WO2021214657A1

WO2021214657A1 - Method and unit for feeding rod-shaped segments

Info

Publication number: WO2021214657A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/053253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Malavolta; Daniele Salvadeo; Nicola Baldanza; Ivan Eusepi; Giuliano Gamberini
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-04-21
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: EP4138586A1; IT202000008446A1; KR20230002440A; JP2023523210A

Abstract

A method for feeding rod-shaped segments comprises the steps of feeding a succession of rod-shaped articles (A) transversely, cutting each rod-shaped article (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C), withdrawing one or more first segments (B) from each cut article (A) and feeding the first segments (B) along a first feed direction (D1), feeding one or more remaining second segments (C) of the same article (A) along a second feed direction (D2), different from the first feed direction (D1), and reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) with each other to form a succession of segments (B, C) moving along a third feed direction.

Description

DESCRIPTION

METHOD AND UNIT FOR FEEDING ROD-SHAPED SEGMENTS

Technical field

This invention relates to a method and a unit for feeding rod-shaped segments. More specifically, the invention applies, preferably but not necessarily, to assembling machines or, more generally speaking, machines for the production of rod-shaped articles (filter tip attachment machines, assembling machines) in which segments of unit or multiple length are fed to further stations for processing or coupling to other segments.

Background art In effect, typically in this context, such segments are made by cutting longer rods which are withdrawn from feed hoppers and then cut into segments on cutting drums using transverse parallel blades operating while the articles move along their feed direction transversely to their axes. Since the cut segments need to be disposed in a configuration where they are aligned in a single row along the feed direction, it is common for the segments obtained from the cut articles to be transversely staggered from each other, with axes parallel and spaced apart, and to be then moved axially in such a way as to obtain a single row of segments.

Such a situation is described, for example, in document DE102011107330, where Figure 2 shows the segments cut transversely when they start being fed, then transversely staggered and lastly moved axially to form a single row of articles.

Staggering is accomplished using specific stagger drums where the segments are staggered transversely by respective quantities so that they pass from a configuration where they are coaxial when they are fed onto the drum to a configuration where they are staggered when they leave the drum.

Staggering means the segments are moved transversely relative to each other just enough to enable each segment to be subsequently inserted between the two adjacent segments. The extent of this transverse movement is equal to the pitch between two segments disposed one behind the other in a row as they leave the drum.

It has been noticed that solutions of this kind, although they provide compact configurations, do not allow other operations to be carried out on the segments, for example, inspecting the integrity of the segments (of their ends, for example) because the segments remain very close to each other.

Disclosure of the invention

This invention therefore has for an aim to provide a method and a unit for feeding rod-shaped segments affording high flexibility of use, in particular allowing other operations to be carried out on the segments while they are being moved.

The aim specified is substantially achieved by a method and a unit for feeding rod-shaped segments comprising the technical features set out in claims 1 and 11 , respectively, and/or in one or more of the claims dependent thereon.

The method according to the invention comprises a first step of feeding a succession of rod-shaped articles transversely to their longitudinal axes, where the articles have a length that is a multiple of the length of the final segments to be made. This step is carried out by means of an accumulation container - for example, a hopper - provided with at least one outlet opening associated with at least one device for extracting single articles, preferably a drum provided with peripheral seats adapted to contain and transport the articles.

The method comprises a subsequent step of cutting each article into a plurality of segments using transverse blades, which are preferably parallel to each other. This cutting action is carried out on the same drum that is used to extract the individual articles from the accumulation container, configured as a cutting drum, or alternatively, from one or more drums following it. The cut articles are then fed to a transfer drum located downstream of the cutting drum; alternatively, the transfer drum and the cutting drum may be one and the same.

Next, while the cut articles are being fed transversely, the method comprises a step of withdrawing one or more first segments from each cut article and feeding the first segments along a first feed direction, moving them away from one or more remaining second segments of the same article, which are fed along a second feed direction, different, and preferably divergent from, the first feed direction (and defined, in particular, by the transfer drum). The first segments are withdrawn from each article by a withdrawal drum defining a line of diversion of the articles relative to the transfer drum and/or the cutting drum. The first and the second feed direction have their origin at the instant of withdrawal and run parallel to each other.

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

In other words, the invention is based on the idea of diverting one or more first segments along the first feed direction, away from the normal feed flow of the articles along the second feed direction, to process the first segments (for example, by staggering them) independently and spaced from the second segments, in particular obtaining two parallel part-flows, so as to increase the space available around the first and second segments to enable other operations to be carried out (for example, optical inspections or the like) and then bringing the two part-flows back together into a single flow.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of transversely staggering the first segments from each other along the first feed direction and transversely staggering the second segments from each other along the second feed direction. The staggers are created by respective stagger drums - of known type, for example. In a first embodiment, the first and second, transversely staggered segments, are reassembled with each other (on at least one reassembling drum) so as to define a single succession of transversely staggered segments moving along the third feed direction (common to the first and the second segments). Next, the segments of the succession of transversely staggered segments are aligned in a single row parallel to the third feed direction. The alignment is carried out on at least one aligning drum provided with specific diverting means - for example, fixed (convergent) diverting guides, The segments are staggered transversely by the same quantity, specifically corresponding to the pitch of the reassembling drum. Preferably, this result is obtained, during the previous step of creating the transverse stagger, by setting a stagger that is twice or a multiple of the final transverse stagger (between the segments on the reassembling drum and coinciding with the pitch of the reassembling drum).

In a different embodiment, the first and second transversely staggered segments, before being reassembled with each other, are aligned in a row parallel to the first feed direction and/or in a row parallel to the second feed direction, respectively. Next, the row of first segments and the row of second segments are assembled in a single row parallel to the third feed direction. This operation is carried out at the at least one assembling drum.

Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the row of first segments and the row of second segments (previously aligned in respective rows parallel to the feed directions) are assembled by juxtaposing them in two parallel rows along the third feed direction.

In an embodiment, each article is divided into a number of segments greater than or equal to four and the step of withdrawing the first segments is carried out by withdrawing two first segments and feeding them along the first feed direction, while leaving the second segments to move along the second feed direction.

In a different embodiment, each article is divided into three segments, a first of which is directed along the first or the second feed direction and the other two directed along the other feed direction. Preferably, within each article, the first segments and the second segments are inserted between each other, preferably alternately. In this configuration, the first segments (as well as the second segments) are axially spaced from each other to define a further working space to allow carrying out inspection procedures and other operations, Preferably, also, the step of creating the transverse stagger between the first and/or the second segments is accomplished while keeping the longitudinal distance between the first and/or the second segments unchanged. More specifically, the longitudinal distance is equal to the original distance existing, respectively, between the same first and/or second segments within the cut article.

More preferably, the segments are not subjected to displacement along their axes (at least relative to each other) from the instant the article is cut until they reach the aligning drum.

The unit according to the invention, therefore comprises: - feed means for feeding a succession of rod-shaped articles, preferably in the form of an accumulation container (hopper) and related drum for extracting individual articles;

- cutting means for cutting each rod-shaped article into a plurality of segments, thereby creating a flow of articles which are cut into segments, for example, in the form of a cutting drum (coinciding with the extraction drum or disposed downstream of it) which receives the articles one after the other in succession from the feed means;

- a withdrawal drum, disposed downstream of the feed means and configured to withdraw first segments from each of the cut articles and to convey the first segments along a first feed direction, the withdrawal drum being in direct relation with a transfer drum disposed downstream of the cutting drum, where the transfer drum conveys the remaining, second segments of the same cut article along the second feed direction away from the first feed direction; - an assembling drum disposed downstream of the withdrawal and transfer drums along a convergent stretch between the first and second feed directions and configured to reassemble the first and second segments with each other to form a succession of segments moving along a third feed direction. Thus, the third feed direction is common to both the first and the second segments.

In a preferred embodiment, the unit comprises a first and/or a second stagger drum, disposed downstream of the withdrawal drum and of the transfer drum, respectively, and configured to create a transverse stagger between the first segments along the first feed direction and/or a transverse stagger between the second segments along the second feed direction.

Preferably, the stagger drums, which are distinct from each other, are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation spaced from each other preferably by a distance greater than the average diameter of the stagger drums. Also, the stagger drums have respective external peripheral surfaces which face each other and which are spaced apart so as not to interfere with each other.

In an embodiment, the stagger drums are configured with a monolithic mantle provided with stagger means. In a different embodiment, the stagger drums are embodied in the form of discs which are rotatable about parallel axes spaced slightly apart.

In yet another embodiment, the stagger drums are embodied in the form of drums provided with seats for containing the articles and moved by cams. According to a further aspect of the invention, each initial article may be divided into first segments, second segments and third segments, fed respectively along three diverging feed directions. That involves two withdrawal actions, carried out in two distinct angular zones of the transfer drum or on two successive transfer drums (the withdrawal drum mentioned above is in turn in relation with - that is, tangent to - a further withdrawal drum of a third stagger line).

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the indicative, hence non-limiting description of a preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiment of a method and a unit for feeding rod-shaped articles, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a unit for feeding rod-shaped articles according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is an operating flow diagram of the unit of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view of a unit for feeding rod-shaped articles according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is an operating flow diagram of the unit of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view of a unit for feeding rod-shaped articles according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 is an operating flow diagram of the unit of Figure 5. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a unit for feeding rod-shaped segments according to a possible embodiment of this invention.

The term “rod-shaped segments” is used, in the context of this invention, to denote cylindrical segments (with a preferably circular cross section) extending about an axis of symmetry and preferably having a predominant direction of extension that coincides with the axis of symmetry. In particular, but not necessarily, the segments may be filter segments, cigarette rod segments, hollow tubes, made of hard or brittle material, or other products of the tobacco industry or the like (smoking articles or aerosol generating articles).

Further, the terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” as used in this disclosure are referenced to the axis of symmetry of the aforementioned articles or segments. Thus, a longitudinal movement is understood as being a movement along the longitudinal axis of the articles or segments (or having at least one component along that direction), whilst a transverse movement is understood as being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the articles or segments. Furthermore, the term “tangent” used in this disclosure in connection with the mutual positioning of the two drums means that the two drums are disposed relative to each other in such a way as to allow an article to be transferred from one drum to the other.

With reference to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the unit 1 comprises feed means for feeding a succession of rodshaped articles A. These feed means comprise a hopper-like container 10, containing a mass of articles A disposed with their axes parallel and horizontal (step F0).

The container 10 is associated with a drum 20 which is configured to extract individual articles A from the container 10 and which, in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form of a cutting drum to create a transverse flow of articles that have been cut into segments. For this purpose, the cutting drum 20 is associated with a plurality of blades 21 (preferably but not necessarily parallel to each other) to subdivide each article A into a succession of segments B, C, preferably identical in length and properties (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 the segments B, C. In an embodiment not illustrated, an extraction drum is interposed between the container 10 and the cutting drum 20 with the function of withdrawing individual articles A from the container 10 and sending them in orderly succession to the cutting drum 20.

Disposed downstream of the cutting drum 20 there is a transfer drum 30 that transports the cut articles A.

In an embodiment not illustrated, the transfer drum 30 and the cutting drum 20 may be one and the same. In other words, with reference to Figure 1 , one between the transfer drum 30 or the cutting drum 20 might not be present (it being understood that the blades 21 are nevertheless necessary to cut the articles A). In other words, the transfer drum 30 and the cutting drum 20 may be one and the same.

The transfer drum 30 has a first angular zone which is acted upon by a withdrawal drum 40, tangent thereto and configured to withdraw first segments B from each cut article A and to convey the first segments B along a first feed direction D1 (step F2). Withdrawal of the first segments B by the transfer drum 30 may be accomplished by suction of the first segments B; the first segments B were preferably held to the withdrawal drum 40 by suction.

The other, second segments C remain on the transfer drum 30 and move along a second feed direction D2, which is defined by the transfer drum 30 itself and which differs and diverges from the first feed direction D1 (step

F3).

The two feed directions D1 , D2 thus define parallel paths for the first segments B and the second segments C, respectively. Further, as may be seen in the accompanying drawings, the solution illustrated involves withdrawing two first segments B which were originally located alternately between three second segments C. It follows, therefore, that the first segments B are spaced apart by a space whose length is equal to a second segment C (and thus also equal to the length of a first segment B) and, in the same way, the second segments C are spaced apart by a space whose length is equal to a first segment B.

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

The stagger drums 50, 60 may be of a traditional type - for example, having a structure made up of discs with parallel axes of the type described in application ITBO20060330 (BO2006A000330) in the name of the present Applicant and incorporated herein by reference insofar as concerns the disc configuration of the stagger means 20. Other solutions for creating the stagger are imaginable, however - for example, a solution with auxiliary discs of the type described in US3712162. The term “stagger drum”, therefore, is used to denote any type of rotary conveyor, whether strictly a drum or defined by discs forming a substantially drum-like external configuration.

Further, the expression “transverse stagger” is used to mean a spacing between the first segments B and between the second segments C in a direction perpendicular to their axes. Preferably, staggering is achieved while keeping unchanged the longitudinal spacing between the first segments B and between the second segments C, where the longitudinal spacing is equal the original spacing existing respectively between the first and second segments B, C within the article A. 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 is created for a spacing (or pitch) whose value is twice a final value to be obtained (this concept is described below).

The stagger drums 50, 60 are rotatable about respective axes of rotation (or respective groups of axes of rotation in the case of a disc configuration) which are parallel to each other and spaced apart in such a way that the two stagger drums 50, 60 do not overlap or interfere with each other. Preferably, the two stagger drums 50, 60 have respective outer peripheral surfaces that confront each other and are spaced apart (Figure 1).

Downstream of the stagger drums 50, 60, at a convergent stretch of the feed directions D1 , D2, there is an assembling drum 70 configured to reassemble the staggered first and second segments B, C with each other in such a way as to a form a single succession of segments which are transversely staggered from each other (step F6).

On the assembling drum 70, the first segments B and the second segments C are reassembled in the same order they originally had in the same article A they started from. It follows, therefore, that since the first articles B are alternated with the second articles C in the initial article A, the stagger (or pitch) defined between consecutive segments B, C on the assembling drum 70 (step F6) is equal to half the stagger (or pitch) created between first segments B and between second segments C, on the first and the second stagger drum 50, 60, respectively (steps 4 and 5). In the embodiment illustrated, the assembling drum 70 is directly tangent to the second stagger drum 60 and connected to the first stagger drum 50 through an interposed auxiliary drum 80. Different embodiments, using other intermediate drums, are also imaginable, however. Disposed downstream of the assembling drum 70 is an aligning drum 90, on which the transversely staggered segments B, C, reassembled in a single group (or at least some of them) are moved longitudinally in order to align them along a single row parallel to the common feed direction (step F7), preferably by using fixed diverting guides 91 . Once they’ve been aligned, the segments B, C are sent to further drums, or conveyors - for example, they are fed to an assembling unit of an assembling machine.

In an embodiment not illustrated, at least one of the two stagger drums 50, 60 might not be present. In the second embodiment, illustrated in Figure 3, the unit differs from the embodiment of Figure 1 in that it comprises: a first aligning drum 90 disposed downstream of the first stagger drum 50 (preferably tangent to the first stagger drum) and configured to align the first segments B in a row parallel to the first feed direction D1 ; a second aligning drum 100 disposed downstream of the second stagger drum 60 (preferably tangent to the second stagger drum) and configured to align the second segments C in a row parallel to the second feed direction D2. In this embodiment, the assembling drum 70 is disposed downstream of the first and second aligning drums 90, 100 to assemble the row of first segments B and the row of second segments C in a single row parallel to the third feed direction (Figure 4). More specifically, the segments B and C of the two aligned rows are reassembled in a preferably alternate configuration thanks to the double pitch by which they were staggered by the respective stagger drum 50, 60. It is also understood that in a further embodiment, if the unit comprises a single stagger drum, then it will comprise only one between the first and the second aligning drum.

Also, as shown in Figure 3, although this only constitutes an optional variant that does not depart from the inventive concept, the cutting drum 20 also defines the aforementioned transfer drum since it is directly tangent to the withdrawal drum 40. In addition to that, owing to the specific configuration illustrated, an auxiliary drum 80 (entirely optional) is provided between the cutting drum 20 and the second stagger drum 60 for the sole purpose of balancing the positions of the drums in the unit. In the third embodiment, illustrated in Figure 5, the unit differs from the embodiment of Figure 3 in that it does not reassemble the two rows of segments B and C into a single row but, on the contrary, in that the two rows of segments B and C (where the segments B and C of each row are aligned with each other in sequence one after the other along the feed direction) are juxtaposed at an outfeed section of the unit, where such outfeed section is preferably defined by an assembling drum 70 forming part of a lower train of drums, where such train of drums forms part, for example, of a common feed line of feed modules of an assembling machine. These two juxtaposed rows of segments (Figure 6) are, for example, at the sides of a midplane M defining a central reference for subsequent steps of assembling further segments.

In the third embodiment, since the two rows from the first and second directions D1 and D2, respectively, are not intended to be assembled with each other as they are in the first and second embodiments, the transverse stagger applied by the stagger drums 50, 60 need not be twice, or a multiple of, the final transverse stagger between the segments B and C of each row but may, from the outset, be equal to the final transverse stagger to be obtained (hence unit stagger).

Also, in the third embodiment, each of the articles A is cut into a preferably even number of segments B, C and, still more preferably, the number of first segments withdrawn from each article A is equal to the number of second segments C withdrawn from the same article A and, in this case, too, the first and second segments B, C are alternate segments along the article A. Also used in the third embodiment are additional auxiliary drums 80 (also entirely optional) downstream of the aligning drums 90, 100. In use, a succession of rod-shaped articles A is fed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the articles (step F0) and the articles A are then each cut into a plurality of segments B, C, abutted end to end and longitudinally aligned (step F1 ).

Next, one or more first segments B are withdrawn from each article A and moved away from the second, remaining segments C of the same article A. The first segments B are fed along a first feed direction D1 , while the second segments C are fed along a second feed direction D2, different and preferably divergent from the first feed direction D1 (steps F2, F3). Advantageously, this allows other operations (for example, optical inspections) to be carried out at the first segments B and/or second segments C.

Next, the first and/or the second segments B, C are reassembled with each other to form a succession of segments B, C moving along a third feed direction.

In the first embodiment illustrated (Figures 1 and 2), the first segments B are staggered transversely as they move along the first feed direction D1 and the second segments C are staggered transversely as they move along the second feed direction D2 (steps F4, F5).

Next, the first and second staggered segments B, C, forming part of the same initial article A, are reassembled to form a succession of transversely staggered segments (step F6) corresponding in number to the number of segments of the initial article (five in the embodiment illustrated). This step of reassembling, which is carried out on the reassembling drum 70, creates a succession of segments B, C disposed along a line that is inclined to the common feed direction defined by the assembling drum 70. The assembling drum 70 then carries a plurality of inclined, staggered successions of segments B, C of the type described, which follow each other along the common feed direction defined by the assembling drum 70.

Each succession of five segments B, C is then subjected to a step of aligning (step F7), which is carried out by longitudinally moving at least some of the first and second segments B, C so as to align the first and second segments B, C in a single row parallel to the feed direction.

In the second embodiment, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the first and second staggered segments B, C are aligned in a row parallel to the first feed direction D1 and in a row parallel to the second feed direction D2, respectively (steps F6 and F7). Next, the row of first segments B and the row of second segments C are assembled with each other to form a single row parallel to the third feed direction D3 (step F8).

In the third embodiment, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the row of first segments B and the row of second segments C which have already been aligned are assembled on the assembling drum 70 in such a way as to be juxtaposed, in particular in such a way as to define successive pairs of segments B, C which are coaxially aligned with each other (step F8, Figure 6).

The term “drum” is used in this description of the invention to mean any element used for conveying a rod-shaped article and/or rod-shaped segments. The term “drum”, therefore, is not limited to what is illustrated. The present invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

Creating two distinct feed paths allows obtaining more free space between the segments longitudinally. More space means that checking or inspection devices - for example, optical or electromagnetic devices - can be installed to face or be adjacent to the drums of the unit in order to improve the quality of the segment feeding process. Moreover, staggering the segments allows creating more space transversely, too, since the staggering pitch on each path is greater than the final pitch to be obtained.

Claims

1 . A method for feeding rod-shaped segments, comprising the following steps:

- feeding a succession of rod-shaped articles (A) transversely to the longitudinal axis of the articles (A); - cutting each of the articles (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C);

- withdrawing one or more first segments (B) from each cut article (A) and feeding the first segments (B) along a first feed direction (D1);

- feeding one or more remaining second segments (C) of the same article (A) along a second feed direction (D2), different and preferably divergent from the first feed direction (D1 );

- reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) with each other to form at least one succession of segments (B, C) moving along a third feed direction (D3).

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising a step of creating a transverse stagger between the first segments (B) along the first feed direction (D1) and/or a transverse stagger between the second segments (C) along the second feed direction (D2).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of creating a transverse stagger is accomplished while keeping unchanged a longitudinal distance between the first segments (B) and/or between the second segments (C), the longitudinal distance being, in particular, equal to the original distance between the first and/or the second segments (B, C) in the article (A), respectively.

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 the following steps: reassembling the first and second transversely staggered segments (B, C) with each other to form a single succession of segments (B, C) staggered transversely to each other and moving along the third feed direction (D3); next, aligning the staggered segments (B, C) in a single row parallel to the third feed direction (D3).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of reassembling the first and second staggered segments (B, C) with each other is accomplished while the segments (B. C) are moving, so that the segments (B, C) are disposed along a direction that is inclined to the third feed direction (D3) of the segments (B, C) and preferably staggered transversely and uniformly.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the step of creating a transverse stagger is accomplished by setting a transverse stagger that is double or a multiple of the transverse stagger between the segments (B, C) after the step of reassembling the staggered segments (B, C).

7. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the step of reassembling the first and second segments (B, C) with each other comprises the following steps: aligning the first staggered segments (B) in a row parallel to the first feed direction (D1) and/or aligning the second staggered segments (C) in a row parallel to the second feed direction (D2); and then assembling the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in at least one row aligned along the third feed direction (D3).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of assembling the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in at least one row is carried out by assembling the first segments (B) and the second segments (C) in a single row aligned along the third feed direction (D3).

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of assembling the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in at least one row is carried out by juxtaposing the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) with each other along the third feed direction (D3).

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the step of cutting each of the articles (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C) is carried out by cutting each article (A) into an even number of segments (B,

C). 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the number of first segments (B) withdrawn from each article (A) is equal to the number of second segments (C) withdrawn from the article (A).

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the step of creating a transverse stagger is carried out by applying a transverse stagger that is identical to the final transverse stagger present between the segments (B, C) along the third feed direction (D3).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of withdrawing one or more first segments (B) from each cut article (A) is accomplished by a withdrawal drum (40) while the cut article (A) is disposed on a transfer drum (30), in such a way that the remaining second segments (C) of the same article (A) continue moving along on the transfer drum (30).

14. The method according to according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the steps of creating a transverse stagger between the first segments (B) along the first feed direction (D1) and/or a transverse stagger between the second segments (C) along the second feed direction (D2) are accomplished by a first stagger drum (50) and/or a second stagger drum (60), respectively.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first segments (B) and the second segments (C) are disposed in series with each other, preferably alternately, in the same article (A).

16. A unit for feeding rod-shaped segments, comprising:

- feed means (10) for feeding a succession of rod-shaped articles (A); - cutting means for cutting each rod-shaped article (A) into a plurality of segments (B, C), thereby creating a flow of article (A) which are cut into segments;

- a withdrawal drum (40) disposed downstream of the feed means (10) and configured to withdraw first segments (B) from each of the cut articles

(A) and to convey the first segments (B) along a first feed direction (D1);

- a transfer drum (30) disposed downstream of the feed means (10) and configured to convey remaining second segments (C) of the same cut article (A) along a second feed direction (D2), different and preferably divergent from the first feed direction (D1 );

- an assembling drum (70) disposed downstream of the withdrawal drum (40) and transfer drum (30) and configured to reassemble the first and second segments (B, C) with each other to form at least a succession of segments (B, C) moving along a third feed direction (D3). 17. The unit according to claim 16, comprising:

- a first and/or a second stagger drum (50, 60) disposed downstream of the withdrawal drum (40) along the first feed direction (D1) and downstream of the transfer drum (30) along the second feed direction (D2), respectively, and configured to create a transverse stagger between the first segments (B) along the first feed direction (D1) and a transverse stagger between the second segments (C) along the second feed direction (D2), respectively.

18. The unit according to claim 17, wherein the assembling drum (70) is configured to reassemble the first and second transversely staggered segments (B, C) with each other to form a single succession of segments (B, C) staggered transversely to each other and wherein the unit comprises an aligning drum (90) disposed downstream of the assembling drum (70) and configured to align the segments (B, C) in a single row parallel to the third feed direction (D3). 19. The unit according to claim 12, comprising: - a first aligning drum (90) disposed downstream of the first stagger drum (50) and configured to align the first segments (B) in a first row parallel to the first feed direction (D1);

- a second aligning drum (100) disposed downstream of the second stagger drum (60) and configured to align the second segments (C) in a second row parallel to the second feed direction (D2); and wherein the assembling drum (70) is disposed downstream of the first and second aligning drums (90, 100) to assemble the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in at least one row parallel to the third feed direction (D3).

20. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the unit is configured to assemble the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in a single row on the assembling drum (70), in particular to feed the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments (C) in a single row on the assembling drum (70).

21. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the unit is configured to juxtapose the row of first segments (B) and the row of second segments with each other along the third feed direction (D3) on the assembling drum

(70). 22. The unit according to any one of claims 16 to 21 , wherein the cutting means are disposed at the transfer drum (30) or at a drum (20) disposed upstream of the transfer drum (30).