Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing of rods of a continuous material strand comprising a feeding unit for feeding material strand, a guiding unit for guiding material strand, a compressing unit for compressing the strand and forming a continuous rod of the material strand, and an object feeding unit for feeding an object to the compressing unit. The apparatus is characterised by being provided with a cutting unit for lengthwise cutting of the material strand into at least two partial strands, whereas the partial strands are fed through the guiding unit to the compressing unit. It is provided with a system for adjusting the position of at least one cutting element in the cutting unit so as to adjust the widths of the partial strands thus determining the point of insertion of the object being inserted.

Abstract: In the method and system for wrapping an assembly (5) of segments, an outer periphery of the assembly is affixed longitudinally to an edge portion of a piece of wrapping material (50) and at least one of the segments of the assembly is a rigid segment with a compressibility higher than about 10 Newton per 1.5 mm. The assembly of segments is provided to a rolling seat (10) arranged in the peripheral surface of a wrapping conveyor (1). A retaining surface (202) is arranged at a distance and opposite the peripheral surface of the wrapping conveyor, such as to contact the assembly supplied to the rolling seat with the retaining surface.

Abstract: An optically transparent conformal polymer antenna and a method for producing the antenna from optically transparent conductive polymers. The method includes selecting an antenna design; providing an optically transparent conductive polymer material capable of being printed using an ink-jet printer device; and printing layers of the polymer in the desired antenna design pattern onto a substrate. The surface tension of the polymer solution is adjusted to allow the material to pass through a printer head for printing on a flexible substrate. The material is modified to have a higher conductivity than regular conductive polymer materials so that a suitable antenna may be formed.

Abstract: A smoking article (10) incorporates a mouthpiece (14), the mouthpiece includes an open pore structure converted from an organic gel and a functional material dispersed in the open pore structure, such as aerogel particles (20).

Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod, which filters the first puff differently than subsequent puffs. The tobacco rod includes an inner rod of tobacco material having an impervious outer wrap and an impervious cap at an upstream end thereof and an outer rod of tobacco material, wherein the inner rod of tobacco material is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer rod of tobacco material. The filter includes an outer cellulose acetate filter and an inner activated carbon filter, wherein the inner activated carbon filter is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer cellulose acetate filter.

Abstract: A processing machine for rod-shaped articles includes a base frame including a back plate extending upward from the base frame; and a plurality of function modules each adapted to perform a manufacturing function on a rod-shaped article. Each function module includes a mounting plate adapted to removably attach the function module to the back plate as a unit, and a dedicated drive motor supported on the mounting plate and adapted to move at least a portion of the function module. The plurality of function modules includes at least one of a rod infeed module, a hopper module, a drum module, a knife module, and a gluing module. A method of configuring a modular processing machine for rod-shaped articles is also described.

Abstract: A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for forming a filter rod member of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit is configured to insert an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member. The method comprises forming a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member, and inserting an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member such that the adsorbent material is disposed within the rod member.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine for producing tobacco industry articles, and having at least one station having a number of drums cooperating with one another to convey and process filter portions; and a supporting structure fitted to a frame and supporting the drums at the station. The station has a vertical front panel supporting at least some of the drums at the station and fixed removably to the supporting structure for replacement, together with the respective drums, when making a brand change.

Abstract: A method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article is described. The rod has a first end and a second end. The rod has located therein a solid support. The solid support extends in a linear fashion from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod. At least a portion of said solid support is coated and/or impregnated with an additive. The rod is prepared using rod forming means, wherein said rod forming means comprises a channel ending in an open exit, wherein material may pass through at least part of the channel and leave via the open exit in the form of a rod.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing composite filters for cigarettes, cigars and similar tobacco products, on a twin track machine, involves generating a succession of filter sticks of a first type, made from a first filter material and/or having first filtration properties, and at least one other succession of filter sticks of a different type, made from a respective different filter material and/or having filtration properties different to those of the first type; cross-cutting the filter sticks of the first type and the filter sticks of the different type on at least one transverse cutting line to obtain a succession of first and second plugs of the first type and a succession of first and second plugs of the different type; arranging the first plugs of the first type and the first plugs of the different type in alternation one with another to create a first filter rod, and arranging the second plugs of the first type and the second plugs of the different type in alternation one with another to create a second filte

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for forming a filter rod member of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit is configured to insert an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member. The method comprises forming a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member, and inserting an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member such that the adsorbent material is disposed within the rod member.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for registering different objects in filter rod shaped articles, for example as found in the tobacco processing industry. The method, system and apparatus can include a rod containing cigarette filter components; one or more sensors that determine the constitution of segments of the rod and transmits one or more signals regarding segments of the rod; a processor that receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors, performs a comparison between the one or more signals and known data and transmits a signal based upon results of the comparison; and an ejector that receives the signal from the processor and removes any segment of the rod that does not conform with the known data.

Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod, which filters the first puff differently than subsequent puffs. The tobacco rod includes an inner rod of tobacco material having an impervious outer wrap and an impervious cap at an upstream end thereof and an outer rod of tobacco material, wherein the inner rod of tobacco material is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer rod of tobacco material. The filter includes an outer cellulose acetate filter and an inner activated carbon filter, wherein the inner activated carbon filter is concentrically positioned with respect to the outer cellulose acetate filter.

Abstract: The lighting end or tip of the smoking article is configured in such a manner that the entire front or upstream face thereof does not lie in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. For example, at least a portion of the front face of the smoking article lies in a plane (e.g., a generally flat plane) that is positioned about 40° to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis of that smoking article. As such, the overall nature or character of the mainstream aerosol generated by a smoking article can be altered. This shape may include an ellipse, or may include a first section in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the face of the lighting end may have a shape such that its surface area is greater than the cross-sectional area of the smoking article.

Abstract: Reduced risk tobacco-related products and methods of use. These tobacco-related products (e.g., cigarettes or filters) are designed to reduce the biological insult, for example, DSBs, cell death or perturbation of RNA transcriptome or proteome as compared to the amount of biological insult induced by another cigarette, such as a conventional or reference cigarette (e.g., 2R4F), in human cells, and to provide a reduced risk cigarette that meets a cigarette smoker's sensory/perception needs.

Abstract: A processing unit for processing at least one filter tow strip to produce filters for rod-shaped smoking articles includes at least one tow guidance section along which the filter tow strip is moved in a direction of a longitudinal extension of the filter tow strip. The tow guidance section includes processing devices used for processing the filter tow strip. The processing devices are arranged in a sequence essentially one above the other, so that at least a segment of the tow guidance section that is located in a region of the processing devices is oriented at an angle to a horizontal line.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an additive to cigarette filter tow material which is in, or exiting, a filter tow funnel, the apparatus comprising a flavor inlet, a valve, and a hollow needle positioned downstream of at least a portion of said filter tow funnel, the needle being in fluid communication controlled by said valve with said flavor inlet, whereby, in use, a flavoring is delivered by said needle into the path of said filter tow material.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine for producing tobacco industry articles, and having at least one station having a number of drums cooperating with one another to convey and process filter portions; and a supporting structure fitted to a frame and supporting the drums at the station. The station has a vertical front panel supporting at least some of the drums at the station and fixed removably to the supporting structure for replacement, together with the respective drums, when making a brand change.

Abstract: Improved delivery of additive materials to mainstream smoke produced by smoking articles is provided through the use of a temperature sensitive powder containing an additive material, such as a flavor component, in a smoking article such as a cigarette. The temperature sensitive powder is subjected to heat which causes the temperature sensitive powder to release at least a portion of the additive material into mainstream smoke. The temperature sensitive powder encapsulates the additive materials and other portions of the smoking articles, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration during storage.

Abstract: Cigarette filters are supplied to the infeed portion (1) of a filter tip attachment machine by a unit (2) comprising rollers (11) which divert the filters (3) into an upstream hopper (8), and a channel (9) carrying the filters (3) from the upstream hopper (8) to a downstream hopper (4) where they are released to the infeed portion (1) of the machine. Located between the infeed rollers (11) and the feed channel (9) is a variable volume storage buffer (16) with a movable wall (28) attached to the top branch (23) of a conveyor belt (24); the Belt is driven by a motor (27) interlocked to sensors (31) which monitor and control the level of the mass of filters (3) occupying the upstream hopper (8), so that the size and capacity of the buffer (16) can be adjusted to accommodate fluctuations in the flow of filters through the hopper (8).

Abstract: Filter elements made up of least two axially aligned plugs are advanced in succession by a feed unit along a first path and in a first direction, with the plugs oriented along a second direction transverse to the first direction, toward a garniture section extending along a second horizontal path and in a third direction, on which they are formed into at least one continuous rod which is then divided up by a rotary cutter into single composite filters. A transfer unit linking the feed unit and the garniture section comprises a conveyor, rotatable about a first axis parallel to the second direction, equipped with carriers each presenting at least one slot designed to admit one filter element; the single carriers are pivotable independently relative to the conveyor about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and about a third axis transverse to the first axis, alternating between positions in which the slot extends parallel with the second direction and with the third direction.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for producing cigarette filter tubes are disclosed. According to the disclosed method and apparatus, a filter segment is supplied to a rotating delivery drum and a paper wrapper is supplied to the delivery drum and partially wrapped around said the filter segment. Thereafter, the paper wrapper and filter segment are transferred together from the delivery drum to a rotating wrapping drum. Folding arms on the wrapping drum subsequently fold down flaps of the paper wrapper to complete the formation of a filter tube. Wrapping assist members may be inserted into the paper wrapper as the flaps are folded down to ensure that the tube is sufficiently round in shape. Additionally, the wrapping assist members and folding arms may be heated in order to promote faster curing of glue surfaces on the paper wrapper.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an additive to cigarette filter tow material (3) which is in, or exiting, a filter tow funnel (6), the apparatus comprising: a flavour inlet (12); a valve (15); and a hollow needle (13) positioned downstream of at least a portion of said filter tow funnel, the needle being in fluid communication controlled by said valve with said flavour inlet, whereby, in use, a flavouring is delivered by said needle into the path of said filter tow material.

Abstract: A filter cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod by a band of tipping paper. The surface of the band of tipping paper is coated with a solution of cells having at least one flavourant encapsulated therein. In use, when the filter cigarette is placed in the mouth of a consumer, moisture from the consumer's saliva causes the cells provided on the surface of the tipping paper to release the encapsulated flavourant. The cells are preferably yeast cells. The solution of cells may be applied to the band of tipping paper by gravure printing.

Abstract: Device and process for conveying filter elements to a filter element magazine. The device includes a rotatable drum comprising at least one seat for receiving a filter element and a detection device that controls a rotation of the drum and detects the filter elements. The process includes conveying at least one filter element in a lengthwise axial direction to a drum that includes seats, wherein at least one of the seats is adapted to receive the at least one filter element, guiding the at least one filter element past a detection device, generating a start signal as soon as an end of the at least one filter element has passed the detection device, rotating the drum in a crosswise axial direction after receiving the start signal, and moving the at least one filter element into the filter element magazine.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for connecting smoking article components. Process includes feeding connecting sheets on a suction roller with a defined spacing, feeding the smoking article components on a grooved drum, and transferring portions of the connecting sheets to the smoking article components, such that the connecting sheets partially connect the smoking article components. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A filter-attachment machine in the tobacco-processing industry is provided. The machine has a plurality of conveying devices for products in the tobacco-processing industry, and at least one main drive that drives the plurality of conveying devices. The machine also has a pull-off device for pulling a cover tape ribbon from a cover tape supply, a cover-tape cutting device for cutting the cover tape ribbon into sections of a predetermined length, and at least one secondary drive that drives the pull-off device and the cover-tape cutting device. The cover tape ribbon is conveyed from the pull-off device to the cover-tape cutting device, and the sections of cover tape ribbon are transferred to the products on one of the plurality of conveying devices.

Abstract: In the production of filter-tipped cigarettes (25), an apparatus (filter attachment machine) is used, which consists of a main cylinder (10) and a plurality of assigned further cylinders. The elements of the filter-tipped cigarettes (25), specifically a tobacco rod (15) or part-rods (16, 17), filter pieces (21), cigarette units (23), and the filter-tipped cigarettes (25) produced therefrom are transported by the main cylinder (10), with the exception that part-rods (16, 17) displaced at a distance from one another and with a filter piece (21) inserted for the attachment of a wrapping paper (22) are transported and connected to one another outside the main cylinder (10), so that one-piece cigarette units (23) are returned to the main cylinder (10).

Abstract: A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.

Abstract: Method and machine for joining article components. The method include feeding articles of a first and second group to a first tipping apparatus, transferring a uniting band to the articles of the first group from the first tipping apparatus, feeding the articles of the first and second groups to a second tipping apparatus, transferring a uniting band to the articles of the second group from the second tipping apparatus, and wrapping the uniting bands around the articles of the first and second group in a rolling device. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A filter attaching apparatus comprises a drum 20 for conveying an intermediate product of a filter cigarette and a receiving drum 36 for feeding a tip paper piece, and winds the tip paper piece around the intermediate product while rotating these drums with the tip paper piece adhered to the intermediate product. Suction chambers 48 and 50 are disposed in the vicinity of the drum 20 that conveys the intermediate product, and suction openings of the suction chambers extend in a conveying direction of the intermediate product along an outer periphery of the drum 20. Fine particles of shredded tobacco and the like that are scattered by rotation of the drum 20 are sucked through the suction openings into the suction chambers 48 and 50 and the like, so that the intermediate product is completely isolated from an atmosphere of the fine particles of the shredded tobacco and the like.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: Process and feed device for feeding filter rods in a machine of the tobacco processing industry that includes at least two magazines for filter rods arranged such that conveyor planes of the filter rods from the at least two magazines are parallel each other and staggered. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A filter making apparatus includes a positioning device having a passageway therethrough, with the passageway guiding a continuous flavor element such as a continuous strand of textile material from an inlet of the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. A liquid flavorant is introduced into the passageway at a desired flow rate and the strand of material carries the supplied liquid flavorant out of the positioning device at a rate substantially equal to the desired flow rate. A portion of the passageway can form a bath of the liquid flavorant supplied to the passageway through a separate inlet at approximately atmospheric pressure. A portion of the positioning device guides the continuous strand of material through the bath, or guides the strand to pass along the bottom of the passageway, and the saturated or partially saturated strand of material then exits from an outlet of the passageway to a point in the path of filter tow material that is being converged to form a filter rod.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making and inspecting a multi-component cigarettes, each cigarette including two or more different components arranged relative to one another, the apparatus includes a device for advancing a web in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a device for positioning at least two different components of a cigarette relative to one another on the web as the web advances in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a garniture device for wrapping the web around the at least two different components by moving opposite edges of the web transversely to the first direction such that, at a closure point in the garniture device, the opposite edges overlap each other. The apparatus further includes an imaging device disposed upstream of the closure point for generating an image of the at least two different components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cigarettes containing gold or silver particles and manufacturing methods of cigarette filters. The tobacco leaves, added with ion particles of gold, are prepared through blending them with peach leaves or bellflower leaves, which contains tartaric acid and malic acid as major components; the cigarette pouches comprise 20% of peach leaves or bellflower leaves and the gold or silver particles prepared in 0.005˜0.015 micron m of their size; and the filters are prepared by soaking them in a liquid mixture of pulverized peach leaves, bellflower leaves, and charcoals in more than 800 meshes. Therefore, in smoking, the cigarettes and their filters in this invention produce beneficial effects such as detoxification, blood-refining, and cell-cleaning with their major components such as gold particles, tartaric acid, and malic acid being absorbed into one's lung.

Abstract: A cigarette filter, process to manufacture, wherein a low application temperature ethylene copolymer based hot melt adhesive is applied to porous and/or nonporous plugwrap paper. As used herein, low application temperatures are temperature between 200° F. and 300° F. (93° C. and 149° C.), preferably, 240° F. to 275° F. (115° C. to 135° C.).

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing air permeability characteristic of filter cigarettes has a drying unit (20) for preliminarily drying a tip-paper web (W) in the process of supplying the web (W) to a rolling section of a filter attachment machine. The drying unit (20) heats and dries the web (W) with a heater block (22), to thereby stabilize the water-content of the web (W) in an absolute dry region which is a lower water-content region as compared with a normal water-content region.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: A device for displacing rod-shaped objects used in the tobacco-processing industry in a direction of the longitudinal axes of the rod-shaped objects includes a revolving conveyor having receptacles each for receiving a plurality of the rod-shaped objects in an axially aligned formation, the rod-shaped objects presenting at least one exposed frontal face. At least one revolving pressing ring is arranged for pressing against the at least one frontal face of the objects in a displacement area, the pressing ring having a spring-elastic material of a silicon material, rubber-elastic plastic material and/or a metallic material. At least one actuating element is arranged in the displacement area for a spring-elastic pressing of the pressing ring against the exposed frontal face objects.

Abstract: A tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke which is to be converted into a rod-like filler of a filter rod is conveyed along an elongated path first through a stretching or tensioning zone where the filaments are stretched and the tow is converted into a relatively wide flat web, thereupon along a relaxing portion of the path wherein the tensioning action upon the filaments is reduced, thereupon along a third portion wherein at least one side of the running web is contacted by droplets of an atomized plasticizer, and thereafter along a fourth portion of the path wherein the web is gathered by reducing its width so that it more closely resembles a rod which is thereupon draped into a web of cigarette paper or other suitable wrapping material. A wind tunnel surrounds at least one portion of the path to confine at least one stream of air which is caused to flow in the direction of advancement of the tow. A tunnel can surround the stretching zone, the relaxing and/or the fourth portion of the path.

Abstract: A tip paper predrying apparatus attached to a filter attachment includes an infrared lamp unit (16) located in the middle of a transfer path for a tip paper (P). After paste is applied to one surface of the tip paper in a paste applicator section (2), the pasted surface of the tip paper is irradiated with infrared rays from the infrared lamp unit before the tip paper is cut into individual tip paper pieces in a cutter section (4), whereby the tip paper is predried without any special contact with a heat source.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making and inspecting a multi-component cigarettes, each cigarette including two or more different components arranged relative to one another, the apparatus includes a device for advancing a web in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a device for positioning at least two different components of a cigarette relative to one another on the web as the web advances in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a garniture device for wrapping the web around the at least two different components by moving opposite edges of the web transversely to the first direction such that, at a closure point in the garniture device, the opposite edges overlap each other. The apparatus further includes an imaging device disposed upstream of the closure point for generating an image of the at least two different components.

Abstract: A filter attaching device comprises a receiving drum for forming a tip-paper piece, and a rolling plate which cooperates with the peripheral surface of the receiving drum to define a rolling passage. The rolling plate has a pair of receding portions 54 arranged on the left and right sides of the upper surface thereof. Due to the receding portions 54, contact resistance produced between the rolling surface and an intermediate product rolling on in the rolling passage, or more specifically, cigarettes included in the intermediate product is reduced.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine for producing ventilated tobacco products; the machine having a conveying drum in turn having a number of peripheral seats for successively feeding the products along a given path extending about an axis of the drum; the products being housed inside the respective seats with respective longitudinal axes parallel to the axis of the drum, and being rotated at least 360.degree. about their respective axes as they are fed along the path; the machine also having a perforating device associated with the drum to form a number of perforations in each product; and an extracting device and an optical device for controlling the products being provided along the path and mounted along the outer periphery of the drum.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting glue skips on tipping paper used to secure filters to cigarette tobacco rods and the rejection of defective cigarettes based thereon in which a particle radiation sensor is used to monitor the amount of glue applied to the tipping paper and a laser edge detector is used to monitor for proper alignment of the tipping paper during cigarette tipping operations in a typical cigarette manufacturing machine. The signals output from the particle radiation sensor are fed to a skip detection system which produces an output signal upon detecting a glue skip or a loss of glue.

Abstract: Fragments of plastic fibers, such as cellulose acetate fibers, forming part of mouthpieces of filter cigarettes or like rod-shaped smokers' products tend to become separated from the respective filter mouthpieces at the end faces which develop in response to the making of cuts across filter rod sections of double unit length between pairs of plain cigarettes to obtain filter cigarettes of unit length. The fragments of fibers which tend to become separated and to contaminate the area around the filter cigarette making machine are either bonded (e.g., by heat and/or by a solvent) to the respective mouthpieces, or are removed by suction and/or by resorting to electrostatic precipitation. It is also contemplated to cause smoke-permeable layers of filter material to overlie the end faces of the mouthpieces.