KR20230002440A - Method and unit for supplying rod-shaped segments - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for supplying rod-shaped segments includes the steps of transversely supplying a series of rod-shaped articles (A), cutting each of the articles (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C), the cut articles ( A) extracting at least one first segment (B) from each and feeding said first segment (B) along a first feeding direction (D1), at least one remaining second segment of the same article (A) ( C) along a second feeding direction (D2) different from the first feeding direction (D1), and at least one series of segments (B, C) moving along a third feeding direction (D3). and reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) together to form.

Description

Method and unit for supplying rod-shaped segments

The present invention relates to a method and unit for feeding rod-shaped segments. More specifically, the present invention preferably applies to an assembly machine or, more generally speaking, to a machine for making rod-shaped articles, which is fed to an additional station for processing unit or multi-length segments or for connection to other segments. Do. However, this does not necessarily apply only to this machine.

In practice, generally in this context, such segments are obtained by extracting a long rod from a feed hopper while the article is moving along the feed direction transverse to the article axis and then cutting it into segments using transversely parallel blades on a cutting drum. It is produced by

Since the cut segments must be arranged in a configuration in which the cut segments are aligned in a single row along the feed direction, the segments obtained from the cut article are transversely staggered from each other with axes parallel and spaced apart, and then moved axially to form a single row. It is common to get segments.

This situation is described, for example, in document DE102011107330, where FIG. 2 shows that segments are cut transversely as they are fed, then transversely staggered and finally moved axially to form a single row of articles.

Staggering is accomplished using special stagger drums in which the segments are staggered transversely by respective amounts such that the segments pass from a coaxial configuration as they are fed to the drum to a staggered configuration as they leave the drum.

Staggering means that each segment is moved transversely relative to each other enough that one segment is later inserted between two adjacent segments. This amount of transverse movement is equal to the pitch between two segments that are placed one after the other in a row as the segments leave the drum.

This kind of solution provides a compact construction, but does not allow performing other operations, for example integrity checks, on the segments (of the final product), since the segments are very close to each other.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a method and unit for supplying rod-shaped segments which provide a high flexibility of use, in particular allowing other operations to be performed on the segments while they are being moved.

The stated object is substantially achieved by a method and unit for supplying a rod-shaped segment comprising the technical features set out in claims 1 and 11 respectively and/or one or more claims dependent thereon.

The method according to the invention comprises a first step of feeding a series of rod-shaped articles in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the articles, wherein the articles have a length that is a multiple of the length of the final segment to be produced. This step is carried out in association with at least one device for extracting an article by an accumulator vessel, for example a hopper, provided with at least one discharge opening, preferably in a drum provided with a peripheral sheet suitable for receiving and conveying the article. performed by

The method preferably includes a subsequent step of cutting each article into a plurality of segments using transverse blades parallel to each other. This cutting operation is carried out on the same drum used to extract individual articles from an accumulator vessel, consisting of a cutting drum, or from a vessel followed by one or more drums.

The cut articles are fed to a transfer drum located downstream of the cutting drum. Alternatively, the transfer drum and cutting drum may be one and the same.

Next, while the cut articles are fed in the transverse direction, the method extracts one or more first segments from each cut article, feeds the first segments along the first feed direction, and feeds one or more segments of the same article. and moving away from the remaining second segments. The second segment is fed along a second feeding direction different from the first feeding direction and preferably diverging from the first feeding direction (in particular defined by the transfer drum).

A first segment is extracted from each article by an extraction drum defining a transfer line of the article to the transfer drum and/or cutting drum. The first and second feed directions have their origin at the moment of extraction and are parallel to each other.

The first and second segments are then reassembled to form a continuous segment moving along the third feed direction. Thus, the third feed direction is common to the first segment and the second segment.

In other words, the present invention directs one or more first segments along a first supply direction away from the normal supply flow of articles along the second supply direction, and directs the first segments (eg by staggering them) to a second supply direction. It is based on the idea of getting two parallel part-flows in particular by processing them independently of the segment. By doing this, it is possible to increase the space available around the first and second segments, allowing other operations (e.g., optical inspection, etc.) to be performed, and making the two part-flows into one column again. .

Preferably, the method includes transversely staggering the first segments from each other along a first feed direction and transversely staggering the second segments from each other along a second feed direction. A stagger is created, for example, by means of each staggered drum of a known type. In a first embodiment, the first and second transversely staggered segments to form a single series of transversely staggered segments moving along a third feed direction (common to the first and second segments); are reassembled from each other (on at least one reassembly drum). Next, the segments of successive segments staggered in the transverse direction are aligned in a single row parallel to the third feed direction. Alignment is performed on one or more alignment drums provided with specific transition means (eg fixed (converging) transition guides).

The segments are staggered transversely by an equal amount, in particular corresponding to the pitch of the rebuilding drum.

Preferably, this result is achieved during the previous step of creating the transverse stagger by establishing a stagger that is twice or a multiple of the final transverse stagger (between the segments on the rebuilt drum and matches the pitch of the rebuilt drum). get

In another embodiment, the first and second transversely staggered segments are each aligned in rows parallel to the first feed direction and/or in rows parallel to the second feed direction, before being reassembled into one another. Next, the row of first segments and the row of second segments are assembled into a single row parallel to the third feeding direction. This operation is performed on at least one building drum.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, the rows of first segments and rows of second segments (previously aligned as respective rows parallel to the feed direction) are assembled by juxtaposing into two parallel rows along the third feed direction.

In one embodiment, each article is divided into a plurality of segments of four or more, and extracting the first segments extracts two first segments and feeds them along a first feed direction, while the second segments are This is done by causing it to move along the second feed direction.

In another embodiment, each article is divided into three segments, the first of which is oriented along a first or second feed direction and the other two are oriented along the other feed direction.

Preferably, within each article, the first segment and the second segment are inserted between each other, preferably alternating. In this configuration, the first segment (and the second segment) are axially spaced apart from each other to define an additional working space for performing inspection procedures and other operations.

Preferably, also, the step of creating a transverse offset between the first and/or second segments is achieved while keeping the longitudinal distance between the first and/or second segments unchanged. More specifically, the longitudinal distance is each equal to the originally existing distance between identical first and/or second segments in the cut article.

More preferably, the segments are not displaced along the axis (at least relative to each other) from the moment the article is cut until they reach the alignment drum.

Thus, a unit according to the present invention comprises:

- feeding means for feeding a series of rod-shaped articles, preferably in the form of an accumulation container (hopper) and an associated drum for extracting the individual articles;

- Cutting means for cutting each rod-shaped article into a plurality of segments to create a flow of segments, for example a cutting drum (located coincidentally with or downstream of the extraction drum) receiving articles sequentially from the feeding means means for cutting the form;

- an extraction drum disposed downstream of the feeding means and configured to extract a first segment from each of the cutting articles and convey the first segment along a first feeding direction, the extraction drum being directly connected to the transfer drum disposed downstream of the cutting means. The transfer drum comprises: an extraction drum for conveying the remaining second segments cut from the same article along a second conveying direction away from the first conveying direction;

- disposed downstream of the extraction and transfer drum along a converging extension between the first and second feed directions, configured to reassemble the first and second segments together to form a continuous segment moving along the third feed direction; assembly drum. Thus, the third feed direction is common to both the first and second segments.

In a preferred embodiment, the unit is arranged downstream of the extraction drum and the transfer drum, respectively, and creates a transverse stagger between the first segments along the first feed direction and/or the second segments along the second feed direction. and first and/or second stagger drums configured to create a transverse stagger therebetween.

Preferably, the stagger drums that are distinct from one another are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation spaced from one another, preferably by a distance greater than the average diameter of the stagger drums.

Further, the staggered drums have respective outer circumferential surfaces spaced apart so as to face each other and not interfere.

In one embodiment, the stagger drum consists of a monolithic mantle provided with staggering means.

In another embodiment, the stagger drum is implemented in the form of a disc rotatable about slightly spaced parallel axes.

In another embodiment, the stagger drum is implemented in the form of a drum provided with a seat for receiving articles and moved by a cam.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each initial article may be divided into a first segment, a second segment and a third segment each supplied along three divergent supply directions. This involves two extraction operations carried out on either two separate hydraulic sections of the transfer drum or two successive transfer drums (the aforementioned extraction drum is ultimately related to the third stagger line of additional extraction drums). That is, it is in contact with the additional extraction drum of the third stagger line).

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the timely and thus non-limiting description of preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiments of a method and unit for supplying rod-shaped articles as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a rod-shaped article feeding unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of the operation of the unit of Fig. 1;
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a rod-shaped article feeding unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of the unit of Fig. 3;
- Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a rod-shaped article feeding unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- figure 6 is a flow diagram of the operation of the unit of figure 5;

Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a unit for supplying rod-shaped segments according to a possible embodiment of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term "rod-shaped segment" refers to a cylindrical segment (preferably having a circular cross-section) extending around an axis of symmetry, preferably having a main direction of extension coincident with the axis of symmetry. used to indicate In particular, but not necessarily, the segments may be filter segments, tobacco rod segments, hollow tubes, those of rigid or friable materials, or other products of the tobacco industry or the like (smoking articles or aerosol-generating articles).

Also, the terms “longitudinal” and “transvese” as used in this disclosure are relative to the axis of symmetry of the aforementioned article or segment. Thus, longitudinal movement is understood as movement along the longitudinal axis of an item or segment (or has at least one component along that direction), whereas transverse movement is movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the item or segment. I understand.

Also, the term "tangent" as used in this disclosure with respect to the mutual positioning of the two drums indicates that the two drums are positioned relative to each other in such a way that articles can be transferred from one drum to the other. it means .

Referring to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, unit 1 includes supply means for supplying a series of rod-shaped articles A. This feeding means includes a hopper-type container 10, the axes of which are parallel and positioned in a horizontal direction, which accommodates a large quantity of articles A (step F0).

The container 10 is associated with a drum 20 configured to extract the individual articles A from the container 10, which drum produces a lateral stream of articles cut into segments as illustrated in the embodiment. It is in the form of a drum. To this end, the cutting drum 20 has a plurality of blades 21 (preferably parallel to each other, but not necessarily parallel to each other) to subdivide each article A into a series of segments B, C, preferably of identical length and characteristics. need not be parallel) (step F1). To achieve this, each article (A) has a length that is a multiple of the length of each segment (B, C). In the specific example of the accompanying drawings, the length is five times the length of segments B and C.

In an embodiment not shown, an extraction drum having a function of extracting individual items A from the container 10 and sequentially and continuously transferring them to the cutting drum 20 is provided between the container 10 and the cutting drum ( 20) interposed between them.

Downstream of the cutting drum 20, a transfer drum 30 for transferring the cut articles A is disposed.

In an embodiment not shown, the transfer drum 30 and the cutting drum 20 may be one and the same. In other words, referring to FIG. 1 , either the transfer drum 30 or the cutting drum 20 may not be present (even though it is understood that the blade 21 is required to cut the article A). That is, the transfer drum 30 and the cutting drum 20 may be one and the same.

The transfer drum 30 is tangential to the transfer drum and is configured to extract the first segment B from each cut article A and convey the first segment B along the first supply direction D1. It has a first angular zone that is acted upon by the drum 40 (step F2). Extraction of the first segment (B) by the transfer drum 30 can be achieved by suction of the first segment (B); The first segment (B) is preferably held on the extraction drum 40 by suction.

The other, second segment C remains on the transfer drum 30 and has a second feed direction D2 different from and diverging from the first feed direction D1 and defined by the transfer drum 30 itself. moves along (step F3).

Thus, the two feed directions D1 and D2 define parallel paths for the first segment B and the second segment C, respectively.

Also, as can be seen from the accompanying drawings, the illustrated solution involves extracting the two first segments B, which were originally located alternately between the three second segments C. Accordingly, the first segments (B) are spaced at intervals whose length is equal to the length of the second segment (C) (and therefore also equal to the length of the first segment (B)), and in the same way, the second segment (C) ) are spaced apart by the same interval as the length of the first segment (B).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second stagger drums 50 and 60 are respectively positioned along the aforementioned feed directions D1 and D2. The stagger drums 50 and 60 are disposed downstream of the extraction drum 40 and the transfer drum 30, respectively, and each have a transverse stagger between the first segments B along the first feed direction D1. and to create a transverse stagger between the second segments C along the second transport direction D2 (steps F4 and F5).

Stagger drums 50, 60 may be of the conventional type. For example, the stagger drum may be a structure composed of disks with parallel axes of the type described in Applicant's application ITBO20060330 (BO2006A000330). As far as the disc configuration of the stagger means 20 is concerned, the above application is incorporated herein by reference. However, other solutions for creating staggering are also conceivable. For example there is a solution with a secondary disk of the type described in US3712162. Accordingly, the term "stagger drum" is used to denote any type of rotary conveyor, whether strictly defined as a drum or substantially as a disc that forms a drum-like external configuration.

Also, the expression “transverse stagger” is used to mean the spacing between the first segments (B) and between the second segments (C) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the segments. do. Preferably, the staggering is achieved while maintaining the longitudinal spacing between the first segments (B) and between the second segments (C) unchanged, wherein the longitudinal spacing is the first and second interstices in the article (A). It is equal to the original spacing that exists between the two segments B and C, respectively.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the transverse stagger applied between the first segments (B) and between the second segments (C) belonging to the same initial article (A) whose value is twice the final value to be obtained. It is created for an interval (or pitch) (this concept is explained below).

The stagger drums (50, 60) can rotate about their respective rotational axes (or groups of rotational axes in the case of disk configurations) spaced apart in such a way that the two stagger drums (50, 60) do not overlap or interfere with each other. there is. Preferably, the two stagger drums 50, 60 have respective outer circumferential faces facing each other and spaced apart (Fig. 1).

Downstream of the stagger drums 50, 60, first and second segments B and C staggered on convergent extensions in the feed directions D1 and D2 are reassembled into one another in a single series staggered transverse to each other. There is a building drum 70 configured to form segments (step F6).

On the building drum 70, the first segment B and the second segment C are reassembled in the same order as they were originally from the same article A from which they started. Thus, since the first article B alternates with the second article C in the initial article A, the stagger defined between successive segments B and C in the building drum 70 (step F6) (or pitch) is equal to half of the stagger (or pitch) generated between the first segments (B) and between the second segments (C) in the first and second stagger drums 50 and 60, respectively ( steps 4 and 5).

In the illustrated embodiment, the building drum 70 directly abuts the second stagger drum 60 and is connected to the first stagger drum 50 via an intervening auxiliary drum 80 . However, other embodiments using other intermediate drums are also conceivable.

Downstream of the building drum 70 is arranged an alignment drum 90, in which the transversely staggered segments B, C reassembled in a single group (or at least some of them) are preferably provided with a fixed diverting guide ( 91) and aligned along a single row parallel to the common feed direction (step F7).

Once segments B and C are aligned, they are sent to additional drums or conveyors. For example, segments B and C are fed into an assembly unit of an assembly machine.

In an embodiment not shown, at least one of the two stagger drums 50, 60 may not be present.

In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , this unit differs from the embodiment in FIG. 1 in that it comprises: is arranged downstream of the first stagger drum 50 (preferably the first stagger abutting the drum), a first alignment drum (90) configured to align the first segments (B) in rows parallel to the first feed direction (D1); A second alignment disposed downstream of (preferably abutting the second stagger drum) the second stagger drum 60 and configured to align the second segments C in rows parallel to the second feed direction D2. Drum (100). In this embodiment, the assembly drum 70 is disposed downstream of the first and second alignment drums 90, 100, so that the row of first segments B and the row of second segments C are connected in the third feeding direction. Assemble in a single row parallel to (Figure 4). More specifically, the segments B and C arranged in two rows are reassembled preferably in an alternate configuration thanks to the double pitch staggered by the respective stagger drums 50 and 60 .

It should be understood that in a further embodiment, if the unit includes a single stagger drum, it will only include one between the first alignment drum and the second alignment drum.

Also, as shown in Fig. 3, this constitutes only an optional modification that does not depart from the concept of the present invention, but since the cutting drum 20 directly abuts the extraction drum 40, it also defines the aforementioned transfer drum. do. Due to the particular configuration shown, an auxiliary drum 80 (which is completely optional) is provided between the cutting drum 20 and the second stagger drum 60 for the sole purpose of balancing the drum positions within the unit.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the unit does not reassemble the two rows of segments B, C into a single row, but, alternatively, the two rows of segments B, C (each row of segments B, C). C) differs from the embodiment in FIG. 3 in that C) are aligned with each other one after the other along the feed direction) in that they are juxtaposed in the outlet section of the unit. This outfeed section here is delimited by a building drum 70, which preferably forms part of a lower row of drums, which row of drums forms part of a common feed line, for example of a feed module of the assembly machine. do. These two juxtaposed rows of segments ( FIG. 6 ) flank the central plane M defining the central reference for the subsequent step of assembling additional segments, for example.

In the third embodiment, the two columns in the first and second directions D1 and D2 are not intended to be assembled together as in the first and second embodiments, respectively, by the stagger drum 50. The applied transverse offset need not be twice or multiples of the final transverse offset between the segments B and C in each column, but may be equal to the final transverse offset obtained from the beginning (and hence the unit offset).

Further, in the third embodiment, each article (A) is preferably cut into an even number of segments (B, C), and still more preferably, the number of first segments extracted from each article (A) is It is equal to the number of second segments (C) extracted from the same article (A). Also in this case, the first and second segments B and C are alternating segments along the article A.

Also in the third embodiment an additional auxiliary drum 80 (also entirely optional) is used downstream of the alignment drums 90, 100. In use, a series of rod-shaped articles A are supplied in a direction transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the articles (step F0), and then the articles A are aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, end to end abutting a plurality of are each cut into segments B and C of (step F1).

Next, one or more first segments (B) are extracted from each article (A) and moved away from the remaining second segments (C) in the same article (A). The first segment (B) is supplied along the first supply direction (D1), whereas the second segment (C) is different from the first supply direction (D1) and preferably diverges from the first supply direction (D1). It is supplied along the supply direction D2 (steps F2 and F3).

Advantageously, this allows other operations (eg optical inspection) to be performed in the first segment B and/or the second segment C.

Next, the first and/or second segments B, C are reassembled together to form a series of segments B, C moving along the third feed direction.

In the first illustrated embodiment ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the first segment B is transversely staggered as it travels along the first feed direction D1, and the second segment C is in the second transport direction. When moving along (D2), it staggers in the transverse direction (steps F4, F5).

Next, the first and second staggered segments B, C, which form part of the same initial article A, are reassembled to form a series of transverse segments corresponding to the number of segments in the initial article (five in the illustrated embodiment). Segments staggered in the direction are formed (step F6). This reassembly step, carried out on the rebuilding drum 70, creates a series of segments B and C located along an inclined line with respect to the common feed direction defined by the building drum 70. The building drum 70 then conveys a plurality of series of slanted and staggered segments B, C of the type described, each following a common feed direction defined by the building drum 70.

The five series of segments (B, C) are subjected to an alignment step (step F7), in order to align the first and second segments (B, C) in a single row parallel to the feed direction, the first and second It is performed by moving at least some of the staggered segments B and C in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first and second staggered segments B and C are arranged in rows parallel to the first feeding direction D1 and parallel to the second feeding direction D2, respectively. (Steps F6 and F7). Next, the row of first segments B and the row of second segments C are assembled together to form a single row parallel to the third supply direction D3 (Step F8).

In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the already aligned rows of first segments B and rows of second segments C form in particular a series of pairs of segments B, C aligned coaxially with each other. They are assembled on the building drum 70 juxtaposed in a defining manner.

The term "drum" is used in the description of the present invention to mean any element used to transport rod-shaped articles and/or rod-shaped segments. Accordingly, the term "drum" is not limited to that illustrated.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and achieves a pre-determined object.

Creating two separate feed paths allows more free space between the segments in the longitudinal direction. More space means that inspection or inspection devices (eg optical or electromagnetic devices) can be installed opposite or adjacent to the drum of the device to improve the quality of the segment feeding process. Furthermore, staggering the segments creates more space in the transverse direction as well, since the staggered pitch of each path is greater than the final pitch to be obtained.

Claims (22)

As a method of supplying rod-shaped segments,
- supplying a series of rod-shaped articles (A) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the articles (A);
- cutting each of the articles (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C);
- extracting at least one first segment (B) from each of the cut articles (A) and feeding said first segments (B) along a first feeding direction (D1);
- one or more remaining second segments (C) of the same article (A) in a direction different from the first supply direction (D1), preferably along a second supply direction (D2) diverging from the first supply direction (D1). supplying;
- reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) with one another to form at least one series of segments (B, C) moving along a third feed direction (D3). rod-shaped segment supply method. 2. The method according to claim 1, which creates a lateral stagger between the first segments (B) along the first feed direction (D1) and/or between the second segments (C) along the second feed direction (D2). A method for supplying rod-shaped segments, characterized in that it comprises the step of generating a transverse stagger in. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of creating a transverse staggering is carried out while keeping the longitudinal distance between the first segments (B) and/or the longitudinal distance between the second segments (C) unchanged, in particular A rod-shaped segment feeding method, characterized in that it is accomplished while maintaining the same as the original distance between the first and/or second segments (B, C) within the article (A). 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the step of reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) with each other comprises reassembling the transversely staggered first and second segments (B, C) with each other. forming a single series of segments (B, C) which are staggered transversely to each other and move along a third feed direction (D3); and then aligning the staggered segments (B, C) in a single row parallel to the third feeding direction (D3). 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) to each other is such that the segments (B, C) rotate with respect to the third feeding direction (D3) of the segments (B, C). A method of supplying rod-shaped segments, characterized in that the segments (B, C) are moved so as to be positioned along the photographic direction, preferably staggeredly and uniformly in the transverse direction. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the step of creating the transverse interlacing is performed by establishing double or multiple transverse interlacing between the segments (B, C) after reassembling the interlaced segments (B, C). A rod-shaped segment supply method, characterized in that accomplished. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the step of reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) to one another comprises aligning the first staggered segments (B) in rows parallel to the first feed direction (D1). and/or aligning the second staggered segments (C) in rows parallel to the second feeding direction (D2); and then assembling the first segment (B) row and the second segment (C) row into at least one row aligned along the third feeding direction (D3). 8. The method of claim 7 , wherein assembling the first segment (B) row and the second segment (C) row into at least one row, the first segment (B) and the second segment (C) are connected in a third supply direction (D3). ), characterized in that carried out by assembling into at least a single row aligned along the rod-shaped segment supply method. 8. The method of claim 7 , wherein assembling the first segment (B) row and the second segment (C) row into at least one row comprises: each article (A) row and the second segment (C) row in the third supply direction (D3). ). 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the step of cutting each article (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C) comprises dividing each article (A) into an even number of segments (B, C). Rod-shaped segment supply method, characterized in that carried out by cutting with. 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the number of first segments (B) extracted from each article (A) is equal to the number of second segments (C) extracted from each article (A). Rod-shaped segment supply method characterized. 12. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the step of creating a transverse offset is the same transverse as the final transverse offset present between the segments (B, C) along the third feed direction (D3). A rod-shaped segment feeding method characterized in that it is carried out by applying directional staggering. 5. The step of extracting one or more first segments (B) from each cut article (A) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the remaining second segments (C) of the same article (A) are transferred to a transfer drum ( 30) A rod-shaped segment feeding method characterized in that the cut article (A) is completed by the extraction drum (40) while being positioned on the transfer drum (30) in a continuous moving manner along the top. 14. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 13, which creates a transverse interlacing between the first segments (B) along the first feed direction (D1) and/or along the second feed direction (D2). A rod-shaped segment feeding method, characterized in that the step of creating a transverse stagger between the two segments (C) is accomplished by the first stagger drum (50) and/or the second stagger drum (60) respectively. 3. Supply of rod-shaped segments according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first segment (B) and the second segment (C) are positioned successively and preferably alternately with one another in the same article (A). method. A unit for supplying rod-shaped segments,
- feeding means (10) for feeding a series of rod-shaped articles (A);
- rod-shaped article (A) cutting means for cutting each rod-shaped article (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C), creating a flow of segmented article (A);
- an extraction located downstream of the feeding means 10 and configured to extract a first segment B from each of the cut articles A and convey the first segment B along a first feeding direction D1 drum 40;
- a second segment (C) located downstream of the feeding means (10), which is different from said first feeding direction (D1) and preferably from the first feeding direction (D1), of the same article (A) being cut a transfer drum 30 configured to convey along a branching second supply direction D2;
- at least one series located downstream of the extraction drum 40 and the transfer drum 30 and reassembling the first and second segments B and C together and moving along the third feed direction D3 Rod-shaped segment feeding unit, characterized in that it comprises a building drum (70) configured to form the segments (B, C) of the. According to claim 16,
- each located downstream of the extraction drum 40 along the first feed direction D1 and downstream of the transfer drum 30 along the second feed direction D2, respectively along the first feed direction D1 a first and/or second stagger drum configured to create a lateral stagger between the first segments (B) and a lateral stagger between the second segments (C) along the second feed direction (D2); (50, 60) rod-shaped segment supply unit characterized in that it comprises. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the building drum (70) reassembles the transversely staggered first and second segments (B, C) together to form a single series of transversely staggered segments (B, C). and the supply unit is located downstream of the building drum 70 and is configured to align the segments B and C in a single row parallel to the third supply direction D3. unit. According to claim 12,
- a first alignment drum (90) located downstream of the first stagger drum (50) and configured to align the first segment (B) row into a first row parallel to the first feeding direction (D1);
- a second alignment drum (100) located downstream of the second stagger drum (60) and configured to align the second row of segments (C) into a second row parallel to the second feeding direction (D2); do,
The assembly drum 70 is located downstream of the first alignment drum 90 and the second alignment drum 100, so that the first segment (B) row and the second segment (C) row are parallel to the third supply direction D3. A rod-shaped segment supply unit, characterized in that assembled in at least one row. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the supply unit is configured to assemble the first segment (B) row and the second segment (C) row into a single row on the building drum (70), in particular the first segment (B) row and the second segment (( C) A rod-shaped segment feeding unit, characterized in that it is configured to supply the rows in a single row onto the building drum (70). 20. The rod-shaped segment feeding unit according to claim 19, characterized in that the feeding unit juxtaposes the first segment (B) row and the second segment row along the third feeding direction (D3) on the building drum (70). . Feeding of rod-shaped segments according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the cutting means are located on the transfer drum (30) or on the drum (20) located upstream of the transfer drum (30). unit.

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