JP2023530236A - Method and machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a multi-segmented article (110) comprises the steps of: providing at least one series of a first segment (1), one series of a second segment (2) and one series of a third segment (3), said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) being different types of segments; assembling the first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) to form a train of alternating first and second units (60, 70) advancing transversely to the longitudinal axes of the segments (1, 2, 3), the first unit (60) comprising at least one first segment (1) and at least one second segment (2) and the second unit (70) comprising at least one third segment (3); and assembling the units (60, 70) into a single forming beam (80) to form a single continuous rod (100) defined by a predetermined sequence of the different types of segments (1, 2, 3). The step of assembling the different types of segments (1, 2, 3) to form a train of alternating first and second units (60, 70) is carried out such that the first and second segments (1, 2) form part of only the first units (60) and the third segment (3) forms part of only the second units (70).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles, in particular for assembling rod-shaped articles, preferably for assembling rod-shaped articles (aerosol generators), such as for the tobacco industry.

Composite filters can now be manufactured by progressively assembling different segments in a suction sheet of a conveying system, as described in EP1393640.

According to this solution, each suction seat receives successive filter segments until each seat contains the complete sequence of filter segments. These complete sequences corresponding to the resulting two composite filters are then released into a single forming beam where they are wrapped in a paper web and then cut to obtain a series of composite filters.

Disadvantageously, this technical solution can lead to the production of complete sequences of excessive length or in any case non-standard length. This creates manufacturing constraints on the lengths that can be obtained with these sequences, or requires machines to be configured according to non-standard sizes, and this further implies that the sequences are subsequently transferred to the forming beam. Sometimes, further complications can arise, especially when the transfer device used is known as a "spider" device and the device is required to operate over non-standard lengths.

In this regard, the basic technical objective of the present invention is to provide a method and machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles that can operate in a simple and reliable manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles which allows a wide range of articles to be manufactured, especially articles of different sizes.

The stated technical object and the specified object are multi- substantially accomplished by a method and machine for manufacturing a segmented article.

The method according to the invention is in the context of a "single-rod" machine, i.e. a machine in which a series of segments is fed into a single continuous rod which is subsequently wrapped and cut into single multi-segment articles. , is carried out.

The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of segments of different types and assembling segments of different types into alternating series of first and second units advancing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the segments. wherein each of the at least first units is made up of at least two different types of segments; and assembling the units in a single forming beam to be defined by a predetermined sequence of different types of segments. and assembling the different types of segments to form a series of alternating first and second units, wherein each of the different types of The segment is implemented such that it forms part of only the first or second unit.

In other words, each type of segment is supplied in a series of respective segments advancing transversely to their axis, and the different types of segments are assembled to alternate first and second units. The step of forming the run is such that the segments of each run (having identical properties) are part of only the first unit or only the second unit, but not both the first unit and the second unit. carried out so as to form part of

As a result, the resulting multi-segment article defined by combining segments of the first and second units adjacent to each other comprises segments having different properties. This is because segments with identical properties are not placed in both the first and second units.

Further, the continuous rod is formed by combining the first and second units such that the first and second units are abutted end-to-end or have an empty space therebetween. be done.

According to the invention, individual segments may comprise or be made of filter material, aerosol-generating material, cooling material, heating elements, Or it may be made in the form of a hollow tubular segment. Three or more of these types can be supplied and assembled in a particular manner according to the method of the present invention.

Said segments have the shape of rods that vary in length, more specifically cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises
providing at least one series of first segments, at least one series of second segments and at least one series of third segments, wherein the first, second and third segments are of different types; a step that is a segment of
assembling the first, second and third segments to form an alternating train of first and second units advancing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the segments; one unit comprising at least one first segment and at least one second segment, the second unit comprising at least one third segment;
assembling the units in a single forming beam to form a single continuous rod defined by a predetermined sequence of different types of segments;
The step of assembling the different types of segments to form an alternating series of first and second units is such that the first and second segments form part of only the first unit and the third Execution is such that the segment forms part of the second unit only.

Additional series of segments with further different properties are assembled to be contained only in the first or second unit.

In a possible embodiment, the segments forming each corresponding unit may be further processed before being assembled to form a continuous rod. For example, the segments may be cut apart to allow different types of segments to be inserted between them. Furthermore, the segments may be cut apart before being released to form part of the respective respective unit, thus more particularly inserting successive segments having different properties. are freed in pairs with a space in the middle to allow

According to one aspect of the invention, a method comprises assembling at least a first, second and third segment (each having different properties) on a conveying means for advancement transversely to the longitudinal axis of the segment. may be implemented by forming an alternating series of first and second units, the first unit comprising at least one first segment and the second unit comprising at least one second segment. comprising two segments, each of the first and second units also comprising a third segment; assembling the different types of segments to form an alternating series of first and second units; the first segment forms part of only the first unit, the second segment forms part of only the second unit, and the first and second units each form part of a third The step of assembling the first, second and third segments on the carrier means is preferably carried out to contain the first and second segments before releasing the first and/or second segments. It is done by releasing each third segment to the transport means before releasing both of the segments. In other words, in this solution the third segment (common to both units) is a release area located upstream of the release area in which the first and/or second segments are released onto the conveying means, released onto the carrier.

According to the last-mentioned solution, the method may also comprise providing a fourth segment (of a different kind than the first, second and third segments) and assembling segments of a different kind. The step of forming an alternating series of first and second units is performed such that each of the first and second units also includes a fourth segment in addition to the third segment. . For example, although not required, the fourth segment can be placed in contact with the third segment. Thus, in this embodiment, the first and second units each include third and fourth segments, while only the first unit includes one or more first segments and the second unit contains one or more second segments. Also preferably, the third and fourth segments are supplied to their respective units in separate steps. Alternatively, the third and fourth segments may be assembled together before being released into the unit and thus released at the same time.

In a variant embodiment, the method comprises assembling at least a first, second, third and fourth segment (each having different properties) on a carrier for advancing transversely to the longitudinal axis of said segment. It is carried out by forming an alternating series of first and second units, the first unit comprising at least one first segment and at least one second segment (third and fourth segments), and conversely, the second unit includes at least one third segment and at least one fourth segment (not the first and second segments).

In embodiments falling within this variation, each first unit includes a second segment disposed between two first segments, and each second unit is located between two third segments. including a fourth segment located at . Preferably, the two units are symmetrical about a common plane of symmetry.

In this variation, the first and second units may also be formed on axially offset regions of a single drum, with the first and second units alternating on a single drum. are then axially centered to define a series of The overall lengths of the first and second units may be the same or different.

An assembly machine for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention is particularly adapted to implement the method described above and comprises a plurality of supply lines adapted to supply respective series of segments having different properties. and conveying means arranged and/or configured to receive respective segments from said plurality of supply lines, each conveying means receiving one or more segments and laterally advancing the segments. wherein at least first and second supply lines of the plurality of supply lines release respective segments only to the first sheet of the conveying means and the plurality of supply At least a third supply line of the line is constructed and/or arranged to release its segment only to the second sheet of the transport means, the first and second sheets being in the transport defined by the transport means. They are arranged alternately along the direction. Each unit is housed in a corresponding seat.

Additional supply lines for supplying segments with further different properties release each segment only to the first or second sheet of the transport means.

Preferably, the conveying means comprises a series of drums, at least some of the series of drums so as to define, for example, a pair of axially juxtaposed peripheral conveying surfaces forming a continuous portion of a single peripheral mantle. Configured. A first of these peripheral conveying surfaces is designed to combine and/or transfer a first unit obtained by a first combination of segments, the other peripheral conveying surface Designed to combine and/or transfer a second unit obtained by a second combination of segments different from the one combination. The first and second units are then centered by a centering drum to define a single string of alternating first and second units.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are illustrative, and therefore non-limiting, preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of methods and machines for manufacturing multi-segment articles, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. more obvious in the description.
1 is a side view of a machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles according to the invention; FIG. 1 schematically represents various modes of carrying out the method for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention; Figure 2B schematically represents the final step of the method shown in Figure 2A; 1 schematically represents another mode of carrying out the method for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention; 1 schematically represents another mode of carrying out the method for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention; 1 schematically represents another mode of carrying out the method for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention; 1 schematically represents another mode of carrying out the method for manufacturing a multi-segment article according to the invention;

In the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 designates as a whole a machine for manufacturing multi-segment articles according to the invention.

In the context of the present invention, an individual segment may be a segment of filter material, a segment of aerosol-generating material, a segment of tobacco, a segment of cooling material, a heating element or a hollow tubular segment. Three or more of these types can be supplied and assembled in a particular manner according to the method of the present invention.

Said segments have the shape of rods, the rods varying in length and more particularly being cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

The illustrated embodiment considers a segment of filter material for manufacturing a composite filter. However, the same concept regarding action steps also applies to other types of segments, eg belonging to the above list of segments. In the assembly method according to the invention, the segments used are not only segments with identical properties but different properties (e.g. filter segments with different filtering properties), but also segments of different properties (e.g. segments of filter material). and a tubular segment combining a heating segment). Therefore, all possible combinations are included within the scope of the invention.

According to a conventional configuration, the machine 1 comprises a plurality of feed lines 10, 20, 30, 40 (four in the illustrated embodiment, but any number greater than or equal to three), Each is configured to supply a particular type of filter segment 1, 2, 3, 4. In other words, the filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 supplied by each supply line 10, 20, 30, 40 are all of the same type and the filter segments 1, 2, 3 supplied by the other supply lines are , 4. Preferably, these filter segments have a rod shape, for example a rod shape with a circular cross-section.

Each feed line 10, 20, 30, 40 has, respectively, an upper buffer hopper 11, 21, 31, 41 intended to accommodate the corresponding segment 1, 2, 3, 4 and a corresponding buffer hopper 11, 21 , 31, 41 and provided with peripheral sheets, in particular suction sheets, for holding the corresponding filter segments; 22, 23, 24; 32, 33; 34; 42, 43, 44;

If the length of the segments 1, 2, 3, 4 accumulated in the hoppers 11, 21, 31, 41 is a multiple of the length of the segments used in the assembly process, one or more transfers 22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34; 42, 43, 44 may be provided with blades for cutting the segments 1, 2, 3, 4;

22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34; Means 50 are provided. The conveying means 50 is arranged and/or configured to receive respective segments 1, 2, 3, 4 from the supply lines 10, 20, 30, 40 and one or more of the segments 1, 2, 3, Segments 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided laterally defining a series of receiving sheets configured to receive 4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transport means 50 comprise a series of suction drums.

FIG. 2A shows a first operating diagram of the machine 1 described above.

With reference to this figure, different types of filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 coming from supply lines 10, 20, 30, 40 are transferred to a receiving sheet of conveying means 50 to produce segments 1, 2, 3, 4 The filter units 60, 70 advance transversely to the longitudinal axis of the and are positioned in successive receiving sheets forming an alternating series.

Each at least first filter unit 60 consists of at least two segments 1, 2 of different types fed by different feed lines 10, 20 (not necessarily adjacent to each other).

Each second filter unit 70 also preferably consists of at least two segments 3, 4 of different types fed by different feed lines 30, 40 (not necessarily adjacent to each other). .

The thus formed and completed first and second filter units 60, 70 have the same length or different lengths according to the size of the individual filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 constituting them. obtain.

The second filter unit 70 also includes at least one filter segment 3 of double length, and in the embodiment of FIGS. 2C and 2D consists of a single filter segment 3 of double length.

The filter units 60, 70 are then placed on a single forming beam 80 by a known type of transfer "spider" 90 (specifically, a working unit pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis transfer wheel which rotates). a single continuous rod 100 fed by a working unit driven so that it maintains the same orientation, in particular horizontal orientation, and defined by a predetermined sequence of segments of different types are assembled together in a single forming beam 80 (FIG. 3) to form the . This continuous rod 100 is then wrapped in a continuous web, specifically a paper web, followed by transverse cuts, preferably transverse cuts formed in segments 3 of double length. It is cut into composite filters 110 .

In a preferred embodiment, if the two filter units 60,70 are of different lengths, the transfer "spider" 90 is adjusted or set to compensate for the length difference between two consecutive filter units 60,70. be. This is the distance from each other equal to the average length of the two filter units 60, 70 gripped and transferred by each successive working unit of the transfer spider 90 (measured circumferentially at the pivot pins of the working units). by setting (i.e. selecting a particular wheel size) or adjusting the individual work units to position them in a manner such that the distance is adjusted as required, e.g. may be increased or decreased by a correction factor depending on . In this way, the excess length of the longer filter unit's theoretical length compensates for the gap left by the shorter filter unit.

Advantageously, the use of alternating sheets of first and second units 60 and 70 makes it possible to obtain a continuous rod 80 consisting of a sequence of segments 1, 2, 3, 4, segments The sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4 may be very long (if segments 1, 2, 3, 4 are all on the same sheet, it is possible, if not impossible, to manage a "long" sequence). would be complicated).

Advantageously, the step of assembling the different types of filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 to form an alternating series of first and second filter units 60, 70 comprises each type of segment 1, 2, 3, 4; 2, 3, 4 are supplied to the first or second filter unit 60, 70 only. In other words, the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 have no segments in common.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first filter unit 60 includes only the first and second filter segments 1, 2 belonging to the respective type and not the third and fourth filter segments 3, 4. , they form part of only the second filter unit 70 (not the first unit 60).

In the subsequent step of assembling the filter units 60,70 to form a continuous rod 80, each composite filter 90 contains all types of segments released by the active supply lines 10,20,30,40.

In an embodiment not shown, the continuous rod 80 is arranged between (and/or between) the first and second units 60, 70 instead of each first and second unit 60, 70 being placed in contact with each other. or between the second and first units 70, 60).

In a possible embodiment the machine 1 is different from the first, second, third and fourth filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 (in addition to the four supply lines 10, 20, 30, 40) One or more further supply lines configured to supply one or more series of further filter segments of the type. In this case, the steps of assembling the different types of filter segments are anyway carried out such that each further type of filter segment forms part of only the first or the second filter unit (not both).

In a variant embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the method comprises substantially the same steps, but the first filter segment 1 is already present on the respective receiving sheet of the conveying means 50, the second filter segment 2 ( or cut apart from each other to make space for inserting a pair of second filter segments 2). Similarly, the third filter segments 3 are cut apart from each other, but in this case this is done before the third filter segments 3 are fed to the respective receiving sheets of the transport means 50 (thus , when released, each pair of segments is already spaced apart). A double-length fourth segment 4 is then inserted between two spaced-apart third segments 3, or a pair of juxtaposed single-length fourth segments 3 is inserted. A segment 4 is inserted between them.

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 2C, only three supply lines 10, 20, 30 are used, the third supply line being a double-length third filter which itself defines a second unit 70. Segment 3 releasing a third filter segment 3 defining a cutting area at its centerline where the cutting blade cuts the continuous rod, or a pair of juxtaposed single length third segments 3 release the

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 2D, the third and fourth feed lines 30, 40 are of the same type of segment, i.e. the third filter segment 3 (double length filter segment or alternatively a pair of juxtaposed single length third filter segment), where the third and fourth supply lines 30, 40 feed respective third segments 3 to respective alternating receiving sheets. , define respective second units 70 that alternate with each other so that the filter can be assembled faster.

According to an embodiment not shown and not forming the invention, it is provided that the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 may each comprise a single segment. For example, assuming that the first unit 60 contains only the first segment 1 and the second unit 70 contains only the second segment 2, assembling the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 , a rod with alternating first segments 1 and second segments 2 is formed.

Figure 4 shows a variant embodiment of the invention, in which the method comprises assembling at least first, second and third segments 1, 2, 3 (each having different properties) on a carrier means. , forming an alternating series of first and second units advancing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the segments, the first unit 60 being at least the first segment 1 , the second unit 70 includes at least a second segment 2 , and each first unit 60 and each second unit 70 also includes a third segment 3 . Thus, in the particular embodiment shown, each first unit 60 includes only first segment 1 and third segment 3, and each second unit 70 includes second segment 2 and third segment 3. Contains only segment 3. Thus, the step of assembling segments 1, 2, 3 is such that the first segment 1 forms part of the first unit 60 only and the second segment 2 forms part of the second unit 70 only. is executed as Further, the step of assembling segments 1, 2, 3 is performed such that the first and second units 60, 70 each include a third segment 3. Preferably, the third segment 3 is released before the first and/or second segments 1, 2 are released, preferably before both the first and second segments 1 and 2 are released released onto the carrier. In other words, in this solution the third segment 3 (common to both units 60, 70) is of the release area where the first and/or second segments 1, 2 are released onto the transport means 50. It is released onto the transport means 50 in a release area located upstream.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the method of the invention may also include providing first, second, third and fourth filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 of different types. , the step of assembling different types of segments to form an alternating series of first and second units 60, 70 is such that the first and second units 60, 70 are each added to the third segment 3; is executed to also include the fourth segment 4. In other words, for all units 60, 70 there is a common pair of segments 3, 4, preferably an end-to-end pair of segments 3, 4, while only the first unit 60 has one It contains one or more first segments 1 and only the second unit contains one or more second segments 2 . Also preferably, the third and fourth segments 3,4 are supplied to the respective units 60,70 in separate steps. Alternatively, the third and fourth segments 3 , 4 may be assembled together before being released onto the units 60 , 70 and thus released onto the carrier 50 at the same time.

More specifically, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the third segment 3 is obtained by cutting a multiple length rod piece into single segments 3, which are then Laterally offset, some of which are axially translated to form successive pairs of third segments 3 parallel to each other but not aligned, thereby forming a zigzag chain. (In other words, the respective ends are not aligned front to back, but are obtained by axially moving the two third segments 3 of each pair relative to each other). Similarly for the fourth segment 4, when the third segment 3 and the fourth segment 4 are combined, the segment 3 in which the fourth segment 4 is inserted between two consecutive third segments 3 , 4 pairs, and vice versa, a matched (mirrored) zigzag configuration is formed. In other words, in the resulting pair, segments 3, 4 are alternately connected (3-4, 4-3, etc.). Each fourth segment 4 is thus juxtaposed with a corresponding third segment 3 and is also located between the third segment 3 that precedes it and the third segment 3 that follows it. Similarly, each third segment 3 is juxtaposed with a corresponding fourth segment 4 and is located between the fourth segment 4 that precedes it and the fourth segment 4 that follows it.

Referring to FIG. 5, the zig-zag series of fourth segments 4 is the final length of the fourth segment 4 , i.e. the fourth segment 4 , whose length is is obtained by providing a fourth segment 4 whose length has in the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 . Alternatively, the fourth segment 4 may be obtained by cutting a multiple length rod piece into single segments 4 which are then laterally offset, some of which are axially translated to form successive pairs of a series of fourth segments 4 parallel to each other but not aligned, thereby (as shown in FIG. 5 for the third segment 3 similarly) to form a series of zigzags.

A possible solution, although not essential, is that the junction between the third segment 3 and the fourth segment 4 of the pair of third and fourth segments 3, 4 is in a single common longitudinal plane inside.

Then, with each pair of segments 3, 4 thus formed, there is at least one first segment 1 (first unit 60) or at least one second segment 2 (second unit 70). abuts it on its outside.

In other words, the step of assembling the different types of segments 1, 2, 3, 4 to form an alternating series of first and second units 60, 70 is the third segment of the first unit 60 3 is juxtaposed with the first side of the fourth segment 4 and the third segment 3 of the second unit 70 is juxtaposed with the second side (opposite the first side) of the fourth segment 4 . , so that each third segment 3 is also juxtaposed with the corresponding fourth segment 4.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the method comprises assembling at least first, second, third and fourth segments 1, 2, 3, 4 of different types to laterally advance the first and second , the first unit 60 comprising at least one first segment 1 and at least one second segment 2 (third and 4th segments 3, 4), conversely, the second unit 70 comprises at least one third segment 3 and at least one fourth segment 4 (first and second segment 1 , 2). Preferably, the two units 60,70 have no segments in common.

More precisely, each first unit 60 comprises a second segment 2 arranged between two first segments 1 and each second unit 70 comprises two third segments 3 It includes a fourth segment 4 arranged therebetween. Preferably, the two units 60, 70 are shaped and arranged symmetrically about a common plane of symmetry.

In the particular embodiment of FIG. 6, the two units 60,70 are pairs of like segments (specifically, first and the third pair of segments 1, 3) are axially spaced apart.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the first and second units 60, 70 are instead formed on axially offset regions of a single drum of the transport means 50 and then axially to define a single string of interleaved first and second units 60,70.

In the configuration of Figure 6, the first segment 1 is preferably located on the supply line 10 of the first segment 1 (thus on the "downfeed" section where the segment moves downwards towards the conveying means 50). obtained by cutting rod pieces of multiple lengths using a spaced spacing drum. The same applies to the third segment 3 in the supply line 30.

FIG. 7 shows a variant embodiment that is very similar to that of FIG. 6, but differs in the following respects. The difference is that the second unit 70 is formed on the conveying means 50 and thus in the area of the bottom of the assembly machine, more specifically on the same drum (or same drums) that convey the first unit 60 . However, the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 are accommodated in axially (side-by-side) spaced apart portions (peripheries) of the same drum or of a plurality of identical drums, and thus they are are being transported and/or assembled side by side and are preferably transported and/or assembled at a spacing twice the final spacing to be obtained. Then, when both the first unit 60 and the second unit 70 are completed, they are assembled together on the centering drum to form the first unit 60 and the second unit one after the other at a single spacing. Alternating units 70 form a single string.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and achieves the stated objectives.

The machine and method according to the invention uses two continuous sheets of transport means to divide the length of the sequence into two parts (first and second units) for each article. Allows you to manufacture goods. This also allows the length of individual segments to be varied over a wide enough range to cover a large number of formats, but without having to set the machine to non-standard format conditions.

EP1393640

Claims (18)

A method for manufacturing a multi-segment article (110) comprising:
preparing a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of different types;
first and second assembling the plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of different types and advancing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4); forming an alternating series of units (60, 70), wherein at least said first units (60) are each from at least two segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of different types; configured steps;
Assembling said units (60, 70) in a single forming beam (80) to form a single continuous rod (100) defined by a predetermined sequence of different types of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) and
Said step of assembling a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of different types to form an alternating series of first and second units (60, 70) comprises: A method, wherein a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) are performed so as to form part of said first or said second unit (60, 70) only. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second units (60, 70) have different lengths. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second units (60, 70) have the same length. Said second unit (70) comprises at least one segment (3) of double length and intended to be later cut into two segments, said second unit (70) 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unit (70) consists in particular of a single segment (3) of double length. Said step includes:
providing at least one series of first segments (1), at least one series of second segments (2) and at least one series of third segments (3), said first, wherein the second and third segments (1, 2, 3) are different types of segments;
assembling said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) and advancing transversely to a longitudinal axis of said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3); forming a series of alternating first and second units (60, 70), said first unit (60) comprising at least one first segment (1) and at least one comprising two second segments (2), said second unit (70) comprising at least one third segment (3);
assembling said units (60, 70) in a single forming beam (80) to form a single continuous rod (100) defined by a predetermined sequence of segments (1, 2, 3) of different types; and including
Said step of assembling different types of said segments (1, 2, 3) to form an alternating series of said first and second units (60, 70) comprises: (1,2) form part only of said first unit (60) and said third segment (3) forms part only of said second unit (70) 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Said step of preparing a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) includes a series of fourth segments (4 ), and said step of assembling different types of said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) is such that said fourth segment (4) is said first or second unit (60, 70) ), preferably forming part of said second unit (70). Said step of providing a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) further comprises providing a series of fourth segments (4) of the same type as said third segment (3); said step of assembling said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of a kind forming part of respective second units (70) in which said third and fourth segments (4) are interleaved 6. The method of claim 5, performed to: Said step of preparing a plurality of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) provides a plurality of further series of segments of a different type than said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) and said step of assembling different types of said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) is such that each type of said further segments is only one of said first or second units (60, 70). 8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, carried out forming part. wrapping said single continuous rod (100) with a web, preferably a web of paper, and then cutting said wrapped rod (100) to obtain a series of multi-segment articles (110), said cutting 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of performing in particular on said segments (3) of double length. Said step of assembling said units (60, 70) in a single forming beam (80) to form a single continuous rod (100) is performed by a transfer device, said transfer device comprising a support wheel and said support Swivel working units mounted on wheels and driven such that the orientation of the working units remains fixed, in particular horizontally fixed, when the support wheel rotates and a plurality of pivoting working units, said plurality of working units being spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the average length of said first and second units (60, 70) as measured in the circumferential direction. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein A method for manufacturing a multi-segment article (110) comprising:
providing at least one series of first segments (1), at least one series of second segments (2) and at least one series of third segments (3), said first, the second and third segments (1, 2, 3) are different types of segments;
Said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) assembled on a conveying means (50) to advance transversely to the longitudinal axis of said segments (1, 2, 3). forming an alternating series of first and second units (60, 70), said first unit (60) comprising at least one first segment (1) and said first unit (60) comprising at least one first segment (1); two units (70) comprising at least one second segment (2), each first unit (60) and each second unit (70) comprising a third segment (3); ,
assembling said units (60, 70) in a single forming beam (80) to form a single continuous rod (100) defined by a predetermined sequence of segments (1, 2, 3) of different types; and including
Said step of assembling said different types of segments (1, 2, 3) to form an alternating series of first and second units (60, 70) comprises: said first segment (1) forming part only of said first unit (60), said second segment (2) forming part only of said second unit (70), and said first and second units (60, 70) each comprising a third segment (3), said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) on said conveying means (50) said step of assembling in is carried out by releasing each third segment (3) onto said carrier means (50) before said first and second segments (1, 2) are released ,Method. said step of providing at least one series of first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) is different from said first, second and third segments (1, 2, 3) Said step of assembling said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of a different kind is carried out by also providing a series of fourth segments of a kind, said steps of said first and second units (60, 70) a series of alternating first and second units (60, 70) each also comprising a fourth segment (4) preferably arranged to abut said third segment (3) and said fourth segment (4) is preferably released onto said conveying means (50) before said first and second segments (1, 2) are released Item 12. The method according to Item 11. Each third segment (3) is obtained by cutting a multiple length rod piece into a plurality of third segments (3), said plurality of third segments being then laterally offset, said one or more of the plurality of laterally offset third segments (3) are axially displaced to form a zigzag series of third segments (3); Said step of assembling three segments (1, 2, 3) on said carrier means (50) is carried out by releasing said zigzag series of third segments (3) onto said carrier means (50). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein: Said step of preparing a series of fourth segments (4) comprises preparing a zigzag series of fourth segments (4) to match said zigzag series of third segments (3). , said step of assembling different types of said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) to form an alternating series of first and second units (60, 70) comprises said first unit ( 60) is juxtaposed to the first side of the fourth segment (4) and the third segment (3) of the second unit (70) is juxtaposed to the fourth segment (4). 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each third segment (3) is juxtaposed with a corresponding fourth segment (4) such that each third segment (3) is juxtaposed with the second side of the segment (4) of the method of. An assembly machine for manufacturing a multi-segment article, comprising:
A plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40) configured to supply corresponding respective series of segments (1, 2, 3, 4) having different characteristics ( 10, 20, 30, 40) and
conveying means (50) arranged and/or configured to receive respective segments (1, 2, 3, 4) from said plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40), each one transport means (50) defining a series of receiving sheets configured to receive one or more segments (1, 2, 3, 4) and advance said segments (1, 2, 3, 4); with
Said machine (1) transports respective segments (1, 2, 3, 4) to which at least first and second supply lines of said plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40) correspond to said conveying means. (50), at least a third supply line of said plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40), corresponding segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of said configured and/or set to release only the second sheet of the transport means (50), said first and second sheets along the transport direction defined by said transport means (50) Assembly machines arranged alternately. Said plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40) also comprises one or more further supply lines for supplying corresponding respective segments, each further supply line of said machine (1) comprising: 16. Machine according to claim 15, wherein said respective segment is released only to said first or second sheet of said conveying means (50). each of the plurality of supply lines (10, 20, 30, 40) comprising:
buffer hoppers (11, 21, 31, 41) for accumulating corresponding respective segments (1, 2, 3, 4) of single or multiple length;
One or more transfer drums (12, 13, 14; 22, 23, 24; 32, 33, 34; 42, 43, 44) arranged downstream of each buffer hopper (11, 21, 31, 41) ) and
Said conveying means (50) are arranged at the bottom of said machine (1) and at least one transfer drum (12, 13, 14; 22) of each of said plurality of supply lines (11, 21, 31, 41). , 23, 24; 32, 33, 34; 42, 43, 44), said conveying means (50) preferably comprising a series of suction drums. machine. Said conveying means (50) comprises a series of drums, at least some of said series of drums being arranged to define a pair of axially juxtaposed peripheral conveying surfaces, of which: The first peripheral conveying surface is designed to assemble and/or convey the first unit (60) obtained by the first combination of the segments (1, 2, 3, 4) and the other peripheral The transport surface is designed to combine and/or transport a second unit (70) obtained by a second combination of said segments (1, 2, 3, 4) different from said first combination. and said first and second units (60, 70) are subsequently centered by a centering drum to form a single series of alternating first and second units (60, 70). A machine according to any one of claims 15 to 17, defined.

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