GB2526589A

GB2526589A - Smoking article assembly apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2526589A
Application number: GB1409505.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-29
Filing date: 2014-05-29
Publication date: 2015-12-02
Also published as: GB201409505D0

Abstract

A smoking article assembly apparatus configured to join rods of smokeable material T1 and filter rods F together for forming smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a tipping unit including a tipping paper drum 10 configured to receive a continuous web of tipping paper W from a reel 14 of tipping paper and a cutter 11/12 configured to cut the web of tipping paper into patches on the tipping paper drum to be applied around rods of smokeable material and filter rods, wherein the apparatus includes a tipping paper clamp 102 configured to clamp a leading portion of the tipping paper web against the tipping paper drum, the clamp including an actuator 105 to enable the clamp to be movable into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum. The tipping paper clap may comprise a roller 103, which may be an idle roller having a one-way ratchet mechanism. The actuator may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic piston. The apparatus may be configured to automatically move into engagement against the tipping paper drum upon shut-down of the apparatus. A method of operation of the disclosed apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

Smoking Article Assembly Apparatus

Field

This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for assembly of smoking articles and, in particular, to a tipping unit for a smoking article assembly apparatus for providing a tipping paper patch for wrapping around a filter rod and tobacco rod to form a smoking article.

i o Background

Known smoking artide assembly apparatus, such as a filter cigarette assembling apparatus, comprises a filter attachment unit for attaching a filter and tobacco rod to form a filter cigarette. in a known filter attachment unit, a douNe length filter rod i (known as a "2-up" filter rod) is aligned with two tobacco rods, one at either end of the s-up filter rod, and the three rods are wrapped with a patch of wrapper known as a "tipping paper" so as to join them together. The centrally positioned 2-up filter rod is then cut into two so as to form two filter cigarettes.

in such known apparatuses, filter rods and tobacco rods are conveyed in a filter attachment unit by a plurality of cylindrical drums, with rod articles passing from drum to dnim as they are conveyed through the unit. The drums have a plurality of grooves spaced around the curved periphery of each drum for holding rod articles during transport by the drums, with each groove extending in the direction of the dnim axis. A swash plate dnim longitudinally compresses two tobacco rods and a 2-up filter rod before tipping paper is applied, and a rolling drum co-operates with a roll hand to wrap a tipping paper patch around the three rods. The apparatus also includes a tipping unit for supplying individual cut patches of tipping paper from a continuous web of tipping paper fed from a bobbin, and a glue unit for applying glue to the tipping paper. The tipping paper web maybe drawn from the bobbin by a suction drum and a cutter cuts the web into individual patches as the web passes over the suction drum. The leading free edge of the tipping paper web is he'd against the outer curved surface of the suction drum while the apparatus is in operation by a vacuum applied within the drum and suction holes in the outer surface of the drum.

Summary

Embodiments described herein provide a smoking article assembly apparatus configured to join rods of smokeable material and filter rods together for forming smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a tipping unit including a tipping paper drum configured to receive a continuous web of tipping paper from a reel of tipping paper and a cutter configured to cut the web of tipping paper into patches on the tipping paper drum to be applied around rods of smokeable material and filter rods, wherein the apparatus includes a tipping paper clamp configured to clamp a leading o portion of the tipping paper web against the tipping paper drum, the clamp including an actuator to enable the clamp to be moveable into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum.

The tipping paper clamp may comprise a roller moveable into and out of engagement with the tipping paper drum. The roller may comprise an idle roller having a one-way ratchet mechanism such that the roller is able to rotate in one direction but prevented from rotating in the opposite direction.

The tipping paper clamp, or a portion of the tipping paper clamp, maybe mounted to the apparatus with a quick-release mechanism.

The actuator may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic piston. The tipping paper c'amp may be configured to automatically move into engagement against the tipping paper drum upon shut-down of the apparatus, and/or may be configured to automatically move into engagement against the tipping paper drum a predetermined time period before shut-down of the apparatus.

The tipping paper clamp may be configured to automatical'y move out of engagement with thc tipping papcr drum upon start-up of thc apparatus, and/or may bc configurcd to automatically move out of engagement with the tipping paper drum a predetermined time period after start-up of the apparatus.

The tipping paper drum may comprise a tipping paper suction drum having an outer peripheral surface with suction h&es, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the drum in operation of the apparatus, to hold the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction.

The tipping paper clamp may be configured to automatically move out of engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.

The tipping paper clamp may be configured to automatically move into engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.

The apparatus may further comprise a controller to automatically contro' operation of the tipping paper clamp.

The tipping paper clamp maybe disposed immediately upstream of the cutter with respect to the conveyance direction of the tipping paper web.

The present disclosure also provides a method of operation of a smoking article assembly apparatus configured to join rods of smokeable material and filter rods together for forming smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a tipping unit including a tipping paper drum, a cutter, and a tipping paper clamp including an actuator, wherein the method comprises the tipping paper drum receiving a continuous web of tipping paper from a reel of tipping paper, the cutter cutting the web of tipping paper into patches on the tipping paper drum to be applied around rods of smokeable material and filter rods, and operating the actuator to move the tipping paper clamp into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum to clamp or release a leading portion of the tipping paper web against the tipping paper drum.

TI-ic mcthod may comprisc automatically moving the tipping papcr clamp into engagement against the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web upon shut-down of the apparatus.

The method may comprise moving the tipping paper clamp into engagement against the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web a predetermined time period before shut-down of the apparatus.

The method may comprise automatically moving the tipping paper clamp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web upon start-up of the apparatus.

The method may comprise moving the tipping paper clamp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web a predetermined time period after start-up of the apparatus.

The tipping paper drum may comprise a tipping paper suction drum having an outer jo peripheral surface with suction holes, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the drum in operation of the apparatus to ho'd the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction, wherein the method may comprise automatically moving the tipping paper damp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.

The tipping paper drum may comprise a tipping paper suction drum having an outer peripheral surface with suction h&es, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the drum in operation of the apparatus to ho'd the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction, wherein the method may comprise automatically moving the tipping paper damp into engagement against the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.

The apparatus may further comprise a controller, and the method may comprise the controller automatically controlling operation of the tipping paper clamp.

The method may comprise applying the tipping paper clamp immediately upstream of the cuttcr with rcspcct to thc convcyancc dircetion of the tipping papcr wcb.

The tipping paper clamp may comprise a roller, and the method may comprise actuating the tipping paper clamp so that the roller is moved into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and tipping paper drum.

The roller may comprise an idle roller having a one-way ratchet mechanism, and the method may comprise, whilst the roller is in engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum, the roller rotating in one direction to allow conveyance of the tipping paper web in a feed direction of the apparatus, but the roller being prevented from rotating in the opposite direction to prevent conveyance of the tipping paper web in the opposite direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a known cigarette assembly apparatus; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the tipping unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cigarette assembly apparatus of a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the tipping unit of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; and FIG. isa view of a tipping paper clamp of the tipping unit show in FIG. 4.

Detailed Description

Referring now to FIG. 1, a known cigarette assembly apparatus 1 is schematically shown and comprises a plurality of cylindrical drums for feeding tobacco rods Ti, T2 and/or filter rods F through the assembly apparatus. The apparatus includes a feed drum 2, a first cutting drum 3, a separating drum 4, a combining drum 5, a tipping drum 6, a second cutting drum 7 and a discharge drum 8.

A filter feed drum 9 is disposed adjacent the combining drums. A tipping paper suction drum 10 is disposed adjacent the tipping drum 6. The tipping paper suction drum 10 has a hollow interior connected to a source of reduced pressure, such as a vacuum generator (not shown), and a plurality holes 18 (see FIG. 2) are provided in the curvcd outcr pcriphcral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10. In operation, tipping paper can thereby be held onto the peripheral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10 by force of suction due to the reduced pressure acting on the tipping paper through the holes 18. A cutting roller 11 is disposed adjacent the tipping paper suction drum 10 and has a plurafity of radially-extending blades 12 which contact the outer surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10 as the cutting roller 11 rotates.

A hopper 13 is disposed above the filter feed drum 9 and is configured to feed 2-up filter rods F to the filter feed drum 9 as it rotates.

A spool 14 of tipping paper feeds a continuous web of tipping paper W to the tipping paper suction drum 10 over a guide roller 15. (In practice, the apparatus 1 would include a plurality of guide rollers, although only one is shown for the sake of clarity and simplicity).

A first cutting wheel 16 is in engagement with the first cutting drum 3, and second o cutting wheel l7is in engagement with the second cutting drum 7.

The apparatus 1 includes a tipping unit 20 which comprises the tipping paper suction drum 10 and cutting roller ii. The tipping unit 20 may also include the tipping paper spool 14 and the guide roller 15, as shown in FIGS 1 and 2. The tipping unit may also include a tipping drum 6, and a roll hand 19 disposed adjacent the tipping drum 6, also as shown in FIGS. iand 2.

The various drums are formed with grooves (see, for example, grooves 21 on the tipping drum 6 of FIG. 2) for receiving tobacco/filter rods T2, Ti, F and each groove has holes (not shown) through which suction can be applied such that the tobacco/filter rods T2, Ti, F are retained in the grooves as the drums rotate. The drums are configured such that suction is only applied to the outer surface of each drum over a portion angular rotation of the drum, so that the tobacco/filter rods T2, Ti, F can be transferred from drum to drum as the drums rotate as the vacuum on one drum, from which the rods are to be transferred, is cut off and the vacuum is applied to the adjacent drum, to which the rods are to be transferred.

In use, double length tobacco rods T2 are provided to the feed drum 2 and are conveyed by thc feed drum 2 and transfcrrcd to thc first cutting drum 3 whcrc the first cutting wheel i6 cuts the double-length tobacco rods T2 in half into single length tobacco rods Ti. The resulting adjacent pairs of sing'e length tobacco rods Ti are then transferred to the separating drum 4 where they are spaced from each other and are then transferred to the combining drum.

2-up filter rods F are transferred from the filter feed drum 9 to the combining drum 5, a single s-up filter rod F being placed between each of the spaced pairs of single length tobacco rods Ti. The aligned tobacco and filter rods Ti, F are pressed together by a swash plate (not shown) and transferred to the tipping drum 6.

The tipping paper web W is drawn from the spooi 14 over the guide roller i5 and around the tipping paper suction drum 10 as the tipping paper suction drum 10 rotates.

The cutting roller ii cuts the tipping paper web W into individual patches on the tipping paper suction drum 10 which are then transferred to the tipping drum 6, one patch being positioned across each 2-up filter rod F and over-lying the ends of the abutting single length tobacco rods Ti. As the tipping drum 6 rotates, the roll hand 19, jo which remains stationary, contacts the filter and tobacco rods F, Ti and rolls the tipping paper patches around the filter and tobacco rods F, Ti to join them together into a double-length end-to-end cigarette C2. Adhesive to secure the tipping paper patches around the filter and tobacco rods F, Ti maybe pre-applied to the tipping paper web W before it is cut into patches, or may be applied at a separate gluing unit (not shown) between the web iN being drawn off the spool i4 and the patches being applied to the filter and tobacco rods F, Ti.

The double-length cigarettes C2 are transferred to the second cutting drum 7 where the second cutting wheel 17 cuts them in two at their mid-point, to create two individual cigarettes Ci which are then transferred to the discharge drumS and discharged for subsequent sorting and packaging.

During operation of the above-described apparatus and process, the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum io keeps the tipping paper web W held against the outer peripheral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10. However, when the apparatus is shut down, the loss of suction means that the leading edge of the tipping paper web W falls away from the tipping paper suction drum 10 and so when the apparatus is to be restarted, an operator has to manually re-thread the leading edge of thc tipping papcr wcb W through thc apparatus, including through thc various rollers, tip to and onto the peripheral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10.

Furthermore, it is not possible to turn the tipping paper suction drum 10 independently and so it cannot be rotated while a user is threading the tipping paper through the machine.

An apparatus ioi of a first embodiment is shown schematically in FtG. 3 and is similar to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and like features retain the same reference numerals.

A difference between the apparatus 101 of the first embodiment invention and that shown in FIG. 1 is that the tipping unit 20 further indudes a tipping paper clamp 102 adjacent the tipping paper suction drum 10.

The tipping paper clamp 102 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, and comprises an idle roller 103 mounted on a support bracket 104. The clamp 102 is connected to an actuator 105 comprising a piston to enable the clamp 102 to be actively moved towards and away from the tipping paper suction drum 10, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, between an engaged position (direction B' of the arrow) in which the idle roller 103 is jo in contact against the peripheral curved surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10 and overlying tipping paper web IN, and a release position (direction R' of the arrow) in which the idle roller 103 is spaced apart from the tipping paper drum 10. The piston may be pneumatically or hydraulically actuated or may be electrically actuated.

Operation of the apparatus 101 of the first embodiment is largely as described above with reference to the known apparatus 1. The web W of tipping paper is drawn from the spool 14 by the suction force of the tipping paper suction drum 10 holding the web IN against the outer peripheral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10 as it rotates, and as the cutting roller 11 cuts the web IN into individua' discrete patches. The draw of the tipping paper web W from the spool 14 may also be assisted by one or more pairs of driven guide rollers (not shown) through which the tipping paper web W may pass between the spooi 14 and the tipping paper suction drum 10. During such operation of the apparatus 101, the tipping paper clamp 102 is in the release position, spaced from the tipping paper suction drum 10. However, when the apparatus 101 is shut down, the vacuum generator stops creating a vacuum within the tipping paper suction drum 10. A leading portion of the tipping paper web W, that is, a region proximate the eading edge of the tipping paper web Was defined by the last cut in the web W made by the cutting roller 11, is then no onger held against the outer periphera' surfacc of thc tipping papcr suction drum 10 by forcc of suction. In ordcr to prcvcnt the leading portion of the tipping paper web IA' from falling away from the tipping paper suction drum 10 when the apparatus 101 is shut-down, or when the vacuum within the tipping paper suction drum 10 is stopped whilst the apparatus 101 remains powered up, the actuator io moves the tipping paper clamp 102 into the engaged position to clamp the eading portion of the tipping paper web W against the outer peripheral surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10.

When the apparatus 101 is re-started, the leading portion of the tipping paper web W is again held on the tipping paper suction drum 10 by force of suction created by the vacuum generator and so the actuator 105 moves the clamp 102 into the release position, since it is no longer necessary to clamp the tipping paper web W against the tipping paper suction drum 10.

It will be appreciated that since the leading portion of the tipping paper web W is hdd in position by the clamp 102 upon shut-down of the apparatus 101, the apparatus 101 of the first embodiment avoids the disadvantage of a user having to manually re-thread Jo the leading portion of the tipping paper web IA' through the apparatus each time the apparatus is shut down then re-started. The damp 102 also has the advantage of being able to initially clamp a leading portion of a tipping paper web Win place when an operator needs to load a new spool 14 of tipping paper into the apparatus and has to thread the new tipping paper web W through the apparatus 101.

Tt is intended that the clamp 102 may comprise a variety of configurations within the scope of the invention, such as a blade, a bar or an idle roller as shown in FTGS. 3 to 5.

However, an advantage of the clamp comprising an idle roller 103 is that the damp 102 can be moved into the engaged position immediately upon shut-down of the apparatus 101, or upon stopping of the vacuum within the tipping paper suction drum 10, and can remain in contact with the tipping paper suction drum 10 while the tipping paper suction drum 10 is still rotating through inertia of the machinery. This ensures that the tipping paper web W is clamped as soon as the suction level in the tipping paper suction drum 10 begins to reduce, and also that the risk of damage or tearing for the tipping paper web W is reduced while the clamp 102 is in the engaged position while the tipping paper suction drum 10 is still rotating. Similarly, it means that the tipping paper clamp 102 can remain in the engaged position clamping the tipping paper web W against the tipping paper suction drum 10 upon start-up of the apparatus while the tipping papcr suction drum 10 bcgins to rotatc, until thc suction lcvcl rcachcs full operating level before the clamp 102 is moved to the release position. Mthough the embodiment shown in FTGS. 3 to comprises a clamp 102 having an idle roller 103, that is, a roller that does not include its own drive mechanism to actively drive the roller, the invention is not intended to be limited to such an embodiment and instead the clamp may include a driven roller. -10-

The apparatus 101 may comprise a controller (not shown) to control operation of the tipping paper clamp 102 and its actuator 105, to automatically engage the clamp upon shut-down of the apparatus 101, and to automatically release the tipping paper clamp 102 upon start-up of the apparatus 101.

The controller may control the apparatus to automatically engage the clamp 102 a pre-determined time interval before, or after, shut-down of the apparatus 101. To facilitate this function, the idle roller 103 of the clamp 102 may comprise a one-way ratchet or clutch mechanism which permits rotation of the roller 103 in the direction of web W travel, but not in the opposite direction. This means that the roller 103 cannot rotate backwards, under residual tension in the tipping paper web W or otherwise, thereby preventing the web W from being released from the surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10 when the apparatus 101 is shut down. The apparatus 101 may also or alternatively automatically engage the clamp 102 when the vacuum level in the tipping paper suction drum 10 reaches a predetermined level. Each would ensure the clamp 102 is engaged before any loss in suction force of the tipping paper suction drum 10, or before the suction force of the tipping paper suction drum 10 reduces below a level at which the tipping paper web N can be securely held onto the surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10.

The controller may control the apparatus to automatically release the clamp 102 a pre-determined time interval after start-up of the apparatus 101. The apparatus may also or alternatively automatically release the clamp 102 when the vacuum level in the suction drum 10 reaches a predetermined level. Each would ensure the clamp 102 is engaged until the suction force of the tipping paper suction drum lois up to a level, which may be full operational level, at which the tipping paper web N can be securely held onto the surface of the tipping paper suction drum 10.

In an altcrnativc cmbodimcnt intcndcd to fall within thc scopc of thc invcntion, thc clamp 102 may be manually operated at shut-down or start-up of the apparatus, or a predetermined time period before or after shut-down or start up of the apparatus, or when the vacuum level in the tipping paper suction dnim reaches a predetermined evel, either by manua' operation of the actuator 105, or by omission of the actuator 105 and being manually mechanically operated into or out of engagement with the tipping paper suction drum 10.

-11 -Within the scope of the invention, the clamp 102 or a portion of the clamp 102, for example the rofler 103, may be mounted on the apparatus 101 via a quick-release mechanism to allow for quick and easy removal of the clamp 102, roller 103, or part of the clamp 102 for maintenance, cleaning or replacement as required.

Although the apparatns 101 of the first embodiment is described as having a clamp 102 operable in conjunction with a tipping paper suction drum 10, the invention is not intended to be limited to an apparatus having a tipping paper suction drum 10, and instead, the apparatus may include an alternative form of tipping paper drum, for Jo examp'e with a frictional coating to pull the tipping paper web W through the apparatus by frictional engagement with the tipping paper drum rather that holding the web W against the tipping paper drum by suction force.

It will be appreciated that it is advantageous that the clamp 102 is disposed immediately upstream of the cutting rofler ii with respect to the conveyance direction of the tipping paper web Win operation of the apparatus. This is so that as each tipping paper patch is cut from the leading edge of the tipping paper web, the newly-created leading portion of the tipping paper web W can be clamped in position upon shut-down of the apparatus 101.

The apparatus 101 of the first embodiment comprises a cutting roller 11 to cut the tipping paper web W into individual patches. However, the invention is not limited to this arrangement and other configurations of cutting devices are intended within the scope of the invention, for example a reciprocating cutting blade.

Although the apparatus 101 of the first embodiment is described as assembling double length smoking articles and subsequently cutting these in two to create single smoking articles, the invention is not intended to be limited to this arrangement and may altcrnativcly bc configurcd to placc a singlc-lcngth filtcr rod adjacent a single rod of smokeable materia', apply a tipping paper patch around the filter and smokeable materia' rods to create single smoking articles. Tn such an alternative embodiment, the hopper 13 disposed above the filter feed drum 9 may be configured to hold i-up filter rods to be fed to the filter feed drum 9. Furthermore, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the hopper 13 may be configured to hold a range of filter rod lengths, for example, 1-up, 2-Un, etc. up to 8-up. In such an embodiment, an additional filter rod cutting device may be disposed between the hopper 13 and the filter feed drum 9 to -12 -cut the multiple-length filter rods to 1-up or 2-up lengths for feeding to the filter feed drum 9. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured such that a, for example, 8-up filter rod is provided with a tobacco rod Ti at each end, wrapped with a tipping paper patch, the combined 8-up rod and tobacco rods Ti is cut at the 8-up rod to separate an individual cigarette Ci from each end, leaving a 6-up rod. The process of combining a tobacco rod Ti and cutting the filter rod to separate individual cigarettes Ci may then be repeated leaving a a-up filter rod, then a 2-up filter rod, at which point tobacco rods Ti are attached at each end to create a double-length end-to-end cigarette C2 which is then cut in the middle of the filter rod to create two individual cigarettes Ci, as jo described above.

It will be appreciated that FIGS. 3 and 4 showing the apparatus ioi of the first embodiment are simplified schematic drawings only, for ease and clarity of illustration, and an actual apparatus may include a greater number of rollers and drums than that shown, and which may be in a different relative position to that shown, such as for optimum efficiency of space within the apparatus. There may be a greater number of guide rollers over which the tipping paper web W passes before reaching the point at which it is cut into patches, and/or the drums may not be aligned as shown in FIG. 3.

Also, there may be more rod handling drums in the apparatus that than shown in the schematic drawings, to perform additional tasks such as rod alignment, measurement, quality control, etc. tn particular, the roll hand 19 may not be disposed adjacent the tipping drum 6 but instead, there maybe an additional drum disposed between the tipping drum 6 and the second cutting drum 7 and the roll hand i9 maybe disposed adjacent such additional drum. In such a variant embodiment of the invention, the tipping paper patches may be applied to the -up filter rod F and tobacco rods Ti on the tipping drum 6 and then they are all transferred to the additional drum where the roll hand 19 rolls the tipping paper patch around the 2-up filter rod F and tobacco rods Ti to form the double length cigarette C2. The double length cigarettes C2 are then transfcrrcd to thc sccond cutting drum whcrc thc second cutting whccl 17 cuts thcm in two to create two individual cigarettes Ci as described above.

The apparatus 101 of the first embodiment is described herein as a cigarette assembly apparatus, although the invention is not limited to cigarette construction and may include methods and apparatuses for assembly of alternative forms of smoking articles.

-13 -The smoking article assembly apparatus 101 of the first embodiment is described above as a single unitary smoking article assembly apparatus, which includes the tipping unit 20. However, in an alternative example intended within the scope of the invention, the smoking article assembly apparatus of the invention may comprise a tipping unit which comprises a module of a modular smoking article assembly apparatus, and may thereby comprise only part of an overafl smoking article assembly apparatus. Modular smoking article assembly apparatus is described in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2012/164067. In such an embodiment, the modular smoking article assembly apparatus may include a plurality of such tipping unit modules each feeding jo combined and wrapped filter rods F and tobacco rods Ti to the process. Tn such modular apparatus, a plurality of spools 14 of tipping paper webs W may be provided, one for each tipping unit module.

The tipping unit 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes the tipping drum 6 and associated roll hand 19. However, a smoking article assembly apparatus comprising a tipping unit of the invention is not intended to be limited to an apparatus including a tipping drum and roB hand. Furthermore, the tipping unit 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a tipping paper spool 14 and guide roller 15. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to an apparatus including a tipping paper spooi 14, and in an alternative embodiment, the tipping paper spooi 14 may be mounted remotely to the apparatus and feeds the tipping paper web W to the apparatus.

The tipping unit 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a cutting roller ii which cuts the tipping paper web W into individual patches on the tipping paper suction drum. However, the invention is not limited to such a configuration of cutting apparatus and alternative mechanisms for cutting the tipping paper web W are intended within the scope of the invention. One such alternative cutting mechanism in place of a culling roller may comprise a shear knife system in which a knife blade is configured to intcrmittcntly comc into contact with a cntcr into one of a plurality of spaced recesses around the perimeter of the tipping paper suction drum 10 or on the subsequent tipping drum 6, cutting and shearing the paper in a scissor type action against an edge of the tipping paper suction drum 10/tipping drum 6.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

Tn order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior smoking article assembly apparatus. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that jo advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which maybe daimed in future.

Claims

-15 -Claims 1. A smoking artide assembly apparatus configured to join rods of smokeable material and filler rods together for forming smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a tipping unit including a tipping paper drum configured to receive a continuous web of tipping paper from a reel of tipping paper and a cutter configured to cut the web of tipping paper into patches on the tipping paper drum to be applied around rods of smokeable material and filter rods, wherein the apparatus includes a tipping paper clamp configured to clamp a Jo leading portion of the tipping paper web against the tipping paper drum, the damp including an actuator to enable the clamp to be moveable into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tipping paper clamp comprises a roller moveable into and out of engagement with the tipping paper drum.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the roller comprises an idle roller having a one-way ratchet mechanism such that the roller is able to rotate in one direction but prevented from rotating in the opposite direction.
4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 -3 wherein the tipping paper clamp or a portion of the tipping paper clamp is mounted to the apparatus with a quick-release mechanism.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic piston.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tipping paper damp is configured to automaticafly move into engagement against the tipping paper drum upon shut-down of the apparatus.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding élaim wherein the tipping paper clamp is configured to automatically move into engagement against the tipping paper drum a predetermined time period before shut-down of the apparatus.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding daim wherein the tipping paper damp is configured to automaticafly move out of engagement with the tipping paper drum upon start-up of the apparatus.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tipping paper clamp is configured to automatically move out of engagement with the tipping paper drum a predetermined time period after start-up of the apparatus.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tipping paper drum comprises a tipping paper suction drum having an outer peripheral surface with suction holes, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the drum in operation of the apparatus, to hold the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the tipping paper clamp is configured to automatically move out of engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.
12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or claim ii, when dependent on claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the tipping paper clamp is configured to automatically move into engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.
13. An apparatus according to any of dai ms 6 to 12, further comprising a controller to automatically control operation of the tipping paper clamp.
14. An apparatus according to any preceding daim wherein the tipping paper clamp is disposed immediately upstream of the cutter with respect to the conveyance direction of the tipping paper web. -17-
15. A method of operation of a smoking article assembly apparatus configured to join rods of smokeable material and filter rods together for forming smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a tipping unit including a tipping paper drum, a cutter, and a tipping paper clamp including an actuator, wherein the method comprises the tipping paper drum receiving a continuous web of tipping paper from a reel of tipping paper, the cutter cutting the web of tipping paper into patches on the tipping paper drum to be applied around rods of smokeable material and filter rods, and operating the actuator to move the tipping paper clamp into and out of engagement Jo with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum to clamp or release a leading portion of the tipping paper web against the tipping paper drum.
i6. A method according to claim 15 comprising automatically moving the tipping paper clamp into engagement against the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web upon shut-down of the apparatus.
17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16 comprising moving the tipping paper clamp into engagement against the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web a predetermined time period before shut-down of the apparatus.
18. A method according to any of claims 15 to 17 comprising automatically moving the tipping paper clamp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web upon start-up of the apparatus.
19. A method according to any of claims 15 to 8 comprising moving the tipping paper clamp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum and tipping paper web a predetermined time period after start-lip of the apparatus.
20. A mcthod according to any of claims 15 to 19 whcrcin thc tipping papcr drum comprises a tipping paper suction drum having an outer peripheral surface with suction holes, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the dnim in operation of the apparatus to hold the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction, wherein the method comprises automatically moving the tipping paper clamp out of engagement with the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping -18 -paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.
21. A method according to any of claims 15 to 20 wherein the tipping paper drum comprises a tipping paper suction dnim having an outer peripheral surface with suction holes, and a vacuum generator connected to the tipping paper suction drum to apply a vacuum to the interior of the drum in operation of the apparatus to hold the tipping paper against the peripheral surface of the tipping paper drum by suction, wherein the method comprises automatically moving the tipping paper clamp into engagement against the tipping paper drum when the vacuum applied to the interior of the tipping paper suction drum reaches a predetermined level.
22. A method according to any of claims i6 to 21 wherein the apparatus further comprises a controller, the method comprising the controller automatically controlling operation of the tipping paper clamp.
23. A method according to any of claims i to 22 comprising applying the tipping paper clamp immediately upstream of the cutter with respect to the conveyance direction of the tipping paper web.
24. A method according to any of claim 15 to 23 wherein the tipping paper clamp comprises a roller, the method comprising actuating the tipping paper clamp so that the roller is moved into and out of engagement with the tipping paper web and tipping paper drum.
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the roller comprises an idle roller having a one-way ratchet mechanism, the method comprising, whilst the roller is in engagement with the tipping paper web and/or tipping paper drum, thc roller rotating in one dircction to allow conveyance of the tipping paper web in a feed direction of the apparatus, but the roller being prevented from rotating in the opposite direction to prevent conveyance of the tipping paper web in the opposite direction.
26. A smoking article assembly apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A method of operating a smoking artide assembly apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.