Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring articles having a first orientation from a first line, to a perpendicular second line along which the articles advance with a second orientation, rotated in the horizontal plane relative to the first orientation, includes a carousel having a set of pickup devices carried by rotatably supported arms driven in counter-rotation and phase relationship with the rotation direction of the carousel. Counter-rotation is obtained by idler gears meshing with a crown wheel coaxial with and fixed to the carousel and with gears acting on the arms. The gripping devices are driven in counter-rotation relative to rotation of the arms to keep their orientation constant in the horizontal plane while free ends of the arms rotate. Counter-rotation of the pickup devices is obtained by a first pinion connected by a belt to a second, smaller pinion fixed on the axis of rotation of the arm.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring articles having a first orientation from a first line, to a perpendicular second line along which the articles advance with a second orientation, rotated in the horizontal plane relative to the first orientation, includes a carousel having a set of pickup devices carried by rotatably supported arms driven in counter-rotation and phase relationship with the rotation direction of the carousel. Counter-rotation is obtained by idler gears meshing with a crown wheel coaxial with and fixed to the carousel and with gears acting on the arms. The gripping devices are driven in counter-rotation relative to rotation of the arms to keep their orientation constant in the horizontal plane while free ends of the arms rotate. Counter-rotation of the pickup devices is obtained by a first pinion connected by a belt to a second, smaller pinion fixed on the axis of rotation of the arm.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine includes a group-forming unit for forming filter portion groups, each group having at least two different filter portions aligned axially and contacting at the ends; a winding unit that receives a succession of groups from the group-forming unit, winds a strip of wrapping material about the groups to form a continuous filter rod, and cuts combination filters off the rod by cyclically cutting the rod transversely; and a transfer unit that transfers the groups from the group-forming unit, in which the groups travel transversely, to the winding unit, in which the groups travel axially. The transfer unit has at least one spider that feeds the groups successively into a forming beam of the winding unit, and at least one release drum that releases the groups successively to the spider. The release drum is mounted to move between a work position and a maintenance position.

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 manufacturing machine for producing combination filters for cigarettes, and having: a group-forming unit for forming groups of filter portions, each having at least two different filter portions aligned axially and contacting at the ends; a winding unit which receives a succession of groups of filter portions from the group-forming unit, winds a strip of wrapping material about the succession of groups of filter portions to form a continuous filter rod, and cuts the combination filters off the continuous filter rod by cyclically cutting the continuous filter rod transversely; and a transfer unit which transfers the groups of filter portions from the group-forming unit, in which the groups of filter portions travel transversely, to the winding unit, in which the groups of filter portions travel axially, and has at least one spider, which feeds the groups of filter portions successively into a forming beam of the winding unit, and at least one release drum which releases the groups of filter portions successi

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 filter for a cigarette has an organic filtering portion defined by granules or fibres of active carbon and housed inside a cylindrical shell of plastic material; the shell is located between a portion of cellulose acetate, which is engaged orally by a user, and a cigarette portion, and has a bottom, contacting the portion of cellulose acetate and hermetically supporting a particulate trap for retaining fine particulate, and an end contacting the cigarette portion and closed by a plug of cellulose acetate.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette has an organic filtering portion defined by granules or fibres of active carbon and housed inside a cylindrical shell of plastic material; the shell is located between a portion of cellulose acetate, which is engaged orally by a user, and a cigarette portion, and has a bottom, contacting the portion of cellulose acetate and hermetically supporting a particulate trap for retaining fine particulate, and an end contacting the cigarette portion and closed by a plug of cellulose acetate.

Abstract: Filters for cigarettes are manufactured on a machine by which a web of activated carbon fiber fabric is decoiled from a roll, fed into a fragmentation device and broken up into filaments or particles. The fragments are gathered by a first unit into a continuous flow directed up and through the top outlet of an ascent channel into a further unit with a slidable and air-permeable aspirating belt such as will attract and retain the filaments or particles rising through the channel and shape them progressively into a continuous stream which is then released by the belt to the infeed of a unit equipped with a garniture section along which a strip of paper is wrapped around the continuous stream to form a continuous filter rod. Finally, the rod is fed through a rotary cutter and divided into sticks that will provide the single filter plugs for attachment to cigarettes.