EP4197351A1 - Method for producing smoking articles, semi-finished smoking articles and smoking articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for producing smoking article products (100) each consisting of a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), with a first article segment group having more than two or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3) and having one end XA and having an end XB opposite end XA, the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) being conveyed cross-axially and being wrapped by a strip of wrapping material U1 (10) which encloses the plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group overlaps and ends at a distance AA before the end XA and/or at a distance AB before the end XB of the first article segment group, the wrapped first article segment group (1, 2, 3) being centered and divided into two article segment subgroups, each with the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3) is cut and then the cross-axially conveyed article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) are reoriented in their relative position to one another, so that before the reorientation, outer ends (end A, end B) of the wrapped article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) face each other after reorientation, at least one further article segment (4) being inserted between the opposite ends (end A, end B) of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) after reorientation and the at least one further article segment (4) is connected to the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) lying adjacent on both sides by wrapping with a strip of wrapping material U2 (30) to form a second group of article segments, the second strip of wrapping material U2 (30) covering part of the adjacent Article segments of the already wrapped, external article segment groups are wrapped and at least one smoking article product (100) is formed from the second article segment group.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing smoking article components from a plurality of article segments, in particular at least three or more than three article segments.

The invention also relates to a smoking article product and an intermediate product.

To produce multi-segment filters, in multi-filter machines, filters are assembled from segments made of different materials, grouped and formed into a multi-segment filter rod, which is wrapped in wrapping paper that envelops and holds together the filter segments assembled into a rod. Subsequently, multi-segment filter rods are cut to multiple usable lengths and further processed in a filter attachment machine. Known multi-filter machines are known under the designation MULFI-ME or MERLIN from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH.

Furthermore is off EP 1 441 604 B1 a multi-segment filter manufacturing facility with a device for encasing groups of filter segments with an encasing material for the production of multi-segment filters in the tobacco processing industry. In this case, filter segments are correspondingly assembled into groups in a device for assembling groups of filter segments, which is subdivided as modular functional units. Here, for example, soft and hard filter segments are conveyed in a transverse process or in a conveyance of the filter segments or groups of filter segments, which is transverse to their longitudinal extension, and combined accordingly in multi-segment filters. The groups of filter segments assembled in this way are then covered or wrapped with a strip of wrapping material by means of a roll of tape. This also takes place in a conveying direction of the groups of filter segments which is transverse to their longitudinal axis, ie in a transverse process. In the end, there are multi-segment filters of multiple usage lengths, which are transported further and, for example, if they are twice the usage length, can be placed directly between two tobacco rods in a filter tipping machine.

In addition, in WO 2014/064655 A2 discloses a method and machine for manufacturing multi-component cigarettes. The procedure known from this, in which a first wrapping step is proposed with a wide wrapping strip, which extends in width over the entire length of the lined-up components, has procedural disadvantages and quality defects that make the operation of the machine more difficult and result in relatively high rejects to lead.

It is an object of the present invention to produce in a simple and efficient manner rod-shaped, composed of several segments, smoking article products or smoking articles of the tobacco processing industry, such as products which do not burn themselves, but rather are heated to release an aerosol, so-called Heat not burn products.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. The present invention further provides a device for manufacturing smoking article products according to claim 12. Furthermore, to solve the object the invention provides a smoking article product according to claim 13 and an intermediate product according to claim 15.

The invention is based on the idea that rod-shaped smoking article products have several rod-shaped article segments, in particular more than three article segments, with the article segments and the article segment groups as well as the article segment subgroups being conveyed in the transverse axial direction before and after the reorientation process. Here, the article segments as well as the article segment groups and article segment subgroups are conveyed cross-axially on conveyor drums or corresponding conveying devices.

Because the formed, wrapped article segment groups are each cut, preferably in the middle, exact, straight edges and/or contact surfaces are created at the ends of the finished smoking article products - after reorientation - so that the two cleanly cut outer product ends can be removed during further processing of the smoking article products contribute to an improvement in product quality.

By providing a wrapping strip U1, which leaves a section free of the wrapping strip U1 at the respective longitudinal axial end of a rod-shaped intermediate product, it can be ensured that even with length tolerances of the individual segments, which can add up when they are placed together, there is always a flat contact surface for further processing of intermediate and/or further processing products can be guaranteed, which is not influenced by irregular overhangs. Any post-processing of the covering after the first covering step, such as a trimming cut in which an overhang is removed, can be omitted.

The distance AA and/or distance AB of the wrapping strip U1 to the respective front end XA, XB of the group to be wrapped can be less than 0.25 mm and should be at least 0.1 mm. If the distance AA and/or AB is selected to be greater than 3.5 mm, the material consumption is advantageously kept low. If the wrapping strip U1 overlaps the segment or segments to be connected by an overlap length of 2-5 mm, a reliable connection structure can be guaranteed. The distance AA and/or distance AB of the wrapping strip U1 to the respective front end XA, XB of the group to be wrapped can also be greater than 3.0 mm, with an adjacent segment being overlapped by the wrapping strip U1 with an overlap of 2-5 mm .

In order to ensure a secure connection, the wrapping strip U1 is provided with glue over its entire surface or at least a larger, in particular predominant area, preferably more than 30%, particularly preferably more than 50% of the wrapping strip U1 is provided with glue. The wrapping strip U1 can also have glue-free zones and/or perforations.

Within the scope of the invention, the rod-shaped smoking article products are designed, for example, as multi-segment filters or multi-filters. In addition, it is also possible in one embodiment within the scope of the invention that the smoking article products each have several, in particular different, filter segments and, in addition, a segment with a substance that a smoker can consume, such as a flavoring. The smoking article products can be designed as heat not burn products.

In particular, in the production method according to the invention, the first article segment group is provided with at least three article segments, the middle article segment being cut in the middle after the wrapping of the first article group. In addition, it is within the framework The invention conceivable that the first group of articles has an even number of article segments, the article segments are arranged symmetrically before wrapping. In particular, at least two article segments of the article segment group and the article segment subgroup and the second article segment group differ in each case.

Overall, the manufactured smoking article products have several different article segments.

In addition, one embodiment of the method provides for the second group of article segments to be cut, preferably in the middle, into two or more than two smoking article products.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the article segments of the first article segment group are arranged symmetrically, in particular to the vertical center plane, before cutting, preferably lying against one another or with a predetermined distance between two adjacent article segments. The middle plane is understood to be the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first article segment group formed, with the middle of the length of the article segment group lying in the vertical plane.

Advantageously, the method also provides for the first article segment group to have an even number of article segments, in particular before cutting. The article segments are arranged symmetrically to the center plane, with the section through the first article segment group taking place in the vertical center plane.

In another embodiment, the first article segment group has an odd number of article segments, in particular before cutting. The article segments of the first article segment group are also arranged symmetrically to the vertical center plane, wherein, after the first group of article segments has been wrapped, a central cut is made through the article segment of the group of article segments, which is arranged in the middle and is preferably twice as long.

In addition, in one embodiment of the method it is provided that for the formation or for the provision of the first article segment group, preferably in sequential order, several article segments are conveyed transversely axially and arranged next to one another, so that after the article segments have been arranged next to one another, the first article segment group is formed is. The article segments of a first type are preferably conveyed here, so that article segments of a second type are then delivered to the article segments of the first type, with the article segments of the second type being arranged next to article segments of the first type. In this case, the article segments of the first type and the second type are conveyed and assembled transversely axially on corresponding conveyor drums or conveying devices.

Within the scope of the invention, it is possible for the article segments for the first article segment group to be cut into article segments before being delivered to the first article segment group to be formed by cutting multiple-length article pieces and then to be delivered or conveyed to the first article segment group to be formed.

To this end, one embodiment of the method provides that, for the formation of the first article segment group, several article segments are spaced apart from one another longitudinally and axially and one further or more, in particular two, article segments are subsequently arranged between the article segments spaced apart longitudinally and axially. Here, for example, two or four or an even number of article segments are divided in the middle, so that the formed groups of article segments are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, the groups of article segments having the same number.

In a further development of the method, one embodiment provides for one or more article segments to be arranged at the preferably external and/or free ends of an article segment or for one or more article segments to be arranged at the ends of a group of article segments that face away from one another. Here, the article segments to form the first article segment group are subsequently placed at the opposite ends of an article segment or a group of article segments, for example on a conveyor drum, whereby the article segments from which the first article segment group is formed are arranged symmetrically.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the article segment subgroups, which are formed from the first article segment groups, are conveyed transversely axially, e.g. on a conveyor drum or other conveying devices, after reorientation, for example in the form of turning.

In particular, it is advantageous that the article segment subgroups are or become spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction after or during or during the reorientation of the article segment subgroups and subsequently one or more article segments are introduced between the article segment subgroups spaced apart from one another longitudinally. The article segments can then be pushed together in abutting relationship or aligned and positioned at a predetermined distance from one another, if desired with an individual distance between two adjacent article segments.

Within the scope of the invention, it is provided that exclusively one or exclusively two article segments are introduced between the article segment subgroups that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in one embodiment that the smoking article products, which are formed from the second article segment groups, are arranged after the cutting of the second article segment group in a further process step in a row transversely one behind the other. As a result, the smoking article products are conveyed further, for example, for further processing on a filter tipping machine, with the device for manufacturing the smoking article products, on which the method according to the invention is carried out, being connected to the filter tipping machine, for example, so that the smoking article products are further conveyed to the filter tipping machine, preferably transversely . In particular, the orientation of the smoking article products arranged one behind the other in a row is the same.

In addition, an advantageous method step is characterized in that the article segments of the smoking article products are designed as filter segments or that the smoking article products each have at least one or more filter segments as article segments and at least one article segment with a consumable, in particular aromatic and/or tobacco-based product. This can be an article segment that contains a crimped tobacco foil, strips of tobacco foil and/or tobacco fibers.

Overall, the method according to the invention provides a smoking article product with at least three article segments, with the article segment subgroups formed from the first article segment group having at least two article segments.

Within the scope of the invention, it can further be provided that the manufactured smoking article products have four or more than four article segments, with the article segment subgroups formed from the first article segment groups and the smoking articles differing by one article segment.

Reorientation in the form of "turns"

A preferred form of the reorienting step allows a simple apparatus structure with a turning device and is characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another is reoriented by means of a turning device, which preferably turns the article segment subgroups by 180 degrees, preferably two opposite article segment subgroups simultaneously or one after the other, in particular while forming a distance between an article segment subgroup and an article segment subgroup opposite the article segment subgroup for inserting the further article segment.

Reorientation in the form of "Stagger/Move"

A further, preferred form of the reorientation step allows a simple apparatus structure with a shifting/stacking device and is characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another is reoriented by means of a shifting device, which initially pushes two longitudinally axially opposite article segment subgroups against one another in the circumferential direction, preferably in the form of a staggered step, staggered, preferably on a staggered trough drum unit with a predetermined pitch of the troughs by a pitch, and one or both staggered article segment subgroups longitudinally axially by a path length greater than or equal to the length of an article segment subgroup and which preferably subsequently the shifted Arranges article segment subgroups opposite each other longitudinally and axially, in particular by means of a further step for offsetting the shifted article segment subgroups in the circumferential direction in a manner conforming to the division.

With this form, a predeterminable insertion gap for the further article segment can be implemented reliably and easily by means of a correspondingly coordinated and adjusted path length of the displacement—exceeding the length of an article segment subgroup.

Reorientation in the form of "remove/move"

Another preferred form of the reorientation step allows for a simple apparatus structure with a transfer/displacement device and is characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another is reorientated by means of a transfer device, which transfers an article segment subgroup of two longitudinally axially opposite ones from one removes the article segment subgroups accommodated in the first trough drum by means of a second trough drum, preferably designed as a sliding drum, moves it longitudinally and axially on the second trough drum by a distance greater than or equal to twice the length of an article segment subgroup and offset in the circumferential direction to the article segment subgroup originally on the first drum longitudinally and axially opposite, in particular conforming to the division Division of the first and/or second troughed drum, deposited again on the first troughed drum, preferably adjacent to an article segment subgroup remaining on the first drum after removal of the article segment subgroup to be shifted.

With this form, a predeterminable insertion gap for the further article segment can be implemented reliably and easily by means of a correspondingly coordinated and adjusted path length of the displacement—exceeding twice the length of an article segment subgroup.

The distance AA of the wrapping strip U1 from the end XA of the first group of article segments and the distance AB of the wrapping strip U1 before the end XB of the first group of article segments can be the same or different. The wrapping strip U1 is preferably positioned relative to the first article segment group in such a way that the distances AA and AB are approximately the same, and in particular do not deviate from one another by more than +/-10-20%. For correct positioning, the first article segment group can also be aligned additionally or solely before wrapping with the wrapping strip U1.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention taken together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1a bis 1d

jeweils schematisch Verfahrensabläufe zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern und

Fig. 2a bis 2d

jeweils schematisch Verfahrensschritte zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern.

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform einer Maschine zum Durchführen des Verfahrens

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, with express reference being made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention that are not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

Figures 1a to 1d

each schematically process sequences for the production of multi-segment filters and

Figures 2a to 2d

each schematically process steps for the production of multi-segment filters.

3

an embodiment of a machine for carrying out the method

In the drawings, elements and/or parts that are the same or of the same type are provided with the same reference numbers, so that they are not presented again in each case.

while in the Fig. 1a the distance AA of the wrapping strip U1 from the end XA of the first article segment group and the distance AB of the wrapping strip U1 before the end XB of the first article segment group are graphically emphasized and clarified, the aforementioned distances are not shown in the other figures. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1a the distances AA and AB are roughly the same.

In the Figures 1a to 1c are each process steps for the production of Multi-segment filters 100 shown schematically.

According to the embodiment in Fig. 1a In method step A, two filter segments 1 arranged next to one another are provided and conveyed further transversely and axially. As they are conveyed further, the filter segments 1 are spaced apart from one another longitudinally and axially, so that a gap is created and in method step B two filter segments 2 arranged next to one another are introduced into the gap between the filter segments 1 that are spaced apart longitudinally and axially. The filter segments 1 and the filter segments 2 are each conveyed transversely axially, ie transversely to their central longitudinal axis, on conveying drums or corresponding conveying devices.

Then, before step C, the symmetrical arrangement of the filter segments 1 and 2 from step B is divided in the middle and the two halves of filter segments 1, 2 are spaced apart from one another longitudinally and axially, so that two next to each other can then be placed in the gap between the symmetrical groups of filter segments 1 and 2 arranged filter segments 3 are introduced into the gap between the two segments, so that a first article segment group is formed.

The group of filter segments assembled in method step C is arranged mirror-symmetrically to the center plane of the assembled groups of filter segments. The filter segments 1, 2, 3 assembled in method step C are then transferred to another conveyor drum, so that in method step D the assembled filter segment arrangement made up of three filter segments is wrapped as a first article segment group by a wrapping strip U1 10. The wrapping strip U1 10 has a distance AA from the front end XA and a distance AB from the front end XB of the first article segment group.

The first article segment group has an end XA and an end XB opposite the end XA.

The wrapped filter segment arrangements from method step D are then transferred to a cutting drum, so that the wrapped filter segment groups are cut centrally on the cutting drum by means of a cutting blade 20 or a corresponding cutting device. This results in two filter segment groups, which are then each transferred as article segment subgroups to a reorientation device designed as a turning device.

In method step F, the transferred filter segment groups are each rotated by 180° by means of the turning device, as a result of which the filter segments 3 lying on the inside in method step E are on the outside after the turning process in method step F has been carried out. In this case, according to method step F, the filter segment groups formed next to one another are each simultaneously turned through 180° by means of a corresponding turning device.

After turning in method step F, the simultaneously turned filter segment groups are transferred to a conveyor drum as article segment subgroups, so that the filter segment groups are further conveyed in the transverse axial direction. The filter segment groups are spaced apart from one another in a transverse axial direction, with the ends XA and XB of the filter segments initially pointing outwards (cf. method step E) facing one another after turning.

Subsequently, in method step G, two filter segments 4 are inserted into the central gap between the filter segment groups and subsequently wrapped by a second wrapping strip U2 30 in method step H, resulting in a second wrapped article segment group. Here, the strip of material 30 encloses the centrally inserted filter segments 4 and part of the adjacent filter segments 1 of the already encased, outer filter segment groups.

The double-length filter segment groups from method step H are then conveyed transversely axially to a conveyor drum, so that the double-length filter segment groups are then cut in the middle as the second article segment group using a cutting knife 40 or a corresponding cutting device, so that two symmetrically arranged multi-segment filters 100 are created in method step I.

Subsequently, in a further method step, the multi-segment filters 100 arranged next to one another are formed in method step K by corresponding method steps and devices to form a row of multi-segment filters 100 arranged one behind the other transversely and axially.

Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that between method steps F and G, the two reoriented, in particular turned and wrapped, filter segment groups are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction as article segment subgroups. In addition, it is also possible within the scope of the invention that the individually provided filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 are cut before the formation of the corresponding groups or subgroups from multi-length filter segment rods or multi-length rods made of tobacco-derived material, with the provision of two Filter segments or tobacco-derived segments of the same type corresponding funding processes (staggering, sliding, etc.) are provided.

At the in Fig. 1b shown embodiment, the method steps A to F correspond to the method steps in Fig. 1a . In contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1a In method step G, a double-length filter segment rod 400 is inserted between the filter segment groups with the filter segments 1, 2, 3 and then in method step H it is connected to the outer filter segment groups by wrapping with the wrapping strip U2 30, so that a second article segment group is created. Then, in method step E, the double-length filter segment rod 400 is cut using the cutting blade 40 in simply cut long filter segments 4, the central cut resulting in two multi-segment filters 100 as smoking article products.

At the in 1c shown embodiment is in contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1a In method step C, a double-length filter segment rod 300 is placed in the gap between the groups of filter segments 1 and 2 arranged symmetrically to one another, so that in method step D the double-length segment rod 300 together with the outer filter segments 1 and 2 are removed from the wrapping strip U1 10 a first article segment group and is subsequently cut into filter segments 3 in method step E by means of the cutting blade 20 . The further process steps F to K correspond to those in Fig. 1a shown process steps.

At the in Fig. 1d embodiment shown in comparison to the other embodiments, in particular Fig. 1a , in method steps D and G, double-length segment filters 300 or 400 are inserted between the formed subgroups of filter segments (cf. method step C in 1c and method step G in the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1b ).

In the further exemplary embodiments 2a to 2d, further process diagrams are shown schematically for the production of multi-segment filters 100.

According to the Figure 2a In the method steps shown, two separate filter segments 1 arranged next to one another are provided in method step A and conveyed in the transverse axial direction. In method step B, two longitudinally axially spaced filter segments 2 are then arranged on the outer free ends of the two filter segments 1 and conveyed further, so that in method step C a filter segment 3 is applied to each of the outer free ends of the filter segments 2 becomes. In method step D, the filter segment group put together in method step C is wrapped by a wrapping strip U1 10, so that a first wrapped article segment group is created and subsequently in method step E, the wrapped filter segment group is formed into two identical and symmetrically arranged article segment subgroups by means of a cutting blade 20 or the like.

The two article segment subgroups are then turned in method step F by means of a reorientation device designed as a turning device, so that the ends XA and XB of the filter segments 3 pointing outwards in method step E point inwards in method step G and are arranged opposite one another. Subsequently, in method step G, two filter segments 4 arranged next to one another are inserted between the rotated article segment subgroups, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, so that in method step H, the filter segments 4 with the already wrapped article segments are then wrapped by means of a wrapping strip U2 30 to form a second one Item segment group to be connected.

Then, in method step I, the entire second article segment group is cut in the middle, so that two multi-segment filters 100 with four different segments are created. Subsequently, in method step K, a row of consecutively oriented multi-segment filters 100 is formed, which are provided for further processing, for example on a filter attachment machine.

At the in Figure 2b illustrated embodiment, the illustrated method steps A to F correspond to the method steps A to F in Figure 2a . After the formation of two article segment subgroups, each with three filter segments (cf. process step E), between longitudinally axially spaced and symmetrically arranged article segment subgroups from the filter segments 1, 2, 3 in the process step G, a double-length segment bar 400 is arranged, which is subsequently connected to the two outer article groups in process step H by means of the wrapping strip U2 30 to form a second article segment group.

Subsequently, the double-length segment rod 400 is cut into two filter segments 4 in method step I by means of the cutting knife 40, so that two multi-segment filters 100 with four different segments are formed by the cutting process. The multi-segment filters 100 formed are then positioned in method step K to form a row of filter segments arranged one behind the other.

At the in Figure 2c In the method diagram shown for producing the multi-segment filter 100, a double-length filter segment rod 110 is provided in method step A, so that in method step B two filter segments 2 spaced apart longitudinally and axially are placed at the outer ends of the filter segment rod 110. Subsequently, in method step C, a filter segment 3 is arranged at the outer free ends of the filter segments 2 in each case. In method step D, the article group formed in method step C is wrapped with a wrapping strip U1 10, so that a first wrapped article segment group, after wrapping in method step E, has two filter segments 1 and two article segment subgroups, each consisting of three different ones, by a central cut through segment rod 110 Filter segments 1, 2, 3 by cutting using the cutting blade 20 arise.

The further method steps F to K correspond to the method steps F to K according to Figure 2a .

In the process scheme according to Fig. 2d the method steps A to F correspond to the method steps in the embodiment in FIG Figure 2c . After creating two item segment subgroups from three different filter segments 1, 2, 3 and turning them in method step F, double-length segment rods 400 are inserted centrally between the turned article segment subgroups, which are then connected to the wrapping strip U2 30 with the article segment subgroups in method step H, resulting in a second wrapped article segment group.

The double-length segment rod 400 is then divided into two filter segments 4 in method step I, so that two multi-segment filters 100 are created from the second article segment group, which are then arranged one behind the other and in the same orientation in a row (cf. method step K).

In 3 1, one embodiment of an apparatus for performing the method or for manufacturing a plurality of smoking article products 100 is shown schematically.

A device for carrying out the method or for producing a large number of smoking article products 100 comprises a assembling device made up of a plurality of stations, preferably arranged one after the other, preferably of the same or different construction. One or each station is equipped with a magazine for receiving a type of article segments in the form of multiple-length bars, a drum run of successive drums for removing (removal drum) the bars, for cutting (separate cutting drum, or removal drum with cutting function) the bars into article segments of multiple or simpler useful length, for staggering (staggered drum) and shifting (sliding drum) the article segments of multiple or single useful length and to combine the article segments with a assembling drum. For assembling with other article segments, the assembling drum of a station can be followed by a transfer drum, which is also accommodated in the station of the assembling drum. A collating drum is, in particular with the interposition of a delivery drum in Actively connected to the barrel of the drum for receiving a first article segment to be processed further and in active connection to a transfer drum of an upstream or downstream station.

The collating device is followed by a wrapping station that works in the transverse process and is provided with a wrapping paper apparatus, in particular in the manner of a covering paper apparatus, preferably comprising a wrapping paper feed device, a gluing station, a cutting station for cutting wrapping strips U1 and a rewinding station for connecting a group of article segments. The wrapping station optionally has a cutting station for dividing a wrapped, multi-length, in particular double-length, article segment group of more than three segments into two or more article segment subgroups. The cutting station is preferably arranged at or adjacent to the exit, in particular at a delivery drum of the wrapping station.

A unit for reorienting UEH of article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) arranged opposite one another longitudinally and axially is arranged downstream of the wrapping station. The unit for reorienting UEH can be provided on the input side with a cutting station which is set up and designed for dividing a wrapped multi-length, in particular double-length, article segment group of more than three segments into two or more article segment subgroups.

The unit for reorientation UEH has a turning device which turns the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) by 180 degrees.

The turning device is designed and set up to accommodate two opposing article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) and simultaneously or sequentially, in particular while forming a distance between an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) and the Article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) to turn opposite article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) for inserting the further article segment (4).

The unit for reorientation UEH is followed by an article segment feeding and connecting station, in particular in the form of a filter piecing, comprising a feeding station with a magazine for receiving a type of article segments in the form of multiple-length rods, with a drum run of drums arranged one behind the other for removal (removal drum) of the Sticks, for cutting (separate cutting drum, or removal drum with cutting function) the sticks into item segments of multiple or single use length, for staggering (staggering drum) and shifting (shifting drum) the item segments of multiple or single use length, with an assembly drum for combining the items segment from the drum run -Article segments brought to the addition and connection station with the reoriented article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3). The collating drum of the article segment adding and connecting station is designed and set up to receive an article segment brought from the drum run of the article segment adding and connecting station between two spaced, reoriented article segment subgroups. The assembly drum of the article segment adding and connecting station is in particular operatively connected to the turning drum, directly or with the interposition of a transfer drum.

The article segment adding and connecting station comprises a connecting station working in the transverse process, which is provided with a wrapping paper apparatus, in particular in the manner of a covering paper apparatus, preferably comprising a wrapping paper feed device, a gluing station, a cutting station for cutting wrapping strips U2 and a rewinding station for connecting an article segment group . The item segment group includes two reoriented item segment subgroups and one between the reoriented ones Article segment subgroup inserted article segment. The wrapping station of the article segment adding and connecting station optionally has a cutting station for dividing a wrapped multi-length, in particular double-length, article segment group of more than three, preferably four segments into two or more smoking article products. The cutting station is preferably arranged at or adjacent to the exit, in particular at a delivery drum of the article segment adding and connecting station.

In the 3 device shown is a modification of one of the WO 2014/064655 A2 known machine according to the local figure 2 . Details of individual components of such a modified machine or device for carrying out the method or for producing a large number of smoking article products 100 relating to a possible configuration of an assembly device (there "CU"), a first wrapping station downstream of the assembly device (there "WU1"), an article segment -Additional and connection station (there "WU2") is to the there figure 2 made explanations, page five, line 13 to page seven, line 21, page 9, line 12 to page 17, line ten of the description there.

In order to avoid possible confusion of reference numbers in the present invention with reference numbers in FIG 3 prevent, the reference numbers in the 3 of the present invention, to which on the explanation in the WO 2014/064655 A2 referenced is preceded by a "z". For further explanation of details on the reference symbols marked with "z", reference is made to the aforementioned reference document, as well as to information on a configuration of the "CU", "WU1", "WU2" there.

3 is intended to provide the person skilled in the art with a schematic overview in addition to and/or in addition to the above explanations of a possible configuration of a device.

In departure from and in modification of the WO 2014/064655 A2 according to 2 known device, the first wrapping station downstream of the collating device for wrapping is a unit UEH for reorienting article segment subgroups downstream and upstream of an article segment adding and connecting station. In the 3 the unit UEH for reorientation is connected between a first sheathing device WU1 and a second sheathing device WU2 and is identified as a block with "UEH".

In order to connect the unit UEH for reorientation to preceding and subsequent organs, the unit UEH for reorientation can be assigned upstream and/or downstream conveying organs, which allow a continuous input and output of article segment subgroups to be reoriented, in particular produce corresponding active connections and are not shown in more detail. This aspect is particularly valuable for retrofitting and conversions.

At the in 3 shown embodiment, a cutting station z33 is arranged in the first wrapping device WU1. The cutting station z33 divides the wrapped first article segment group (1, 2, 3) into two article segment subgroups, each with the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3). The article segment subgroups are then conveyed into the UEH for reorientation and reorientated as explained above. A further article segment 4 is inserted in the second wrapping device WU2. The correspondingly formed article segment group is then connected by means of the wrapping material strip U230.

The further processing can then as in the WO 2014/064655 A2 described.

Moving away from the from the WO 2014/064655 A2 known device and procedure are in accordance with the design of the device 3 Positioning and/or guiding means for the article segment subgroups and/or the wrapping material strips U1 10 are provided, which are set up and configured to realize and ensure the distance AA at the end XA and the distance AB at the end XB of the first article segment group. The positioning means and/or guide means are preferably in the collating device ( 3 , there "CU") downstream first wrapping station ( 3 , "WU1").

The UEH for reorientation can include a turning drum as a turning device, which changes the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another and has rotating elements, which are each provided so as to be rotatable by 180 degrees. Two opposing article segment subgroups can be turned over simultaneously or one after the other, in particular forming a distance between an article segment subgroup and an article segment subgroup opposite the article segment subgroup for inserting the further article segment.

The UEH for reorientation can include a displacement/stacking device with a staggering drum, to which a shifting drum is assigned, and with a further staggering drum assigned to the shifting drum. In this way, the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another can be reoriented by means of a staggering/shifting/staggering unit, which initially offsets two longitudinally axially opposite article segment subgroups in the circumferential direction, preferably in the form of a staggered step, preferably on a staggered troughed drum -Unit with a predetermined pitch of the troughs by a pitch, and one or both offset article segment subgroups longitudinally axially by a distance greater than or equal to the length of an article segment subgroup and which preferably then arranges the shifted article segment subgroups opposite one another longitudinally and axially, in particular by means of a further step for offsetting in accordance with the division the shifted article segment subgroups in the circumferential direction.

With this form, a predeterminable insertion gap for the further article segment 4 can be implemented reliably and easily by means of a correspondingly coordinated and adjusted path length of the displacement—exceeding the length of an article segment subgroup.

The UEH for reorientation can include a transfer/shifting device with a first troughed drum and a second troughed drum with an axially acting lifting link, which are arranged and designed and interact in such a way that the position of the article segment subgroups relative to one another is reoriented by means of the transfer/shifting device become. An article segment subgroup is removed from two longitudinally axially opposite article segment subgroups picked up by a first troughed drum by means of a second troughed drum, preferably designed as a shifting drum, and is moved on the second troughed drum by means of the lifting link by a distance greater than or equal to twice the length of an article segment subgroup and in the circumferential direction offset to the article segment subgroup originally on the first drum longitudinally opposite, in particular in accordance with the division of the first and/or second troughed drum, deposited again on the first troughed drum, preferably adjacent to an article segment subgroup remaining on the first drum after removal of the article segment subgroup to be shifted.

With this form, a predeterminable insertion gap for the further article segment can be implemented reliably and easily by means of a correspondingly coordinated and adjusted path length of the displacement—exceeding twice the length of an article segment subgroup.

• Ausführungsform 1. Verfahren zum Herstellen von Rauchartikelprodukten (100) aus jeweils mehreren Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3, 4), insbesondere wenigstens drei oder mehr als drei Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3, 4), wobei eine erste Artikelsegmentgruppe mit mehreren, insbesondere mehr als zwei oder mehr als drei, Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3) und mit einem Ende XA und mit einem dem Ende XA gegenüberliegenden Ende XB gebildet oder bereitgestellt wird, wobei die erste Artikelsegmentgruppe (1, 2, 3) queraxial gefördert wird oder ist und von einem Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen U1 (10) umwickelt wird oder ist, welcher die mehreren, insbesondere mehr als zwei oder mehr als drei, Artikelsegmente (1, 2, 3) der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe übergreift und mit einem Abstand AA vor dem Ende XA und/oder mit einem Abstand AB vor dem Ende XB der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe endet, wobei die umhüllte erste Artikelsegmentgruppe (1, 2, 3) mittig und in zwei Artikelsegmentuntergruppen mit jeweils der gleichen Anzahl an Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3) geschnitten wird und anschließend die queraxial geförderten Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in ihrer relativen Lage zueinander umorientiert werden, so dass zuvor vor dem Umorientieren außen liegende Enden (Ende A, Ende B) der umhüllten Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) nach dem Umorientieren einander zugewandt sind, wobei zwischen die nach dem Umorientieren einander gegenüberliegenden Enden (Ende A, Ende B) der Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) wenigstens ein weiteres Artikelsegment (4) eingelegt wird und das wenigstens eine weitere Artikelsegment (4) mit den beiderseits benachbart liegenden Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) durch Umwicklung mit einem Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen U2 (30) zu einer zweiten Artikelsegmentgruppe verbunden wird, und wobei aus der zweiten Artikelsegmentgruppe wenigstens ein Rauchartikelprodukt (100) gebildet wird oder ist.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 2. Verfahren nach Ausführungsbeispiel 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Artikelsegmentgruppe, vorzugsweise mittig, in zwei oder mehr als zwei Rauchartikelprodukte (100) geschnitten wird.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 3. Verfahren nach Ausführungsbeispiel 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmente der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe symmetrisch, insbesondere zur senkrechten Mittenebene, vor dem Schneiden, insbesondere vor dem Umhüllen mit dem Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen U1 (10) angeordnet sind, vorzugsweise jeweils oder teilweise aneinanderliegend oder zueinander beabstandet angeordnet sind.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 4. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Artikelsegmentgruppe eine geradzahlige Anzahl an Artikelsegmenten, insbesondere vor dem Schneiden, aufweist.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 5. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Artikelsegmentgruppe eine ungeradzahlige Anzahl an Artikelsegmenten, insbesondere vor dem Schneiden, aufweist.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 6. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass für die Bildung der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe, vorzugsweise in sequentieller Folge, mehrere Artikelsegmente queraxial gefördert werden und nebeneinander angeordnet werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Artikelsegmente längsaxial voneinander beabstandet werden und nachfolgend zwischen den längsaxial beabstandeten Artikelsegmenten ein weiteres oder mehrere, insbesondere zwei, Artikelsegmente angeordnet werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein oder mehrere Artikelsegmente an den Enden eines Artikelsegments oder dass ein oder mehrere Artikelsegmente an den voneinander abgewandten Enden einer Gruppe an Artikelsegmenten angeordnet werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 9. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen nach dem Wenden queraxial gefördert werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 10. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen nach dem Wenden der Artikelsegmentuntergruppen in längsaxialer Richtung voneinander beabstandet sind oder werden und nachfolgend ein oder mehrere Artikelsegmente zwischen die längsaxial voneinander beabstandeten Artikelsegmentuntergruppen eingebracht werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 11. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rauchartikelprodukte (100) in einer Reihe queraxial hintereinander angeordnet werden.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 12. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmente der Rauchartikelprodukte (100) als Filtersegmente ausgebildet sind oder dass die Rauchartikelprodukte (100) jeweils wenigstens ein oder mehrere Filtersegmente als Artikelsegmente und wenigstens ein Artikelsegment mit einem konsumierbaren, insbesondere aromatischen und/oder auf Tabak basierenden, Produkt aufweist.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 13. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in ihrer relativen Lage zueinander mittels einer Wendeeinrichtung umorientiert werden, welche die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) bevorzugt jeweils um 180 Grad wendet, bevorzugt zwei einander gegenüberliegende Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) gleichzeitig oder nacheinander, insbesondere unter Ausbilden eines Abstands zwischen einer Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) und einer der Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) gegenüberliegenden Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) zum Einlegen des weiteren Artikelsegments (4).
• Ausführungsbeispiel 14. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in ihrer relativen Lage zueinander mittels einer Verschiebeeinrichtung umorientiert werden, welche zunächst zwei einander längsaxial gegenüberliegende Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in Umfangsrichtung gegeneinander, bevorzugt in Form eines Staffelschritts, versetzt, bevorzugt auf einer Staffel-Muldentrommel-Einheit mit einem vorgegebenem Teilungsabstand der Mulden um einen Teilungsabstand, und eine oder beide versetzte Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) längsaxial um eine Weglänge größer oder gleich der Länge einer Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) verschiebt und welche vorzugsweise anschließend die verschobenen Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) einander längsaxial gegenüberliegend anordnet, insbesondere mittels eines weiteren Schrittes zum teilungskonformen Versetzen der verschobenen Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in Umfangsrichtung.
• Ausführungsbeispiel 15. Verfahren nach einem der Ausführungsbeispiele 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in ihrer relativen Lage zueinander mittels einer Transfereinrichtung umorientiert werden, welche eine Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) von zwei einander längsaxial gegenüberliegenden, von einer ersten Muldentrommel aufgenommenen Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) mittels einer zweiten, vorzugsweise als Schiebetrommel ausgebildeten Muldentrommel entnimmt, auf der zweiten Muldentrommel längsaxial um eine Weglänge größer oder gleich der doppelten Länge einer Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) verschiebt und in Umfangsrichtung versetzt zu der ursprünglich auf der ersten Trommel längsaxial gegenüberliegenden Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3), insbesondere teilungskonform zur Teilung der ersten und/oder zweiten Muldentrommel, auf die erste Muldentrommel wieder ablegt, vorzugsweise benachbart zu einer auf der ersten Trommel nach Entnahme der zu verschiebenden Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3) verbliebenen Artikelsegmentuntergruppe (1, 2, 3).
• Ausführungsbeispiel 16. Einrichtung zum Herstellen von Rauchartikelprodukten (100) aus jeweils mehreren Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3, 4), insbesondere wenigstens drei oder mehr als drei Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3, 4), wobei eine erste Artikelsegmentgruppe mit mehreren, insbesondere mehr als zwei oder mehr als drei, Artikelsegmenten (1, 2, 3) und mit einem Ende XA und mit einem dem Ende XA gegenüberliegenden Ende XB gebildet oder bereitgestellt wird, wobei die erste Artikelsegmentgruppe (1, 2, 3) queraxial gefördert wird oder ist und von einem Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen U1 (10) umwickelt wird oder ist, welcher die mehreren, insbesondere mehr als zwei oder mehr als drei, Artikelsegmente (1, 2, 3) der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe übergreift und mit einem Abstand AA vor dem Ende XA und/oder mit einem Abstand AB vor dem Ende XB der ersten Artikelsegmentgruppe endet, umfassend
  • eine Zusammenstelleinrichtung mit mehreren, aneinander anschließend angeordneten Stationen, bei welcher jede Station versehen ist mit einem Magazin zur Aufnahme einer Sorte an Artikelsegmenten in Form mehrfachlanger Stäbe,
  • einem Trommellauf einander nachgeschalteter Trommeln, ausgebildet und eingerichtet zur Entnahme der Stäbe, zum Schneiden der Stäbe in Artikelsegmente mehrfacher oder einfacher Gebrauchslänge, zum Staffeln und Verschieben der Artikelsegmente mehrfacher oder einfacher Gebrauchslänge
  • und mit einer Zusammenstelltrommel zu Kombinieren der Artikelsegmente,
  • umfassend ferner
  • eine der Zusammenstelleinrichtung nachgeschaltete, im Querverfahren arbeitende Umhüllungsstation zum Umhüllen mit Umhüllungsstreifen U1 unter einem Belassen der Abstände AA und AB,
  • eine der Umhüllungsstation nachgeschaltete Einheit UEH zum Umorientieren von einander längsaxial gegenüberliegend angeordneten Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3), eingerichtet und ausgebildet zum Umorientieren der Artikelsegmentuntergruppen (1, 2, 3) in ihrer relativen Lage zueinander.

The following embodiments are included within the scope of the invention:

• Embodiment 1. Method for producing smoking article products (100) each from a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular at least three or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first article segment group with a plurality of in particular more than two or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3) and having an end XA and an end XB opposite the end XA, wherein the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is conveyed transversely axially or is and is or is wrapped by a strip of wrapping material U1 (10), which overlaps the several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group and at a distance AA before the end XA and /or ending at a distance AB before the end XB of the first article segment group, the wrapped first article segment group (1, 2, 3) being cut centrally and into two article segment subgroups, each with the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3) and subsequently the cross-axially conveyed article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) are reoriented in their relative position to one another, so that before the reorientation, outside ends (end A, end B) of the wrapped article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) face each other after the reorientation at least one further article segment (4) is inserted between the opposite ends (end A, end B) of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) after the reorientation and the at least one further article segment (4) with the adjacent ones on both sides article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) are connected to form a second article segment group by wrapping with a wrapping material strip U2 (30), and wherein at least one smoking article product (100) is or is formed from the second article segment group.
• Embodiment 2. Method according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the second article segment group is cut, preferably in the middle, into two or more than two smoking article products (100).
• Exemplary embodiment 3. The method according to exemplary embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that the article segments of the first group of article segments are arranged symmetrically, in particular to the vertical central plane, before cutting, in particular before wrapping with the wrapping material strip U1 (10), preferably in each case or partially adjacent to one another or are spaced from each other.
• Exemplary embodiment 4. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, characterized in that the first article segment group has an even number of article segments, in particular before cutting.
• Exemplary embodiment 5. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, characterized in that the first article segment group has an odd number of article segments, in particular before cutting.
• Exemplary embodiment 6. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 5, characterized in that for the formation of the first group of article segments, preferably in sequential order, a plurality of article segments are conveyed transversely and arranged next to one another.
• Exemplary embodiment 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of article segments are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and subsequently one further or more, in particular two, article segments are arranged between the article segments that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.
• Embodiment 8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more article segments at the ends of an article segment or that one or more article segments at the one another opposite ends of a group of article segments.
• Exemplary embodiment 9. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 8, characterized in that the article segment subgroups are conveyed transversely axially after turning.
• Exemplary embodiment 10. The method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 9, characterized in that the article segment subgroups are or will be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction after the article segment subgroups have been turned and one or more article segments are subsequently introduced between the article segment subgroups spaced apart from one another longitudinally.
• Exemplary embodiment 11. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 10, characterized in that the smoking article products (100) are arranged in a row one behind the other transversely axially.
• Exemplary embodiment 12. The method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the article segments of the smoking article products (100) are designed as filter segments or that the smoking article products (100) each have at least one or more filter segments as article segments and at least one article segment with a consumable, in particular aromatic and/or tobacco-based product.
• Exemplary embodiment 13. The method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 12, characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) relative to one another is reoriented by means of a turning device, which rotates the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) preferably by 180 Degree turns, preferably two opposing article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) simultaneously or sequentially, in particular forming a distance between one Article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) and an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) opposite the article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) for inserting the further article segment (4).
• Exemplary embodiment 14. Method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 12, characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) relative to one another is reoriented by means of a displacement device, which initially moves two article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) opposite one another in the longitudinal direction offset in the circumferential direction, preferably in the form of a staggered step, preferably on a staggered troughed drum unit with a predetermined pitch of the troughs by a pitch, and one or both article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) offset longitudinally and axially by a path length greater than or equal to the length of an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) and which preferably then arranges the shifted article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) opposite one another in the longitudinal direction, in particular by means of a further step for offsetting the shifted article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) in accordance with the division circumferential direction.
• Exemplary embodiment 15. The method according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 12, characterized in that the position of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) relative to one another is reoriented by means of a transfer device which moves an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) of two longitudinally axially from opposite article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) picked up by a first troughed drum by means of a second troughed drum, preferably designed as a shifting drum, shifted longitudinally and axially on the second troughed drum by a distance greater than or equal to twice the length of an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3). and offset in the circumferential direction to the article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) originally on the first drum longitudinally and axially opposite, in particular conforming to the division of the first and/or second troughed drum, onto the first troughed drum deposited again, preferably adjacent to an article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) remaining on the first drum after removal of the article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) to be shifted.
• Embodiment 16. Device for producing smoking article products (100) each from a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular at least three or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first article segment group with a plurality of in particular more than two or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3) and having an end XA and an end XB opposite the end XA, wherein the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is conveyed transversely axially or is and is or is wrapped by a strip of wrapping material U1 (10), which overlaps the several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group and at a distance AA before the end XA and /or ends at a distance AB before the end XB of the first article segment group, comprising
  • a collating device with several stations arranged one after the other, in which each station is provided with a magazine for receiving a type of article segments in the form of multi-length sticks,
  • a drum run of drums arranged downstream of one another, designed and set up for removing the rods, for cutting the rods into article segments of multiple or single use length, for staggering and shifting the article segments of multiple or single use length
  • and with a collating drum to combine the article segments,
  • comprehensive further
  • a wrapping station downstream of the collating device, working in the transverse process, for wrapping with wrapping strips U1 while leaving the distances AA and AB,
  • a unit UEH downstream of the wrapping station for reorientation of article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) arranged opposite one another along the longitudinal axis, set up and designed for reorienting the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) in their position relative to one another.

All of the features mentioned, including those that can be taken from the drawings alone and also individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features that are marked with "particularly" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

Reference List

1

filter segment

2

filter segment

3

filter segment

4

filter segment

10

Wrapping strip U1

20

cutting knife

30

Wrapping strips U2

40

cutting knife

100

multi-segment filter

110

filter segment rod

300

filter segment rod

400

filter segment rod

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K

process step

XA

End

XB

End

aa

Distance (End XA)

AWAY

Distance (End XB)

Claims (15)

Method for manufacturing smoking article products (100) each consisting of a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular at least three or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), with a first article segment group having more than two or more is formed or provided as three article segments (1, 2, 3) and with an end XA and with an end XB opposite the end XA, wherein the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is or is conveyed transversely axially and from a strip of wrapping material U1 (10) is or is wrapped, which overlaps the several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group and at a distance AA before the end XA and/or at a distance AB before the end XB of the first article segment group, the wrapped first article segment group (1, 2, 3) being cut in the middle and into two article segment subgroups each with the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3) and then the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) in their relative position are reoriented to one another, so that before the reorientation, ends (end A, end B) lying on the outside of the wrapped article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) face each other after the reorientation, with the opposite ends (end A, end B) of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) at least one further article segment (4) is inserted and the at least one further article segment (4) with the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) lying adjacent on both sides by wrapping with a strip of wrapping material U2 ( 30) to form a second article segment group, wherein the second wrapping material strip U2 (30) encases part of the adjacent article segments of the already wrapped, external article segment groups and wherein at least one smoking article product (100) is or is formed from the second article segment group. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distance AA to the front end XA is at least 0.1 mm and/or that the distance AB to the front end XB is at least 0.1 mm or that the distance AA to the front end XA is less than 0.25 mm and/or that the distance AB from the front end XB is less than 0.25 mm. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance AA from the front end XA is greater than 3.0 mm and/or that the distance AB from the front end XB is greater than 3.0. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an adjacent article segment is overlapped by the strip of wrapping material U1 (10) with an overlap of 2 mm to 5 mm. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distance AA of the wrapping material strip U1 (10) before the end XA of the first article segment group and the distance AB of the wrapping material strip U1 (10) before the end of the first article segment group XB is the same or different . Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the distance of the wrapping material strip U1 (10) before the end XA of the first article segment group and the distance AB of the wrapping material strip U1 (10) before the end of the first article segment group XB is not more than ± 10 % to ± 20% deviate from each other. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rod-shaped smoking article products (100) are designed as multi-segment filters or multi-filters. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the article segments of the smoking article products (100) are designed as filter segments or that the smoking article products (100) each have at least one or more filter segments as article segments and at least one article segment with a consumable, in particular aromatic and /or has a tobacco-based product, wherein in particular the at least one article segment with a consumable product contains a crimped tobacco foil and/or strips of tobacco foil or tobacco fibers. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the smoking article products (100) are designed as heat-not-burn products. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second article segment group, preferably in the middle, in two or more than two smoking article products (100) are cut. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the article segments of the first article segment group are arranged symmetrically, in particular to the vertical central plane, before cutting, in particular before wrapping with the wrapping material strip U1 (10), preferably in each case or partially adjacent to one another or to one another are spaced apart. Device for manufacturing methods for manufacturing smoking article products (100) each from a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), the device being designed in such a way that a method according to one of Claims 1 to 11 is carried out or can be carried out. Smoking article product (100) each consisting of a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular at least three or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), with a first article segment group having more than two or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3) an article segment subassembly is formed with an end XA and with an end XB opposite the end XA, the article segment subassembly being wrapped by a strip of wrapping material U1 (10) which comprises the plurality, in particular more than two or more than three , article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group overlaps and ends at a distance AA before the end XA, the wrapped article segment subgroup having a cut end XS with an exact, straight edge and/or bearing surface, with at the end A of the article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) at least one further article segment (4) is arranged and the at least one further article segment (4) with the adjacent article segment subgroup (1, 2, 3) through wrap is joined to a strip of wrapping material U2 (30) and forms the smoking article product (100).
and/or produced by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Smoking article product (100) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the smoking article product has a cut end opposite the cut end XS with a precise, straight edge and/or bearing surface. Intermediate product designed as a second article segment group, which has a first article segment group with several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) and with one end XA and one end XB opposite the end XA, the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is wrapped by a strip of wrapping material U1 (10), which overlaps the several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) of the first article segment group and at a distance AA before the end XA and/or a distance AB before the end XB of the first article segment group, the wrapped first article segment group (1, 2, 3) being cut centrally and into two article segment subgroups each having the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3). and is reoriented in position relative to one another such that previously prior to reorientation, outboard ends (end A, end B) of the wrapped article segment subassemblies (1,2,3) face each other after reorientation, with between the post-reorientation opposing ones ends (end A, end B) of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) at least one further article segment (4) is inserted and the at least one further article segment (4) with the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) lying adjacent on both sides by wrapping connected to a strip of wrapping material U2 (30) to form the second article segment group.

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