Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a rolling drum (59 for use in a tobacco industry product manufacturing apparatus. The rolling drum has a peripheral surface (6) configured to carry a collation of rod-shaped articles. The rolling drum comprises a plurality of ridges (7) on the peripheral surface, each ridge comprising a trailing face (8) and a leading face (9). The rolling drum comprises a plurality of suction holes for retaining the collation of rod-shaped articles. The plurality of suction holes are disposed at the trailing face and the leading face of each of the ridges. Also disclosed is a rolling apparatus comprising such a rolling drum, and a machine for assembling tobacco industry products comprising such an apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of assembling tobacco industry products using such a rolling apparatus or machine.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus (1) for manufacture of tobacco industry products (21). The apparatus (1) comprising a rolling unit (9) comprising: •a rotatable drum (14) having a plurality of recesses formed in an outer surface of the drum (14) to receive tobacco industry product components (5/6); •a roll hand (15) spaced from the outer surface of the drum (14) to define a space between the outer surface of the drum (14) and the roll hand (15), within which space tobacco industry product components (5/6) are rollable upon rotation of the drum (14); and •a kicker bar (16) disposed adjacent to the roll hand (15). •The kicker bar (16) is moveable relative to the roll hand (15) and in a direction towards and away from the drum (14) during operation of the apparatus (1), and the kicker bar (16) is biased towards the drum (14).

Abstract: A pack having a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a laminate to form a bundle is disclosed. The pack has a base containing the bundle, and a lid mounted to the base for rotation between open and closed positions. The laminate has an outer layer having a first cut that defines an outer layer region bounded by said first cut and, an inner layer having a second cut that defines an inner layer region bounded by said second cut. The inner layer region lies within the outer layer region. A part of the outer layer region is attached to an inside surface of the lid such that, as the lid is rotated into to its open position, the inner and outer layer regions are lifted causing the inner and outer layers to delaminate in a peripheral region between the first and second cuts and an opening to be created in the laminate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for cutting and arranging rods for use in a tobacco industry product assembly machine. The apparatus comprises a first cutting mechanism for cutting a four-length rod into first and second axially-aligned double-length rods. Each double-length rod has respective remote ends. A positioning mechanism for moving at least one of the first and second double-length rods such that said first and second double-length rods are moved from a first configuration in axial-alignment, to a second configuration in which the first and second double-length rods are out of axial alignment and the axes of the first and second double-length rods are parallel and spaced apart, and the remote ends of said first and second double-length rods are substantially aligned with each other. Also disclosed is a method of cutting and arranging rods for tobacco industry product assembly, and a method of tobacco industry product assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus (1) for use in the manufacture of tobacco industry products. The apparatus (1) comprises a rolling unit (9) comprising: •a rotatable drum (14) having a plurality of flutes (18) formed in a curved outer surface (17) of the drum (14) to receive axially-aligned components (5,6) of a tobacco industry product; •a roll hand (15) having a contact surface (34) facing and spaced from the outer surface (17) of the drum (14) to define a space, between the contact surface (34) and the outer surface (17), within which space components of a tobacco industry product are rollable upon rotation of the drum (14); and •a kicker bar (16) disposed adjacent to the roll hand (15) and having a contact edge (36) facing and spaced from the outer surface (17) of the drum (17).

Abstract: Pack (27) having a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a laminate (2) to form a bundle (22). The pack has a base (28) containing the bundle, and a lid (30) mounted to the base for rotation between open and closed positions. The laminate has an outer layer (3) having a first cut (5) that defines an outer layer region bounded by said first cut and, an inner layer (4) having a second cut (6) that defines an inner layer region bounded by said second cut. A part of the outer layer region is attached to an inside surface of the lid such that, as the lid is rotated into its open position, the inner and outer layer regions are lifted causing the inner and outer layers to delaminate in a peripheral region (15) between the first and second cuts and an opening (19).

Abstract: A wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products is disclosed. The wrapper has a barrier material arranged to extend over an edge of a bundle after the barrier material is wrapped around a group of tobacco industry products to form the bundle. A tab is arranged such that pulling the tab forms an extraction opening that extends over the edge of the bundle. Wherein, prior to pulling the tab for the first time, at least a part of the barrier material is unbroken across the edge.

Abstract: A wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products is disclosed. The wrapper has a barrier material and a tab arranged such that pulling the tab separates a section of the barrier material from the remainder of the barrier material to form an extraction opening. The barrier material has a cut arranged such that when the tab is pulled the barrier material is torn along a path extending from the cut to form said extraction opening in the barrier material.

Abstract: Pack (27) having a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a laminate (2) to form a bundle (22). The pack has a base (28) containing the bundle, and a lid (30) mounted to the base for rotation between open and closed positions. The laminate has an outer layer (3) having a first cut (5) that defines an outer layer region bounded by said first cut and, an inner layer (4) having a second cut (6) that defines an inner layer region bounded by said second cut. A part of the outer layer region is attached to an inside surface of the lid such that, as the lid is rotated into its open position, the inner and outer layer regions are lifted causing the inner and outer layers to delaminate in a peripheral region (15) between the first and second cuts and an opening (19).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for detecting a substance in a rod shaped article of the tobacco industry (2), the apparatus (1) including one or more sources (10,11) of electromagnetic radiation, one or more detectors (26, 27) and a processor (32). The one or more sources (10, 11) are configured to generate electromagnetic radiation at first and second wavelengths (?1, ?2). The one or more detectors (26, 27) are configured to detect the first and second wavelengths (?1, ?2) after propagation in the rod shaped article (2), lo and to generate signals (A, B) based on the amount of radiation received at each wavelength (?1, ?2). The processor (32) is configured to process the signals (A, B) to determine information relating to the presence of the substance, based on the relative amount of radiation received at the first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly comprises a plurality of modules and a plurality of respective interface units, and a controller to control said plurality of modules via said interface units. The modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokable material, which is smoked in use.

Abstract: A package comprises first and second pack-containing sections. The pack-containing sections are connected by straps. A pack can be received in each pack-containing section.

Abstract: A package comprises first and second packs each capable of containing items. The packs are connected in a Jacob's ladder arrangement by straps which are initially joined together by a line of weakness, and which separate along the line of weakness upon first movement of the first and second packs relative to each other.

Abstract: A package comprises first and second packs each capable of containing items. The packs are connected in a Jacob's ladder arrangement by straps which are initially joined together by a line of weakness, and which separate along the line of weakness upon first movement of the first and second packs relative to each other.

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 package for tobacco products comprises a container (3, 4) and an enclosure (2) of barrier material (15) for enclosing a charge of tobacco products. The enclosure of barrier material is located in the container and defines an access aperture. A moveable cover (7) extends over the access aperture and has a graspable tab (10). The container (3, 4) defines a window (14) overlying the tab (10).

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 package comprises first and second packs (P1, P2) each capable of containing items. Each pack has a base, and a first face (F1, F1) hound by a first edge (E1, E1?) and a second edge (E2, E2) which co-operate with the base to contain items in the packs. Means (JL) connect the first and second packs (P1, P2), the means comprising at least first and second straps (S1, S2). In a first position of the packs the first faces (F1, F1) of each pack face each other with the first edges (E1, E1) of the first and second packs adjacent each other and the second edges (E1, E2) of the first and second packs adjacent each other.

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: A method of forming tobacco rods comprises providing an endless bead of tobacco, creating regularly spaced apart gaps (14) with no tobacco along the length of the bead, wrapping the bead in an endless length of paper wrapper (16), and cutting through the paper wrapper where it overlays the gaps in order to divide the wrapped bead into individual tobacco rods. The gaps may be created using an ecreteur with trimmer discs configured to trim away the full width of the tobacco rod (10), or by using a rotating screw thread extending into the tobacco.