Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing a Smoking Article Pack An apparatus (10) for manufacturing a sealed pack (20, 34, 36, 37) of smoking articles (2) and modifying an internal atmosphere thereof. The apparatus (10) comprises a handling mechanism (13) for conveying a sealed pack (20) of smoking articles (2) within the apparatus (10). The handling mechanism (13) includes a support plate (24) against which a pack (20) abuts during conveyance by the handling mechanism (13). The support plate (24) includes a gas port (29). The apparatus (10) is configured such that, as a pack (20) is conveyed by the handling mechanism (13) in abutment with the support plate (24), the gas port (29) may engage a valve (4) formed in the pack (20) to enable a gaseous atmosphere within the sealed (20) pack to be modified. Also, a method of manufacturing a pack (37) of smoking articles (2) by means of such an apparatus (10).

Abstract: A tipping paper feed assembly (1) for use in smoking article manufacture. The tipping paper feed assembly (1) comprising a first feed device adapted to supply a first tipping paper web (4) that is fed into apparatus for smoking article manufacture, and a second feed device adapted to supply a second tipping paper web (11). The tipping paper feed assembly (1) also comprises a splice mechanism (12) adapted to attach the first and second tipping paper webs (4, 11) together for changeover between the first and the second feed devices. The tipping paper feed device (1) also comprises a registration system configured to register features of each tipping paper web (4, 11) prior to attaching said first and second tipping paper webs together with said features in register.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a circumferential slit in a tobacco industry rod article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a drum and a rolling hand spaced apart from one another so as to form a space for a tobacco industry rod article, and a cutting element extending into the space and configured to form a circumferential slit in the tobacco industry rod article.

Abstract: A rotary shear cutting apparatus to cut discrete non-rectangular portions from a web of smoking article sheet material, comprises a first rotary carrier provided with a first cutting edge and a second rotary carrier provided with a second cutting edge, wherein said first and second cutting edges are configured to cooperate during rotation of said first and second rotary carriers to cut a non-rectangular portion from the web.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprises one or more packing machines (MC1, MC2, MC3) which are operable to join together at least two assembled packs (P1, P2). A strap applicator (MC4) applies a strap system (S) to one face of all but one of the assembled packs (P1, P2). Conveying means (TC) guide the assembled packs (P5 P1, P2) such that the face of each assembled pack (P1, P2) having the strap attached thereto abuts a face of another of the assembled packs such that the strap (S) is sandwiched between the abutting faces. Fixing means, which fix the strap (S) about adjacent packs such that the packs (P1, P2) are joined together and are movable relative to each other by rotation about one or more edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a hinged lid side-by-side vertically hinged cigarette pack (10) having a first bundle (22) and a second bundle (23) of cigarettes is described. The machinery includes a first machine (30) to form a first foil wrapped bundle surrounded by a first inner frame, a second machine (31) for forming a second foil wrapped bundle surrounded by a second inner frame and a third machine (32) for combining the first and second foil wrapped bundle into a single hinged lid side-by-side vertically hinged pack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material application system for applying material to a wrapper. The material application system comprises a material applicator means and an electronic application control means. Also provided is a rod making machine comprising a rod making section and the material application system. The invention also provides a method of applying material to a wrapper used in the tobacco industry comprising supplying a wrapper and applying a material to the wrapper using a material applicator and an electronic applicator control means therefore, which electronic applicator control means ensures accurate location of material application in an electronically adjustable variable manner.

Abstract: A smoking article pack blank having a lid (2) and a base portion (3), the lid and the base portion being interconnected along a hinge line (27) and the base portion comprising first (24) and second (25) main panels. The main panels of the smoking article pack blank each having side panels (32, 33, 38, 39) depending therefrom and at least one of the side panels having a side flap (35) depending therefrom. When erected the smoking article pack blank may be hinged about a longitudinal axis (34) of a side wall thereof. The invention further provides a smoking article pack assembly, which pack assembly comprises the smoking article pack blank and a plurality of inner blanks. The smoking article pack assembly may be hinged into an open position thereof about a longitudinal hinge line in a side wall of the erected pack assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a smoking article pack. The pack and the inner frame used in combination therewith provide a substantially increased internal surface area for the printing of graphics and/or indicia in order to provide information to the consumer whilst not substantially increasing the surface area of the blank required to make the body of the pack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking article package, which package comprises a sealed enclosure (1) around a charge of smoking articles and a sheet material wrap (7) disposed exteriorly of the enclosure (1). The sheet material wrap (7) is so configured as to provide means by which the first opening of the enclosure (1) cannot take place without the wrap (7) being torn or partially or fully removed.

Abstract: Effective urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor antagonists have sequences selected from the group LNFGQYLWYT, LCFGCYLWYT, LNFGCYLWCT, LNFGQYLnAYT, LNFdSQYLWYT, LCFGCYLWY, LNFdSQYLnAYT, LNFGdCYLWCT, LCFdSCYLWYT, LCFdSCYLnAYT, LNFdSCYLWCT, or active analogs or active portions thereof.

Abstract: A machine and method for packaging smoking articles provides an essentially hermetic enclosure of a barrier material around a charge of such articles in an open (incomplete) frame, by driving on the articles themselves to push them through a temporary wall of the barrier material with the previous imposition on them of the open frame at a framing station. Preferably the driving is by means of an indexing conveyor which is stationary immediately before the collection of the charge from a hopper, during the imposition of the frame and immediately before pushing the frame and charge through the temporary wall.