Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including creating a blunt rolling device for rolling blunt smoking products, rolling a wrapper on a wrapper roller tube to create a blunt wrapper tube with a glass tip, tamping smoking material into the blunt wrapper tube at a user defined density, twisting, cutting and tucking wrapper excess into the glass tip, and controlling the operations of the blunt rolling device using a computer, wireless communications and a blunt rolling method and device program for sequencing processes, operating solenoid drive motors and humidity and temperature devices of a smoking material humidor, adjusting settings of devices using predetermined data stored in digital memory devices and accessed using digital processors.

Abstract: A reinforced tobacco web is provided, including a continuous web of reconstituted tobacco, a first continuous reinforcement incorporated into the web at a first edge, and a second continuous reinforcement incorporated into the web at a second edge. Neither the first continuous reinforcement nor the second continuous reinforcement has a width greater than 15% of the width of the continuous web of reconstituted tobacco. The reinforcements allow the tobacco web to be handled more efficiently by increasing the pulling strength of the web.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of wrapping smoking article rods with a wrapper. A bobbin comprising a wound web (8) and individual spaced wrappers (2) is provided. The wrappers (2) each have a longitudinal axis (Lw) and are arranged side by side on the web (8). The bobbin is unwound, and an unwound section of the web (8) is guided across a support, preferably a support plate, wherein the wrappers (2) on that section of the web (8) are exposed. Individual smoking article rods (1), which have their longitudinal axes (Lr) generally arranged in parallel, are fed towards the support under an oblique angle (?) between the longitudinal axes (Lr, Lw) of the smoking article rods (1) and of the wrappers (2). Each smoking article rod (1) is rolled over one of the wrappers (2), wherein that wrapper (2) is taken up by that smoking article rod (1) and helically wound about that smoking article rod (1).

Abstract: A smoking article (10) comprising a first part (13) configured to be movable relative to a second part (11) of the smoking article. The first part (13) having a first engaging surface (31). The second part (11) having a second engaging surface (32), the second engaging surface engagable with the first engaging surface (31) to limit relative longitudinal movement between the first and second parts. The first engaging surface (31) and/or second engaging surface (32) is preferably formed on a folded over portion of sheet material.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for making a cigarette filter assembly for potentially reducing particle breakthrough. The method includes forming a lofty porous network of charge retaining polymer fibers by mechanical, chemical or thermal bonding of the fibers, wrapping the lofty porous network in a cylindrical or tubular shape with optional mediating filter fibers in a filter paper to form a filter plug while maintaining the lofty structure. The charge retaining fibers can be charged to attract and hold particles from such sources as particulate matter from sorbents (preventing break-through), and smoke constituents while having a suitable pressure drop. The apparatus handles the lofty media with minimal crushing, for example, by spacing apart delivery rolls equipped with protrusions to punch, push, and/or pull the lofty media ahead for high speed operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10? are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10? are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10?? is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing.

Abstract: Device and process for conveying filter elements to a filter element magazine. The device includes a rotatable drum comprising at least one seat for receiving a filter element and a detection device that controls a rotation of the drum and detects the filter elements. The process includes conveying at least one filter element in a lengthwise axial direction to a drum that includes seats, wherein at least one of the seats is adapted to receive the at least one filter element, guiding the at least one filter element past a detection device, generating a start signal as soon as an end of the at least one filter element has passed the detection device, rotating the drum in a crosswise axial direction after receiving the start signal, and moving the at least one filter element into the filter element magazine.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making and inspecting a multi-component cigarettes, each cigarette including two or more different components arranged relative to one another, the apparatus includes a device for advancing a web in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a device for positioning at least two different components of a cigarette relative to one another on the web as the web advances in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a garniture device for wrapping the web around the at least two different components by moving opposite edges of the web transversely to the first direction such that, at a closure point in the garniture device, the opposite edges overlap each other. The apparatus further includes an imaging device disposed upstream of the closure point for generating an image of the at least two different components.

Abstract: A unit and method for transferring cigarette portions whereby the cigarette portions are transferred from a manufacturing machine to a filter assembly machine by means of a first conveyor having first seats movable along a first annular path to pick up respective cigarette portions at a pickup point, and by means of a second conveyor having second seats movable along a respective second annular path; the cigarette portions are transferred from a first seat to a second seat at a transfer point along the first path, and the speed of the second seats is corrected at the transfer point to substantially reach or approximate the speed of the first seats at the transfer point.

Abstract: Groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces, particularly cigarettes and mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines, carry adhesive-coated uniting bands at the time of entry into a channel between the peripheral rolling surface of a rotary drum and the complementary rolling surface of a stationary rolling member. The uniting bands are convoluted around portions of or the entire mouthpieces and around the neighboring portions of the respective cigarette or cigarettes. The inlet of the channel is defined or preceded by a transversely extending stationary group-contacting device having a raised first portion which cooperates with the drum to set the mouthpieces and the cigarettes of successive oncoming groups into simultaneous rolling motion, and such first portion is followed by a second portion having a concave guide surface which ensures predictable entry of successive groups into the rolling channel downstream of the first portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making and inspecting a multi-component cigarettes, each cigarette including two or more different components arranged relative to one another, the apparatus includes a device for advancing a web in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a device for positioning at least two different components of a cigarette relative to one another on the web as the web advances in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a garniture device for wrapping the web around the at least two different components by moving opposite edges of the web transversely to the first direction such that, at a closure point in the garniture device, the opposite edges overlap each other. The apparatus further includes an imaging device disposed upstream of the closure point for generating an image of the at least two different components.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting glue skips on tipping paper used to secure filters to cigarette tobacco rods and the rejection of defective cigarettes based thereon in which a particle radiation sensor is used to monitor the amount of glue applied to the tipping paper and a laser edge detector is used to monitor for proper alignment of the tipping paper during cigarette tipping operations in a typical cigarette manufacturing machine. The signals output from the particle radiation sensor are fed to a skip detection system which produces an output signal upon detecting a glue skip or a loss of glue.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine wherein a succession of tobacco articles, each defined by at least one cigarette portion aligned with a respective filter, and a succession of respective gummed strips are fed by a conveyor drum to a first and a second rolling wheel rotating about respective axes and having a number of peripheral axial cavities, each of which houses a respective roller defining, with the cavity, a rolling channel; the tobacco articles, once rolled to connect the cigarette portions and filters by means of respective strips, are transferred from the first and second rolling wheel to an output drum by means of conveyors having seats on the end of respective ribs engageable between pairs of adjacent rollers.

Abstract: A unit for rolling tobacco items, wherein a conveyor device presents a number of peripheral suction seats, each for receiving and feeding an item, formed of at least one cigarette portion and a respective filter, in a direction crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the item; each seat being defined by a pair of rollers for rotating each item about its longitudinal axis to connect the cigarette portion and respective filter integral with each other by means of a respective adhesive strip and so form a respective cigarette.

Abstract: Adherent uniting bands are wound around adjacent end portions of successive groups of plain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines while the groups are transported sideways through a passage between a rotary conveyor and a stationary rolling member. The peripheral rolling surface of the conveyor has an undulate profile conforming to the outlines of the articles forming the groups and such surface is provided with axially parallel flutes wherein the groups are received during advancement toward the passage. The rolling member has a second rolling surface confronting the peripheral rolling surface across the passage and having a second undulate profile also conforming to the outlines of the articles forming the groups. Successive groups approaching the inlet of the passage are caused to leave their flutes and to roll between the two surfaces during advancement through the passage to thus convolute the uniting bands around the adjacent end portions of the respecive articles.

Abstract: On a filter assembly machine, a succession of groups, each having two cigarette portions, a double filter between the two cigarette portions, and a gummed strip connected integral with, along a generating line of, and projecting forwards from the group, is fed by an input conveyor to a loading station where each group is transferred into a respective seat on a rolling device with multiple rolling channels; the groups being unloaded off the rolling device with a smaller pitch as compared with the input pitch.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying measured quantities of foamed adhesive to the ends of cigarettes comprises a drum 10 arranged to having apertures 14A aligned with the respective cigarettes 12 and arranged to recieve foam from a source 18 adjacent to the plate, characterized by means 24,26 for pneumatically transferring foam progressively from each aperture to the end of the corresponding cigarette, i.e. during a significant arc of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a cigarette having a variable smoking characteristic to a preselected level of that characteristic is provided. A cigarette having a rotatable element for controlling a smoking characteristic, and assembled with a first level of that characteristic, is adjusted to a preselected second level by a drum and cooperating belt which engage the rotatable element and which move relatively faster and slower, or slower and faster, respectively, than a drum and belt holding the remainder of the cigarette.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a filtered large cigar which includes the steps of simultaneously introducing onto the rolling table of a cigar rolling machine preformed cigar filters and a charge of tobacco filler material for spiral wrapping within a sheet of cigar binder material which has simultaneously been introduced onto the rolling table. A reinforcement strip including layers of reinforcing tape and a nonflammable foil is also introduced onto the rolling table. In this manner, during the subsequent rolling operation, the reinforcement strip becomes circumferentially wrapped about and bonded to the binder over the interface between the filter and filter material. Depending on the relative placement on the table of the reinforcement strip and binder, the reinforcement strip will be positioned either over or under the binder.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with wrapping sheet material about cylindrical inserts, such as wrapping cigarette paper about filter inserts, with controlled application of spaced adhesive dots or dashes for securing the material to sections of the insert and synchronously controlled cutting of the same to minimize adhesive collection upon the cutter.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for forming cigarette filters, including a drum for receiving and holding a plurality of filters and a heated probe which can be moved into contact with the filters to form the filters into a desired configuration.