US20120080043A1 - Introducing Objects Into Elongate Smoking Articles - Google Patents
Introducing Objects Into Elongate Smoking Articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120080043A1 US20120080043A1 US13/263,033 US201013263033A US2012080043A1 US 20120080043 A1 US20120080043 A1 US 20120080043A1 US 201013263033 A US201013263033 A US 201013263033A US 2012080043 A1 US2012080043 A1 US 2012080043A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- objects
- filter
- type
- capsules
- filter rod
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
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- 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
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
- A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
- A24D3/0216—Applying additives to filter materials the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like
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- 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
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/061—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking
Definitions
- This invention relates to an apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles having a filter element, for example filtered cigarettes.
- the apparatus may form part of a filter rod maker.
- the smoker may break the capsule therein and release the flavourant.
- a smoker wishing to add flavour to the inhaled gaseous flow from the cigarette may do so by simply squeezing the filter.
- Filters for individual smoking articles such as cigarettes are usually cut from a filter rod made using a filter rod making machine.
- capsules are incorporated into cigarette filter rods by dispensing individual capsules one by one into a flow of stretched tow during filter rod manufacture.
- a further difficulty with this approach is that it is incompatible with the use of a stuffer jet, which is a device used in cigarette filter making machines to compress the filter tow before it is paper wrapped and cut. This is because passing a flow of tow having capsules individually dropped thereon through a stuffer jet would cause the positions of the individual capsules to become disarranged in the tow.
- the present invention provides an alternative approach for providing objects such as frangible capsules in filter rods.
- the present invention provides an apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a conveyance path for conveying an elongate member and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed along the path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof.
- the apparatus may further comprise a shaping mechanism configured to shape the elongate member after the objects are delivered thereon.
- the shaping mechanism may be configured to shape the elongate member into a trough, for example a trough having a U-shaped profile.
- the shaping mechanism may shape the elongate member into a tube.
- the apparatus may further comprise a filter rod forming mechanism.
- the filter rod forming mechanism may receive the object assembly and form filter rods, each filter rod comprising one or more of said objects.
- the delivery mechanism may be configured to deliver a first object type such as fluid-containing members containing a first flavourant into a first of said rows and to deliver a second object type, such as second fluid-containing members containing a second flavourant into a second of said rows such that each object in the first row is adjacent to an object in the second row.
- a first object type such as fluid-containing members containing a first flavourant
- a second object type such as second fluid-containing members containing a second flavourant into a second of said rows
- the delivery mechanism may have a first transport member configured to transport the objects of a first type from a first storage area to the first row, thereby delivering the objects of a first type into the first row, and a second transport member configured to transport the objects of the second type from a second storage area to the second row, thereby delivering the objects of the second type into the second row.
- the first and second transport members may each comprise rotatable wheels.
- the first and second transport members may respectively comprise first and second circumferentially extending regions of a single rotatable wheel.
- first transport member may comprise a first circumferentially extending region of the wheel and the second transport member may comprise a second circumferentially extending region of the wheel.
- the invention also provides a method for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the method comprising conveying an elongate member along a path and delivering objects onto material drawn along said path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof;
- the invention also provides an apparatus for forming filter rods from filter rod material and configured to receive an object assembly from an object assembly source and to make filter rods having one or more objects therein, comprising a filter material diverting mechanism configured to divert filter material around the object assembly source,
- the filter rod material diverting mechanism may comprise a splitter configured to split filter material into two paths and a combining member configured to receive filter material from each of the two paths and to receive the object assembly.
- the invention also provides a maker for making filter rods, comprising an insert mechanism for inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter rods such that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such that the objects of each type are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- the invention also provides a method of making filter rods, comprising inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter rods such that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such that the objects of each type are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- the invention also provides a filter rod having a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type, wherein the objects of each type are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- the first type of objects may be frangible fluid-containing members containing a first flavourant and the second type of objects may be frangible fluid-containing members containing a second flavourant.
- FIG. 1 shows a part of a filter rod making machine.
- FIG. 2 shows a capsule delivery mechanism
- FIG. 3( a ) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsules thereon.
- FIG. 3( b ) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
- FIG. 3( c ) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules.
- FIG. 4 shows a filter having a tube therein, the tube containing two capsules.
- FIG. 5 shows a filtered cigarette comprising the filter of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6( a ) shows a ribbon of paper having three rows of capsules thereon.
- FIG. 6( b ) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
- FIG. 6( c ) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules.
- FIG. 7 shows another delivery mechanism
- FIG. 8( a ) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsules thereon.
- FIG. 8( b ) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
- FIG. 8( c ) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a cigarette assembly process
- FIG. 10 shows a part of another filter rod making machine.
- FIG. 11 illustrates the tow path through the filter rod making machine.
- FIG. 12 shows a splitter
- FIG. 13 shows a stuffer jet
- FIG. 14 shows a capsule
- FIG. 15 shows a part of yet another filter rod manufacturing machine.
- FIG. 16( a ) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsule thereon.
- FIG. 16( b ) shows the ribbon of paper having capsules thereon folded so as to have a U-shaped cross section.
- FIG. 16( c ) shows a front cross-sectional view of one of the capsules partially wrapped by the ribbon of paper.
- FIG. 17 shows a feed unit for feeding capsules to the capsule delivery mechanism.
- FIG. 1 shows part of a filter rod making machine 1 .
- filter tow 2 is drawn from a source of tow (not shown), stretched through a set of stretching rollers (not shown), compressed through stuffer jet 3 and through the tongue 4 of garniture 5 , where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap (not shown) and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown) to form filter rods.
- machine 1 has an assembly station 6 configured to assemble an object assembly in the form of a fluid encapsulation having a plurality of fluid-containing capsules 7 and a connecting member in the form of an elongate paper tube 8 , which couples the capsules 7 to one another.
- an assembly station 6 configured to assemble an object assembly in the form of a fluid encapsulation having a plurality of fluid-containing capsules 7 and a connecting member in the form of an elongate paper tube 8 , which couples the capsules 7 to one another.
- fluid-containing capsules are delivered in two parallel rows onto a ribbon of glue-lined paper which is drawn along a path and wrapped to form the tube 8 of capsules 7 .
- the elongate tube 8 of capsules 7 is assembled by the assembly station 6 and received into stuffer jet 3 and into the moving tow 2 so as to be incorporated into the eventual filter rods.
- capsules can be precisely and stably positioned within the rod, since the positioning and spacing of the capsules is determined by their spacing within the paper tube 8 , which does not undergo significant stretching when inserted into the tow 2 by the stuffer jet 3 .
- the tow 2 and the tube 8 enclosed therein are wrapped in a plug wrap drawn from a reel (not shown) via a roller (not shown), so as to form an elongate filter rod.
- An endless garniture tape (not shown) travels along the garniture bed and drags the plug wrap, the tow 2 , and the tube 8 of capsules 7 into and through the garniture 5 . In this way, the tube 8 of capsules 7 is pulled through the stuffer jet 3 together with the tow 2 and is thereby received into the tow 2 .
- the stuffer jet (also known as a transport jet) is a venturi device which acts to compact the tow.
- the linear speed at which the stuffer jet 3 receives tow is faster than the speed of the garniture tape and in this way a desired weight and therefore density of tow is incorporated into each eventual filter rod so that a desired resistance to flow, or pressure drop, can be achieved in the eventual filters.
- the garniture tape curves inwardly as it travels through the garniture, thereby shaping the plug wrap such that the tow 2 and tube 8 of capsules 7 therein are cylindrically paper wrapped.
- a set of glue guns (not shown) apply an adhesive such as hot melt glue or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) to the plug wrap.
- a sealing unit (not shown), which has a heating or a cooling element, seals the plugwrap around the filter tow. PVA or glue may also be used to lay down an anchorage line on the plug wrap prior to combining it with the tow so that the tow and plug wrap stick together in the garniture 5 .
- the separation (also referred to herein as the pitch) between the capsules in the elongate filter rod is determined by the separation (or pitch) between the capsules in the elongate tube and may for example be 9 to 32 mm.
- the machine 1 also includes a microwave detector (not shown) for detecting the presence or location of capsules 7 , and a cutter with a knife for cutting the elongate filter rod and the tube 8 , thereby forming filter rod segments.
- the position of a capsule is determined by the microwave detector and the cut-off position of the cutter knife is adjusted to position the capsule relative to the knife so that the tube 8 is cut at a point between the capsules 7 .
- the detected capsule position may be used to determine the time that the cutter should begin cutting.
- the knife may be fixed in position and the tube may be drawn through the garniture to position the tube at an appropriate position relative to the knife so that the tube is cut at a desired point between the capsules 7 .
- the cutter In use, the cutter periodically cuts the elongate rod at a predetermined frequency so that the eventual filter rod segments are of a desired length containing a desired number of capsules 7 .
- the desired number of capsules per rod segment is preferably 2 or 4 capsules, although alternatively it may be 1 capsule, 3 capsules or more than 4 capsules.
- the microwave detector also acts as a quality detection device.
- the microwave detector detects defects in the fluid encapsulation 1 , such as damaged or missing capsules in the rod.
- the machine has a shift register (not shown) which is configured to discard a detected defective element at a later stage in the assembly process. For example, if the microwave detector determines that a capsule is defective, the shift register may be configured such that the assembled filter rod containing that capsule is discarded.
- assembly station 6 comprises a holder (not shown) for holding a paper reel 9 , a glue gun 10 having two nozzles 10 a , 10 b , a capsule delivery mechanism 11 , a feed unit comprising a pair of hoppers 12 a , 12 b for feeding the capsule delivery mechanism 11 with capsules, and a shaping mechanism comprising a forming block 13 .
- the hopper 12 a contains capsules 7 a containing a first liquid flavourant and the second hopper 12 b contains capsules 7 b containing a second liquid flavourant, different to the first liquid flavourant. That is, the capsules 7 a are of a different variety to the capsules 7 b.
- Suitable liquid flavourants include, for example menthol, spearmint, orange essence, mint, liquorice, eucalyptus, one or more of a variety of fruit flavours or any mixture of flavourants.
- the contents of the capsules 7 a , 7 b are not intended to be limited to flavourants and alternatively or in addition a humectant could be used, for example, or liquids such as water or Vitamin A solution for filtering certain elements from the cigarette smoke, or for other purposes
- FIG. 14 shows a capsule 7 in more detail.
- the capsule 7 comprises an outer wall of gelatin 100 and an inner space filled with a liquid 101 such as a liquid flavourant.
- an elongate member in the form of a ribbon R shown in FIG. 1 of paper such as porous plugwrap paper is drawn from the reel 9 and is lined by the glue guns 10 with two parallel lines of glue 14 a , 14 b as it moves along a conveying path in the assembly station 6 .
- the glue may, for example be hot melt glue or hot melt re-activated glue.
- the elongate connecting member is preferably a ribbon of paper such as a porous or non-porous plugwrap paper or a standard cigarette paper, alternatively the ribbon could, for example be made from a cellulose web, carbon paper, impregnated charcoal paper, a plastic, cellophane or any other suitable material.
- the ribbon R passes under capsule delivery mechanism 11 , which delivers capsules sequentially onto the paper and into contact with the glue lines 14 a , 14 b so as to form two rows 15 a , 15 b of capsules 7 adhered to the glue lines 14 a , 14 b .
- the ribbon R is fed around the forming block 13 so that it forms into a tube 8 with the capsules 7 disposed longitudinally inside.
- the tube 8 is then drawn into the stuffer jet 3 by the action of the garniture 5 , as described in more detail above.
- capsule delivery mechanism 11 comprises two vertically oriented rotatable delivery wheels 16 a , 16 b having a common axis 17 , the wheels being joined at a central point by a shaft 18 and thereby fixed relative to one another.
- FIG. 2 which shows a close-up view of the capsule delivery mechanism 11
- each wheel 16 a , 16 b has a plurality of cavities 19 a , 19 b for receiving capsules evenly spaced around its circumference.
- the shaft 18 and the wheels 16 a , 16 b are rotated by a motor (not shown).
- the speed of the motor may be timed relative to the speed of the garniture and/or cutter, preferably using one or more encoders.
- the wheels 16 a , 16 b may be rotated at a faster or a slower speed, relative to the garniture speed and in this way the separation (or pitch) between neighbouring capsules may be controlled.
- the capsules may be delivered onto the moving ribbon R at a suitable rate so that a desired separation is achieved between capsules in each eventual filter rod and so that a desired number of capsules, for example 1, 2 or 4 capsules, are incorporated into each eventual rod.
- capsules 7 a from hopper 12 a fall under gravity into cavities 19 a in the top part of the wheel 16 a .
- capsules 7 b from hopper 12 b fall into cavities 19 b in the top part of the wheel 16 b .
- the capsules are collected radially into the wheels 16 a , 16 b .
- the outlet of the hoppers 12 a , 12 b extend over a segment of the wheels 16 a , 16 b so that a plurality of cavities 19 a , 19 b are filled at the same time as the wheels 16 a , 16 b rotate.
- the capsules 7 a in the cavities 19 a are rotated around the axis 17 until they drop under gravity onto the glue lines 14 a and adhere to the surface of the ribbon R of paper to form a row 15 a of evenly spaced capsules fixed thereon.
- the capsules 7 b in the cavities 19 b are rotated and subsequently dropped onto the glue line 14 b to form a row 15 b of evenly spaced capsules 7 b fixed to the ribbon R, the row 15 b of capsules 7 b being parallel to the row 15 a of capsules 7 a.
- the capsules 7 may be positively displaced from the wheels 16 a , 16 b onto the ribbon R.
- the capsule delivery mechanism 11 may comprise a propulsion mechanism such as one or more compressed air manifolds configured to propel the capsules out from the cavities 19 a , 19 b in the wheels 16 a , 16 b and onto the ribbon R, for example with jets of compressed air.
- the cavities 19 a are evenly spaced around the circumference of the wheel 16 a and the cavities 19 b are evenly spaced around the circumference of the other wheel 16 b .
- the cavities 19 a of wheel 16 a are not aligned with the cavities 19 b of wheel 16 b along the direction of the axis 17 . Instead, the cavities 19 a are arranged in an alternate fashion in relation to the cavities 19 b . As shown, the angular position of each cavity 19 a on wheel 16 a is half way between the angular positions of two neighbouring cavities 19 b on the wheel 16 b.
- the capsules 7 a and capsules 7 b alternately fall from their respective cavities 19 a , 19 b onto the ribbon R. That is, during operation of the machine 1 , a capsule 7 a drops from a cavity 19 a onto the glue line 14 a , then a capsule 7 b drops from a cavity 19 b onto the glue line 14 b , then a capsule 7 a drops onto the glue line 14 a and so on. In this way two parallel rows of evenly spaced capsules are formed longitudinally along the ribbon R in the manner shown in FIG. 3 a .
- the longitudinal separation L between capsules in row 15 a is the same as the longitudinal separation between capsules in row 15 b and the row 15 a and the row 15 b are laterally separated by a gap of width W.
- Capsules 7 a in the row 15 a are arranged alternately with respect to the capsules 7 b in the row 15 b , each capsule 7 b in row 15 b being arranged half way between two capsules 7 a in row 15 a .
- the longitudinal spacing between a capsule 7 a and the neighbouring capsule 7 b is L/2.
- FIG. 3 ( b ) shows in more detail the step of shaping the ribbon R around the forming block 13 to form a tube 8 .
- shaping the ribbon comprises bringing the capsules 7 a and the capsules 7 b towards the center of the eventual tube 8 .
- the capsules 7 a and 7 b become longitudinally evenly spaced within the tube 8 , as shown in FIG. 3 ( c ).
- FIG. 3 ( c ) which shows the eventual tube 8
- the capsules 7 a and the capsules 7 b are alternately positioned along the length of the tube 8 and are adhesively fixed to the inner wall of the tube 8 .
- the nearest capsule to each capsule 7 a is a capsule 7 b and vice versa.
- the separation between neighbouring capsules 7 a , 7 b in the tube is L/2.
- the assembled tube 8 of capsules 7 a , 7 b is brought into contact with the tow 2 and the filter rod making machine forms cut filter rods.
- the filter making machine is operated so that tow 2 is drawn into the stuffer jet, paper wrapped in a garniture and cut to form filter rods.
- the ribbon R is manually fed from the holder through the forming block 13 and into the stuffer jet 3 until it is caught by the tow. Once caught by the tow, the ribbon R is automatically drawn from the holder, through the forming block and into the tow by the action of the garniture 5 .
- the glue gun 10 is engaged so that the glue lines 14 a , 14 b are formed on the ribbon R.
- the capsule delivery wheels are caused to rotate, thereby guiding the capsules 7 a , 7 b onto the glue lines.
- the machine 1 is capable of running at high speeds, for example in the range of 400 to 500 rod meters per minute or in the range 1000 to 4000 filter rods per minute.
- the fluid encapsulation is pulled through the machine 1 by the garniture tape together with the plugwrap and the tow.
- the speed at which the encapsulation is fed into the machine is automatically synchronised with the garniture speed.
- the tube 8 protects the capsules 7 a , 7 b as they pass through the garniture 5 , resulting in gentler handling of the capsules and thus less waste.
- tube 8 of capsules 7 a , 7 b inside the eventual filter rod improves the filter quality by making the filter harder.
- the assembly station 6 can be operated in combination with a standard filter rod making machine to make filter rods having capsules inside, without the need for significant modification of the standard filter rod making machine.
- FIG. 4 shows an example of a filter rod 20 manufactured by the machine 1 .
- the filter rod 20 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow 21 wrapped with a wrapper of porous plugwrap 22 .
- a cut section 23 of the tube 8 is disposed inside the rod, the cut section 23 containing two fluid-containing capsules 7 a , 7 b .
- the separation between the capsules in the filter rod 20 is in the range 4-32 mm.
- the diameter of the filter is within the range 4-10 mm.
- the capsule diameter is within the range 2-6 mm.
- the filter rod 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be used in the assembly of a cigarette having two capsules in the filter, each capsule containing a different flavourant.
- a cigarette 24 is shown in FIG. 5 .
- the cigarette 24 is assembled by axially aligning the filter rod 20 and a paper wrapped tobacco rod 25 , and wrapping them with a glue coated segment of tipping paper 26 to join them together. Assembling stations for assembling cigarettes in this manner are well known per se and will not be described in detail herein.
- the smoker may break the capsule 7 a and release the flavourant therein.
- the smoker may apply pressure to the outside of the part of the filter 20 which surrounds the capsule 7 b and thereby break the capsule 7 b and release the other flavourant. Then, when the cigarette is smoked, part of the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker is flavoured as it passes through the flavourant or flavourants released by the smoker.
- the smoker is provided with the option at any point while smoking the cigarette to: (1) not break either capsule; (2) break only one of the capsules; or (3) break both the capsules.
- the user of such a cigarette has several taste options.
- the assembly station 6 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two glue guns, two capsule hoppers and two delivery wheels.
- glue guns any number of glue guns, capsule hoppers and delivery wheels could alternatively be used.
- the assembly station may have three glue guns to line the paper ribbon with three lines of glue and the capsule delivery mechanism may comprise three delivery wheels to deliver capsules from three hoppers onto three rows on the paper ribbon.
- the ribbon may then be fed around a forming block to form a tube containing first, second and third capsules having first, second and third flavourants, all three flavourants being different to one another.
- ribbon R 3 is illustrated in FIG. 6( a ).
- ribbon R 3 comprises three lines of glue 27 a , 27 b , 27 c and three parallel rows 28 a , 28 b , 28 c of capsules 29 a , 29 b and 29 c respectively arranged along the glue lines 27 a , 27 b , 27 c .
- the rows 28 a and 28 c are side rows and the row 28 b is a centre row.
- the capsules 29 a , 29 b , 29 c of different rows contain different liquids.
- FIG. 6( b ) illustrates the step of wrapping the ribbon R 3 into a tube 8 .
- the capsules 29 a of row 28 a and the capsules 29 c of row 28 c are brought towards the center of the eventual tube 30 , while the capsules 29 b remain substantially in position relative to the moving ribbon R 3 .
- the eventual tube 30 is illustrated in FIG. 6( c ).
- the tube 30 contains first, second and third capsules 29 a , 29 b , 29 c arranged in sequence longitudinally within the tube, the sequence of first, second and third capsules 29 a , 29 b , 29 c being repeated along the length of the tube 30 .
- the tube 30 can be incorporated into filter rod segments in a similar manner to the manner described hereinabove in relation to the tube 8 . Further, those skilled in the art will understand that cigarettes having a filter containing three or more capsules may be manufactured in a similar manner to that described above, thus providing cigarettes having further taste options for the smoker.
- the shaping member is described above as a forming block configured to form the elongate member having the capsules attached thereto into a tube
- the elongate member may be shaped in different ways, for example into a trough having for example a U-shape or a V-shape cross-section, before it is received into the tow.
- the shaping member is configured to shape the elongate member such that the capsules are generally centrally positioned in the eventual filter rod.
- Forming the elongate member material into a tube may cause the eventual filter element to have regions of air therein, enclosed in the tube between neighbouring capsules. These air gaps may lower the weight of tow in the filter to some extent. However, if the elongate member material is shaped into a trough, for example, filter material will fill the spaces between the capsules during manufacture of the filter rod. In this way, the eventual filter rod will not contain regions of air between the capsules if the elongate member has been shaped into a trough.
- the forming block may be arranged such that when the elongate member having the capsules attached thereto runs over the forming block, it adopts the particular desired shape.
- the elongate member may run over the forming block and become shaped so as to have a U-shaped profile and the shaped elongate member may be received into the tow.
- Forming the elongate member in this way advantageously brings the capsules in the first and second rows towards the centre of curvature of the shaped elongate member, so that the capsules become approximately or generally centrally positioned in the elongate member.
- the forming member may comprise one or more ploughs, configured such that when the elongate member runs over the one or more ploughs, it adopts the particular desired shape.
- the forming member may comprise a single plough configured to partially bend or wrap one side of the elongate member.
- the shaping member may comprise a deformation member configured to deform the elongate member having the capsules attached thereon before it is received into the tow.
- the deformation member may crimp, bend, fold, twist, partially wrap and/or otherwise deform the elongate member prior to the elongate member being received into the tow.
- the elongate member material may not be shaped before it is drawn into the tow.
- the filter making machine 1 is described above as manufacturing “single length” filter rod for use in the manufacture of individual cigarettes, preferably the filter making machine 1 manufactures “double length” filter rods, each filter rod being suitable for manufacturing two cigarettes.
- the filters manufactured by the machine may have any other length and may for example triple or quadruple length filters.
- the filters manufactured by the filter making machine may be filter segments intended to form part of a multi-segment filter.
- the pitch (or separation) between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 18-32 mm.
- the pitch (or separation) between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 9-32 mm.
- the pitch between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 8-18 mm.
- the pitch is preferably in the range 4-12 mm.
- FIG. 7 shows another capsule delivery mechanism 31 in the form of a capsule delivery wheel 31 a having a shaft 31 b fixed relative to the wheel 31 .
- the capsule delivery mechanism 31 is preferably used when “double length” filters are to be manufactured.
- wheel 31 a has two circumferentially extending regions 32 a , 32 b . Rotation of the shaft 31 b causes the regions 32 a , 32 b to rotate together.
- the capsule delivery mechanism 31 receives capsules 7 a , 7 b from a feed unit in a similar manner as the capsule mechanism 11 described above.
- capsule delivery mechanism 31 receives capsules 7 a containing a first liquid flavourant from the first hopper into the first circumferentially extending region 32 a of the wheel and capsules 7 b containing a second liquid flavourant from the second hopper into the second circumferentially extending region 32 b of the wheel, the second flavourant being different to the first liquid flavourant,
- each circumferentially extending region 32 a , 32 b has a corresponding sequence of cavities 33 a , 33 b arranged around the circumference thereof.
- the cavities 33 a , 33 b are arranged in pairs, the gap between neighbouring pairs in a region 32 a , 32 b being greater than the gap between the cavities 33 a , 33 b in a pair.
- the pairs of cavities 33 a of the region 32 a are not aligned with the pairs of cavities 33 b of the region 33 b . Instead, pairs of cavities 33 a are arranged alternately with respect to the pairs of cavities 33 b.
- capsules 7 a , 7 b fall in sequence from their respective cavities 32 a , 32 b onto the ribbon R. That is, first a capsule drops from a cavity 33 a onto a first glue line on the ribbon R, then another capsule 7 a drops from a cavity 33 a onto the first glue line, then a capsule 7 b drops from a cavity 33 b onto a second glue line on the ribbon R, the another capsule 7 b drops from a cavity 33 b onto the second glue line, then a capsule 7 a drops from a cavity 33 a onto the first glue line, and so on.
- capsules 7 a , 7 b are arranged in groups 35 a , 35 b , each group having two capsules and the groups 35 a , 35 b being evenly spaced along each row 34 a , 34 b .
- Groups 35 a in the row 34 a are arranged alternately with respect the groups 35 b in the row 34 b , each group 35 a in row 34 a being arranged half way between two groups 35 b in row 34 b.
- FIG. 8( b ) illustrates folding the ribbon R into a tube 36 .
- the ribbon R could be shaped into a trough having, for example a U-shaped profile, or another suitable shape.
- FIG. 8( c ) illustrates the eventual tube 36 . As shown, pairs of capsules 7 a are arranged alternately with pairs of capsules 7 b along the length of the tube 36 .
- the tube 36 is then fed into contact with tow 2 so as to be incorporated into the eventual filter rods, in the manner described above with reference to the tube 8 .
- each eventual filter rod 37 comprises two capsules 7 a arranged towards the end regions of the rod 37 and two capsules 7 b in a central region of the rod.
- Such a filter rod 37 is shown in FIG. 9 ( a ).
- the arrangement of capsules in the filter rod 37 has mirror symmetry with respect to a plane 37 a bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- filter rod 37 is longitudinally aligned with a pair of paper wrapped tobacco rods 38 , 39 and cylindrically wrapped with a tipping paper 40 to join the rod 37 to the rods 38 , 39 .
- the rod 37 is then cut generally centrally, thereby forming two cigarettes 41 , 42 , each having a filter element 43 , 44 .
- each filter 43 , 44 comprises a first capsule 7 a and a second capsule 7 b .
- the capsule 7 b is arranged closer to the mouth-end of the filter than the capsule 7 a.
- capsule delivery mechanism 31 delivers a pattern of capsules onto the ribbon R such that cigarette manufacture by the process illustrated in FIG. 9 , the arrangement of capsules within the filter element of each eventual cigarette is the same.
- each double length filter rod formed by the filter rod machine has a symmetric pattern of capsules therein.
- the arrangement of capsules in the filter rod has mirror symmetry with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- a capsule delivery mechanism having three or more delivery wheels could be used to make double length filter rods having three or more different varieties of capsules therein.
- cavity arrangements on the delivery wheels will be evident to those skilled in the art in order to obtain a symmetric arrangement of three or more varieties of capsules in each double length rod.
- Each filter rod so produced may be used to make two cigarettes by the method shown in FIG. 9 .
- Each cigarette manufactured in this way will have the same desired arrangement of three or more capsules therein because of the symmetric arrangement of capsules in the double length filter rods.
- FIG. 10 shows part of a machine 45 , which is yet another variation of the machine 1 .
- tow 46 is divided into two paths 47 , 48 by a splitter 49 and subsequently re-combined in stuffer jet 50 .
- the machine 45 has an assembly station 51 for assembling a fluid encapsulation.
- the assembly station 51 is similar to the assembly station 6 , but is positioned in the space between the two tow paths 47 , 48 .
- the tow 46 is guided along the tow paths 47 , 48 , around the assembly station 6 by guides (not shown) on each side of the assembly station 6 .
- assembly station 51 has a capsule delivery mechanism 11 configured to deliver capsules onto a ribbon R of glue lined paper, which is subsequently shaped into for example a tube or trough and then received into the stuffer jet 50 .
- FIG. 12 shows the splitter 49 in more detail.
- the splitter has a tow receiving part 49 a and a blade 52 which is configured to enter partially into the tow receiving part 49 a through a slit therein.
- tow 46 is received into the tow receiving part 49 a and the blade 52 rotates, thereby splitting the tow 46 into two parts.
- the first part of the tow takes the path 47 and the second part of the tow takes a different path 48 .
- tow 46 is conveyed along the paths 47 , 48 by the guides (not shown) on each side of the assembly station 51 , and the fluid encapsulation 8 made by the assembly station 51 is drawn along another path 56 into the stuffer jet 50 .
- the fluid encapsulation 8 follows a generally straight path 56 through assembly station 51 to the stuffer jet 50 and through the garniture (not shown) until is cut by the cutter.
- the elongate connecting member may be weakened or may break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds.
- FIG. 13 shows the stuffer jet 50 in more detail.
- stuffer jet 50 has a trumpet shaped inlet 53 which receives tow from the paths 47 , 48 and which receives the fluid encapsulation from the assembly station 51 .
- the tow 46 having the fluid encapsulation 8 therein is received from the stuffer jet 50 into a garniture, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap and subsequently cut to form filter rods.
- FIG. 15 shows part of another filter rod making machine 54 , which is yet another variation of the machine 1 .
- the machine 54 comprises an assembly station 55 , which is a variation of the assembly station 6 and has a capsule delivery mechanism 56 , 31 comprising a delivery wheel of the type shown in FIG. 7 .
- machine 54 comprises a set of guides in the form of bobbins 57 a , 57 b , 57 c and 57 d arranged to divert the tow 58 around the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism 56 .
- the bobbin 57 a is aligned with the delivery roller (not shown) of the tow processor (not shown) of the machine 54 and guides the tow 58 to the bobbin 57 b .
- the tow is subsequently guided by the bobbins 57 c and 57 d and is received into stuffer jet 59 .
- the bobbins 57 b , 57 c , 57 d may have a U-shaped profile such as the profile of the bobbin 57 a .
- the bobbins could have a “V” shaped profile.
- capsule delivery mechanism 56 , 31 delivers capsules onto an elongate member in the form of a ribbon of paper 60 drawn from a holder (not shown).
- the ribbon is lined with glue and subsequently passes under the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism 56 , 31 , for example 5 mm below the capsule delivery wheel.
- the bobbin 57 d is disposed above the surface of the plate 61 so that the ribbon of paper 60 passes under and does not contact the bobbin 57 d.
- the ribbon of paper 60 is drawn along a straight line path from the holder along plate 61 of machine 54 and into the stuffer jet 59 . As shown the paper 60 enters the stuffer jet at a lower level than the tow 58 .
- the ribbon 60 it is advantageous for the ribbon 60 to follow a straight line path since the ribbon may be weakened or may break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds.
- the plate 61 has a U-shaped channel formed therein so that the ribbon 60 adopts a U-shaped profile as it passes through the channel.
- the channel is positioned so that the ribbon 60 is shaped after it passes under the capsule delivery mechanism 56 , 31 .
- FIGS. 16( a ) and 16 ( b ) illustrates formation of the ribbon 60 having capsules 62 attached into a trough having a U-shaped profile with the capsules 62 therein.
- the shaped ribbon has a semi-circular cross section with an inner diameter equal to that of the capsules 62 . That is, the paper ribbon 60 is partially wrapped around the capsules 62 . In this way, the capsules are held securely within the paper.
- the capsules are centrally positioned within the U-shape and are generally aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the paper ribbon.
- FIG. 17 shows a more detailed view of a capsule feed unit for feeding capsules into a capsule delivery mechanism 11 , 31 , 56 having one or more capsule delivery wheels 68 .
- the feed unit comprises two capsule holders in the form of cylindrical holes 63 a , 63 b , which may for example be manually filled with capsules of two different varieties.
- the feed unit further comprises a vacuum unit 64 configured to suck capsules from the holders 63 a , 63 b through pipes 65 a 65 b and to deposit capsules onto respective vibration conveyors 66 a , 66 b .
- Vibration conveyors 66 a , 66 b convey the capsules into the hoppers (also referred to herein as magazines) 67 a , 67 b , from which they fall under gravity into the cavities of capsule delivery wheel 68 .
- the outlet of magazine 67 a extends over a front segment of the wheel 68 and is arranged so that capsules are delivered into the cavities of a first circumferentially extending region of the wheel 68 .
- the outlet of magazine 67 b extends over a rear segment of the wheel 68 and is arranged so that capsules are delivered into the cavities of a second circumferentially extending region of the wheel 68 .
- the magazines 67 a , 67 b may be arranged in side-by-side arrangement at the rear of the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism, for example as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the magazines 67 a , 67 b may be arranged in side-by-side arrangement at the front of the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism.
- the elongate member having the capsules attached may be received into the tongue of the garniture.
- the tongue may have a hole through which the shaped elongate member may be fed.
- the elongate member may be received into the stuffer jet or tongue via a centering mechanism.
- the elongate member having the capsules attached may be positioned or adhesively fixed onto the plugwrap paper, prior to or during the step of wrapping the plugwrap around the tow in the garniture.
- the elongate member may be brought under the stuffer jet and onto the plugwrap paper.
- the objects are described above as frangible fluid-containing capsules, the objects could alternatively be pellets, strands, beads or any combination of pellets, strands, beads and capsules.
- the objects may be held in place in the cavities of the delivery wheels 16 a , 16 b , 31 a , by vacuum (ie: suction) applied to each pocket, so as to assist in ensuring that the objects are maintained in the cavities during transport.
- vacuum ie: suction
- Capsule delivery wheels configured to apply vacuum to hold capsules in place until delivery are known per se.
- An example of a wheel which applies vacuum to hold capsules in pockets of the wheel until delivery is described in WO 2007/038053.
- stationary guides may be provided around the peripheral regions of the rotatable delivery wheels 16 a , 16 b , 31 a , to keep the objects in the wheels during transport.
- Such guides may be arranged to define an exit region at the bottom of the wheels 16 a , 16 b , 31 a , through which the objects leave the wheel and fall onto the paper.
- the elongate member may be the plugwrap paper which is wrapped around the tow. That is, the elongate member having the objects attached may be cylindrically wrapped around the tow in the garniture so as to form a paper wrapped elongate filter rod, which is subsequently cut by a cutter in the manner described above.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to an apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles having a filter element, for example filtered cigarettes. The apparatus may form part of a filter rod maker.
- It is known to provide a frangible capsule containing a flavourant, for example menthol, inside the filter of a smoking article.
- By applying pressure to the outside of the filter, the smoker may break the capsule therein and release the flavourant. Thus, a smoker wishing to add flavour to the inhaled gaseous flow from the cigarette may do so by simply squeezing the filter.
- Filters for individual smoking articles such as cigarettes are usually cut from a filter rod made using a filter rod making machine. In known filter rod making machines, capsules are incorporated into cigarette filter rods by dispensing individual capsules one by one into a flow of stretched tow during filter rod manufacture.
- One difficulty with this approach is that any relaxation of the stretched tow causes the capsules to move away from the position in which they are dropped, making it difficult to obtain precise positioning of the capsules within the eventual filter rod.
- A further difficulty with this approach is that it is incompatible with the use of a stuffer jet, which is a device used in cigarette filter making machines to compress the filter tow before it is paper wrapped and cut. This is because passing a flow of tow having capsules individually dropped thereon through a stuffer jet would cause the positions of the individual capsules to become disarranged in the tow.
- The present invention provides an alternative approach for providing objects such as frangible capsules in filter rods.
- The present invention provides an apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the apparatus comprising a conveyance path for conveying an elongate member and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed along the path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof.
- The apparatus may further comprise a shaping mechanism configured to shape the elongate member after the objects are delivered thereon.
- The shaping mechanism may be configured to shape the elongate member into a trough, for example a trough having a U-shaped profile. Alternatively, the shaping mechanism may shape the elongate member into a tube.
- The apparatus may further comprise a filter rod forming mechanism. In use, the filter rod forming mechanism may receive the object assembly and form filter rods, each filter rod comprising one or more of said objects.
- The delivery mechanism may be configured to deliver a first object type such as fluid-containing members containing a first flavourant into a first of said rows and to deliver a second object type, such as second fluid-containing members containing a second flavourant into a second of said rows such that each object in the first row is adjacent to an object in the second row.
- The delivery mechanism may have a first transport member configured to transport the objects of a first type from a first storage area to the first row, thereby delivering the objects of a first type into the first row, and a second transport member configured to transport the objects of the second type from a second storage area to the second row, thereby delivering the objects of the second type into the second row.
- The first and second transport members may each comprise rotatable wheels. Alternatively, the first and second transport members may respectively comprise first and second circumferentially extending regions of a single rotatable wheel.
- That is, the first transport member may comprise a first circumferentially extending region of the wheel and the second transport member may comprise a second circumferentially extending region of the wheel.
- The invention also provides a method for making an object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the method comprising conveying an elongate member along a path and delivering objects onto material drawn along said path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof;
- The invention also provides an apparatus for forming filter rods from filter rod material and configured to receive an object assembly from an object assembly source and to make filter rods having one or more objects therein, comprising a filter material diverting mechanism configured to divert filter material around the object assembly source,
- The filter rod material diverting mechanism may comprise a splitter configured to split filter material into two paths and a combining member configured to receive filter material from each of the two paths and to receive the object assembly.
- The invention also provides a maker for making filter rods, comprising an insert mechanism for inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter rods such that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such that the objects of each type are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- The invention also provides a method of making filter rods, comprising inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter rods such that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such that the objects of each type are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- The invention also provides a filter rod having a plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type, wherein the objects of each type are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- The first type of objects may be frangible fluid-containing members containing a first flavourant and the second type of objects may be frangible fluid-containing members containing a second flavourant.
- In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a part of a filter rod making machine. -
FIG. 2 shows a capsule delivery mechanism. -
FIG. 3( a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsules thereon. -
FIG. 3( b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper. -
FIG. 3( c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules. -
FIG. 4 shows a filter having a tube therein, the tube containing two capsules. -
FIG. 5 shows a filtered cigarette comprising the filter ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6( a) shows a ribbon of paper having three rows of capsules thereon. -
FIG. 6( b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper. -
FIG. 6( c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules. -
FIG. 7 shows another delivery mechanism -
FIG. 8( a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsules thereon. -
FIG. 8( b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper. -
FIG. 8( c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of capsules. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a cigarette assembly process. -
FIG. 10 shows a part of another filter rod making machine. -
FIG. 11 illustrates the tow path through the filter rod making machine. -
FIG. 12 shows a splitter. -
FIG. 13 shows a stuffer jet -
FIG. 14 shows a capsule. -
FIG. 15 shows a part of yet another filter rod manufacturing machine. -
FIG. 16( a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of capsule thereon. -
FIG. 16( b) shows the ribbon of paper having capsules thereon folded so as to have a U-shaped cross section. -
FIG. 16( c) shows a front cross-sectional view of one of the capsules partially wrapped by the ribbon of paper. -
FIG. 17 shows a feed unit for feeding capsules to the capsule delivery mechanism. -
FIG. 1 shows part of a filter rod making machine 1. During operation of machine 1, filter tow 2 is drawn from a source of tow (not shown), stretched through a set of stretching rollers (not shown), compressed through stuffer jet 3 and through the tongue 4 of garniture 5, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap (not shown) and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown) to form filter rods. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , machine 1 has an assembly station 6 configured to assemble an object assembly in the form of a fluid encapsulation having a plurality of fluid-containingcapsules 7 and a connecting member in the form of anelongate paper tube 8, which couples thecapsules 7 to one another. As shown, during operation of the assembly station 6, fluid-containing capsules are delivered in two parallel rows onto a ribbon of glue-lined paper which is drawn along a path and wrapped to form thetube 8 ofcapsules 7. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , when machine 1 is in use, theelongate tube 8 ofcapsules 7 is assembled by the assembly station 6 and received into stuffer jet 3 and into the moving tow 2 so as to be incorporated into the eventual filter rods. - In this way, capsules can be precisely and stably positioned within the rod, since the positioning and spacing of the capsules is determined by their spacing within the
paper tube 8, which does not undergo significant stretching when inserted into the tow 2 by the stuffer jet 3. - In the garniture 5, the tow 2 and the
tube 8 enclosed therein are wrapped in a plug wrap drawn from a reel (not shown) via a roller (not shown), so as to form an elongate filter rod. An endless garniture tape (not shown) travels along the garniture bed and drags the plug wrap, the tow 2, and thetube 8 ofcapsules 7 into and through the garniture 5. In this way, thetube 8 ofcapsules 7 is pulled through the stuffer jet 3 together with the tow 2 and is thereby received into the tow 2. - The stuffer jet (also known as a transport jet) is a venturi device which acts to compact the tow. The linear speed at which the stuffer jet 3 receives tow is faster than the speed of the garniture tape and in this way a desired weight and therefore density of tow is incorporated into each eventual filter rod so that a desired resistance to flow, or pressure drop, can be achieved in the eventual filters.
- The garniture tape curves inwardly as it travels through the garniture, thereby shaping the plug wrap such that the tow 2 and
tube 8 ofcapsules 7 therein are cylindrically paper wrapped. A set of glue guns (not shown) apply an adhesive such as hot melt glue or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) to the plug wrap. A sealing unit (not shown), which has a heating or a cooling element, seals the plugwrap around the filter tow. PVA or glue may also be used to lay down an anchorage line on the plug wrap prior to combining it with the tow so that the tow and plug wrap stick together in the garniture 5. - The separation (also referred to herein as the pitch) between the capsules in the elongate filter rod is determined by the separation (or pitch) between the capsules in the elongate tube and may for example be 9 to 32 mm.
- The machine 1 also includes a microwave detector (not shown) for detecting the presence or location of
capsules 7, and a cutter with a knife for cutting the elongate filter rod and thetube 8, thereby forming filter rod segments. - On start up, the position of a capsule is determined by the microwave detector and the cut-off position of the cutter knife is adjusted to position the capsule relative to the knife so that the
tube 8 is cut at a point between thecapsules 7. Furthermore, the detected capsule position may be used to determine the time that the cutter should begin cutting. Alternatively, however, on start up the knife may be fixed in position and the tube may be drawn through the garniture to position the tube at an appropriate position relative to the knife so that the tube is cut at a desired point between thecapsules 7. - In use, the cutter periodically cuts the elongate rod at a predetermined frequency so that the eventual filter rod segments are of a desired length containing a desired number of
capsules 7. The desired number of capsules per rod segment is preferably 2 or 4 capsules, although alternatively it may be 1 capsule, 3 capsules or more than 4 capsules. - The microwave detector also acts as a quality detection device. The microwave detector detects defects in the fluid encapsulation 1, such as damaged or missing capsules in the rod. The machine has a shift register (not shown) which is configured to discard a detected defective element at a later stage in the assembly process. For example, if the microwave detector determines that a capsule is defective, the shift register may be configured such that the assembled filter rod containing that capsule is discarded.
- Turning now to a more detailed description of the assembly of the
tube 8 ofcapsules 7, referring toFIG. 1 assembly station 6 comprises a holder (not shown) for holding a paper reel 9, aglue gun 10 having twonozzles capsule delivery mechanism 11, a feed unit comprising a pair ofhoppers capsule delivery mechanism 11 with capsules, and a shaping mechanism comprising a formingblock 13. Thehopper 12 a containscapsules 7 a containing a first liquid flavourant and thesecond hopper 12 b containscapsules 7 b containing a second liquid flavourant, different to the first liquid flavourant. That is, thecapsules 7 a are of a different variety to thecapsules 7 b. - Suitable liquid flavourants include, for example menthol, spearmint, orange essence, mint, liquorice, eucalyptus, one or more of a variety of fruit flavours or any mixture of flavourants. However, the contents of the
capsules -
FIG. 14 shows acapsule 7 in more detail. As shown, thecapsule 7 comprises an outer wall ofgelatin 100 and an inner space filled with a liquid 101 such as a liquid flavourant. - In use, an elongate member in the form of a ribbon R shown in
FIG. 1 of paper such as porous plugwrap paper is drawn from the reel 9 and is lined by theglue guns 10 with two parallel lines ofglue - Along the path, the ribbon R passes under
capsule delivery mechanism 11, which delivers capsules sequentially onto the paper and into contact with theglue lines rows capsules 7 adhered to theglue lines block 13 so that it forms into atube 8 with thecapsules 7 disposed longitudinally inside. Thetube 8 is then drawn into the stuffer jet 3 by the action of the garniture 5, as described in more detail above. - Referring to
FIG. 1 ,capsule delivery mechanism 11 comprises two vertically orientedrotatable delivery wheels common axis 17, the wheels being joined at a central point by ashaft 18 and thereby fixed relative to one another. As shown inFIG. 2 , which shows a close-up view of thecapsule delivery mechanism 11, eachwheel cavities - In use, the
shaft 18 and thewheels wheels - As the
wheels capsules 7 a fromhopper 12 a fall under gravity intocavities 19 a in the top part of thewheel 16 a. Similarly,capsules 7 b fromhopper 12 b fall intocavities 19 b in the top part of thewheel 16 b. Thus, the capsules are collected radially into thewheels hoppers wheels cavities wheels - The
capsules 7 a in thecavities 19 a, are rotated around theaxis 17 until they drop under gravity onto theglue lines 14 a and adhere to the surface of the ribbon R of paper to form arow 15 a of evenly spaced capsules fixed thereon. - In the same way, the
capsules 7 b in thecavities 19 b, are rotated and subsequently dropped onto theglue line 14 b to form arow 15 b of evenly spacedcapsules 7 b fixed to the ribbon R, therow 15 b ofcapsules 7 b being parallel to therow 15 a ofcapsules 7 a. - Alternatively, or in addition the
capsules 7 may be positively displaced from thewheels capsule delivery mechanism 11 may comprise a propulsion mechanism such as one or more compressed air manifolds configured to propel the capsules out from thecavities wheels - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thecavities 19 a are evenly spaced around the circumference of thewheel 16 a and thecavities 19 b are evenly spaced around the circumference of theother wheel 16 b. However, thecavities 19 a ofwheel 16 a are not aligned with thecavities 19 b ofwheel 16 b along the direction of theaxis 17. Instead, thecavities 19 a are arranged in an alternate fashion in relation to thecavities 19 b. As shown, the angular position of eachcavity 19 a onwheel 16 a is half way between the angular positions of two neighbouringcavities 19 b on thewheel 16 b. - As the glue lined paper ribbon R moves under the
capsule delivery mechanism 11 and thewheels capsules 7 a andcapsules 7 b alternately fall from theirrespective cavities capsule 7 a drops from acavity 19 a onto theglue line 14 a, then acapsule 7 b drops from acavity 19 b onto theglue line 14 b, then acapsule 7 a drops onto theglue line 14 a and so on. In this way two parallel rows of evenly spaced capsules are formed longitudinally along the ribbon R in the manner shown inFIG. 3 a. As shown, the longitudinal separation L between capsules inrow 15 a is the same as the longitudinal separation between capsules inrow 15 b and therow 15 a and therow 15 b are laterally separated by a gap ofwidth W. Capsules 7 a in therow 15 a are arranged alternately with respect to thecapsules 7 b in therow 15 b, eachcapsule 7 b inrow 15 b being arranged half way between twocapsules 7 a inrow 15 a. Thus, as shown inFIG. 5 , the longitudinal spacing between acapsule 7 a and the neighbouringcapsule 7 b is L/2. -
FIG. 3 (b) shows in more detail the step of shaping the ribbon R around the formingblock 13 to form atube 8. As shown, shaping the ribbon comprises bringing thecapsules 7 a and thecapsules 7 b towards the center of theeventual tube 8. In this way, thecapsules tube 8, as shown inFIG. 3 (c). Referring toFIG. 3 (c), which shows theeventual tube 8, thecapsules 7 a and thecapsules 7 b are alternately positioned along the length of thetube 8 and are adhesively fixed to the inner wall of thetube 8. In thetube 8, the nearest capsule to eachcapsule 7 a is acapsule 7 b and vice versa. As shown, the separation betweenneighbouring capsules - As is described in more detail above, during operation of the filter rod making machine 1, the assembled
tube 8 ofcapsules - The start-up procedure of the machine 1 will now be described. In a first step, the filter making machine is operated so that tow 2 is drawn into the stuffer jet, paper wrapped in a garniture and cut to form filter rods. In a second step, the ribbon R is manually fed from the holder through the forming
block 13 and into the stuffer jet 3 until it is caught by the tow. Once caught by the tow, the ribbon R is automatically drawn from the holder, through the forming block and into the tow by the action of the garniture 5. Then, theglue gun 10 is engaged so that theglue lines capsules - In this way, two or more
fluid containing capsules - As described above, the fluid encapsulation is pulled through the machine 1 by the garniture tape together with the plugwrap and the tow. Thus, the speed at which the encapsulation is fed into the machine is automatically synchronised with the garniture speed.
- The
tube 8 protects thecapsules - In addition the
tube 8 ofcapsules - Moreover, the assembly station 6 can be operated in combination with a standard filter rod making machine to make filter rods having capsules inside, without the need for significant modification of the standard filter rod making machine.
-
FIG. 4 shows an example of afilter rod 20 manufactured by the machine 1. Thefilter rod 20 comprises a plug ofcellulose acetate tow 21 wrapped with a wrapper ofporous plugwrap 22. Acut section 23 of thetube 8 is disposed inside the rod, thecut section 23 containing two fluid-containingcapsules filter rod 20 is in the range 4-32 mm. The diameter of the filter is within the range 4-10 mm. The capsule diameter is within the range 2-6 mm. - These ranges are of course not intended to be limiting and the skilled person would understand that larger or smaller filter diameters, capsule diameters or capsule separations could be employed.
- The
filter rod 20 shown inFIG. 4 can be used in the assembly of a cigarette having two capsules in the filter, each capsule containing a different flavourant. Such acigarette 24 is shown inFIG. 5 . Thecigarette 24 is assembled by axially aligning thefilter rod 20 and a paper wrappedtobacco rod 25, and wrapping them with a glue coated segment of tippingpaper 26 to join them together. Assembling stations for assembling cigarettes in this manner are well known per se and will not be described in detail herein. - By applying pressure to the outside of the part of the
filter 20 which surrounds thecapsule 7 a, the smoker may break thecapsule 7 a and release the flavourant therein. Alternatively, or in addition, the smoker may apply pressure to the outside of the part of thefilter 20 which surrounds thecapsule 7 b and thereby break thecapsule 7 b and release the other flavourant. Then, when the cigarette is smoked, part of the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker is flavoured as it passes through the flavourant or flavourants released by the smoker. - In this way, the smoker is provided with the option at any point while smoking the cigarette to: (1) not break either capsule; (2) break only one of the capsules; or (3) break both the capsules. Thus, the user of such a cigarette has several taste options.
- The assembly station 6 shown in
FIG. 1 comprises two glue guns, two capsule hoppers and two delivery wheels. However, any number of glue guns, capsule hoppers and delivery wheels could alternatively be used. For example, the assembly station may have three glue guns to line the paper ribbon with three lines of glue and the capsule delivery mechanism may comprise three delivery wheels to deliver capsules from three hoppers onto three rows on the paper ribbon. The ribbon may then be fed around a forming block to form a tube containing first, second and third capsules having first, second and third flavourants, all three flavourants being different to one another. - Such a ribbon R3 is illustrated in
FIG. 6( a). As shown, ribbon R3 comprises three lines ofglue parallel rows capsules glue lines rows row 28 b is a centre row. Thecapsules -
FIG. 6( b) illustrates the step of wrapping the ribbon R3 into atube 8. As shown, as the ribbon is formed into a tube, thecapsules 29 a ofrow 28 a and thecapsules 29 c ofrow 28 c are brought towards the center of theeventual tube 30, while thecapsules 29 b remain substantially in position relative to the moving ribbon R3. - The
eventual tube 30 is illustrated inFIG. 6( c). As shown, thetube 30 contains first, second andthird capsules third capsules tube 30. - The
tube 30 can be incorporated into filter rod segments in a similar manner to the manner described hereinabove in relation to thetube 8. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that cigarettes having a filter containing three or more capsules may be manufactured in a similar manner to that described above, thus providing cigarettes having further taste options for the smoker. - Although the shaping member is described above as a forming block configured to form the elongate member having the capsules attached thereto into a tube, alternatively, the elongate member may be shaped in different ways, for example into a trough having for example a U-shape or a V-shape cross-section, before it is received into the tow. Preferably the shaping member is configured to shape the elongate member such that the capsules are generally centrally positioned in the eventual filter rod.
- Forming the elongate member material into a tube may cause the eventual filter element to have regions of air therein, enclosed in the tube between neighbouring capsules. These air gaps may lower the weight of tow in the filter to some extent. However, if the elongate member material is shaped into a trough, for example, filter material will fill the spaces between the capsules during manufacture of the filter rod. In this way, the eventual filter rod will not contain regions of air between the capsules if the elongate member has been shaped into a trough.
- The forming block may be arranged such that when the elongate member having the capsules attached thereto runs over the forming block, it adopts the particular desired shape.
- For example, the elongate member may run over the forming block and become shaped so as to have a U-shaped profile and the shaped elongate member may be received into the tow. Forming the elongate member in this way advantageously brings the capsules in the first and second rows towards the centre of curvature of the shaped elongate member, so that the capsules become approximately or generally centrally positioned in the elongate member.
- Alternatively, or in addition, the forming member may comprise one or more ploughs, configured such that when the elongate member runs over the one or more ploughs, it adopts the particular desired shape.
- For example, the forming member may comprise a single plough configured to partially bend or wrap one side of the elongate member.
- Alternatively, or in addition the shaping member may comprise a deformation member configured to deform the elongate member having the capsules attached thereon before it is received into the tow. For example, the deformation member may crimp, bend, fold, twist, partially wrap and/or otherwise deform the elongate member prior to the elongate member being received into the tow.
- Alternatively, the elongate member material may not be shaped before it is drawn into the tow.
- Although the filter making machine 1 is described above as manufacturing “single length” filter rod for use in the manufacture of individual cigarettes, preferably the filter making machine 1 manufactures “double length” filter rods, each filter rod being suitable for manufacturing two cigarettes.
- However, alternatively the filters manufactured by the machine may have any other length and may for example triple or quadruple length filters. Alternatively, the filters manufactured by the filter making machine may be filter segments intended to form part of a multi-segment filter.
- Where the eventual cigarette filter element has a single section having a single capsule therein, the pitch (or separation) between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 18-32 mm.
- Where the eventual cigarette filter element has a single section having two capsules therein, the pitch (or separation) between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 9-32 mm.
- For multi-section filter segments having a single capsule therein, the pitch between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is preferably in the range 8-18 mm.
- For multi-section filter segments having two capsules therein, the pitch is preferably in the range 4-12 mm.
-
FIG. 7 shows anothercapsule delivery mechanism 31 in the form of acapsule delivery wheel 31 a having ashaft 31 b fixed relative to thewheel 31. Thecapsule delivery mechanism 31 is preferably used when “double length” filters are to be manufactured. As shown,wheel 31 a has two circumferentially extendingregions shaft 31 b causes theregions capsule delivery mechanism 31 receivescapsules capsule mechanism 11 described above. That is,capsule delivery mechanism 31 receivescapsules 7 a containing a first liquid flavourant from the first hopper into the first circumferentially extendingregion 32 a of the wheel andcapsules 7 b containing a second liquid flavourant from the second hopper into the secondcircumferentially extending region 32 b of the wheel, the second flavourant being different to the first liquid flavourant, - As shown, each circumferentially extending
region cavities cavities region cavities cavities 33 a of theregion 32 a are not aligned with the pairs ofcavities 33 b of theregion 33 b. Instead, pairs ofcavities 33 a are arranged alternately with respect to the pairs ofcavities 33 b. - As the glue lined ribbon R moves under the
capsule delivery mechanism 11 and thewheel 31 a rotates,capsules respective cavities cavity 33 a onto a first glue line on the ribbon R, then anothercapsule 7 a drops from acavity 33 a onto the first glue line, then acapsule 7 b drops from acavity 33 b onto a second glue line on the ribbon R, the anothercapsule 7 b drops from acavity 33 b onto the second glue line, then acapsule 7 a drops from acavity 33 a onto the first glue line, and so on. - In this way two parallel rows 34 a, 34 b of capsules are formed longitudinally along the ribbon R in the manner shown in
FIG. 8( a). As shown,capsules -
FIG. 8( b) illustrates folding the ribbon R into a tube 36. However, as described above, alternatively the ribbon R could be shaped into a trough having, for example a U-shaped profile, or another suitable shape. -
FIG. 8( c) illustrates the eventual tube 36. As shown, pairs ofcapsules 7 a are arranged alternately with pairs ofcapsules 7 b along the length of the tube 36. - The tube 36 is then fed into contact with tow 2 so as to be incorporated into the eventual filter rods, in the manner described above with reference to the
tube 8. - The action of the cutter of the filter making machine 1 is timed so that each
eventual filter rod 37 comprises twocapsules 7 a arranged towards the end regions of therod 37 and twocapsules 7 b in a central region of the rod. Such afilter rod 37 is shown inFIG. 9 (a). As shown, the arrangement of capsules in thefilter rod 37 has mirror symmetry with respect to aplane 37 a bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , which shows a process of manufacturing cigarettes,filter rod 37 is longitudinally aligned with a pair of paper wrappedtobacco rods paper 40 to join therod 37 to therods rod 37 is then cut generally centrally, thereby forming twocigarettes filter element filter first capsule 7 a and asecond capsule 7 b. In eachfilter capsule 7 b is arranged closer to the mouth-end of the filter than thecapsule 7 a. - In this way,
capsule delivery mechanism 31 delivers a pattern of capsules onto the ribbon R such that cigarette manufacture by the process illustrated inFIG. 9 , the arrangement of capsules within the filter element of each eventual cigarette is the same. - This is achieved by selecting the arrangement of the cavities on the capsule delivery mechanism and the timing of the cutter of the filter maker such that each double length filter rod formed by the filter rod machine has a symmetric pattern of capsules therein. The arrangement of capsules in the filter rod has mirror symmetry with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- Many other cavity arrangements will be evident to those skilled in the art in order to achieve any desired arrangement of capsules within the filter elements of each eventual cigarette.
- For example, as described above a capsule delivery mechanism having three or more delivery wheels could be used to make double length filter rods having three or more different varieties of capsules therein. In this case, cavity arrangements on the delivery wheels will be evident to those skilled in the art in order to obtain a symmetric arrangement of three or more varieties of capsules in each double length rod. Each filter rod so produced may be used to make two cigarettes by the method shown in
FIG. 9 . Each cigarette manufactured in this way will have the same desired arrangement of three or more capsules therein because of the symmetric arrangement of capsules in the double length filter rods. -
FIG. 10 shows part of amachine 45, which is yet another variation of the machine 1. As shown inFIG. 11 , in themachine 45,tow 46 is divided into two paths 47, 48 by asplitter 49 and subsequently re-combined instuffer jet 50. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , themachine 45 has anassembly station 51 for assembling a fluid encapsulation. Theassembly station 51 is similar to the assembly station 6, but is positioned in the space between the two tow paths 47, 48. Thetow 46 is guided along the tow paths 47, 48, around the assembly station 6 by guides (not shown) on each side of the assembly station 6. As is the case for assembly station 6,assembly station 51 has acapsule delivery mechanism 11 configured to deliver capsules onto a ribbon R of glue lined paper, which is subsequently shaped into for example a tube or trough and then received into thestuffer jet 50. - Referring to
FIG. 12 shows thesplitter 49 in more detail. As shown, the splitter has atow receiving part 49 a and ablade 52 which is configured to enter partially into thetow receiving part 49 a through a slit therein. In use,tow 46 is received into thetow receiving part 49 a and theblade 52 rotates, thereby splitting thetow 46 into two parts. As shown inFIG. 11 , the first part of the tow takes the path 47 and the second part of the tow takes a different path 48. - Referring to
FIG. 11 ,tow 46 is conveyed along the paths 47, 48 by the guides (not shown) on each side of theassembly station 51, and thefluid encapsulation 8 made by theassembly station 51 is drawn along another path 56 into thestuffer jet 50. In this way, thefluid encapsulation 8 follows a generally straight path 56 throughassembly station 51 to thestuffer jet 50 and through the garniture (not shown) until is cut by the cutter. This is advantageous since the elongate connecting member may be weakened or may break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds. -
FIG. 13 shows thestuffer jet 50 in more detail. As shown stufferjet 50 has a trumpet shapedinlet 53 which receives tow from the paths 47, 48 and which receives the fluid encapsulation from theassembly station 51. As described above in relation to the machine 1, thetow 46 having thefluid encapsulation 8 therein is received from thestuffer jet 50 into a garniture, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap and subsequently cut to form filter rods. -
FIG. 15 shows part of another filterrod making machine 54, which is yet another variation of the machine 1. As shown, themachine 54 comprises anassembly station 55, which is a variation of the assembly station 6 and has acapsule delivery mechanism 56, 31 comprising a delivery wheel of the type shown inFIG. 7 . Referring toFIG. 15 ,machine 54 comprises a set of guides in the form ofbobbins tow 58 around the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism 56. Thebobbin 57 a is aligned with the delivery roller (not shown) of the tow processor (not shown) of themachine 54 and guides thetow 58 to thebobbin 57 b. The tow is subsequently guided by thebobbins stuffer jet 59. - Many other variations of the guides 57 will be evident to those skilled in the art. For example, the
bobbins bobbin 57 a. Alternatively, the bobbins could have a “V” shaped profile. - As described above,
capsule delivery mechanism 56, 31 delivers capsules onto an elongate member in the form of a ribbon ofpaper 60 drawn from a holder (not shown). The ribbon is lined with glue and subsequently passes under the wheel of thecapsule delivery mechanism 56, 31, for example 5 mm below the capsule delivery wheel. Thebobbin 57 d is disposed above the surface of theplate 61 so that the ribbon ofpaper 60 passes under and does not contact thebobbin 57 d. - As shown, the ribbon of
paper 60 is drawn along a straight line path from the holder alongplate 61 ofmachine 54 and into thestuffer jet 59. As shown thepaper 60 enters the stuffer jet at a lower level than thetow 58. - As described above, it is advantageous for the
ribbon 60 to follow a straight line path since the ribbon may be weakened or may break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds. - Preferably, the
plate 61 has a U-shaped channel formed therein so that theribbon 60 adopts a U-shaped profile as it passes through the channel. Preferably, the channel is positioned so that theribbon 60 is shaped after it passes under thecapsule delivery mechanism 56, 31. -
FIGS. 16( a) and 16(b) illustrates formation of theribbon 60 havingcapsules 62 attached into a trough having a U-shaped profile with thecapsules 62 therein. As shown in the front cross sectional view ofFIG. 16( c), the shaped ribbon has a semi-circular cross section with an inner diameter equal to that of thecapsules 62. That is, thepaper ribbon 60 is partially wrapped around thecapsules 62. In this way, the capsules are held securely within the paper. As shown, the capsules are centrally positioned within the U-shape and are generally aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the paper ribbon. -
FIG. 17 shows a more detailed view of a capsule feed unit for feeding capsules into acapsule delivery mechanism capsule delivery wheels 68. - As shown, the feed unit comprises two capsule holders in the form of
cylindrical holes vacuum unit 64 configured to suck capsules from theholders pipes 65 a 65 b and to deposit capsules ontorespective vibration conveyors Vibration conveyors capsule delivery wheel 68. - As shown in
FIG. 17 , the outlet ofmagazine 67 a extends over a front segment of thewheel 68 and is arranged so that capsules are delivered into the cavities of a first circumferentially extending region of thewheel 68. The outlet ofmagazine 67 b extends over a rear segment of thewheel 68 and is arranged so that capsules are delivered into the cavities of a second circumferentially extending region of thewheel 68. - Many other configurations of the
magazines magazines FIG. 1 . - Alternatively, the
magazines - Many further modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
- For example, instead of receiving the elongate member into the stuffer jet, the elongate member having the capsules attached may be received into the tongue of the garniture. For example, the tongue may have a hole through which the shaped elongate member may be fed. The elongate member may be received into the stuffer jet or tongue via a centering mechanism.
- Alternatively, or in addition, the elongate member having the capsules attached may be positioned or adhesively fixed onto the plugwrap paper, prior to or during the step of wrapping the plugwrap around the tow in the garniture. In one example, the elongate member may be brought under the stuffer jet and onto the plugwrap paper.
- Still further, although the objects are described above as frangible fluid-containing capsules, the objects could alternatively be pellets, strands, beads or any combination of pellets, strands, beads and capsules.
- Still further, the objects may be held in place in the cavities of the
delivery wheels - Still further, stationary guides may be provided around the peripheral regions of the
rotatable delivery wheels wheels - Further alternatively, in another example the elongate member may be the plugwrap paper which is wrapped around the tow. That is, the elongate member having the objects attached may be cylindrically wrapped around the tow in the garniture so as to form a paper wrapped elongate filter rod, which is subsequently cut by a cutter in the manner described above.
- Many other modifications and variations will be evident to those skilled in the art, that fall within the scope of the following claims:
Claims (43)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GB0906192.0 | 2009-04-09 | ||
GBGB0906192.0A GB0906192D0 (en) | 2009-04-09 | 2009-04-09 | Apparatus |
PCT/EP2010/054374 WO2010115829A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 | 2010-03-31 | Introducing objects into elongate smoking articles |
Publications (1)
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US20120080043A1 true US20120080043A1 (en) | 2012-04-05 |
Family
ID=40750389
Family Applications (1)
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US13/263,033 Abandoned US20120080043A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 | 2010-03-31 | Introducing Objects Into Elongate Smoking Articles |
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US (1) | US20120080043A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2416673B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2012523223A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20120016629A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102387718A (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI1011261A2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0906192D0 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2011010678A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2416673T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2011145056A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010115829A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201107334B (en) |
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CN108896095B (en) * | 2018-06-28 | 2020-07-31 | 武汉市艺茂机械有限公司 | Offline detection system for bead blasting filter stick |
WO2022118417A1 (en) * | 2020-12-03 | 2022-06-09 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Filter segment manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus |
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US11076635B2 (en) * | 2013-02-15 | 2021-08-03 | International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O. O. | Method, mechanism and apparatus for momentary compression of filter material |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2010115829A1 (en) | 2010-10-14 |
PL2416673T3 (en) | 2013-08-30 |
RU2011145056A (en) | 2013-05-20 |
GB0906192D0 (en) | 2009-05-20 |
EP2416673A1 (en) | 2012-02-15 |
CN102387718A (en) | 2012-03-21 |
BRPI1011261A2 (en) | 2016-03-22 |
KR20120016629A (en) | 2012-02-24 |
MX2011010678A (en) | 2011-10-24 |
EP2416673B1 (en) | 2013-03-06 |
JP2012523223A (en) | 2012-10-04 |
ZA201107334B (en) | 2015-06-24 |
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