Rolling Drum Assembly for Use in Smoking Article Manufacture

Abstract

Rolling Drum Assembly for use in Smoking Article Manufacture The rolling drum assembly has a rolling drum (4) with a peripheral surface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles (1, 2) and a tipping paper patch (3). The rolling drum assembly also has a roll hand (9) adapted to roll the collation of rod articles (1, 2) between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum (4) and the roll hand (9) such that the tipping paper patch (3) is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoldng article. The rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping paper patch (3) at least twice around the collation of rod articles (1, 2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a rolling drum assembly for use in smoking article manufacture, in particular to a rolling drum that rolls a tipping paper patch around a collation of rod articles.

BACKGROUND

In the manufacture of cigarettes, tipping paper patches are provided with adhesive and then anchored to tobacco and filter rods. The tobacco and filter rods are then rolled so that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the tobacco and filter rods, thereby joining them together.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided a rolling drum assembly for use in smoking article manufacture, the rolling drum assembly comprising:

• • a rolling drum having a peripheral surface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch; and,
  • a roll hand adapted to roll the collation of rod articles between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand such that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoking article;
  • wherein the rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping paper patch at least twice around the collation of rod articles.

The collation rod articles may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The collation of rod articles may comprise two tobacco rods and one or more filter rod components. The one or more filter rod components may be disposed between the two tobacco rods. The tipping paper patch may be wrapped around the one or more filter rods and at least a part of each tobacco rod to join them together.

The peripheral surface of the rolling drum may comprise a plurality of flutes that define segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles over an odd number of segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles over three segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles at least 3.5 times over their circumference.

The roll hand may comprise a rolling surface over which the collation of rod articles is rolled.

Each flute may comprise a suction hole for retaining a collation of rod articles or a wrapped smoking article.

The rolling drum assembly may further comprise a suction control component adapted to provide suction to said suction hole of each flute.

The flutes may comprise first flutes adapted to receive a collation of rod articles upstream of the roll hand, and second flutes adapted to receive wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the roll hand.

The first flutes and second flutes may be alternately arranged on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to at least the first flutes upstream of the roll hand. The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to at least the second flutes downstream of the roll hand.

The first flutes may comprise first suction holes and the second flutes may comprise second suction holes. The first suction holes may be axially offset from the second suction holes.

In an embodiment, the suction control component comprises a first suction channel that is aligned with the first suction holes upstream of the roll hand, and a second suction channel that is aligned with the second suction holes downstream of the roll hand.

In an embodiment, the suction control component includes a suction channel comprising a single track, wherein the distance of the track from the edge of the rolling drum varies so that a first portion of the track is aligned with the first suction holes upstream of the roll hand, and a second portion of the track is aligned with the second suction holes downstream of the roll hand.

The first and second flutes may be arranged so that the first flutes do not receive a wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the roll hand.

The peripheral surface of the rolling drum may further comprise tipping paper suction holes adapted to retain said tipping paper patches on the peripheral surface upstream of the roll hand.

The rolling drum assembly may further comprise a suction control component adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes for at least a part of the time that the collation of rod articles is being rolled by the roll hand.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes for a beginning part of the rolling of the collation of rod articles by the roll hand.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes while the collation of rod articles is rolled at least once over its circumference.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for assembling smoking articles comprising the rolling drum assembly described above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article assembled using the apparatus described above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling smoking articles comprising:

• • carrying a collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch on a peripheral surface of a rolling drum; and,
  • rolling the collation of rod articles between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and a rolling surface such that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoking article;
  • wherein the tipping paper patch is wrapped at least twice around the collation of rod articles.

The collations of rod articles may be carried in flutes on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum. Suction may be applied to retain the collations of rod articles and tipping paper patches on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum.

The collations of rod articles may be rolled over an odd number of flutes.

Suction may be applied to at least first flutes upstream of the roll hand to retain collations of rod articles. Additionally, suction may applied to at least second flutes downstream of the roll hand to retain wrapped smoking articles. The first and second flutes may be alternately arranged on the rolling drum.

Suction may be applied to retain the tipping paper patch on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum for a time after the collation of rod articles starts to be rolled between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article assembled using the method described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a shows a side view of a collation of rods, and a tipping paper patch;

FIG. 1b shows an end view of a collation of rods, and a tipping paper patch, all received in a flute of a rolling drum;

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the rolling drum;

FIG. 3a shows a side view of the rolling drum;

FIG. 3b shows a cross-section of the rolling drum;

FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of a suction control component; and,

FIG. 4b shows a first side view of the suction control component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, during assembly of smoking articles two tobacco rods 1 and at least one filter rod 2 are arranged in a collation. In the collation, the one or more filter rods 2 are disposed between the two tobacco rods 1. This collation is joined using a tipping paper patch 3 that is wrapped around the at least one filter rod 2 and a part of each tobacco rod 1. FIG. 1a shows a single filter rod 2 disposed between two tobacco rods 1, but it will be appreciated that the collation of rod articles may include several filter rods 2.

Tipping paper patches 3 are provided by apparatus that applies adhesive to one side of a web of tipping paper and cuts the web to form patches 3. Each tipping paper patch 3 is then anchored to a collation of rods 1, 2 in such a way that the tipping paper patch 3 overlies the one or more filter rods 2 and at least a part of each tobacco rod 1.

The tipping paper patch 3 has adhesive applied to one side and one end region of the tipping paper patch 3 is pressed onto the collation of rods 1, 2 so that the tipping paper patch 3 is anchored to the collation of rods 1, 2 by the adhesive. In this way, when the collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled, the tipping paper patch 3 will be adhered around the circumference of the rods 1, 2, joining them together to form two smoking articles joined end-to-end. This can then be cut through the centre to form two smoking articles.

The collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3 are rolled by a rolling drum 4 so that the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2.

FIG. 1b shows the collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3 when they are received in a flute 5 of a rolling drum 4 after the tipping paper patch 3 has been anchored to the collation of rods 1, 2. The flute 5 is formed in the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and comprises a curved recess in which the collation of rods 1, 2 and tipping paper patch 3 are received. Although a single flute 5 is shown in FIG. 1b, a plurality of flutes are formed around the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. Each flute 5 extends in an axial direction across the peripheral surface 6, such that the collations of rods 1, 2 move in a direction transverse to their length when the rolling drum 4 rotates.

As shown, the anchorage between the tipping paper patch 3 and the collation of rods 1, 2 is created by a partial wrapping of the tipping paper patch 3 around the collation of rods 1, 2. The tipping paper patch 3 extends over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 in a trailing direction. That is, the rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 7 and the tipping paper patch 3 extends in the opposite direction, so that it trails behind the collation of rods 1, 2.

As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, as the rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7, the collation of rods 1, 2 is caused to roll out of the flute 5 and along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 in the direction of arrow 8. As the collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled in this manner the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2, thereby joining them together. The wrapped collation is then received in another flute, which was previously upstream of the initial flute, and can be transferred to further apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the rolling drum assembly of an apparatus for assembling smoking articles. The rolling drum assembly comprises a rolling drum 4 and a roll hand 9. The rolling drum 4 has a peripheral surface 6 with a plurality of flutes 5 to receive collations of rods 1, 2 with tipping paper patches 3 anchored thereto, as described with reference to FIG. 1b.

The rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and the roll hand 9 remains stationary to cause the rolling action previously described with reference to FIG. 1b. That is, the roll hand 9 causes the collation of rods 1, 2 to roll out of the flute 5 and along the peripheral surface 6 and into an upstream flute, thereby wrapping the collation of rods 1, 2 with the tipping paper patch 3.

The rolling drum 4 has a receiving position, indicated by line 10. As a flute 5 passes this receiving position 10 a collation of rods 1, 2 is transferred into that flute 5 together with a tipping paper patch 3. In this example, the collation of rods 1, 2 and tipping paper patch 3 can be transferred onto the rolling drum 4 from an upstream supply drum (not shown). In other examples, the tobacco rods 1, at least one filter rod 2 and tipping paper patch 3 may be supplied by different drums (not shown). Regardless, a flute 5 of the rolling drum 4 receives two tobacco rods 1, at least one filter rod 2, and a tipping paper patch 3.

The collation of rods 1, 2 is received in the flute 5 in the manner described with reference to FIG. 1b, that is, with the tipping paper patch 3 trailing over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. The collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3 are retained in the flute 5 by suction holes, as described in more detailed with reference to FIGS. 3a to 4b.

As shown in FIG. 2, as the rolling drum 4 rotates, the collation of rods 1, 2 and tipping paper patch 3 are carried to the roll hand 9. The roll hand 9 comprises a leading edge that contacts the collation of rods 1, 2 and pushes it out of the flute 5 as the rolling drum 4 rotates. The roll hand 9 also comprises a rolling surface 12 which is parallel to and spaced from the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. In other words, the rolling surface 12 is curved, with a larger radius than the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and centred on the axis of rotation of the rolling drum 4.

After the collation of rods 1, 2 has been pushed out of the flute 5 it is rolled between the moving peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and the stationary rolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9. Due to the contact with the roll hand 9 and rolling drum 4, the collation of rods 1, 2 will rotate in an opposite direction to the rolling drum 4 and effectively roll backwards relative to the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, such that the trailing tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2.

It will be appreciated that during this rolling action the collation of rods 1, 2 will move in a backwards direction relative to the rolling drum 4, while moving in a forwards direction relative to the stationary roll hand 9. That is, the collation of rods 1, 2 will move in a forwards direction at a slower speed than the speed that the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 is moving in the forwards direction 7.

The roll hand 9 is positioned relative to the rolling drum 4 so that, once the collation of rods 1, 2 is pushed out of the flute 5 and is disposed between the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and the rolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9, the collation of rods 1, 2 is slightly compressed. This ensures that the tipping paper patch 3 is tightly wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2 to facilitate sufficient adhesion between the tipping paper patch 3 and the collation of rods 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a collation of rods 1, 2 is received on the rolling drum 4 in every other flute 5. For the sake of clarity, the odd flutes will be considered as a first group of flutes 5a, and the even flutes will be considered as a second group of flutes 5b. The first flutes 5a and second flutes 5b are thus alternately arranged around the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

Upstream of the roll hand 9, the odd flutes 5a receive a collation of rods 2 and a tipping paper patch 3. The even flutes 5b, which are disposed in between the odd flutes 5a, are empty before the roll hand 9. That is, the even flutes 5b do not receive a collation of rods 1, 2 before reaching the roll hand 9.

In this example, the tipping paper patches 3 are designed to be wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2 at least twice, so that two layers of tipping paper circumscribe the collation of rods 1, 2.

The rolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9 extends from the leading edge 11 of the roll hand 9 in a direction around the circumference of the rolling drum 4. As shown, the roll hand 9 extends a distance equivalent to four flutes 5. In other words, if the space between two adjacent flutes 5 on the rolling drum 4 is considered to be one segment, the roll hand 9 extends the length of three segments around the rolling drum 4.

Therefore, when a collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled, it will be rolled from an odd flute 5a, over an even flute 5b, over a second odd flute 5a, and will reach a second even flute 5b as the rolled collation of rods 1, 2 reaches the end of the roll hand 9. That is, the collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled over three segments of the rolling drum 4, from an odd flute 5a to an even flute 5b.

In FIG. 2, the arc length between each flute 5 on the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 corresponds to approximately 1.5 rotations of a collation of rods 1, 2 over its circumference. Therefore, when a collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled over three segments, the collation of rods 1, 2 will be rolled approximately 4.5 times over its circumference.

In other embodiments, the arc length may equate to between 1 and 3 rotations of the collation of rods 1, 2 over its circumference. Therefore, a collation of rods 1, 2 may be rolled between 3 and 9 times over its circumference, preferably at least 3.5 times. It will be appreciated that the exact number of times a collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled will depend on the diameter of the rods 1, 2, so will vary if the eventual smoking articles are slimmer or thicker.

It has been found that by rolling the collation of rod articles 1, 2 at least 3, and up to 9, times over their circumference, the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped twice around the collation of rods 1, 2 and is thoroughly adhered.

As explained above, upstream of the roll hand 9 a collation of rods 1, 2, together with a tipping paper patch 3, is received in an odd flute 5a. As the rolled collation of rods 1, 2 leaves the downstream end of the roll hand 9 it is received in an even flute 5b.

The rolling drum assembly also includes a suction control component 13. The rolling drum 4 rotates relative to the suction control component 13. The suction control component is configured to supply suction to suction holes in the odd and even flutes 5 of the rolling drum 4 during rotation of the rolling drum 4.

The suction control component 13 and suction holes in the rolling drum 4 are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3a to 4b.

FIG. 3a shows a side view of the rolling drum 4 with odd flutes 5a and even flutes 5b, as described with reference to FIG. 2. Also shown in FIG. 3a, the odd flutes 5a each comprise a pair of first suction holes 14 and the even flutes 5b each comprise a pair of second suction holes 15.

The suction control component is configured so that upstream of the roll hand 9, the suction control component 13 applies suction to the first suction holes 14 and not to the second suction holes 15.

The suction control component configured so that downstream of the roll hand 9, the suction control component 13 applies suction to the second suction holes 15 and not to the first suction holes 14.

The first suction holes 14 are arranged in two rows of first suction holes 14, two suction holes 14 in each odd flute 5a. These rows of first suction holes 14 are aligned along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. That is, each row of first suction holes 14 is positioned the same distance from a centre line 17 of the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

The second suction holes 15 are arranged in two rows of second suction holes 15, two suction holes 15 in each even flute 5b. These rows of second suction holes 15 are aligned along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. That is, each row of second suction holes 15 is positioned the same distance from a centre line 17 of the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

The rows of first and second suction holes 14, 15 in the rolling drum 4 are axially separated. Each row of first suction holes 14 is aligned at a first distance from the centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4, while each row of second suction holes 15 is aligned at a second distance from the centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4.

Also shown in FIG. 3a, each flute 5 of the rolling drum 4 also comprises a pair of third suction holes 34. These third suction holes 34 are positioned closer to the centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4, that is, they are disposed between the first or second suction holes 14, 15. The third suction holes 34 are provided with suction upstream of the roll hand 9 and downstream of the roll hand 9, to retain the unwrapped filter rod 2 components upstream of the roll hand 9, and the filter part of the wrapped collation of rods 1, 2 downstream of the roll hand 9

As shown in FIG. 3b, which is a cross-section taken through line A-A shown in FIG. 3a, the rolling drum 4 is formed of a cylinder with a bore 18 extending through the rolling drum 4.

The first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, 34 extend from the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, through the rolling drum 4, and into the bore 18. Therefore, the first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, 34 each have an opening on the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, and an opening on the inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4.

FIG. 4a shows a suction control component 13 configured to be received within the bore 18 of the rolling drum 4. The suction control component 13 fits within the rolling drum 4, and the rolling drum 4 rotates around the stationary suction control component 13. An outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13 is in close proximity to the inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4, and a seal may be provided to seal any gap between these surfaces.

The suction control component 13 also comprises an inner space 22, which is connected to a suction source, for example a vacuum pump, so that air is evacuated from the inner space 22 of the suction control component 13.

As shown in FIG. 4a, the suction control component 13 comprises a plurality of suction channels 23, 24, 35 that are formed of passages extending through the suction control component 13 from the outer surface 21, which is in close proximity into the inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4, to the inner space 22 of the suction control component 13, which is supplied with suction.

The suction channels 23, 24 are arranged such that, as the rolling drum 4 rotates, the first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, move into and out of alignment with the suction channels 23, 24, 35. Therefore, the configuration of the suction channels 23, 24, 35 determines when suction is applied to the first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, 34 in the rolling drum 4 as the rolling drum 4 rotates.

The configuration of the suction channels 23, 24, 35 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4b.

As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the suction control component 13 has a first suction channel 23, second suction channels 24 and third suction channels 35.

The first suction channel 23 is formed of an opening that aligns with the two rows of first suction holes 14 and the third suction holes 34 in the rolling drum 4. Therefore, as the rolling drum 4 rotates, the first suction holes 14 and the third suction holes 34 will be provided with suction as they pass over the first suction channel 23 in the suction control component 13. The second suction channels 24 are positioned so that the second suction holes 15 in the roll drum align with the second suction channels 24 during rotation, thereby to provide suction to the second suction holes 15. The two rows of second suction channels 24 are not aligned with the first suction channel 23, so that the first suction channel 23 does not provide suction to the second suction holes 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rolling drum rotates through a first region 25 defined between the receiving position 10 and the leading edge 11 of the roll hand 9. The first suction channel 23 is arranged to provide suction in this first region. Therefore, in this first region 25, suction is applied to the first suction holes 14 and not to the second suction holes 15. That is, suction is applied to the first suction holes 14 in the odd flutes 5a but not to the second suction holes 15 in the even flutes 5b.

As previously described, in the first region 25 the odd flutes 5a are provided with a collation of rods 1, 2 as well as a tipping paper patch 3. Therefore, the first suction holes 14 act to retain the collation of rods 1, 2 in the odd flutes 5a upstream of the roll hand 9.

Also, within the first region 25, suction is applied to the third suction holes 34 so that the one or more filter rods 2 in each odd flute 5a are retained in the odd flute 5a.

The end of the first suction channel 23 is aligned with the leading edge 11 of the roll hand 9. Therefore, when a collation of rods 1, 2 reaches the start of the roll hand 9 the suction that retains them in the odd flute 5a is released and they are able to roll out of the odd flute 5a in the manner previously described.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the rolling drum 4 also rotates through a second region 26 which corresponds to the length of the roll hand 9. Within this second region 26, no suction is applied to the first, second or third suction holes 14, 15 and the collations of rods 1, 2 roll out of the odd flute 5a and over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, so that the tipping paper patches 3 are wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2 to form wrapped collations of rod articles 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rolling drum also rotates through a third region 27. The second suction channels 24 are arranged to provide suction to the second suction holes 15 in this region. Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the second suction channels 24 are formed of spaced apart openings that extend around the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13. Preferably, the second suction channels 24 are not connected together across the outer surface 21. However, in other examples, the second suction channels 24 may be at least partially connected across the outer surface 21.

These second suction channels 24 are arranged to align with the second suction holes 15 in the even flutes 5b of the rolling drum 4. On the other hand, the first suction holes 14 in the odd flutes 5a of the rolling drum 4 are not aligned with the second suction channels 24, and are instead closed off by the peripheral surface 6 of the suction control component 13. Therefore, downstream of the roll hand 9, the second suction holes 15 in the even flutes 5b are provided with suction, for retaining the rolled collations of rod articles 1, 2.

The third suction channels 35 also comprise spaced apart openings that extend around the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13 in the third region 27. The third suction channels are arranged to align with the third suction holes 34. Therefore, the third suction channels 35 are arranged between the second suction channels 24. Therefore, downstream of the roll hand 9, the third suction holes 34 are activated to retain the filter part of the wrapped collation of rod articles 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the third region 27 extends from the end of the roll hand 9 to the transfer point 28 that the rolled collations of rod articles 1, 2 are released from the rolling drum 4 for transfer to another drum or conveyor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4a, on an upstream side of the first suction channel 23, the suction control component 13 comprises a relief area 29, where the outer surface 21 is lowered so that it is not in close proximity to the inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4. This relief area 29 that is open to the atmosphere or a reservoir. This relief area 29 allows the pressure to equalise, so that any residual suction or increased pressure is dissipated.

Furthermore, within the second region 26, corresponding to the roll hand 9, the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13 may have a recessed area 30 that is not in close proximity to the inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4, so that the pressure may equalise by allowing any residual low pressure to dissipate. This prevents residual suction affecting the rolling process, for example by pulling the tipping paper patch 3 during rolling.

As shown in FIG. 3a and 3b, the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 also has groups of tipping paper suction holes 16. These correspond to the position of the tipping paper patch 3 in the first region 25, upstream of the roll hand 9.

The groups of tipping paper suction holes 16 each comprise a plurality of suction holes 16 arranged in an array on a downstream side of each odd flute 5a, so that a tipping paper patch 3 covers the tipping paper suction holes 16 upstream of the roll hand 9, in the first region 25.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the group of tipping paper suction holes 16 may extend over an adjacent even flute 5b. For example, a tipping paper patch 3 suitable for wrapping twice around a collation of rods 1, 2 may be long enough to extend from the collation of rods 1, 2 in an odd flute 5a, over the adjacent even flute 5b in the trailing direction. In this case, the third suction holes 34 in that adjacent even flute 5b may act to retain a part of the tipping paper patch 3.

The tipping paper suction holes 16 extend through the rolling drum 4, from the peripheral surface 6 to the inner surface 20. The tipping paper suction holes 16 are aligned with the first suction channel 23. Therefore, as the tipping paper suction holes 16 pass by the first suction channel 23, in the first region 25, they are provided with suction and the tipping paper patch 3 is pulled against the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

In the third region 27, downstream of the roll hand 9, the tipping paper suction holes 16 are not aligned with any of the first, second or third suction channels 23, 24, 35 and so are not provided with suction.

In the second region 26, corresponding to the roll hand 9, the suction control component 13 is adapted to apply suction to the tipping paper suction holes 16 for a time after each collation of rods 1, 2 begins to be rolled by the roll hand 9. The suction control component 13 applies suction to the tipping paper patch 3 during the beginning part of the rolling process so that the trailing edge of the tipping paper patch 3 is controlled.

As shown in FIG. 4b, the suction control component 13 comprises tipping paper suction channels 31 that extend from the end of the first suction channel 23 into the second region of rotation 26. These tipping paper suction channels 31 are aligned to the tipping paper suction holes 16 in the rolling drum 4.

Therefore, at the end of the first region 25, as a collation of rods 1, 2 passes the leading edge 11 of the roll hand 9 and enters the second region 26, suction being provided to the first suction holes 14 in the odd flutes 5a is deactivated, while suction being provided to the tipping paper suction holes 16 remains activated for a short time.

The time the tipping paper suction holes 16 remain activated in the second region 26 corresponds to between 0.5 and 2 rotations of a smoking article over its circumference between the rolling drum 4 and roll hand 9, preferably between 1 and 2 rotations of a smoking article over its circumference. More preferably, suction is applied to the tipping paper patch 3 via the tipping paper suction holes 16 during approximately the first 1.5 rotations of a smoking article over its circumference. Region 33, indicated in FIG. 2, shows the region where suction is provided to the tipping paper suction holes 16 at the beginning of the rolling process. As shown, this region 33 extends over slightly more than one segment of the rolling drum 4.

Therefore, the suction being applied to the tipping paper patch 3 is maintained for a time to control the trailing edge of the tipping paper patch 3 as the rolling process begins, but is deactivated in time to allow the smoking article to be rolled freely by the roll hand 9.

The tipping paper patches 3 may have been curled prior to being cut and fed onto the rolling drum 4. Therefore, suction is provided to the tipping paper patch 3 during the beginning part of the rolling process to prevent the trailing edge of the tipping paper patches 3 elastically curling upwards, which may affect the rolling process.

The length of the tipping paper suction channels 31 will determine the time for which the tipping paper suction holes 16 remain activated within the second region 26. In this example, the tipping paper suction channels 31 extend for a distance approximately corresponding to the distance between an odd flute 5a and an even flute 5b on the rolling drum 4. Therefore, as a collation of rods 1, 2 reaches the roll hand 9 and is rolled out of the odd flute 5a onto the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, suction is provided to the tipping paper suction holes 16 approximately until the collation of rods 1, 2 reaches the adjacent even flute 5b.

Also shown in FIG. 4b, the tipping paper suction channels 31 and the recessed area 30 of the suction control component 13 are overlapping on the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13. Channels 32 extend from the recessed area 30 in between the tipping paper suction channels 31 and these channels 32 are aligned with third suction holes 34, so that residual suction or pressure acting on the third suction holes 34 is dissipated and the one or more filter rods 2 in the collation of rods 1, 2 is released for rolling. As used herein, the term “upstream” will be understood to mean in opposite direction to the rotation of the rolling drum 4. In particular, referring to FIG. 2, the rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and the term “upstream” will be understood to mean in a direction opposite to arrow 7. Similarly, the term “downstream” will be understood to mean in direction of rotation of the rolling drum 4. In particular, referring to FIG. 2, the rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and the term “downstream” will be understood to mean in the direction of arrow 7.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

As used herein, the term “tipping paper” includes and material suitable for attaching the filter to a rod of smokeable material and therefore includes any suitable type of paper, metallic foil, or other sheet material.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior rolling drum 4 assembly for assembling smoking articles. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A rolling drum assembly for use in smoking article manufacture, the rolling drum assembly comprising:

a rolling drum having a peripheral surface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch; and,

a roll hand adapted to roll the collation of rod articles between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand such that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoking article;

wherein the rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping paper patch at least twice around the collation of rod articles.

2. The rolling drum assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface of the rolling drum comprises a plurality of flutes that define segments of the rolling drum.

3. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, wherein the roll hand is adapted to roll the collation of rod articles over an odd number of segments of the rolling drum.

4. The rolling drum assembly of claim 3, wherein the roll hand is adapted to roll the collation of rod articles over three segments of the rolling drum.

5. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, wherein the roll hand is adapted to roll the collation of rod articles at least 3.5 times over their circumference.

6. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, wherein the roll hand comprises a rolling surface over which the collation of rod articles is rolled.

7. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, wherein each flute comprises a suction hole for retaining a collation of rod articles or a wrapped smoking article.

8. The rolling drum assembly of claim 7, further comprising a suction control component adapted to provide suction to said suction hole of each flute.

9. The rolling drum assembly of claim 8, wherein the flutes comprise first flutes adapted to receive a collation of rod articles upstream of the roll hand, and second flutes adapted to receive a wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the roll hand.

10. The rolling drum assembly of claim 9, wherein the first flutes and second flutes are alternately arranged on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum.

11. The rolling drum assembly of claim 9, wherein the suction control component is adapted to provide suction to at least the first flutes upstream of the roll hand, and the suction control component is adapted to provide suction to at least the second flutes downstream of the roll hand.

12. The rolling drum assembly of claim 11, wherein the first flutes comprise first suction holes and the second flutes comprise second suction holes, wherein the first suction holes are axially offset from the second suction holes.

13. The rolling drum assembly of claim 12, wherein the suction control component comprises a first suction channel that is aligned with the first suction holes upstream of the roll hand, and a second suction channel that is aligned with the second suction holes downstream of the roll hand.

14. The rolling drum assembly of any of claim 9, wherein the first and second flutes are arranged so that the first flutes do not receive a wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the roll hand.

15. The rolling drum assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface of the rolling drum further comprises tipping paper suction holes adapted to retain said tipping paper patches on the peripheral surface upstream of the roll hand.

16. The rolling drum assembly of claim 15, further comprising a suction control component adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes for at least a part of the time that the collation of rod articles is being rolled by the roll hand.

17. The rolling drum assembly of claim 16, wherein the suction control component is adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes for a beginning part of the rolling of the collation of rod articles by the roll hand.

18. The rolling drum assembly of claim 17, wherein the suction control component is adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes while the collation of rod articles is rolled at least once over its circumference.

19. Apparatus for assembling smoking articles comprising the rolling drum assembly of claim 1.

20. A method of assembling smoking articles comprising:

carrying a collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch on a peripheral surface of a rolling drum; and,

rolling the collation of rod articles between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and a rolling surface such that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoking article;

wherein the tipping paper patch is wrapped at least twice around the collation of rod articles.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the collations of rod articles are carried in flutes on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and suction is applied to retain the collations of rod articles and tipping paper patches on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the collations of rod articles are rolled over an odd number of flutes.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein suction is applied to at least first flutes upstream of the roll hand to retain collations of rod articles, and suction is applied to at least second flutes downstream of the roll hand to retain wrapped smoking articles, wherein the first and second flutes are alternately arranged on the rolling drum.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein suction is applied to retain the tipping paper patch on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum for a time after the collation of rod articles starts to be rolled between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand.

25. A smoking article assembled using the apparatus of claim 18.

26. (canceled)

27. A smoking article assembled using the method of claim 20.