MÁQUINA E MÉTODO DE PRODUÇÃO DE PRODUTOS DE FUMO

Abstract

A machine (10) for producing smoking products (100) comprises: - a first feed unit (11) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements (102); - a coupling unit (13) configured to couple one of said tubular elements (102) to a respective protective sheet (103); - a second feed unit (14) for feeding a smokable product sheet (101); - a forming unit (15) for forming said smoking products (100) configured to receive the smokable product sheet from the second feed unit and the tubular element coupled to a respective protective sheet from the coupling unit to form a rolled smoking product.

Description

1 / 34 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SMOKE PRODUCTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a machine and a method for producing products, in particular tubular-shaped products, intended for forming smoking articles.

[002] The machine of the present invention can be part of, for example, a packaging factory, in which a machine is provided for packaging the products downstream of the machine of the present invention.

[003] The present invention also relates to various operating units included in the machine. In particular, the invention relates to a unit for punching a packaging sheet, a coupling unit capable of forming a semi-finished product comprising the packaging sheet and is a precursor of the products to be produced, and a unit for feeding a sheet of smokeable product of vegetable origin. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[004] As is known, there are automated machines for packaging tubular products, in particular smoking articles or straws, in which there is a need to produce and package hundreds or thousands of products per minute in hermetically sealed packaging. Some examples of machines for the automatic creation of such products, or of sub-parts thereof intended to be incorporated into these products, are described in Patent Applications No. WO 2020 / 194232 and No. DE 102015001618 A1.

[005] With the growing success of smoking products other than traditional cigarettes, there is a need to also automate the production of these types of products, which are currently produced mainly manually or by artisans.

[006] Some examples of methods for the manual or artisanal production of some products of this type are described in US Patent Applications No. US 2016 / 366930 A1 and No. US 2005 / 072439 A1.

[007] An example of this type of product are assembled smoking articles Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 6 / 168 2 / 34 directly from the smoker, who separately buys the filters, the shredded tobacco, and the papers to be rolled around the tobacco and the filter, to assemble everything and obtain the smoking product.

[008] Another type of product, similar to the previous one, which enjoys considerable commercial success in some countries, involves replacing the paper with leaves of a natural plant product, such as tobacco leaves, for example. Compared to wrapping paper, tobacco leaves give the product a much stronger aroma and therefore significantly improve the smoker's sensory experience.

[009] These sheets are significantly thicker than paper. In addition, the inherent properties of the material make these sheets very delicate to handle, as they are very fragile and can therefore crack or break easily.

[010] For these products, therefore, it is not possible to supply the user with unrolled tobacco leaves, as in the case of rolling papers, but they must already be rolled because, due to their thickness and mechanical characteristics, the smoker would not be able to roll the tobacco leaves in such a way as to give them a stable and permanent cylindrical shape. Furthermore, if this operation were left to the user, there would be breaks and cracks in the tobacco leaf.

[011] However, due to the friability of tobacco leaves, they are made available to users packaged inside a flexible package, which usually contains a plurality of leaves rolled into respective cylindrical tubes and each protected by its respective wrapping paper.

[012] The solutions known in the state of the art provide that the arrangement of the rolled tobacco leaves around the straws and the wrapping of the wrapping paper around them occurs exclusively through manual operations, which are lengthy and laborious and require considerable attention and care on the part of the operator. In addition, these manual operations are also subject to a considerable rate of waste of tobacco leaves, which Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 7 / 168 3 / 34 further reduces productivity and increases production costs.

[013] Therefore, there is a need to provide a machine and to improve a corresponding method, to produce products, particularly tubular ones, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[014] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a machine and improve a corresponding method for the automated production of tobacco products, comprising a sheet of plant-derived material, in particular tobacco.

[015] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a machine and improve a corresponding method, capable of rolling the tobacco leaf, which is initially in a flat configuration, without damaging or breaking the leaf itself, so as to give it the shape of a hollow cylinder, such as the shape of a so-called cigarillo.

[016] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a machine and improve a corresponding method for producing tobacco products with high productivity, of several hundred products per minute.

[017] The objective of the present invention is to provide a machine and improve a corresponding method, capable of reliably and accurately attaching an inner straw for structural support and an outer protective packaging sheet to the tobacco leaf.

[018] The applicant conceived, tested and materialized the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[019] The present invention is set out and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the present invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

[020] In accordance with the above purposes, the invention relates to a machine for producing tobacco products.

[021] According to one aspect of the present invention, this machine Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 8 / 168 4 / 34 includes:

[022] - a first power supply unit configured to supply a plurality of tubular elements;

[023] - a coupling unit configured to receive the plurality of tubular elements from the first feed unit and couple each of the tubular elements to a respective protective sheet;

[024] - a second feeding unit configured to feed a sheet of smokable product, and

[025] - a forming unit configured to receive the tobacco product sheet from the second feeding unit and the tubular element coupled to a respective protective sheet from the coupling unit, and to form a rolled tobacco product by rolling the smokable product sheet and the protective sheet around the tubular element.

[026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first feeding unit is positioned upstream of the coupling unit, and the coupling unit and the second feeding unit are positioned upstream of the forming unit to provide the latter, respectively, with a semi-finished product, formed by the association between a protective sheet and a tubular element, and the smokeable product sheet.

[027] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first feeding unit, the coupling unit, the second feeding unit and the forming unit are configured to interact with each other without interruption of continuity, in order to guarantee the correct coordinated advance of the smokeable product sheet, the tubular element and the protective sheet.

[028] According to one aspect of the present invention, the forming unit comprises a transport member that moves the smokeable product sheet, the protective sheet and the tubular element along a forming path, and a forming member comprising a fixed rolling surface configured and disposed at a distance from the transport member so as to cause the tubular element to roll on the surface of Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 9 / 168 5 / 34 bearing and a simultaneous winding of the protective sheet and the smokable product sheet, so as to induce them to roll into a tube molded around the tubular element.

[029] According to one aspect of the present invention, the coupling unit, the second feeding unit and the forming unit comprise suction means configured to hold by suction the smokeable product sheet, the tubular element and the protective sheet.

[030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the machine further comprises a first and a second cutting device, each equipped with a respective cutting blade, respectively configured to shear the protective sheet and the smokeable product sheet from the respective continuous strips.

[031] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first cutting device is placed on the coupling unit and the second cutting device is placed on the second feeding unit.

[032] According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second cutting devices comprises a movable member having one or more cutting blades and rotating around a respective geometric axis of rotation, and cooperating with a fixed member having a counter blade, such that the interaction of the latter with one of the blades allows cutting to shape, respectively, the protective sheet and the smokeable product sheet.

[033] According to one aspect of the present invention, the coupling unit comprises a fastening device configured to fasten, preferably by heat sealing, the protective sheet to the tubular element that forms the semi-finished product.

[034] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second feeding unit comprises a plurality of support and transfer members and is configured to rotate around a geometric axis of rotation thereof, each of the support and transfer members being provided with a transfer element configured to grip the sheet of Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 10 / 168 6 / 34 smokable product and to rotate around another geometric axis of rotation of the same, oriented transversely in relation to the geometric axis of rotation of the second feeding unit.

[035] According to one aspect of the present invention, the transport member is drum-shaped and is configured to rotate around a geometric axis of rotation so that the forming path is a closed circular path. The forming member further comprises a sealing element configured to fix, preferably by heat sealing, the protective sheet so as to maintain a cylindrical shape of the smoke product.

[036] According to one aspect of the present invention, the transfer element comprises gripping members configured as suction means, for example, suction cups, to hold the smokeable product sheet by suction.

[037] According to one aspect of the present invention, the coupling unit is configured to rotate around a geometric axis of rotation and comprises suction means configured to hold by suction the tubular element and the protective sheet.

[038] According to one aspect of the present invention, the machine further comprises a unit for punching the protective sheet, placed upstream of the coupling unit, in order to create one or more lines of a plurality of through holes in the protective sheet.

[039] According to one aspect of the present invention, the drilling unit comprises a plurality of pointed ends that are configured to pierce the protective sheet to make through holes, and heating means for heating the pointed ends.

[040] According to one aspect of the present invention, the drilling unit comprises one or more drilling wheels having pointed ends and an adjustment system for adjusting the position of the drilling wheels relative to the protective sheet, so as to modify the distance between a geometric axis of rotation of one or more wheels. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 11 / 168 7 / 34 perforation and a support surface of a support member over which the protective sheet slides, in order to vary the depth of penetration of the pointed ends into the protective sheet.

[041] According to another aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises a transfer unit configured to transfer the smoke products from the forming unit to a conveyor line equipped with a plurality of supports, each configured to receive a respective smoke product.

[042] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for the production of tobacco products is provided, comprising the following steps: - To feed a plurality of tubular elements by means of a first feeding unit; - to attach each of the tubular elements to a respective protective sheet by means of a coupling unit; - feeding a sheet of smokable product via a second feeding unit to a forming and transferring unit of the tubular elements coupled to the respective protective sheet from the coupling unit to the forming unit and subsequently, - Roll the smokable product foil and the protective foil around the tubular element to form a rolled tobacco product in one forming step.

[043] According to one aspect of the present invention, prior to the coupling step, the method comprises a step of perforating the protective sheet by means of a perforating unit that creates one or more lines of a plurality of through holes in the protective sheet.

[044] According to one aspect of the present invention, the feeding step of the smokable product sheet comprises placing the smokable product sheet, arranged in a flat configuration, onto the protective sheet coupled to a respective tubular element. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 12 / 168 8 / 34

[045] According to one aspect of the present invention, prior to the rolling stage, the forming unit holds the sheet of smokable product by sucking it through a plurality of through holes, which allow the suction air to act on the sheet of smokable product.

[046] According to one aspect of the present invention, the smokeable product sheet is positioned above the protective sheet so that the outermost layer of the rolled smoking product is formed by the protective layer.

[047] According to one aspect of the present invention, the coupling step is performed by fixing, preferably by heat sealing, one end side of the protective sheet along the tubular element.

[048] According to one aspect of the present invention, the forming step comprises winding the tubular element, held by the forming unit, onto a winding surface to roll the protective foil and the smokeable product foil into a tube molded around the tubular element.

[049] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for perforating the protective sheet, comprising a perforation step for creating one or more perforated lines in the protective sheet, each comprising a plurality of through holes, by means of one or more perforating wheels having a plurality of pointed ends configured to perforate the protective sheet, further provided a heating step for the pointed ends by means of heating means, and an adjustment step for adjusting the position of the pointed ends relative to the protective sheet so as to modify a distance between a geometric axis of rotation of the perforating wheels and a support surface of a support element on which the protective sheet slides, in order to vary the depth of penetration of the pointed ends into the protective sheet,where it is expected that this distance will decrease as the angular velocity of the drilling wheels increases, and that this distance will increase as the speed, Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 13 / 168 9 / 34 angle of the drilling wheels decreases.

[050] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for coupling one of the tubular elements to a portion of the protective sheet cut to size, wherein the method comprises a step of cutting the protective sheet to size by means of a first cutting device, a step of associating the tubular element with the portion of the protective sheet cut to size, wherein the tubular element is placed close to one side of the protective sheet, a step of retaining, by suction, both the tubular element and the portion of the protective sheet cut to size, a step of joining, by means of a fastening device equipped with heat-sealing members, the tubular element with the portion of the protective sheet cut to size to fix, preferably by heat sealing, the tubular element and the portion cut to size.

[051] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for feeding a sheet of smokable product through a feeding unit, wherein the method comprises a step of cutting the sheet of smokable product to the appropriate size by means of a second cutting device, a step of collecting a portion of the cut sheet of smokable product to the appropriate size by means of gripping members of a transfer element, a step of transferring the portion in which it is provided to modify the orientation of the portion, for example, by means of a rotational movement around a geometric axis of rotation around which the transfer element rotates;wherein, during the retrieval stage, the relative speed between the feeding unit and the second cutting device is designed to be modified after at least one member included in the gripping members has come into contact with a first end of the portion and before at least another member included in the gripping members has come into contact with a second end, opposite to the first end.

[052] The machine, units and methods according to the present invention Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 14 / 168 10 / 34 advantageously allows for the efficient and reliable production of tubular products composed of a sheet of smokable product, a tubular element, and a protective sheet.

[053] The machine and method for producing tubular products according to the present invention advantageously allow achieving high productivity, even of several hundred tubular products per minute, for example, up to 800 tubular products per minute, or even more.

[054] The machine, units and methods for producing tubular products according to the present invention advantageously allow for the automatic management of the movement of the smokeable product sheet, the tubular element and the protective sheet, so as to join them in a firm and stable manner. This is possible firstly thanks to the association between the tubular element and the protective sheet to obtain a semi-finished product and, subsequently, thanks to the winding step, during which the three components are wound one over the other and, at the end of which, the process to stabilize the wound shape of the product is carried out.

[055] The machine, units and methods for producing tubular products according to the present invention advantageously allow moving and performing some processing steps on a sheet of smokable product comprised in tubular products, such as a tobacco leaf, without damaging that leaf, which is by its nature brittle and easily broken.

[056] The machine for the production of tubular products according to the present invention is advantageously compact and allows optimizing the arrangement of the operating units to carry out the processing steps necessary to produce such products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[057] These and other features of the present invention will be evident from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-exclusive example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 15 / 168 11 / 34 Figure 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view of a product that can be obtained with the machine and method according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of a semi-finished product that is the precursor to the product in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view showing the product of Figure 1 at an intermediate processing stage; Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of a product that can be obtained with the machine and method of the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial and schematic front view of a machine for producing tobacco products, according to the present invention; Figures 6-8 and 10 are schematic front views, enlarged to scale, of various processing units included in the machine shown in Figure 5; Figure 6a is an enlarged detail of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a partial, schematic, three-dimensional view of a rotating member comprised within the operational unit shown in Figure 8.

[058] It should be clarified that, in the present description, the phraseology and terminology used, such as, for example, the terms horizontal, vertical, lower, upper, high and low, with their declensions, have the sole purpose of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and should not be used in any way to limit the scope of the invention itself or the field of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the term horizontal means a geometric axis or a plane, which may be parallel to the horizon line or inclined, even by a few degrees, for example up to 20°, in relation to it.

[059] Furthermore, persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain sizes or features in the drawings may have been enlarged, distorted, or shown in an unconventional or non-proportional manner in order to provide a version of the present invention that is easier to understand. When any sizes and / or values ​​are specified in the following description, such sizes and / or values ​​are provided only for Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 16 / 168 12 / 34 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such sizes and / or values ​​are present in the appended claims.

[060] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, whenever possible, to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and characteristics of one modality may be conveniently combined or incorporated into other modalities without the need for further explanation. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[061] With reference to Figure 5, a machine 10 according to the present invention is configured to produce tobacco products 100, hereinafter also simply called products 100 for short.

[062] For a better understanding of the machine 10 described below, an example of a smoke product 100 suitable to be produced by such a machine will first be described, with particular reference to Figures 1-4.

[063] Product 100 comprises a sheet of a smokable product, in particular a tobacco leaf 101, a tubular element, in particular a straw 102 which has a structural support function, and a protective sheet 103.

[064] By way of example only, and to better frame one of the fields of application of the present invention, each product 100 may have an outer diameter between about 2 mm and about 20 mm, preferably between about 4 mm and about 10 mm, and a length between about 80 mm and about 200 mm.

[065] As will become clear from the following description, tobacco leaf 101 is unrolled from a roll of this material, from which the leaf is cut to the appropriate size, and initially has a flat or extended configuration, with a rectangular shape.

[066] In some embodiments provided herein, the tobacco leaf 101 may comprise one or more overlapping and glued laminar layers of tobacco Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 17 / 168 13 / 34 to each other.

[067] In some embodiments given herein, the tobacco leaf 101 may possibly comprise a layer of an aromatic substance, of synthetic or natural origin, for example, derived from a liquid in which the tobacco leaf is soaked while passing through a container of that liquid. By way of non-limiting example, this substance may be given a fruity flavour, such as blueberry or cherry, for example.

[068] The protective sheet 103 is also unwound from a coil, from which it is cut to the desired size, and initially has a rectangular shape and a flat or extended configuration. Preferably, the extension area of ​​the protective sheet 103 is slightly larger than that of the tobacco sheet 101.

[069] The protective sheet 103 comprises a pair of short sides 104 and 105, parallel and opposite to each other, and a pair of long sides 106 and 107, also parallel and opposite to each other. The short sides and the long sides alternate, contiguous one after the other, to form the perimeter of the rectangle.

[070] The protective sheet 103 comprises a plurality of through holes 108. In the example given here, by way of a non-limiting example, the through holes 108 are distributed in the protective sheet 103 so as to form two perforated lines 109. The two lines 109 are parallel to each other and to the pair of long sides 106 and 107.

[071] In other embodiments, not shown, the position and orientation of lines 109 in relation to sides 104, 105, 106 and 107 may be different from those shown in the drawings, and may be inclined, for example, in relation to one or more sides by a predefined angle.

[072] In other embodiments, not shown, a single perforated line 109 may be provided, or a number of lines 109 greater than or equal to three.

[073] In the example given here, each line 109 comprises three rows of through holes 108, but it is quite clear that in other embodiments a different number of rows of through holes 108 may be provided, or the holes may be arranged according to a different pattern, which is not Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 18 / 168 14 / 34 lined up in a row, one after the other.

[074] The protective sheet 103 can be made of a suitable polymeric material, for example, polypropylene (PP).

[075] Straws 102, with a cylindrical shape, can be made from a suitable plastic material, for example, polypropylene, or from a cellulose-based material, such as paper or cardboard.

[076] The machine 10 and the method according to the present invention make it possible to obtain the product 100 from a semi-finished product 110 (Figure 2), formed by joining the straw 102 and the protective sheet 103.

[077] To this end, product 100 comprises a fastening line 111 extending along one end side of the protective sheet 103 to keep it stable in conjunction with the straw 102 before subsequent processing steps. In particular, the fastening line 111 extends in correspondence with its short side 104, which has been partially wrapped around the straw 102.

[078] In other embodiments, the fixing line 111 may be replaced by a plurality of fixing points distributed along the short side 104.

[079] The processing steps involve rolling the semi-finished product 110 as indicated by arrows F after the tobacco leaf 101 has been placed on the protective sheet 103 (Figure 3).

[080] At the end of the rolling stage, there is a rolled product (Figure 4) with the straw 102 inside, in which the tobacco leaf 101 and the protective leaf 103 are rolled together, with the former placed on the inside and the latter placed on the outside.

[081] In the example given here, product 100 comprises a pair of joining points 112 which allow the protective sheet 103 to be kept fully and correctly rolled up, so as to stabilize the final shape of product 100.

[082] Note that, at the end of the winding step, the short side 105 of the protective sheet 103 remains exposed to be easily grasped by the user. During use, the user grasps the short side 105 and unwinds the protective sheet. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 19 / 168 15 / 34 103, in order to be able to pick up the rolled tobacco leaf 101 to assemble the smoking product and, at the same time, discard both the straw 102 and the protective sheet 103.

[083] It is understood that, in other embodiments, machine 10 may transfer tubular products 100 different from those described above, such as, for example, other types of smoking articles, electronic cigarette cartridges or similar.

[084] In the embodiment disclosed herein, the machine 10 (Figure 5) comprises the following processing units, each of which is configured to automatically perform a corresponding processing step, as will be described in detail below: a first feeding unit 11 configured to feed the straws 102, a perforation unit 12 to perforate the protective sheet 103, a coupling unit 13 capable of forming the semi-finished product 110, a second feeding unit 14 to feed the tobacco leaf 101, a forming unit 15 to form the products 100 and a transfer unit 16 to transfer the products 100.

[085] All six processing units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are mounted on a support structure 18, which is configured to be supported on a horizontal plane, for example, consisting of a floor, through its own resting feet 19.

[086] All six processing units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are controlled by a central control unit, not shown, which controls and commands the operation of the drive members, such as, for example, motors, geared motors or servomotors, particularly of the brushless or stepper type, in a coordinated manner, in order to set in motion the various moving members comprised in the processing units, according to laws of motion suitable to allow the correct interaction between bodies that cooperate reciprocally. FIRST FOOD UNIT 11 OF THE STRAWS 102

[087] The first feeding unit 11 of the straws 102 comprises a Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 20 / 168 16 / 34 storage container 20 configured to hold a plurality of straws 102, arranged in bulk. The storage container 20 may include an opening, for example, arranged upwards, to allow an operator to replenish the storage container 20 with the straws 102. In other embodiments, not shown, the feeding unit 11 may comprise one or more conveyor belts, or similar conveying systems, that convey the straws 102 to the storage container 20.

[088] The first power unit 11 comprises a first cylindrical member 21, rotating about a first geometric axis of rotation X1 in a first direction of rotation R1, which in the example given here is counterclockwise.

[089] The peripheral surface of the first cylindrical member 21 is provided with a plurality of semi-cylindrical supports 22, open outwards, whose longitudinal extension is arranged parallel to the first geometric axis of rotation X1.

[090] The semi-cylindrical supports 22 are uniformly and angularly spaced apart from each other by a certain first step P1, and have a transverse size slightly larger than the outer diameter of each straw 102. The semi-cylindrical supports 22 are configured to temporarily and individually accommodate the straws 102 coming from the storage container 20, while the first cylindrical member 21 rotates.

[091] The first feeding unit 11 comprises a first guide member 23, attached to the support structure 18 and arranged partially around the first cylindrical member 21, with a circular development of about 100°, with the function of preventing the straws 102 temporarily positioned in the semi-cylindrical supports 22 from coming out of the latter.

[092] The first feeding unit 11 further comprises a second cylindrical member 24, located immediately downstream of the first cylindrical member 21 with reference to the path of advance of the straws 102.

[093] The second cylindrical member 24 is rotatable about a second axis. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 21 / 168 17 / 34 geometric rotation X2 in a second rotation direction R2, in this case clockwise, opposite to that of the first cylindrical member 21.

[094] The peripheral surface of the second cylindrical member 24, which is substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of the first cylindrical member 21, is shaped so as to define a plurality of supports 25, which are parallel to the second geometric axis of rotation X2 and angularly distant from each other by a given second pitch P2, which is greater than the first pitch P1. Each support 25 is configured to temporarily accommodate a straw 102 coming from the first cylindrical member 21, while the second cylindrical member 24 rotates.

[095] The second cylindrical member 24 has the function of increasing the angular distance between the straws 102, so that they can be processed more easily in the other processing units placed downstream with reference to the path of advancement of the straws, that is, in the coupling unit 13 and in the forming unit 15, in which the distance between the straws 102, in the angular direction, remains the same (second step P2).

[096] The greatest angular distance between the straws 102 is obtained by commanding the second cylindrical member 24 so that it rotates at a second peripheral speed V2 greater than the first peripheral speed V1 of the first cylindrical member 21, in the ratio V2:V1 = P2:P1.

[097] The first feeding unit 11 comprises a second guide member 26, attached to the support structure 18 and arranged partially around the second cylindrical member 24, with a circular development of approximately 180°, with the function of preventing the straws 102 temporarily positioned in the cavities 25 from coming out of the latter.

[098] The first and second guide members 23, 26 are arranged at an angle around the first and second cylindrical members 21, 24 so as to allow the straws 102 to pass between them, and also to allow both the arrival of the straws 102 from the storage container 20 to the first cylindrical member 21, and also the exit of the straws 102 from the second Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 22 / 168 18 / 34 cylindrical member 24 towards the member placed downstream of it. DRILLING UNIT 12 OF THE PROTECTION SHEET 103

[099] The punching unit 12, best seen in Figure 6, is configured to create the through holes 108 in the protective sheet 103, which is unwound from a coil A. In the path between the coil A and the punching unit 12, as well as in the path between the latter and the subsequent processing unit positioned downstream, with reference to the path of the protective sheet 103, a plurality of tensioning rollers 17, of known type, are provided, configured to keep the protective sheet 103 extended with the appropriate tension during its advance.

[100] The drilling unit 12 comprises a plurality of pointed ends 31. The shape and size of the pointed ends 31 are correlated with the shape and size of the through holes 108 to be made.

[101] The drilling unit 12 comprises one or more drilling wheels 30 fitted with pointed ends 31, which are distributed in particular along the outer circular edge of the wheels, in accordance with a distribution with a uniform angular pitch.

[102] In the example shown, three drilling wheels 30 are provided, all coaxial with respect to the same geometric axis and rotating around the same geometric axis of rotation, which, in the context of the machine 10, is indicated as the third geometric axis of rotation X3. In this example, where the protective sheet 103 advances in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 (from left to right), the drilling wheels 30 rotate around the third geometric axis of rotation X3 in the first direction of rotation R1, that is, in the counterclockwise direction.

[103] The drilling wheels 30 are offset angularly relative to each other, with respect to the third geometric axis of rotation X3, so that the pointed ends 31 of one wheel are slightly offset in an angular direction relative to the pointed ends 31 of the others. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 23 / 168 19 / 34 wheels.

[104] The three drilling wheels 30 can be driven by the same motor, for example, an electric motor, or each of them can have its own independent drive.

[105] The drilling unit 12 comprises heating means 32, schematized in Figure 6 with a dashed rectangle, and comprising heating members of a type known in the art, such as electrical resistors, for example.

[106] The drilling unit 12 further comprises a backup member 33 having a backup surface 34 over which the protective sheet 103 slides while the pointed ends 31 create the through holes 108. The backup surface 34 comprises one or more elongated grooves or slots (not shown), specifically one for each drilling wheel, to allow the passage of the pointed ends 31 without interfering with the backup member 33.

[107] The drilling unit 12 comprises an adjustment system 35 for adjusting the position of the drilling wheels 30 relative to the protective sheet 103. In particular, the adjustment system 35, which may comprise a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic system, or a combination thereof, is a system known in the art that allows modifying the distance D between the third geometric axis of rotation X3 and the support surface 34. By doing so, it is possible to vary the depth of penetration of the pointed ends 31 into the protective sheet 103.

[108] The drilling method driven by the drilling unit 12 to create the through holes 108 comprises the following steps:

[109] - heating the drilling wheels 30 by means of heating means 32;

[110] - rotate the drilling wheels 30 around the third geometric axis of rotation X3 with a desired angular velocity correlated to the feed rate of the protective sheet 103; Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 24 / 168 20 / 34

[111] - slide the protective sheet 103 over the backrest surface 34, so that during the rotation of the drilling wheels 30 the pointed ends 31 penetrate through the protective sheet 103 to create the through holes 108.

[112] Given the intrinsic nature of the plastic material, for example polypropylene, from which the protective sheet 103 is made, it was found that it is necessary to control the time and depth of penetration of the pointed ends 31 to create through holes 108 that are stable over time and prevent them from closing immediately after the perforation step.

[113] For this purpose, it is foreseen that a control unit commands, in a coordinated manner, the adjustment system 35 and the motor that rotates the drilling wheels 30. In particular, the control unit commands the adjustment system 35 to decrease the distance D (i.e., to lower the position of the third geometric axis of rotation X3) as the angular velocity of the drilling wheels 30 increases. Conversely, the control unit commands the adjustment system 35 to increase the distance D (i.e., to raise the position of the third geometric axis of rotation X3) as the angular velocity of the drilling wheels 30 decreases.

[114] If drilling unit 12 is integrated into machine 10, the control unit may be the one that controls the machine as a whole, mentioned above. COUPLING UNIT 13 FOR ATTACHING STRAWS 102 TO PROTECTIVE SHEET 103

[115] The coupling unit 13, best seen in Figure 7, is configured to stably couple the straws 102 coming from the second cylindrical member 24 to the protective sheets 103 coming from the drilling unit 12.

[116] The coupling unit 13 allows both cutting the protective sheets 103 for formatting, and also associating each of these sheets, after Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 25 / 168 21 / 34 separated from the continuous unwound strip of coil A, with a corresponding straw 102.

[117] The coupling unit 13 comprises a first cutting device 40, which comprises a movable member 41 and a fixed member 42 that cooperate with each other.

[118] The first cutting device 40 comprises a body 43 in which a support 44 is made on which the movable member 41 is mounted. In the example given here, the movable member 41 has the form of a cylindrical roller rotating around a fourth geometric axis of rotation X4.

[119] The fixed member 42 is attached to the body 43 in a position adjacent to the support 44, so that it faces the movable member 41.

[120] The movable member 41 comprises one or more cutting blades 45 and one or more means for holding the protective sheet 103 against the movable member 41.

[121] In general, a number of cutting blades 45 is provided corresponding to the number of holding means, so that each of these means can hold the sheet after it has been cut to the correct size by the respective blade.

[122] In the example shown, three 45 cutting blades are provided, arranged at an angle offset of 120° from each other and placed on the peripheral edge of the roll.

[123] The retention means are configured as a suction system composed of three groups of suction channels 46. Each group of suction channels 46 comprises three channels that flow to the lateral surface of the roll on which the protective sheet 103 adheres. All three channels are connected to a single feed manifold 47, which in turn is connected to an air source (not shown) at a pressure below atmospheric pressure.

[124] The first cutting device 40 also comprises a counter blade 48, positioned on the fixed member 42. During the rotation of the movable member 41 around the fourth geometric axis of rotation X4, when a cutting blade 45 passes in front of the counter blade 48, the cooperation between these blades 45, 48 Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 26 / 168 22 / 34 determines the cut to format the protective sheet 103 that runs through a hollow space for passage between the blades.

[125] The coupling unit 13 comprises a third cylindrical member 49, which rotates around a fifth geometric axis of rotation X5 in a direction which, in the example shown here, corresponds to the first direction of rotation R1.

[126] The third cylindrical member 49 comprises a plurality of housings 50, nine in the example shown, made on the peripheral surface of the third cylindrical member 49. Each of these housings 50 has sizes correlated to those of the straws 102, which are configured to receive a respective straw.

[127] The third cylindrical member 49 comprises a plurality of first suction ducts 51, each connected to a source of pressurized air, below atmospheric pressure, to hold the straw 102 within its respective housing 50. For this purpose, each of the first suction ducts 51 flows into a respective housing 50. In the example shown, nine first suction ducts 51 are provided, but in general their number is equal to that of the housings 50.

[128] The third cylindrical member 49 further comprises a plurality of second suction ducts 52 and a plurality of third suction ducts 53, all also connected to a pressurized air source, below atmospheric pressure. The arrangement of the second suction ducts 52 and the third suction ducts 53 is such that they flow in the vicinity of the pair of short sides 104, 105 of the protective sheet 103. For example, the second suction ducts 52 may flow to the peripheral surface of the third cylindrical member 49 in the position where the short side 104 is located, and the third suction ducts 53 may flow to the peripheral surface of the third cylindrical member 49 in the position where the short side 105 is located, or vice versa.

[129] The coupling unit 13 further comprises a fastening device 54, which may consist of heat-sealed members. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 27 / 168 23 / 34 suitable, schematized with dashed rectangles in Figure 7, which heat the semi-finished product 110 to a temperature sufficient to ensure a localized fusion of the plastic materials with which both the straws 102 and the protective sheet 103 are made, in order to create the fastening line 111 and thus ensure a firm bond between them that is also stable over time.

[130] The operation of coupling unit 13 is as follows.

[131] The second cylindrical member 24 delivers a straw 102 into a housing 50 of the third cylindrical member 49 corresponding to a receiving position PR. Rotation of the third cylindrical member 49 around the fifth geometric axis of rotation X5 brings the housing 50, within which the straw 102 is present, into a coupling position PA. A protective sheet 103 also arrives here, having been cut into shape by the first cutting device 40, in the manner described above. The relative rotation between the movable member 41 of the first cutting device 40 and the third cylindrical member 49 arranges the protective sheet 103 so that the short side 104 is positioned above the straw 102.The rotation of the third cylindrical member 49 around the fifth geometric axis of rotation X5 then causes the straw 102 and the corresponding protective sheet 103 superimposed on it to reach a sealing position PS, in which the semi-finished product 110 is formed thanks to the action of the clamping device 54 which creates the clamping line 111 to join the straw 102 to the protective sheet 103 by heat sealing.

[132] It should be clarified that the suction ducts 51, 52 and 53 are actuated at least between the receiving position PR and the sealing position PS, in order to keep both the straw 102 and the protective sheet 103 in their respective positions to ensure that the sheet remains well extended against the peripheral surface of the third cylindrical member 49.

[133] Between the receiving position PR and the coupling position PA, a guide member can be expected to face the third cylindrical member 49 Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 28 / 168 24 / 34 with the function of preventing unwanted straw escape. In the example shown, this guide member is the same second guide member 26 described above in the context of the feed unit 11, suitably shaped to also extend close to the third cylindrical member 49. SECOND FEEDING UNIT 14 OF THE TOBACCO LEAF 101

[134] The second feeding unit 14, best seen in Figures 8 and 9, is configured to feed the tobacco leaves 101.

[135] In particular, unit 14 allows both cutting the tobacco leaves 101 to size and transferring each of these leaves, after being properly oriented, to another processing unit placed downstream, with reference to the tobacco's forward path.

[136] Unit 14 comprises a second cutting device 40' for cutting the tobacco leaves 101 to size, so as to separate them from the flat tobacco ribbon unwound from a respective coil B (Figure 2).

[137] In the example given here, the second cutting device 40' is analogous to the first cutting device 40 indicated with the reference number 40, visible in Figure 7 and described with reference to the coupling unit 13.

[138] For this reason, the same components described above will be identified with the same reference numbers, unless otherwise indicated, and the description of the cutting device 40 will not be repeated here for reasons of brevity.

[139] Compared to the cutting device 40 described above, the cutting device visible in Figure 8 comprises only two cutting blades, in this case indicated with the reference number 45' and arranged angularly offset from each other by approximately 180°, with reference to the fourth geometric axis of rotation X4. Given the fragile and delicate nature of tobacco, each cutting blade 45' is preceded and followed by a group of suction channels 46, each group comprising, for example, three suction channels.

[140] The second feeding unit 14 comprises a fourth member Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 29 / 168 25 / 34 cylindrical 60, rotating around a sixth geometric axis of rotation X6, in particular in the first direction of rotation R1 in the example given here.

[141] The fourth cylindrical member 60 comprises a plurality of supporting and transfer members 61, in particular six supporting and transfer members in the example shown. The supporting and transfer members 61 are preferably angularly equidistant from each other with reference to the sixth geometric axis of rotation X6.

[142] Each support and transfer member 61 comprises a transfer member 62 configured to grasp the tobacco leaf cut to size 101, hold it temporarily while the fourth cylindrical member 60 rotates at a given angle around the sixth geometric axis of rotation X6 and thus transfer it towards the forming unit 15.

[143] The transfer element 62 comprises a plurality of tobacco leaf gripping members 63 101. In the example given herein, the gripping members 63 are configured as suction cups, connected to a suitable suction system, not shown. Four suction cups may be provided, grouped in two pairs, wherein each pair of suction cups is arranged in such a position that it may hold the tobacco leaf 101 close to a respective end.

[144] Each supporting and transfer member 61 comprises a motion device, schematized with a dashed rectangle in Figure 8 and indicated with the reference number 64. The motion device 64 is configured to make the transfer element 62 rotate around another geometric axis of rotation RR of the same, oriented in a transverse direction, in particular radial, with reference to the sixth geometric axis of rotation X6.

[145] By way of non-limiting example, the motion device 64 may comprise one or more mechanical members, such as cam mechanisms or gear mechanisms, for example, or an electric motor or even Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 30 / 168 26 / 34 another type of actuator known in the art, for example, a hydraulic, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, or combinations of all the components listed above.

[146] In one embodiment, an additional degree of freedom of movement of the supporting and transfer members 61 can be provided, because the latter can rotate, for example, by a few degrees, around another geometric axis of rotation RP of the same. The latter is parallel to the sixth geometric axis of rotation X6 and perpendicular to the geometric axis of rotation RR of the transfer element 62 connected to the same supporting and transfer member 61.

[147] The operation of unit 14 is described below.

[148] The flat, continuous tobacco leaf unwound from coil B reaches the second cutting device 40', where it is cut to size thanks to the interaction between the blade 45' (in the moving member 41) and the fixed counter-blade 48, to obtain the individualized tobacco leaves 101. The suction channels 46 keep these tobacco leaves 101 adhered to the moving member 41 until the leaf is released to the gripping members 63 of the transfer element 62.

[149] In some embodiments, the speed of rotation of the moving member 41 and / or the fourth cylindrical member 60 can be predicted in order to modify the relative motion between them. This speed variation occurs after the first pair of gripping members 63 comes into contact with one end of the tobacco leaf 101, until the moment when the other pair of gripping members 63 also comes into contact with the other end of the tobacco leaf 101. This dynamic adjustment of the speed of the moving member 41 and / or the fourth cylindrical member 60 makes it possible to ensure that the tobacco leaf 101 is well extended when it is gripped by the transfer element 62.

[150] After that, the rotation of the fourth cylindrical member 60 around the sixth geometric axis of rotation X6, for example, by an angle slightly less than 180°, causes the transfer elements 62 to interact, successively a Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 31 / 168 27 / 34 after the other, with the forming unit 15, to which they release the tobacco leaf 101.

[151] During this rotation, the motion device 64 causes each transfer element 62 to rotate approximately 90° around its other geometric axis of rotation RR. Thanks to this, it is possible to modify the orientation of the tobacco leaf 101 so that it is delivered to the next forming unit 15 with an orientation perpendicular to the orientation in which the tobacco leaf 101 passes from the cutting device 40' to the fourth cylindrical member 60. Training Unit 15 of the Products 100

[152] The forming unit 15, more visible in the enlargement of Figure 10, comprises a transport member, in the form of a cylindrical member, which is indicated with the reference number 65 and also called, in the present description, the fifth cylindrical member.

[153] The carrier member rotates about a geometric axis of rotation X7, referred to as the seventh geometric axis of rotation in this description. In the example shown, the fifth cylindrical member 65 rotates in the second direction of rotation R2, that is, clockwise.

[154] The fifth cylindrical member 65 comprises a first group of suction channels 66 and a second group of suction channels 67, all of which flow into the lateral surface of the fifth cylindrical member 65.

[155] The arrangement of these channels is alternated so that a channel from the first group is followed, at a reduced angular distance, by a channel from the second group, then again by a channel from the first group, and so on.

[156] The first group of suction channels 66 is configured to hold the straws 102 by suction, while the second group of suction channels 67 is configured to hold both the protective sheet 103 and the tobacco sheet 101 by suction, in the manner explained in more detail below with reference to the operation of the forming unit 15.

[157] Training unit 15 also includes a training member 68 Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 32 / 168 28 / 34 of the products 100.

[158] The forming member 68 is placed close to the fifth cylindrical member 65, in an angular position so as to be adjacent to the operating unit placed immediately downstream, with reference to the product flow 100, that is, in this specific example, to the transfer unit 16.

[159] The forming member 68 comprises a heating element, schematized with a dashed rectangle indicated with the reference number 69 in Figure 10, for example, configured as an electric resistance or other suitable equivalent heating member capable of reaching the required temperatures.

[160] The forming member 68 further comprises a rolling surface 70 facing the side surface of the fifth cylindrical member 65.

[161] Preferably, the bearing surface 70 is shaped and developed in accordance with a concave profile, which has a concavity correlated to the shape and / or sizes of the fifth cylindrical member 65, in particular its diameter, as a function of which the curvature gradient of its lateral surface changes.

[162] In one embodiment, the position of the forming member 68 relative to the fifth cylindrical member 65 is adjustable in a machine setup step. For example, the forming member 68 is movable towards or away from the fifth cylindrical member 65 along a radial guideline, relative to the seventh geometric axis of rotation X7, in which it is driven into motion by a suitable actuator, not shown, for example, an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic type cylinder-piston assembly. Adjusting the position of the forming member 68 allows both easier maintenance operations on the forming unit 15 and adjusting the hollow space through which the products 100 pass during the forming step, depending on the size (in particular, the diameter) of the products themselves.

[163] The operation of forming unit 15 is as follows.

[164] In a first operating position A1, the fifth cylindrical member 65 Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 33 / 168 29 / 34 receives the semi-finished product 110 from the coupling unit 13. In particular, in the first operating position A1, the semi-finished product 110 passes from the third cylindrical member 49 to the fifth cylindrical member 65 in a position where the straw 102 is placed in correspondence with a suction channel of the first group of suction channels 66.

[165] As the fifth cylindrical member 65 continues its rotation around the seventh geometric axis of rotation X7, it reaches a second operating position A2, in which the fifth cylindrical member 65 receives a tobacco leaf 101 from the second feed unit 14. In particular, in the second operating position A2, the tobacco leaf 101 passes from the transfer element 62 to the fifth cylindrical member 65.

[166] The tobacco leaf 101 is arranged, in an extended configuration, on the protective sheet 103, which is therefore interposed between the tobacco leaf 101 and the lateral surface of the fifth cylindrical member 65.

[167] As the tobacco leaf 101 is not in direct contact with the fifth cylindrical member 65, it can be held in place by suction thanks to the presence in the protective sheet 103 of the line 109, that is, the through holes 108, which allow the suction airflow to pass through the protective sheet 103 and reach the tobacco leaf 101.

[168] Continuing its rotation around the seventh geometric axis of rotation X7, the fifth cylindrical member 65 reaches a third operating position A3, winding start, and subsequently a fourth operating position A4, winding end, corresponding to which the forming of product 100 is completed and product 100 is released to the transfer unit 16.

[169] Between the third and fourth operating positions A3 and A4, the cooperation between the rolling surface 70, which acts as a fixed contrast element, and the fifth cylindrical member 65, which rotates around the seventh geometric axis of rotation X7, determines the rolling of the straw 102 in the direction indicated by arrow F2. In this way, the product 100 is obtained thanks to Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 34 / 168 30 / 34 rolling of tobacco leaf 101 and protective leaf 103, overlapping each other with tobacco leaf 101 placed above protective leaf 103, around the straw 102.

[170] During the winding of product 100, the heating element 69 allows one or more portions of the protective sheet 103 to seal together, so as to create the joining points 112, in order to stabilize the wound shape of product 100.

[171] In one embodiment, the forming member 68 is movable toward or away from the fifth cylindrical member 65, both for the purpose of adjusting the distance between them, and when it is necessary to carry out scheduled or extraordinary maintenance operations. TRANSFER UNIT 16 OF PRODUCTS 100

[172] The transfer unit 16 (Figure 5) comprises a sixth cylindrical member 75 which is rotatable around an eighth geometric axis of rotation X8, in particular, in the example shown, in the first direction of rotation R1, i.e. counterclockwise.

[173] The sixth cylindrical member 75 comprises a plurality of transfer supports 76 for the products 100, wherein each product 100 is received in a respective transfer support 76. Preferably, the transfer supports 76 are arranged on a peripheral edge of the sixth cylindrical element 75 and are angularly equidistant from each other by the same central angle, measured with reference to the eighth geometric axis of rotation X8.

[174] In the trajectory segment where the products 100 are received in the transfer supports 76, a meeting element 77 may be provided. The meeting element 77 is shaped so as to enclose the sixth cylindrical member for an arc of a circle corresponding to the path segment. Between the meeting element 77 and the peripheral edge of the sixth cylindrical member 75, a hollow passage space 78 is defined in which the transfer supports 76 pass.

[175] Transfer unit 16 comprises a seventh cylindrical member Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 35 / 168 31 / 34 comprising at least one gripping member 80. In the example shown, six gripping members are provided, angularly equidistant from each other, but it is clear that a greater or lesser number of them may also be provided. The seventh cylindrical member 79 is rotatable around a ninth geometric axis of rotation X9, in particular, in the example shown, in the second direction of rotation R2, i.e., clockwise.

[176] Each gripping member 80 comprises a fixed arm 81 and a movable arm 82. The movement of the movable arm 82 relative to the fixed arm 81 is controlled by a cam mechanism, not shown, which alternately moves it closer to the fixed arm 81 when the gripping member 80 is holding a product 100, or moves it away from the fixed arm 81 when the gripping member 80 is not holding any product 100.

[177] The seventh cylindrical member 79 comprises a fixed body 83, in relation to which the gripping members 80 are movable, with different degrees of freedom of movement, for example, three. In addition to being able to travel in the two-dimensional plane, each gripping member 80 can oscillate, for example, by a few degrees, in relation to the body 83, around a geometric axis of oscillation of the same.

[178] The transfer unit 16 further comprises a product conveyor line 85, configured to receive the products from the seventh cylindrical member 79, in particular from the gripping members 80. In the example given here, the conveyor line 85 advances the products 100 in a forward direction C, towards a subsequent processing station, for example, a station for packing the products inside a compartment.

[179] The conveyor line 85 comprises a conveyor belt 86, enclosed in a ring with two rollers (only one visible in the drawings), at least one of which is a motorized roller 87, to determine the advance of the conveyor belt 31 thanks to its rotation.

[180] A plurality of supports 88 are provided on the transport line 85, each configured to receive a respective product and with shape and Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 36 / 168 32 / 34 sizes correlate to those of products 100. The supports 33 are placed side by side with each other and are spaced by a linear pitch P, measured parallel to the direction of advance C.

[181] In the example given here, the conveyor line 85 comprises a plurality of conveyor elements 85, in which the supports 88 are created. The conveyor elements 34 are fixed to the conveyor belt 86 in any known manner, for example, by means of fastening elements, which include screws or pegs.

[182] The transport elements 89 are placed side by side, one after the other, in such a way that two consecutive supports 88, created in two different transport elements 34 placed side by side, remain distant from each other by the linear pitch P.

[183] ​​The operation of transfer unit 16 is as follows.

[184] The sixth cylindrical member 75 receives the products 100 from the forming unit 15. Each product is received in a respective transfer support 76 and held in position thanks to the presence of the support element 77 during transit in the hollow passage space 78. The sixth cylindrical member 75 has the function of modifying the operating step between two consecutive products 100, between the operating units placed upstream of it and the seventh cylindrical member 79 placed downstream. In the example given here, two consecutive products 100 are distanced from each other by a first angular step, for example equal to 40°, corresponding to the operating units 12, 13, 14 and 15, while they are distanced from each other by a second angular step, normally greater than the first angular step, for example equal to 60°, corresponding to the seventh cylindrical member 79.

[185] The variation in angular pitch serves to facilitate the arrangement of products on the conveyor line 85 and thus facilitate subsequent packaging operations.

[186] The products 100 are then released by the sixth cylindrical member to the seventh, in particular being that they pass from the transfer supports 76 Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 37 / 168 33 / 34 for the gripping member 80. When the latter grips a product 100, the fixed arm 81 and the movable arm 82 are brought closer together, and after the gripping member 80 is rotated by a certain angle with respect to the ninth geometric axis of rotation X9, these arms 81, 82 are moved away from each other. This occurs when the gripping member 80 is placed above a respective rest support 88, onto which the product 100 falls by gravity as soon as the arms 81, 82 are moved away from each other.

[187] It should be clarified that the individual operating units 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 described above within the context of machine 10 can also be supplied independently of each other and installed in lines or plants or operating contexts different from those described above. Each of them can therefore be protected autonomously and independently.

[188] With reference to the above-described embodiment, it should be made clear that the term “cylindrical member” means a mechanical member, however complex and possibly comprising many parts and elements, which as a whole has substantially the shape of a cylinder.

[189] Each cylindrical member is driven in rotation by a respective drive member, of a known type or one that will be developed in the future, for example, a brushless or stepper electric motor, not shown in the drawings, which is also controlled by the central control unit. The latter commands the operation of all drive members in a coordinated manner to ensure that the various operating units can interact correctly with each other to produce the products 100.

[190] Finally, it should be clarified that all geometric axes of rotation X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9 of the cylindrical members 21, 24, 49, 60, 65, 75, 79, as well as of the drilling wheels 30 and the movable cutting member 41, are all substantially parallel to each other.

[191] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the machine, units and methods as described so far, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 38 / 168 34 / 34

[192] For example, if the nature of the materials from which straw 102 and protective sheet 103 are made allows, these components could be fixed to each other by gluing and not by heat sealing, as described previously.

[193] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of machines, units and methods, which have the characteristics as set forth in the claims and, therefore, are all within the field of protection defined therein.

[194] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in square brackets is to facilitate reading and they should not be considered as restrictive factors in relation to the scope of protection defined by the claims. Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 39 / 168

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. MACHINE (10) FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS (100), wherein said machine comprises: - a first feeding unit (11) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements (102); - a coupling unit (13) configured to receive said plurality of tubular elements (102) from said first feeding unit (11) and to couple each of said tubular elements (102) to a respective protective sheet (103);the said machine is further characterized by comprising: - a second feeding unit (14) configured to feed a sheet of smokable product (101), and - a forming unit (15) configured to receive the said sheet of smokable product (101) from the said second feeding unit (14) and the said tubular element (102) coupled to a respective protective sheet (103) of the said coupling unit (13), and to form a rolled tobacco product (100) by rolling the said sheet of smokable product (101) and the said protective sheet (103) around the said tubular element (102).

2. MACHINE (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that said forming unit (15) comprises a transport member (65) that moves said sheet of smokable product (101), said protective sheet (103) and said tubular element (102) along a forming path, and a forming member (68) comprising a fixed rolling surface (70) configured and disposed at a distance from said transport member (65) so as to cause said tubular element (102) to roll on said rolling surface (70) and said protective sheet (103) and said sheet of smokable product (101) to simultaneously wind up, so as to induce them to roll into a tube shaped around the tubular element (102).

3. MACHINE (10), according to claim 2, characterized by said Petition 870250084227, dated 18 / 09 / 2025, page 40 / 168 2 / 5 transport member (65) being in the form of a drum and being configured to rotate around a geometric axis of rotation (X7), so that the forming path is a closed circular path, and wherein said forming member (68) further comprises a sealing element (69) configured to fix, preferably by heat sealing, said protective sheet (103), so as to maintain a cylindrical shape of said smoke product (100).

4. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forming unit (15) comprises suction means (66, 67) configured to hold by suction said sheet of smokable product (101), said tubular element (102) and said protective sheet (103).

5. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising a first (40) and a second (40') cutting devices, each having a respective cutting blade (45, 45'), configured respectively to shear said protective sheet (103) and said smokeable product sheet (101) from their respective continuous strips.

6. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling unit (13) comprises a fastening device (54) configured to fasten, preferably by heat sealing, said protective sheet (103) to said tubular element (102) that forms a semi-finished product (110).

7. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second feeding unit (14) comprises a plurality of support and transfer members (61) and is configured to rotate about a geometric axis of rotation (X6), each of said support and transfer members (61) being equipped with a transfer element (62) configured to grip said sheet of smokable product (101) and rotate about another geometric axis of rotation (RR), oriented transversely in relation to the geometric axis of rotation (X6) of the second feeding unit (14). Petition 870250084227, dated 18 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 168 3 / 5 8. MACHINE (10), according to claim 7, characterized in that said transfer element (62) comprises gripping members (63) configured as suction means for holding said sheet of smokable product (101) by suction.

9. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling unit (13) is configured to rotate around a geometric axis of rotation (X5) and comprises suction means (46, 47) configured to hold by suction said tubular element (102) and said protective sheet (103).

10. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising a drilling unit (12) placed upstream of said coupling unit (13) and configured to drill said protective sheet (103) in order to create one or more lines (109) of a plurality of through holes (108) in said protective sheet (103).

11. MACHINE (10), according to claim 10, characterized in that said drilling unit (12) comprises a plurality of pointed ends (31) which are configured to pierce said protective sheet (103) to make said through holes (108), and heating means (32) for heating said pointed ends (31).

12. MACHINE (10), according to claim 11, characterized in that said drilling unit (12) comprises one or more drilling wheels (30) having said pointed ends (31) and an adjustment system (35) for adjusting the position of said drilling wheels (30) in relation to said protective sheet (103) so as to modify a distance (D) between a geometric axis of rotation (X3) of said one or more drilling wheels (30) and a support surface (34) on which said protective sheet (103) slides, which thus varies the penetration depth of said pointed ends (31) in said protective sheet (103).

13. MACHINE (10), according to any of the preceding claims, Petition 870250084227, dated 18 / 09 / 2025, page 42 / 168 4 / 5 characterized by comprising a transfer unit (16) configured to transfer said tobacco products (100) from said forming unit (15) to a transport line (85) equipped with a plurality of supports (88), each configured to receive a respective tobacco product (100).

14. METHOD FOR PRODUCING TOBACCO PRODUCTS (100), wherein the method comprises the steps of: - feeding a plurality of tubular elements (102) by means of a first feeding unit (11); - coupling each of said tubular elements (102) to a respective protective sheet (103) by means of a coupling unit (13); the method is characterized by further comprising the steps of: - feeding a sheet of smokable product (101) by means of a second feeding unit (14) to a forming unit (15), and transferring said tubular elements (102) coupled to the respective protective sheet (103) from said coupling unit (13) to said forming unit (15) and, subsequently, - rolling said sheet of smokable product (101) and said protective sheet (103) around said tubular element (102) to form a rolled tobacco product (100) in a forming step thereof.

15. METHOD, according to claim 14, characterized by comprising, prior to said coupling step, a step of perforating said protective sheet (103) by means of a perforating unit (12) that creates one or more lines (109) of a plurality of through holes (108) in said protective sheet (103).

16. METHOD, according to claim 15, characterized in that said feeding step of said smokable product sheet (101) comprises arranging said smokable product sheet (101), in a flat configuration, on said protective sheet (103) coupled to a respective tubular element (102), and, before said rolling step, said forming unit (15) retains said smokable product sheet (101) by sucking the smokable product sheet (101) through said plurality of through holes (108), which allow the suction air to act on the smokable product sheet (101).

17. METHOD, according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that said sheet of smokable product (101) is positioned above said protective sheet (103) so that the outermost layer of said rolled tobacco product (100) is formed by said protective sheet (103).

18. METHOD, according to any one of claims 14 - 17, characterized in that said coupling step is carried out by fixing, preferably by heat sealing, one end of said protective sheet (103) along said tubular element (102).

19. METHOD, according to any one of claims 14-18, characterized in that said forming step comprises winding said tubular element (102), held by said forming unit (15), onto a winding surface (70) to roll said protective sheet (103) and said smokeable product sheet (101) into a tube molded around the tubular element (102). Petition 870250084227, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 44 / 168

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