WO2020240405A1 - Procédé et machine de fabrication d'une sous-unité d'un article à fumer - Google Patents

Procédé et machine de fabrication d'une sous-unité d'un article à fumer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020240405A1
WO2020240405A1 PCT/IB2020/054956 IB2020054956W WO2020240405A1 WO 2020240405 A1 WO2020240405 A1 WO 2020240405A1 IB 2020054956 W IB2020054956 W IB 2020054956W WO 2020240405 A1 WO2020240405 A1 WO 2020240405A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubular
closing element
closing
tubular segment
segment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/054956
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Esposti
Nicola Baldanza
Ivan Eusepi
Gabriele BENNI
Giuliano Gamberini
Luca Federici
Original Assignee
G.D S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by G.D S.P.A. filed Critical G.D S.P.A.
Priority to US17/615,321 priority Critical patent/US20220218017A1/en
Priority to KR1020217039290A priority patent/KR20220016471A/ko
Priority to EP20730328.0A priority patent/EP3975765A1/fr
Publication of WO2020240405A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020240405A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/01—Making cigarettes for simulated smoking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/005—Treatment of cigarette paper
    • A24C5/007—Perforating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/14—Machines of the continuous-rod type
    • A24C5/18—Forming the rod
    • A24C5/1828—Forming the rod by cutting tobacco sheet material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/14—Machines of the continuous-rod type
    • A24C5/18—Forming the rod
    • A24C5/1885—Forming the rod for cigarettes with an axial air duct
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/39—Tobacco feeding devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/54—Folding the ends of cigarette paper tubes after filling them with tobacco
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/22—Cigarettes with integrated combustible heat sources, e.g. with carbonaceous heat sources

Definitions

  • This invention addresses the technical field of the production of articles of the tobacco industry.
  • This invention relates in particular to a machine and a method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article, which may be for example a smoking article of the type configured to generate aerosol by heating, preferably without burning, or an electronic cigarette.
  • Prior art production methods involve making a smoking article composed of a rod-shaped body (for example a filter or a heating element) and a tube made of wrapping material which is then filled with the aerosol-generating element.
  • a rod-shaped body for example a filter or a heating element
  • a tube made of wrapping material which is then filled with the aerosol-generating element.
  • the aerosol generating element could come out of its sub-unit and find its way into the adjacent ones, thus negatively affecting the operation of the product.
  • the effect of the smoker puffing at the smoking article could have the undesirable result of causing the aerosol generating element or any of the other materials making up the smoking article to come out of the sub unit.
  • the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a machine and a method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article which overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the aim of this invention is to provide a machine and a method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article capable of optimising the production process by simultaneously improving the quality and the stability of the finished product which can be made.
  • this invention provides a machine for making sub-units of smoking articles which comprises a conveyor, a feed unit, cutting means and at least one rotary applicator.
  • the conveyor is configured to feed a succession of tubular segments of the tobacco industry.
  • the feed unit is configured to feed and convey a continuous web.
  • the cutting means are configured to separate a succession of closing elements from a front end of the continuous web.
  • the at least one rotary applicator is operatively associated with the conveyor and is configured to pick up the succession of closing elements and to apply them, preferably by gluing, to an application end of a respective tubular segment, in such a way as to form closing walls to at least partly close the application ends.
  • the cutting means are configured to separate from the continuous web closing elements having a size such that they partly cover the application end.
  • the cutting means are configured to separate from the continuous web closing elements having a size such that they completely cover the application end.
  • the machine described herein allows application of the closing elements on the tubular segments, in such a way as to make sub units having suitable closing walls in at least one of their ends
  • That device prevents material from accidentally going through the closed end of the segment itself.
  • This invention also relates to a method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article which comprises the steps of:
  • the method proposed herein supplies a rapid and efficient procedure for applying a closing wall to a tubular segment, in such a way as to make a sub-unit capable of guaranteeing correct retaining of the filling material of the smoking article into which it will be inserted.
  • This invention also relates to a smoking article which comprises an aerosol generating segment, a filtering segment and at least one spacer tube interposed between the two segments.
  • the spacer tube has one end at least partly closed by a closing element applied to an application end of it to at least partly close that application end.
  • the closing element is interposed between the spacer tube and one of either the aerosol-generating segment or the filtering segment.
  • the spacer tube directly abuts against the aerosol-generating segment and/or against the filtering segment.
  • the smoking article comprises an additional segment, in particular a tubular cooling segment.
  • the additional segment is interposed between the spacer tube and the aerosol-generating segment or between the spacer tube and the filtering segment.
  • the spacer tube abuts directly against the additional segment in such a way that the closing element is directly interposed between the spacer tube and the additional segment.
  • the closing element is made of material that is porous and/or has a plurality of holes or perforations suitable for increasing the air and/or gas permeability of the closing wall.
  • the closing element is made of metallic material, even more preferably the closing element is made of aluminium.
  • the closing element is made of fire-resistant material.
  • the particular structural configuration of the smoking article guarantees, by the presence of the closing wall interposed between adjacent segments, that the filling material is retained correctly, preventing it from migrating inside the smoking article and preferably also from coming out of it.
  • an object of this invention is a method for making a smoking article, comprising the following steps:
  • the method further comprises the steps of: - preparing an additional segment, in particular a cooling segment which is preferably tubular.
  • the method described herein allows a smoking article to be made which has a closing wall to prevent the passage of the filling material of the article itself from one portion of it to another.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the main components of a machine according to this invention
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a smoking article.
  • the reference number 10 generically indicates a machine for making sub-units 20 of smoking articles, hereinafter in this description indicated simply as the machine 10.
  • the machine 10 comprises a conveyor 1 1 , a feed unit 12, cutting means 13 and at least one rotary applicator 14.
  • the conveyor 1 1 is configured to feed a succession of tubular segments 21 of the tobacco industry.
  • the conveyor 1 1 may be made in the form of a conveyor drum, a conveyor belt or other conveying devices having appropriate seats suitable for retaining the tubular segments.
  • each tubular segment 21 has an axis of predominant extension, around which the tubular segment 21 extends and preferably defining an axial axis of symmetry of the tubular segment 21 itself.
  • each tubular segment 21 is internally provided with a through duct, which terminates with respective openings at opposite ends of the tubular segment 21 .
  • each tubular segment 21 has an annular front surface delimiting the above-mentioned through duct. Those front surfaces lie in respective planes which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the above-mentioned axis of predominant extension.
  • the interior of the tubular segment 21 defines a duct, which also acts as a containment chamber for containing a filling material of the tobacco industry and which terminates in the open ends of the tubular segment 21 itself.
  • the through duct may therefore contain a filling material such as an aerosol-generating material, tobacco pellets, tobacco which is loose or in another form, flavouring material (for example micro-capsules containing a flavouring liquid) or a filtering material (activated carbon, silica gel or others known in the reference sector) or even a material with cooling effect (such as PLA pellets).
  • a filling material such as an aerosol-generating material, tobacco pellets, tobacco which is loose or in another form, flavouring material (for example micro-capsules containing a flavouring liquid) or a filtering material (activated carbon, silica gel or others known in the reference sector) or even a material with cooling effect (such as PLA pellets).
  • the feed unit 12 is configured to feed a continuous web“N”, preferably by unwinding a reel housed on a suitable support, and to convey it, for example by means of guide elements such as one or more idle or motor-driven rollers.
  • the cutting means 13 are operatively associated with the feed means 12 to engage the continuous web“N” along its conveying path and are configured to separate a succession of closing elements 22 from a front end of that continuous web“N”.
  • the cutting means 13 are configured to make a cut across the full width of the continuous web“N”.
  • the cutting means 13 comprise a pair of cutting drums which operate in conjunction with each other to separate a succession of closing elements from a front end of the continuous web“N”.
  • the pair of cutting drums comprises a first drum 13a whose surface is provided with a succession of cutting blades configured to engage the continuous web“N” to separate the succession of closing elements therefrom.
  • the pair of cutting drums also comprises a second drum 13b configured to convey the continuous web“N” until it engages the cutting blades of the first drum.
  • the second drum 13b is also configured to radially space the individual closing elements after they have been separated from the continuous web “N”.
  • the applicator 14 is in particular a rotary applicator operatively associated with the conveyor 1 1 and is configured to pick up the succession of closing elements, in particular from the cutting means 13, and to apply each closing element 22 to an application end of a respective tubular segment 21 .
  • the applicator 14 comprises an applicator wheel which has a plurality of seats disposed radially and set equal distances apart along its circumference.
  • the applicator 14 is configured and/or disposed to release each closing element 22 on a front wall of a respective closing element 22.
  • the applicator 14 is configured and/or disposed to move each closing element 22 along a trajectory having at least one component parallel to the axis of predominant extension of the respective tubular segment 21 on which the closing element 22 must be applied.
  • the applicator wheel has an axis of rotation“R” perpendicular to the axis of predominant extension of the tubular segments as they are conveyed by the conveyor 1 1 . That configuration and positioning of the applicator wheel 14 defines a circular conveying trajectory which is at a tangent to the trajectory followed by the front surface of the respective tubular segment 21 on which the closing element 22 must be applied.
  • the applicator wheel has an axis of rotation“R” which is inclined relative to an axis of predominant extension of the tubular segments 21 when these are being carried by the conveyor, being preferably inclined at an angle between 30° and 60° and still more preferably, at an angle of 45°. That configuration and positioning of the applicator wheel 14 defines a circular conveying trajectory which is in any case at a tangent to the trajectory followed by the front surface of the respective tubular segment 21 on which the closing element 22 must be applied.
  • the applicator 14 causes a gradual movement of the closing elements 22 towards the respective tubular segments 21 in such a way as to release the closing elements 22 so that they rest on the front surface of the respective tubular segment 21 .
  • the closing wall provides a barrier which prevents any filling material of the smoking article 30 into which the sub-unit 20 will be placed from passing through the application end of the tubular segment 21 .
  • the closing wall must be such as to allow the passage of air and/or gas and/or aerosol through the end of the sub-unit 20, in particular in the direction of a smoker during use of the smoking article 30 into which the sub-unit 20 has been inserted.
  • the closing element 22 has an overall size such that it completely covers the application end.
  • the closing element 22 has an overall size such that it only partly covers the application end.
  • the closing element 22 is made of material which is porous and/or has a plurality of holes or perforations suitable for increasing the air or gas permeability of the closing wall.
  • the closing element 22 is made in such a way as to in any case allow the passage of air and/or gas and/or aerosol either because it is made of porous material and/or because it has suitable openings.
  • the machine 10 comprises perforating means, operating in particular on the continuous web “N” to make holes or perforations configured to allow air or gas to pass through them.
  • the perforating means comprise at least one laser.
  • the closing wall only partly covers the application end of the tubular segment 21 , the correct inflow of air and/or gas and/or aerosol through the sub-unit 20 is guaranteed by those portions of the application end which remain uncovered, therefore the closing element 22 may even be made of material which is impermeable to air.
  • the closing element 22 may in any case be made of material which is porous or which has a plurality of holes or perforations suitable for increasing the air and/or gas permeability of the closing wall, even if the closing element 22 only partly closes the application end.
  • the closing element 22 may be made of metallic material, for example of aluminium.
  • the closing element 22 is made of fire-resistant material.
  • the machine 10 further comprises folding means, disposed downstream of the at least one applicator 14, which are configured to fold against an external surface (that is to say, cylindrical) of the tubular segment
  • the presence of the folding means whose structure will be described in more detail below, therefore allows improved adhesion of the closing element 22 to the tubular segment 21 , by increasing their surface area of contact with each other.
  • the folding means allow improvement of the structural integrity of the sub-unit 20 by removing any protruding portions of the closing element
  • coupling of the closing element 22 to the respective tubular segment 21 is performed by gluing.
  • the machine 10 comprises a gumming device configured to apply an adhesive substance on the application end of the tubular segment 21 and/or on the closing element 22.
  • the gumming device is operatively associated either with the conveyor 1 1 or with the feed unit 12 in order to apply respectively on the application end or on the continuous web“N” an adhesive substance which will subsequently allow the closing element 22 and the tubular segment 21 to be constrained to each other at the application end.
  • the gumming device is configured to apply the adhesive substance only on the portion of the closing element 22 or of the tubular segment 21 intended to come into contact respectively with the application end or with the closing element 22.
  • the adhesive layer is applied according to a pattern which traces the profile where the closing element 22 and the application end of the tubular segment 21 are superposed, in contrast leaving free the part of the closing element 22 which is directly facing the duct defined by the tubular segment 21 .
  • the machine 10 further comprises detecting means configured to check the position of the closing element 22 relative to the application end.
  • the detecting means may comprise optical sensors such as video cameras or acoustic sensors such as ultrasonic sensors.
  • the machine 10 may comprise a pair of rotary applicators 14 configured to apply respective successions of closing elements 22 on respective application ends of each tubular segment 21 .
  • the conveyor 1 1 is configured to feed a succession of double-length tubular segments 21 of the tobacco industry.
  • double-length tubular segment 21 denotes a tubular segment 21 whose length is such that the tubular segment can be divided into two distinct parts of equal length suitable for making two respective single-length tubular segments 21 of a smoking article 30.
  • the double-length tubular segment 21 is suitable to be divided into two distinct parts along its centre line“M” to make two distinct tubular segments 21 each usable for making a smoking article 30.
  • the machine 10 comprises a pair of rotary applicators 14, which are configured to apply respective successions of closing elements 22 on respective opposite application ends of each double-length tubular segment 21 .
  • the machine 10 comprises separating means, for example rotary blades, which are disposed upstream or downstream of the pair of applicators 14.
  • the separating means are configured to cut the double-length tubular segment 21 along a midplane, in particular to make a succession of pairs of tubular segments 21 , which are preferably identical in terms of structure and size.
  • the folding means are movable, in particular along a line perpendicular to the application end and are configured to engage portions of the closing elements 22 that protrude beyond an edge of the respective application ends.
  • the movable folding means are disposed downstream of the pair of applicators 14 and/or of the separating means.
  • the machine comprises the separating means, but they are disposed upstream of the pair of applicators 14 and the machine 10 further comprises retracting means 15, which are disposed downstream of the separating means.
  • the retracting means 15 are configured to axially space the pair of tubular segments 21 resulting from the cutting, by the separating means, of the double-length tubular segments 21 .
  • the retracting means 15 are configured to separate the tubular segments 21 in such a way that each tubular segment 21 has a first end that is directed towards the other tubular segment 21 and that is spaced from it and a second end that is opposite to the first end.
  • the machine 10 comprises a pair of rotary applicators 14 which in this context are configured to apply respective successions of closing elements 22 on respective application ends of the pair of tubular segments 21 , wherein in particular the application ends are defined by the first ends of the tubular segments 21 .
  • the machine 10 therefore comprises axially fixed folding means, that is to say, not movable, which are disposed along a feed path of the pair of tubular segments 21 , in such a way as to be placed between the tubular segments 21 which define the pair of tubular segments 21 .
  • the folding means are mounted on the conveyor in such a way as to be facing the tubular segments 21 as they are conveyed.
  • tubular segments 21 are associated with movable elements configured to axially shift the tubular segments 21 while they are being conveyed, so that the application end engages the folding means.
  • the fixed folding means are configured to fold against an external surface of the tubular segment 21 portions of the respective closing element 22 protruding beyond the edge of the application end.
  • the machine 10 also comprises movement means configured to axially move the pair of tubular segments towards each other in such a way as to engage the folding means.
  • the retracting means 15 comprise a retracting drum and the rotary applicators 14 are associated with it in order to apply the closing elements 22 to tubular segments 21 disposed on the retracting drum.
  • the retracting drum comprises a plurality of movable elements, which define respective retaining seats for the tubular segments 21 , and are longitudinally translatable relative to the axis of predominant extension of the tubular segments 21 which they convey in such a way as to space them out.
  • the retracting means 15 comprise a retracting drum and a pair of conveyor drums disposed side by side and spaced from each other.
  • the pair of conveyor drums is disposed downstream of the retracting drum to receive from it respective successions of tubular segments.
  • each rotary applicator 14 is associated with a respective conveyor drum to apply the closing elements 22 on tubular segments 21 disposed on the respective conveyor drum.
  • the feed unit 12 is configured to feed a double-width continuous web“N”.
  • the machine 10 further comprises dividing means configured to cut the continuous web“N” along its line of predominant extension, in such a way as to operatively separate it into two single-width continuous webs“N” which will then be fed to respective cutting means 13.
  • this invention achieves the preset aims and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the user with a machine for making sub-units 20 of smoking articles 30 which allows making a succession of sub-units 20 which are each provided with a closing wall adapted to hold the filling material within the smoking article 30, in particular after the finished product has been assembled.
  • This invention also relates to a method for making a sub-unit 20 of a smoking article 30.
  • the method comprises preparing a tubular segment 21 of the tobacco industry, in particular a tubular segment 21 which is internally provided with a through duct terminating with end openings of the tubular segment 21 .
  • the method then comprises applying a closing element 22 on at least one application end of the tubular segment 21 by means of a rotary applicator 14, thereby forming a closing wall, which at least partly closes the application end.
  • the step of applying the closing element 22 is carried out by applying the closing element 22 resting on the front wall of the respective tubular segment 21 , in particular on the annular front wall of the respective tubular segment 21 .
  • the applying step is carried out by moving the closing element 22 along a trajectory having at least one component parallel to the axial axis of symmetry of the respective tubular segment 21 .
  • That trajectory is at a tangent to the trajectory followed by the application end of the respective tubular segment 21 and is preferably circular.
  • the closing element 22 is made starting from a continuous web “N”, which is fed and made available for processing, for example by unwinding it from a suitable reel.
  • the continuous web “N” is then cut to make a succession of closing elements whose size and shape allow them to be applied on respective application ends.
  • the method described herein comprises in particular cutting the continuous web“N” across the full width of that continuous web“N”.
  • the whole of the continuous web“N” is substantially divided into a succession of closing elements 22 without the presence or creation of any waste or offcut portions or in any case without any portions of the continuous web“N” being left over which must be disposed of because they are not suitable for making a closing element 22 or part of one.
  • the closing elements 22 are picked up by the at least one rotary applicator 14 which will take them near to the tubular segments 21 and apply them at the respective application ends.
  • the method comprises applying an adhesive substance on the application end of each tubular segment 21 and/or on the respective closing element 22 according to a specific, predetermined pattern.
  • the predetermined pattern is preferably a pattern which as accurately as possible traces the shape of the contact surface between the closing element 22 and the application end, in such a way that only the parts of them which must effectively be placed in contact with each other have a layer of adhesive on them.
  • the method further comprises increasing the air and/or gas permeability of the closing wall, preferably by making a plurality of holes or perforations in the continuous web“N” before cutting it.
  • That step intended to improve the permeability of the closing wall is carried out in particular if the material used to make the closing element 22 is impermeable to gases, but may also be carried out if the closing element 22 is made using a material which is naturally porous.
  • the step of applying the closing element 22 is carried out by applying a pair of closing elements 22 simultaneously on each application end of the tubular segments 21 .
  • the step of preparing a tubular segment 21 is carried out by preparing a double-length tubular segment 21 and the method further comprises carrying out a step of cutting the double-length tubular segment 21 along its midplane, in such a way as to obtain two tubular segments 21 of the tobacco industry.
  • the cutting step may be carried out upstream or downstream of application of the closing element 22.
  • the cutting step is carried out in such a way that the tubular segments 21 have first ends abutted against each other at the midplane of the double length tubular segment 21 from which they were created and second ends opposite the first ends.
  • the closing element 22 is applied by applying a pair of closing elements 22 simultaneously on opposite application ends of the tubular segments 21 of the pair of tubular segments 21 , that is to say, those made by cutting a double-length tubular segment 21 into two distinct parts.
  • the application ends are defined by the second ends of the tubular segments 21 .
  • the method may comprise axially spacing the pair of tubular segments 21 in such a way that their first ends are separate and facing each other.
  • the step of applying the closing element 22 is carried out by applying a pair of closing elements 22 on facing application ends of the tubular segments 21 of the pair of tubular segments 21 , wherein the application ends are defined by the first ends.
  • this invention achieves the preset aims and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the user with a method for making a sub-unit 20 of a smoking article 30 which can guarantee the structural integrity of the finished product in which the sub-unit 20 thus made will be included.
  • This invention also relates to a smoking article 30, in particular a smoking article 30 which comprises sub-units 20 made using the machine and/or the method described above.
  • the smoking article 30 comprises an aerosol-generating segment 31 , a filtering segment 32 and a spacer tube.
  • the aerosol-generating segment 31 is preferably a tubular segment 21 into which an aerosol-generating material of the tobacco industry has been inserted.
  • the filtering segment 32 is preferably a tubular segment 21 made of material suitable for making a filter of the tobacco industry, or a tubular segment 21 filled with a filtering material of the tobacco industry.
  • the spacer tube is preferably an empty tubular segment 21 which is interposed between the aerosol-generating segment 31 and the filtering segment 32 in such a way as to separate them.
  • the spacer tube has one end at least partly closed by a closing element 22 applied in an application end of it to at least partly close that application end.
  • the closing element 22 is interposed between the spacer tube and at least one of either the aerosol-generating segment 31 or the filtering segment 32.
  • the spacer tube is directly abutted against the aerosol generating segment 31 or against the filtering segment 32.
  • the smoking article 30 comprises an additional segment 32 interposed between the spacer tube and the aerosol-generating segment 31 or interposed between the spacer tube and the filtering segment 32.
  • the spacer tube is directly abutting the additional segment 32 in such a way that the closing element 22 is directly interposed between the spacer tube and the additional segment 32.
  • the additional segment 32 is preferably a tubular segment 21 filled with a cooling material of the tobacco industry.
  • the smoking article 30 described herein overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, since the presence of the closing wall guarantees correct retaining of the aerosol-generating element inside the smoking article 30 preventing its unwanted escape or its inhalation by a smoker.
  • This invention also relates to a method for making a smoking article 30 which comprises preparing a filtering segment 32, an aerosol-generating segment 31 and a spacer tube, all three preferably being made as indicated above.
  • the spacer tube is made using a tubular segment 21 which has one end at least partly closed by a closing element 22 applied on an application end of it to at least partly close the application end.
  • the method therefore comprises aligning along a predominant line of extension the filtering segment 32, the aerosol-generating segment 31 and the spacer tube in such a way that the closing element 22 is interposed between the spacer tube and the aerosol-generating segment or between the spacer tube and the filtering segment 32.
  • the method may also advantageously comprise a step of preparing an additional segment 32, in particular a cooling segment which is preferably tubular.
  • the additional segment 32 is interposed between the spacer tube and the aerosol-generating segment or between the spacer tube and the filtering segment 32.
  • the additional segment 32 is applied by abutting it directly against the spacer tube, in such a way that the closing element 22 is directly interposed between the spacer tube and the additional segment 32.
  • the method described herein allows a smoking article 30 to be made which is particularly strong and of high quality, in which correct retaining (and consequent operation) of the filling material present inside it is guaranteed.

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  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)

Abstract

Une machine de fabrication de sous-unités (20) d'articles à fumer comprend un transporteur (11), une unité d'alimentation (12), des moyens de coupe (13) et au moins un applicateur rotatif (14). Le transporteur (11) est conçu pour alimenter une succession de segments tubulaires (21) de l'industrie du tabac. L'unité d'alimentation (12) est conçue pour fournir et transporter au moins une bande continue (N). Les moyens de coupe (13) sont conçus pour séparer une succession d'éléments de fermeture (22) d'une extrémité avant de la bande continue (N). L'applicateur rotatif (14) est associé fonctionnellement au transporteur (11) et est conçu pour saisir la succession d'éléments de fermeture (22) et pour les appliquer, de préférence par collage, à une extrémité d'application d'un segment tubulaire respectif (21), de manière à former des parois de fermeture pour fermer au moins partiellement les extrémités d'application.
PCT/IB2020/054956 2019-05-31 2020-05-26 Procédé et machine de fabrication d'une sous-unité d'un article à fumer WO2020240405A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/615,321 US20220218017A1 (en) 2019-05-31 2020-05-26 Machine and method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article
KR1020217039290A KR20220016471A (ko) 2019-05-31 2020-05-26 흡연 물품의 서브-유닛 제조 기계 및 제조 방법
EP20730328.0A EP3975765A1 (fr) 2019-05-31 2020-05-26 Procédé et machine de fabrication d'une sous-unité d'un article à fumer

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IT102019000007674A IT201900007674A1 (it) 2019-05-31 2019-05-31 Macchina e metodo per la realizzazione di una sottounitá di un articolo da fumo

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WO2009007258A1 (fr) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Cigarette à bout filtre dotée d'un capuchon amovible
EP2091361A1 (fr) * 2006-11-14 2009-08-26 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Article à fumer avec une extrémité fermée et procédés et appareil pour sa fabrication
WO2019175762A1 (fr) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-19 G.D S.P.A. Unité de remplissage pour remplir une succession d'enveloppes tubulaires de l'industrie du tabac

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US3868289A (en) * 1971-08-13 1975-02-25 Reynolds Tobacco Co R Apparatus and method for manufacturing jet impingement type filters for smoking articles
US3778328A (en) * 1971-08-13 1973-12-11 Reynolds Tobacco Co R Method for manufacturing jet impingement type filters for smoking articles
KR102110801B1 (ko) * 2012-04-30 2020-05-15 필립모리스 프로덕츠 에스.에이. 두 부분으로 된 복수의 구성 요소 결합체

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2091361A1 (fr) * 2006-11-14 2009-08-26 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Article à fumer avec une extrémité fermée et procédés et appareil pour sa fabrication
WO2009007258A1 (fr) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Cigarette à bout filtre dotée d'un capuchon amovible
WO2019175762A1 (fr) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-19 G.D S.P.A. Unité de remplissage pour remplir une succession d'enveloppes tubulaires de l'industrie du tabac

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KR20220016471A (ko) 2022-02-09
EP3975765A1 (fr) 2022-04-06
US20220218017A1 (en) 2022-07-14

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