Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable crimped web material is provided, including feeding a substantially continuous web material; crimping a first region of the material at a first crimp value; and crimping a second region of the material, adjacent the first region, at a second crimp value, the crimping using a set of two rollers, each being corrugated across at least a portion of its width and corrugated around its circumference, and being configured so the corrugations across the width interleave with each other to crimp the material, so the troughs of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the first crimp value, and so the peaks of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the second crimp value. An apparatus for manufacturing a crimped web material, and a method of manufacturing air flow directing elements for smoking articles are also provided.

Abstract: The method for treating continuous sheet material for use in the manufacture of rod-shaped articles comprises the steps of providing a continuous sheet material comprising a crimping structure running in a longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet material. It further comprises the step of providing a first roller and a second roller, the first roller and the second roller comprising a plurality of circumferentially running cams, the circumferentially running cams of the first roller and the circumferentially running cams of the second roller engaging each other. The method further comprises the step of guiding the continuous sheet material comprising the crimping structure between the circumferentially running cams of the first roller and of the second roller. Thereby the continuous sheet material comprising the crimping structure is provided with a wavelike structure, the wave-like structure runs in a longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet material and overlays the crimping structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable crimped web material is provided, including feeding a substantially continuous web material; crimping a first region of the material at a first crimp value; and crimping a second region of the material, adjacent the first region, at a second crimp value, the crimping using a set of two rollers, each being corrugated across at least a portion of its width and corrugated around its circumference, and being configured so the corrugations across the width interleave with each other to crimp the material, so the troughs of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the first crimp value, and so the peaks of the corrugations around the circumference crimp the material at the second crimp value. An apparatus for manufacturing a crimped web material, and a method of manufacturing air flow directing elements for smoking articles are also provided.

Abstract: A method for introducing objects into a smoking article includes delivering the objects from a reservoir to a transfer chamber and then to a rotatable wheel which inserts objects into the smoking article. The objects are aligned into a single vertically arranged layer in the transfer chamber and the objects are moved from the single layer in the transfer chamber in a direction towards or along the peripheral surface of the rotatable wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing objects into a smoking article comprises a reservoir for providing a plurality of objects to be introduced into the smoking article, a rotatable wheel for delivering the objects to the location where the objects are to be introduced into the smoking article, a transfer chamber for transferring the objects to the rotatable wheel, the transfer chamber being arranged between the reservoir and the rotatable wheel and being designed such that the objects are aligned into a single vertically arranged layer therein, and means for moving the objects from the single layer in the transfer chamber in a direction towards or along the peripheral surface of the rotatable wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material (2) to a rod forming device comprises:—a winding unit (3) for unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin (21) on which the sheet material is provided;—a crimping unit (7) for crimping the sheet material,—a cutting unit (5) for cutting the continuous web of sheet material (2) to a predetermined width, the cutting unit (5) being arranged upstream of the crimping unit (7) when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material (2); and—a control unit (9) for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material to a rod forming device comprises:—a winding unit (3) for unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin (21) on which the sheet material is provided,—a crimping unit (7) for crimping the sheet material,—a dispensing unit (8) for adding a particulate or liquid add-on material to the sheet material, and—a control unit (9) for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units. The dispensing unit (8) is arranged downstream of the crimping unit (7) when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material, and upstream of the rod forming device to which the crimped sheet material is supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing objects into a smoking article comprises a reservoir for providing a plurality of objects to be introduced into the smoking article, a rotatable wheel for delivering the objects to the location where the objects are to be introduced into the smoking article, a transfer chamber for transferring the objects to the rotatable wheel, the transfer chamber being arranged between the reservoir and the rotatable wheel and being designed such that the objects are aligned into a single vertically arranged layer therein, and means for moving the objects from the single layer in the transfer chamber in a direction towards or along the peripheral surface of the rotatable wheel.