U.S. patent application number 16/301546 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for rolling drum for a tobacco industry product manufacturing apparatus and method of assembling tobacco industry products.
The applicant listed for this patent is British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited. Invention is credited to Andrew Jonathan BRAY, Sam WHIFFEN.
Application Number | 20190281885 16/301546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56369622 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190281885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BRAY; Andrew Jonathan ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
ROLLING DRUM FOR A TOBACCO INDUSTRY PRODUCT MANUFACTURING APPARATUS
AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TOBACCO INDUSTRY PRODUCTS
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a rolling drum (59 for
use in a tobacco industry product manufacturing apparatus. The
rolling drum has a peripheral surface (6) configured to carry a
collation of rod-shaped articles. The rolling drum comprises a
plurality of ridges (7) on the peripheral surface, each ridge
comprising a trailing face (8) and a leading face (9). The rolling
drum comprises a plurality of suction holes for retaining the
collation of rod-shaped articles. The plurality of suction holes
are disposed at the trailing face and the leading face of each of
the ridges. Also disclosed is a rolling apparatus comprising such a
rolling drum, and a machine for assembling tobacco industry
products comprising such an apparatus. Also disclosed is a method
of assembling tobacco industry products using such a rolling
apparatus or machine.
Inventors: |
BRAY; Andrew Jonathan;
(London, GB) ; WHIFFEN; Sam; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
56369622 |
Appl. No.: |
16/301546 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
April 27, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2017/051177 |
371 Date: |
November 14, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/471 20130101;
A24C 5/327 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/32 20060101
A24C005/32; A24C 5/47 20060101 A24C005/47 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 19, 2016 |
GB |
1608812.2 |
Claims
1. A rolling drum for use in a tobacco industry product
manufacturing apparatus, the rolling drum having a peripheral
surface configured to carry a collation of rod-shaped articles, the
rolling drum comprising a plurality of ridges on the peripheral
surface, each ridge comprising a trailing face and a leading face,
the rolling drum comprising a plurality of suction holes for
retaining the collation of rod-shaped articles, wherein the
plurality of suction holes are disposed at the trailing face and
the leading face of each of the ridges.
2. A rolling drum according to claim 1, wherein the ridges are
integral with the rolling drum.
3. A rolling drum according to claim 1, wherein the ridges are
regularly distributed on the peripheral surface of the rolling
drum.
4. A rolling drum according to claim 1, wherein the ridges extend
along an axis parallel to a rotation axis of the rolling drum.
5. A rolling drum according to claim 1, wherein the rolling drum
comprises a friction-enhancing surface on the peripheral surface
between each of the ridges.
6. A rolling drum according to claim 5 wherein the
friction-enhancing surface comprises a plurality of striae on the
peripheral surface.
7. A rolling drum according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of
striae extend along an axis parallel to a rotation axis of the
rolling drum.
8. A rolling drum according to claim 5 wherein the
friction-enhancing surface comprises a coating on the peripheral
surface.
9. A rolling drum according to claim 5 wherein the
friction-enhancing surface comprises a hard particulate matter on
the peripheral surface.
10. A rolling drum according to claim 5 wherein the
friction-enhancing surface comprises a sprayed coating on the
peripheral surface.
11. A rolling drum according to claim 1 wherein an elongate
depression is formed in the peripheral surface where the peripheral
surface meets each of the trailing face and the leading face of
each of the ridges.
12. A rolling drum according to claim 11 wherein the suctions holes
are disposed in each of the elongate depressions.
13. A rolling drum according to claim 1 wherein a length of the
peripheral surface between the ridges in a rotational direction of
the rolling drum is greater than a width of the ridges in a
rotational direction of the rolling drum.
14. A rolling apparatus for rolling a tipping paper around a
collation of rod-shaped articles, the rolling apparatus comprising
a rolling drum according to claim 1 and a roll hand configured to
roll the collation of rod-shaped articles between the peripheral
surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand such that a tipping
paper is wrapped around the rod-shaped articles to form tobacco
industry products.
15. A rolling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the trailing
faces are configured to receive a collation of rod-shaped articles
upstream of the roll hand, and the leading faces are configured to
receive a collation of wrapped rod-shaped articles downstream of
the roll hand.
16. A rolling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the
peripheral surface of the rolling drum comprises tipping paper
suction holes adapted to retain the tipping paper on the peripheral
surface upstream of the roll hand.
17. A rolling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the roll
hand comprises a rolling surface over which the collation of
rod-shaped articles may be rolled.
18. A rolling apparatus according to claim 17 wherein a length of
the rolling surface in a rotational direction of the rolling drum
is a whole number of multiples of a length of the peripheral
surface between the ridges.
19. A rolling apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the length of
the rolling surface in a rotational direction of the rolling drum
is the same as the length of the surface between the ridges.
20. A machine for assembling tobacco industry products comprising
the rolling apparatus of claim 14.
21. A method of assembling tobacco industry products using the
machine of claim 20, the method comprising receiving a collation of
rod-shaped articles and tipping paper on the peripheral surface of
the rolling drum against a trailing face of a ridge of the rolling
drum and retaining the collation of rod-shaped articles by suction
through the suction holes at the trailing face, rotating the
rolling drum until the roll hand contacts and pushes the collation
of rod-shaped articles out of contact with the trailing edge,
rolling the collation of rod-shaped articles between the peripheral
surface and the roll hand such that the tipping paper is wrapped
around the rod-shaped articles, and receiving the wrapped
rod-shaped articles against the leading face of an adjacent ridge
and retaining the wrapped rod-shaped articles by suction through
the suction holes at the leading face.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein suction is applied to
retain the tipping paper on the peripheral surface of the rolling
drum for a time after the collation of rod-shaped articles starts
to be rolled between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and
the roll hand.
23. A tobacco industry product assembled using the machine of claim
20.
24.-26. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a drum for use in an
apparatus for manufacturing tobacco industry products. Embodiments
of the invention also relate to a rolling drum and a rolling
apparatus for use in manufacture of tobacco industry products, in
particular a rolling apparatus that rolls tipping paper around a
collation of rod-shaped articles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the manufacture of tobacco industry products, such as
cigarettes, tipping paper patches are provided with adhesive and
then anchored to rod-shaped articles, such as 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
[0003] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a rolling drum for use in a tobacco industry product
manufacturing apparatus, the rolling drum having a peripheral
surface configured to carry a collation of rod-shaped articles, the
rolling drum comprising a plurality of ridges on the peripheral
surface, each ridge comprising a trailing face and a leading face,
the rolling drum comprising a plurality of suction holes for
retaining the collation of rod-shaped articles, wherein the
plurality of suction holes are disposed at the trailing face and
the leading face of each of the ridges.
[0004] The trailing face and leading face of each of the ridges
respectively face towards and away from a direction of rotation of
the rolling drum.
[0005] The ridges may be integral with the rolling drum, and may be
regularly distributed on the peripheral surface of the rolling
drum. The ridges may extend along an axis parallel to the rotation
axis of the rolling drum.
[0006] The rolling drum may comprise a friction-enhancing surface
on the peripheral surface between each of the ridges. The
friction-enhancing surface may comprise a plurality of striae on
the peripheral surface. The plurality of striae may extend along an
axis parallel to the rotation axis of the rolling drum.
[0007] The friction-enhancing surface may comprise a coating on the
peripheral surface. The friction-enhancing surface may comprise a
hard particulate matter on the peripheral surface. The
friction-enhancing surface may comprise a sprayed coating on the
peripheral surface.
[0008] An elongate depression may be formed in the peripheral
surface where the peripheral surface meets each of the trailing
face and the leading face of each of the ridges.
[0009] The suctions holes may be disposed in each of the elongate
depressions.
[0010] The suction holes may be provided on the trailing face
and/or the leading face of each of the ridges. The suction holes
may be provided where the trailing face and/or leading face of each
of the ridges meets the peripheral surface of the rolling drum. The
suction holes may be provided at or proximate to the point where
the trailing face and/or the leading face of each of the ridges
meets the peripheral surface the rolling drum. The suction holes
may extend from the curved peripheral surface of the rolling drum
to the trailing face and/or the leading face respectively of the
ridges. In some embodiments, the curved peripheral surface of the
rolling drum may meet the trailing and/or leading face of each of
the ridges as defined angled junctions. Alternatively the curved
peripheral surface of the rolling drum may transition smoothly in a
curved manner with the trailing and/or leading face of each of the
ridges. The suction holes may be provided on the curved transition
between peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the trailing
and/or leading face of each of the ridges. The suction holes may
extend from the curved transition to the peripheral surface of the
rolling drum and/or to the trailing and/or leading face of each of
the ridges.
[0011] The length of the peripheral surface between the ridges in a
rotational direction of the rolling drum may be greater than the
width of the ridges in a rotational direction of the rolling
drum.
[0012] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is also provided a rolling apparatus for rolling a tipping paper
around a collation of rod-shaped articles, the rolling apparatus
comprising a rolling drum as described above and a roll hand
configured to roll the collation of rod-shaped articles between the
peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand such that
a tipping paper is wrapped around the rod-shaped articles to form
tobacco industry products.
[0013] The trailing faces may be configured to receive a collation
of rod-shaped articles upstream of the roll hand, and the leading
faces may be configured to receive a collation of wrapped
rod-shaped articles downstream of the roll hand.
[0014] The peripheral surface of the rolling drum may comprise
tipping paper suction holes adapted to retain the tipping paper on
the peripheral surface upstream of the roll hand.
[0015] The roll hand may comprise a rolling surface over which the
collation of rod-shaped articles may be rolled.
[0016] The length of the rolling surface in a rotational direction
of the rolling drum maybe a whole number of multiples of the length
of the peripheral surface between the ridges.
[0017] The length of the rolling surface in a rotational direction
of the rolling drum may be the same as the length of the surface
between the ridges.
[0018] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is also provided a machine for assembling tobacco industry products
comprising the rolling apparatus described above.
[0019] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is also provided a method of assembling tobacco industry products
using the rolling apparatus or the machine as described above, the
method comprising receiving a collation of rod-shaped articles and
tipping paper on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum against
a trailing face of a ridge of the rolling drum and retaining the
collation of rod-shaped articles by suction through the suction
holes at the trailing face, rotating the rolling drum until the
roll hand contacts and pushes the collation of rod-shaped articles
out of contact with the trailing edge, rolling the collation of
rod-shaped articles between the peripheral surface and the roll
hand such that the tipping paper is wrapped around the rod-shaped
articles, and receiving the wrapped rod-shaped articles against the
leading face of an adjacent ridge and retaining the wrapped
rod-shaped articles by suction through the suction holes at the
leading face.
[0020] Suction may be applied to retain the tipping paper on the
peripheral surface of the rolling drum for a time after the
collation of rod-shaped articles starts to be rolled between the
peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll hand.
[0021] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is also provided a tobacco industry product assembled using the
machine or the method described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a collation of rod-shaped
articles, and a tipping paper patch;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an end view of a collation of rod-shaped
articles, and a tipping paper patch, all received in the trailing
edge of a ridge of a rolling drum according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an end view of the rolling apparatus according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the rolling drum according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 2, of an end view of a
collation of rod-shaped articles, and a tipping paper patch, all
received in the trailing edge of a ridge of a rolling drum
according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart schematically illustrating a
method of operation of a rolling apparatus comprising a rolling
drum of an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, during assembly of tobacco industry
products, such as smoking article, two joined smoking articles are
manufactured together by arranging two rods of smokeable material 1
at each end of a double-length rod-shaped filter component 2 to
form a collation. Many such types of rods are envisaged within the
scope of the invention, as explained hereafter. However, for the
purpose of illustration and brevity of description, the description
hereafter will discuss such rods with reference to "tobacco rods",
although it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited
to rods of tobacco, and may encompass any other rods for use in
tobacco industry products, or smoking articles, in accordance with
the definition of these terms hereafter. The tobacco rods 1 and
filter component 2 are joined together by wrapping a tipping paper
patch 3 about them, and then cutting through the filter component 2
to separate the two smoking articles.
[0030] Each tobacco rod 1 comprises tobacco material wrapped in a
wrapper, for example a paper wrapper. In the exemplary embodiment
shown, the filter component 2 comprises two filter elements each
including first, second and third segments 2a, 2b, 2c. The first
filter segment 2a is made of plasticized cellulose acetate through
which smoke or vapour can pass. The second segment 2b comprises a
tubular member made from plastic and having passages therethrough
to allow smoke or vapour to pass through the filter segment 2b. The
third filter segment 2c comprises a tubular member made of paper.
In the collation, the filter component 2 is disposed between the
two tobacco rods 1. The collation is joined using a tipping paper
patch 3 that is wrapped around the filter component 2 and a part of
each tobacco rod 1. FIG. 1 shows the filter component 2 disposed
between the two tobacco rods 1.
[0031] Tipping paper patches 3 are provided by an apparatus (not
shown) 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
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 a smoking article assembly. The
smoking article assembly can then be cut through the centre to form
two smoking articles.
[0032] To wrap the tipping paper patch 3 around the collation of
rods 1, 2, the collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3
are rolled by a rolling apparatus 4. The rolling apparatus 4
comprises a rolling drum 5 having a peripheral surface 6 adapted to
carry the collation of rods 1, 2. The peripheral surface 6 has a
plurality of ridges 7. Each ridge 7 comprises a trailing face or
edge 8 and a leading face or edge 9. That is, the rolling drum 5 is
intended to rotate in a rotational direction (as indicated by arrow
A in FIG. 2) and the leading face or edge 9 faces the direction of
rotation and the trailing edge or face 8 faces away from the
direction of rotation.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping
paper patch 3 when they are received in the trailing edge 8 of a
ridge 7, after the tipping paper patch 3 has been anchored to the
collation of rods 1, 2. Although a single ridge 7 is shown in FIG.
2, a plurality of ridges 7 are formed on the peripheral surface 6
of the rolling drum 4. Each ridge 7 extends in an axial direction
across the peripheral surface 6, parallel to the rotation axis of
the rolling drum 4, such that the collations of rods 1, 2 move in a
direction transverse to their length when the rolling drum 4
rotates.
[0034] 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 5 in a trailing direction. That is, the rolling drum 5
rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A and the tipping paper
patch 3 extends in the opposite direction, so that the tipping
paper trails behind the collation of rods 1, 2.
[0035] As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, as the
rolling drum 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the collation
of rods 1, 2 is caused to roll from the trailing face or edge 8 and
along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5 in the
direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 2. As the collation of rods
1, 2 is rolled, the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around the
collation of rods 1, 2, thereby joining them together. The wrapped
collation is then received at the leading face or edge 9 of an
adjacent ridge 7 located upstream of the initial ridge 7, and can
be transferred to further apparatus.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the rolling apparatus 4 of a machine for
assembling smoking articles. The rolling apparatus 4 is adapted to
roll the collation of rods 1, 2 such that the tipping paper patch 3
is wrapped around the rods 1, 2 to form smoking articles. The
rolling apparatus 4 comprises the rolling drum 5 and a roll hand
10. The rolling drum 5 has a plurality of ridges 7 to against which
are received collations of rods 1, 2 with tipping paper patches 3
anchored thereto, as described with reference to FIG. 2. The ridges
7 are regularly distributed on the peripheral surface 6 of the
rolling drum 5. The ridges 7 may be integrally formed with the
rolling drum 5. The trailing face or edge 8 of each ridge 7 is
adapted to receive a collation of rods 1, 2 upstream of the roll
hand 10. The leading face or edge 9 of each ridge 7 is adapted to
receive a collation of wrapped rods 1, 2 downstream of the roll
hand 10.
[0037] The rolling drum 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A and
the roll hand 10 remains stationary to cause the rolling action
previously described with reference to FIG. 2. That is, the roll
hand 10 causes the collation of rods 1, 2 to roll from the trailing
edge 8 and along the peripheral surface 6 and towards the leading
edge 9 of an upstream ridge 7, thereby wrapping the collation of
rods 1, 2 with the tipping paper patch 3.
[0038] The rolling drum 4 has a receiving position, indicated by
line 11. As a ridge 7 passes this receiving position 11, a
collation of rods 1, 2 is transferred to the trailing edge 8 of
that ridge 7 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 5 from an upstream supply drum
(not shown). In other examples, the tobacco rods 1, the filter
component 2 and tipping paper patch 3 may be supplied by different
drums (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the trailing edge 8
of a ridge 7 of the rolling drum 5 receives two tobacco rods 1, the
filter component 2, and a tipping paper patch 3.
[0039] The collation of rods 1, 2 is received in the trailing edge
8 of a ridge 7 in the manner described with reference to FIG. 2,
that is, with the tipping paper patch 3 trailing over the
peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. The rolling drum 5
includes a plurality of rod suction holes 12a, 12b and tipping
paper suction holes 13 through which a suction force may be applied
to hold the collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3
respectively at a desired position on the rolling drum 5, as
described in more detailed with reference to FIG. 4.
[0040] As the rolling drum 5 rotates, the collation of rods 1, 2
and tipping paper patch 3 are carried towards the roll hand 10. The
roll hand 10 comprises a first end 14 that contacts the collation
of rods 1, 2 and pushes the collation of rods 1, 2 away from the
trailing edge 8 as the rolling drum 5 rotates. The roll hand 10
also comprises a rolling surface 15 over which the collation of
rods 1, 2 is rolled. The rolling surface 15 of the roll hand 10 is
parallel to and spaced from the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling
drum 5. In other words, the rolling surface 15 is curved, with a
larger radius than the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5
and centred on the axis of rotation of the rolling drum 5.
[0041] The roll hand 10 is positioned relative to the rolling drum
5 so that, once the collation of rods 1, 2 is pushed away from the
trailing edge 8 and is disposed between the peripheral surface 6 of
the rolling drum 5 and the rolling surface 15 of the roll hand 10,
the collation of rods 1, 2 is securely held between the peripheral
surface 6 and the roll hand 10. This ensures that the tipping paper
patch 3 is sufficiently tightly wrapped around the collation of
rods 1, 2.
[0042] The rolling apparatus 4 also includes a suction system (not
shown) configured to apply suction to the suction holes 12a, 12b,
13 in the rolling drum 5 during rotation of the rolling drum 5. A
suction manifold (not shown) can be used to provide the suction to
the suction holes 12a, 12b during pre-defined portions of the
rotation of the rolling drum 5, and to switch off the suction to
the suction holes 12a, 12b in other pre-defined portions of the
rotation of the rolling drum 5.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the rolling drum 5 comprises a plurality
of first rod suction holes 12a and a plurality of second rod
suction holes 12b for retaining the collation of rods 1, 2. The
first and second rod suction holes 12a, 12b are located
respectively at the trailing face or edge 8 and at the leading face
or edge 9 of the ridges 7. The first rod suction holes 12a are
arranged in rows of suction holes 12a extending in the trailing
edge 8 of each ridge 7. These rows of suction holes 12a are aligned
along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, parallel to
the rotation axis of the rolling drum 5. The second rod suction
holes 12b are arranged in rows of suction holes 12b extending in
the leading edge 9 of each ridge 7. These rows of suction holes 12b
are aligned along the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4,
parallel to the rotation axis of the rolling drum 5.
[0044] Also shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral surface 6 of the
rolling drum 5 has also groups of tipping paper suction holes 13.
The groups of tipping paper suction holes 13 are adapted to retain
the tipping paper patches 3 on the peripheral surface 6 upstream of
the roll hand 10. Each group of tipping paper suction holes 13
comprises a plurality of suction holes 13 arranged in an array on
an upstream side of each trailing edge 8, so that a tipping paper
patch 3 covers the tipping paper suction holes 13 upstream of each
trailing edge 8.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the rolling drum 5 also comprises a
friction-enhancing surface configured to increase the friction
between the rolling drum 5 and the collation of rods 1, 2. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, the friction-enhancing surface is
provided on the peripheral surface 6 between the ridges 7. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, the friction-enhancing surface
comprises a plurality of striae 17 formed on the peripheral surface
6. The plurality of striae 17 are arranged around the circumference
of the rolling drum 5, between two consecutive ridges 7. In the
exemplary embodiment, the plurality of striae 17 extend along an
axis parallel to the rotation axis of the rolling drum 5. However,
it will be appreciated that the invention is not intended to be
limited to this configuration, as explained below. The plurality of
striae 17 are provided on the peripheral surface 6 to increase the
friction between the rolling drum 5 and the collation of rods 1,
2.
[0046] The operation of the rolling apparatus according to an
embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4, as well as the flow-chart of FIG. 6.
[0047] As the rolling drum 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A, a
ridge 7 passes the receiving position 11 and, at step S1, a
collation of rods 1, 2 is transferred to the trailing edge 8 of
that ridge 7 together with a tipping paper patch 3, for example
from an upstream supply drum. As the rolling drum 5 rotates in the
direction of arrow A, the collation of rods 1, 2 is carried in the
trailing edge 8 and the tipping paper patch 3 extends from the
collation of rods 1, 2 on the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling
drum 5. The collation of rods 1, 2 along with the tipping paper
patch 3 is carried in the trailing edge 8 towards the roll hand 10.
The collation of rods 1, 2 is retained by the first rod suction
holes 12a of the trailing edge 8 and the tipping paper patch 3 is
retained by the tipping paper suction holes 13.
[0048] Then, at step S2, the rolling drum 5 rotates until the first
end 14 of the roll hand 10 contacts the collation of rods 1, 2 and
pushes the collation of rods 1, 2 out of contact with the trailing
edge 8. The roll hand 10 rolls the collation of rods 1, 2 between
the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5 and the roll hand 10
such that the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around the collation
of rods 1, 2. As the collation of rods 1, 2 passes over the roll
hand 10, at step S3 the collation 1, 2 is rolled over the
peripheral surface 6 towards the leading edge 9 of the adjacent
upstream ridge 7. At step S4, the wrapped collation of rods 1, 2 is
retained by vacuum provided by the second rod suction holes 12b of
the leading edge 9 downstream of the roll hand 10.
[0049] Rolling drums used in the manufacture of conventional
cigarettes typically comprises a curved outer surface with flutes
in the form of elongate curved recesses in which the collation of
rods and tipping paper patches are received and retained. These
conventional rolling drums may not be suitable for the manufacture
of smoking articles such as heat-not-burn products, in which filter
components may comprise rigid plastic parts. Such rigid parts may
be difficult to move out from conventional flutes, or may break
using conventional manufacturing apparatus which pushes the smoking
article components out of the flutes. Furthermore, such
conventional manufacturing apparatus which pushes the smoking
article components out of the flutes may be dislodged out of
alignment by such rigid parts.
[0050] The rolling drum of embodiments of the invention comprises
projecting ridges provided on the peripheral surface of the rolling
drum against which the collation of rods 1, 2 are retained, instead
of only having recessed flutes to retain the collation of rods 1, 2
as in conventional rolling drums. That is, the ridges 7 are spaced
from each other and the collation of rods 1, 2 are rolled between
the ridges 7. The suction holes 12a, 12b on both the trailing and
leading faces or edges 8, 9 of the ridges help ensure correct
alignment and positioning of these components on the rolling drum
5.
[0051] It will be appreciated that the distance of the surface 6 of
the rolling drum 5 between the ridges 7 is greater than the width
of the ridges 7 in a rotational direction A of the rolling drum 5.
This provides greater rolling surface on the rolling drum 5 to
accommodate collations of rods 1, 2 to be rolled.
[0052] It will be appreciated that substantially the entire
distance of the surface 6 of the rolling drum 5 between the ridges
7 is formed as a curve with a centre point corresponding to the
axis of rotation of the rolling drum 5.
[0053] The length of the rolling surface 15 of the roll hand 10 in
a rotational direction A of the rolling drum 5 may be a whole
number of multiples of the length of the distance of the surface 6
of the rolling drum 5 between the ridges 7. Although not as shown
in FIG. 3, the length of the rolling surface 15 of the roll hand 10
in a rotational direction A of the rolling drum 5 may be the same
as the length of the distance of the surface 6 of the rolling drum
5 between the ridges 7.
[0054] It will be appreciated that the suction holes 12a are
provided at the trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7, that is, the
suction holes 12a may be provided, on, adjacent to or proximate the
trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7. Within the scope of the invention
therefore, it is intended that the suction holes 12a may be
provided on the trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7, or where the
trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7 meet the curved peripheral surface
6 of the rolling drum 5. Yet further, the suction holes 12a may be
provided on the curved peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5
where the trailing faces 8 meet the curved peripheral surface 6 of
the rolling drum 5--that is, at or proximate to the point where the
trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7 meet the curved peripheral surface
6 of the rolling drum 5. Yet further, the suction holes 12a may
extend from the curved peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5
to the trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7. In some embodiments, the
curved peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5 may meet the
trailing faces of the ridges 7 as defined angled junctions, or
alternatively may transition smoothly in a curved manner. In the
latter embodiment, the suction holes 12a may be provided on the
curved transition between peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum
5 and the trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7. Also in such
embodiments, the suction holes 12a may extend from the curved
transition region to the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5
and/or to the trailing faces 8 of the ridges 7. All such variations
are intended to comprise embodiments within the scope of the
invention, in which the suction holes 12a are provided at the
trailing edge or face 8 of the ridges 7. Similarly, such various
configurations of suction holes 12b with respect to the leading
faces or edges 9 of the ridges 7 are intended to fall within the
scope of the invention.
[0055] In some embodiments, an elongate depression may be formed in
the curved peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 5 where the
curved surface 6 meets the trailing and/or leading faces 8, 9 of
the ridges 7. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, illustrating
such elongate depressions 16. Such elongate depressions may assist
the collation of rods 1, 2 in locating against the respective
trailing and/or leading faces 8, 9 of the ridges 7. The suction
holes 12a, 12b may be provided in such elongate depressions 16.
[0056] It is intended within the scope of the invention that the
friction-enhancing surface of the rolling drum 5 that increases
friction between the rolling drum 5 and the collation of rods 1, 2
is not limited to the plurality of striae 17 of the exemplary
embodiment. Other configurations of surface formations or treatment
are envisaged which may be formed in or on the surface 6 of the
rolling drum 5. Also, friction-enhancing surface may be applied to
the surface 6 of the rolling drum 5, for example a film adhered to
surface 6, or a coating sprayed onto the surface 6. Such film or
coating may include grit, diamond or other hard particulates to
increase friction.
[0057] As used herein, the term "upstream" will be understood to
mean in opposite direction to the rotation of the rolling drum. In
particular, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rolling drum 5 rotates
in the direction of arrow A and the term "upstream" will be
understood to mean in a direction opposite to arrow A. Similarly,
the term "downstream" will be understood to mean in direction of
rotation of the rolling drum 5. In particular, referring to FIGS. 2
and 3, the rolling drum 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A and
the term "downstream" will be understood to mean in the direction
of arrow A.
[0058] As used herein, the term "tobacco industry product" is
intended to include smoking articles comprising combustible smoking
articles such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes
or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco
derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco
substitutes or other smokable material), electronic smoking
articles such as e-cigarettes, heating devices that release
compounds from substrate materials without burning such as tobacco
heating products, hybrid systems to generate aerosol from a
combination of substrate materials, for example hybrid systems
containing a liquid or gel or solid substrate; and aerosol-free
nicotine delivery articles such as lozenges, gums, patches,
articles comprising breathable powders and smokeless tobacco
products such as snus and snuff.
[0059] In some embodiments, the tobacco industry product is a
non-combustible smoking article. In some embodiment the tobacco
industry product is a heating device which releases compounds by
heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The material may be
for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may
not contain nicotine. In some embodiments the heating device is a
tobacco heating device.
[0060] In other embodiments the tobacco industry product is a
hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a
combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may
comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not
contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises
a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid
substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products,
which may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments the
hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.
[0061] The present invention is intended to encompass an apparatus
and method for the manufacture of any tobacco industry product.
[0062] As used herein, the term "tipping paper" includes and
material suitable for attaching the filter components to a rod of
smokeable material and therefore includes any suitable type of
paper, metallic foil, or other sheet material.
[0063] The drawings accompanying the various embodiments of the
invention described herein are not necessarily illustrated to scale
and the dimensions of certain features may be exaggerated for ease
and clarity of illustration.
[0064] 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 apparatus 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.
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