 4 schematically the areas of the different pitches are shown.

The transfer area is indicated by the reference U in the figures designated. After the transfer of the tobacco sticks from the transfer drum to the Abbremstrommel 110 the tobacco sticks are promoted with a transverse axial distance which is less than the length of the adhered or to be attached connecting leaflets. This area is designated by the reference symbol B ₁ .

After enlarging the cross-axial distance between the adjacent groups of articles or tobacco rods, the smoking article components are conveyed to one another at a transverse axial distance which is greater than the transverse axial distance in region B _1. This transport region is designated by the reference symbol B ₂ .

Preferably, the transverse axial distance in the transport areas B _{1 has} a size of 18 mm to 28 mm, in particular from 18 mm to 22 mm and in the transport area B _{2 has} a size of 24 mm to 32 mm.

The present invention achieves a high product quality of smoking articles on a filter attachment machine, wherein the drum arrangements T are designed such that numerous different formats, in particular diameters, are conveyed to tobacco sticks or smoking articles. As a result, the cost of retrofitting in a format change, preferably kept at a change to another smoking article diameter, such a filter attachment machine low.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10.1

covering apparatus

10.2

covering apparatus

11.1

Covering paper strip

11.2

Covering paper strip

12.1

suction roll

12.2

suction roll

13.1

knife roll

13.1

knife roll

13.2

knife roll

21

Assembly drum

22

conveyor drum

23.2

Folded Star

24

Mooring and removal drum

25

conveyor drum

26

drum

27

rolling device

28

drum

29

drum

40.1

connecting paper

50

Tobacco Article Group (Tobacco Stick Filter Plug Tobacco Stick Group)

60

Tobacco Article Group (Tobacco Stick Filter Plug Tobacco Stick Group)

100

transfer drum

110

Abbremstrommel

120

cutting drum

125

cutting blade

130

spreading drum

140

removal drum

150

feed drum

200

Removal / cutting drum

205

cutting blade

210

staggering drum

220

pushing drum

230

acceleration drum

M

Drum arrangement (filter plug)

T

Drum arrangement (Tobacco sticks)

P

Cigarette-making machine

U

Transfer area

B ₁

transport sector

B ₂

transport sector

Claims (19)

1. Method for producing filter cigarettes, wherein double-length tobacco sticks are cut into single-length tobacco sticks and are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, a double-length filter plug is then respectively inserted, on an assembly drum, between the tobacco stick pairs spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, such that tobacco-stick filter-plug tobacco-stick groups are formed on the assembly drum, and the double-length filter plugs are respectively joined to the two single-length tobacco sticks by covering by means of a joining paper, the double-length tobacco sticks and/or the single-length tobacco sticks, before insertion of the filter plug, being conveyed with a transverse axial spacing relative to the adjacent tobacco sticks that is less than the length of the joining papers, characterized in that on the assembly drum the tobacco sticks are conveyed with an increased transverse axial spacing or on the assembly drum the transverse axial spacings of the formed tobacco-stick filter-plug tobacco stick groups are increased.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transverse axial spacing of the double-length tobacco sticks or of the single-length tobacco sticks is changed, before the insertion of the filter plugs, to a transverse axial spacing that is less than the length of the joining papers.
3. Method according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the transverse axial spacing of the double-length or single-length tobacco sticks is reduced following the transfer of the tobacco sticks from a cigarette rod making machine to a filter application machine.
4. Method according to either of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the double-length or single-length tobacco sticks, before reduction of the transverse axial spacing, are conveyed with a transverse axial spacing that is equal to or greater than the length of the joining papers.
5. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the double-length filter plugs, upon insertion between the tobacco stick pairs spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, are conveyed with a transverse axial spacing relative to their adjacent filter plugs that is less than the length of the joining papers.
6. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transverse axial spacing between the tobacco stick pairs is increased upon the insertion of the double-length filter plugs between the tobacco stick pairs spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
7. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tobacco filter-plug tobacco-stick groups, following increasing of the transverse axial spacing, are conveyed with a transverse axial spacing that is equal to or less than the length of the joining papers.
8. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tobacco sticks and/or the filter plugs are conveyed with a transverse axial spacing of 18 mm to 28 mm, in particular from 18 mm to 22 mm.
9. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tobacco-stick filter-plug tobacco-stick groups are respectively supplied, as articles of a first and of a second group, to a covering device, and are respectively provided with a joining paper.
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the articles of the first and second group are delivered to a common rolling device, and the articles of the first and second group are wrapped by the joining papers in the rolling device.
11. Method according to either of Claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the articles of the first and second group are first supplied to the first covering device, the articles of the first group are provided with a joining paper by the first covering device, the articles of the first and second group are then delivered on differing conveying paths to the common rolling device, the articles of the second group being supplied, on their conveying path, to a second covering device and being provided with a joining paper.
12. Method according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the speed of conveyance of the articles of the first and/or of the second group on a conveyor is varied before and/or after the transfer point of the respective joining paper.
13. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the articles of the first and/or second group are braked before the transfer of the joining paper.
14. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the articles of the first and/or second group are accelerated after the transfer of the joining paper.
15. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the joining paper is partially applied following the transfer to the articles of the first and/or second group.
16. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the articles of the first group are taken from the common conveying drum for the articles of the first and second group.
17. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the articles of the first and second group are arranged alternately on a conveying drum before the transfer of the joining paper to the first group.
18. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 17, characterized in that, in the joining of the article groups, the articles of the first and second group are arranged alternately on a conveying drum.
19. Method according to one or more of Claims 9 to 18, characterized in that the joining papers are transferred to the articles of the first and/or second group at a constant speed.

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