Abstract: A flavouring component for a smoking article comprising a rod of flavouring material. The flavouring material comprises a carrier material and flavouring particles adhered to to the carrier material by means of a binder. The flavouring material is formed by passing the carrier material through a mixture comprising the binder and the flavouring particles. Also disclosed is a smoking article including such a flavouring component, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing such a flavouring component.

Abstract: A flavouring component (43) for a smoking article (50) comprising a rod (33) of flavouring material (17). The flavouring material (17) comprises a carrier material (15) and flavouring particles (14) adhered to the carrier material (15) by means of a binder (13). The flavouring material (17) is formed by passing the carrier material (15) through a mixture (12) comprising the binder (13) and the flavouring particles (14). Also disclosed is a smoking article (50) including such a flavouring component (43), and an apparatus (10) and method for manufacturing such a flavouring component (43).

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 smoking article comprises a rod of smokeable material such as tobacco and a tubular support in which the rod is slidably received. The tubular support is formed from a blank of sheet material that is wound in a spiral. Machinery for making the spiral blank is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite web for forming a smoking article element wrapper. The composite web comprises a strip of wrapping material and a plurality of thermally conductive patches. The thermally conductive patches are located on a surface of the strip and are spaced along the length of the strip. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a smoking article component.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, has a guide member (14) and a plurality of pushers (21) arranged to push components (2) along a path defined by the guide member (14) for output from the feed unit. The guide member (14) is arranged to separate the components (2) into separate streams (63, 64) according to their orientation. The stream (63) of non-correctly oriented components (2) comprises a channel that is helically rotated to orientate correctly said components (2). Both streams (63, 64) converge downstream said helical section to achieve a single flow of components (2) of similar orientation.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus. The feed unit has a rotary device having a supply region (4) and one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components from the supply region (4) such that the components are stacked one on top of another within each channel (7). Each channel (7) has an inlet (5) and an outlet through which components pass for output from the feed unit. One of the inlet (5) and the supply region (4) is configured to reciprocate relative to the other to agitate the components in the supply region (4) so that components pass into the channel (7).

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components (2) to smoking article assembly apparatus, having a stationary guide member (14) and a dispensing unit configured to dispense components (2) into the stationary guide member (14). The dispensing unit has one or more channels (7) to receive components (2) one on top of the other, and each channel (7) has a control gate (12) to apply suction/gaseous flow to control output of components (2) from the channel (7) for onward conveyance through the stationary guide member (14).

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus. The feed unit has a rotary device having a supply region (4) and one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components from the supply region (4) such that the components are stacked one on top of another within each channel (7). Each channel (7) has an inlet (5) and an outlet through which components pass for output from the feed unit. One of the inlet (5) and the supply region (4) is configured to reciprocate relative to the other to agitate the components in the supply region (4) so that components pass into the channel (7).

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, includes a rotary device having one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components, one on top of another, and one or more pushers (21) associated with each channel. The feed unit also has a track (14) to receive components from outlets of the one or more channels (7) and the rotary device is configured to rotate with respect to the track (14) so that components pass through the channels (7) and are pushed along the track by the pushers (21) for output from the feed unit.

Abstract: A flavouring component (43) for a smoking article (50) comprising a rod (33) of flavouring material (17). The flavouring material (17) comprises a carrier material (15) and flavouring particles (14) adhered to the carrier material (15) by means of a binder (13). The flavouring material (17) is formed by passing the carrier material (15) through a mixture (12) comprising the binder (13) and the flavouring particles (14). Also disclosed is a smoking article (50) including such a flavouring component (43), and an apparatus (10) and method for manufacturing such a flavouring component (43).

Abstract: A filter rod for a smoking article comprising an extruded hardened tubular element formed from a filter material with entrained cured plasticiser, and a continuous core of filler material provided within the tubular element. Also disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing such a filter rod, the apparatus comprising a duct having an inlet to receive filter tow material and plasticiser, and an outlet. The duct tapers between the inlet and the outlet. A mandrel is disposed at least partially within the duct and is fixed relative to the duct. The mandrel is hollow and includes an internal passage extending though the mandrel through which a filler material may be conveyed. The passage includes an outlet at a distal end of the mandrel though which the filler material may be expelled. A heating zone is configured to heat filter material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pack of smoking articles. The method comprises providing a planar blank of an inner support frame comprising a front panel and a rear panel connected by a bottom panel, and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel to form an inner support frame in a receiving configuration. In the receiving configuration, the front and rear panels diverge in a direction away from the bottom panel and define an opening remote from the bottom panel. The method includes inserting a bundle of smoking articles through the opening into the inner support frame and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel from the receiving configuration to an enclosed configuration to enclose the bundle of smoking articles. The method includes wrapping the bundle of smoking articles and inner support frame with a film to form a sealed pack of smoking articles. Also an apparatus for manufacturing a pack of smoking articles according to such a method.

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: Smoking article and method of manufacturing a smoking article A smoking article (10), comprises a first part, and a second part movable relative to the first part. An indexing mechanism comprises a first indexing surface (18) on one of the first part or second part; and a second indexing surface (19) on the other of the first and second parts. The second indexing surface (19) is configured to engage with the first indexing surface (18) to control relative movement between the first part and second part.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, has a guide member (14) and a plurality of pushers (21) arranged to push components (2) along a path defined by the guide member (14) for output from the feed unit. The guide member (14) is arranged to separate the components (2) into separate streams (63, 64) according to their orientation. The stream (63) of non-correctly oriented components (2) comprises a channel that is helically rotated to orientate correctly said components (2). Both streams (63, 64) converge downstream said helical section to achieve a single flow of components (2) of similar orientation.

Abstract: The present application relates to a smoking article assembly machine. The smoking article assembly machine has a filter rod receiving section configured to receive filter rods (9) containing an inserted object (36, 36?) and an assembled smoking article discharge section. The smoking article assembly machine also has a smoking article assembly path between the filter rod receiving section and the assembled smoking article discharge section along which filter rods (9) pass in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of filter rods, and a microwave sensor unit (51) through which filter rods (9) pass in a transverse direction, the microwave sensor unit (51) being disposed along the assembly path. The microwave sensor unit (51) is configured to provide an indication of one or more properties of an inserted object (36, 36?) in each filter rod (9) passing transversely along the smoking article assembly path.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, includes a rotary device having one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components, one on top of another, and one or more pushers (21) associated with each channel. The feed unit also has a track (14) to receive components from outlets of the one or more channels (7) and the rotary device is configured to rotate with respect to the track (14) so that components pass through the channels (7) and are pushed along the track by the pushers (21) for output from the feed unit.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components (2) to smoking article assembly apparatus, having a stationary guide member (14) and a dispensing unit configured to dispense components (2) into the stationary guide member (14). The dispensing unit has one or more channels (7) to receive components (2) one on top of the other, and each channel (7) has a control gate (12) to apply suction/gaseous flow to control output of components (2) from the channel (7) for onward conveyance through the stationary guide member (14).

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus. The feed unit has a rotary device having a supply region (4) and one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components from the supply region (4) such that the components are stacked one on top of another within each channel (7). Each channel (7) has an inlet (5) and an outlet through which components pass for output from the feed unit. One of the inlet (5) and the supply region (4) is configured to reciprocate relative to the other to agitate the components in the supply region (4) so that components pass into the channel (7).