Apparatus for crimping a flat web, method for making a crimped web, and continuous semi-finished web

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for crimping a flat web (N) extending along a longitudinal direction (L), said apparatus (100) comprising a first and a second roller (200, 300) rotatable about a first and a second axis of rotation (X1, X2) parallel to each other, respectively, and wherein at least one of said first and second rollers (200, 300) is a crimping roller comprising a plurality of circumferential protrusions positioned in sequence along the corresponding axis of rotation (X1, X2) and separated by respective grooves, said protrusions having respective peripheral edges lying on a peripheral surface, each protrusion having at least one respective recess defining an interruption (I) with reduced or no crimping on the web (N), wherein the recesses of the protrusions are distributed along at least one interruption line (F) lying along said peripheral surface and extending parallel to the axis of rotation (X1, X2) of the crimping roller (200, 300) so that said interruptions (I) are mutually aligned to define at least one interruption zone (Z) on the web (N) having reduced or no crimping perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for crimping a flat web, e.g., a web usable in the tobacco or smoking article industry.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method for making a crimped web.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a continuous semi-finished web, in particular usable in the tobacco or smoking article industry for making a segment forming part of a smoking article or aerosol generator.

[0004] As known, to date, a need to conveniently crimp a web, e.g., a paper or tobacco web, intended to be inserted into smoking articles is increasingly felt. Indeed, the crimping operation allows facilitating, by virtue of the creation of folding lines on the web, the transverse "gathering" of the web to form a continuous rod intended to define a segment of a smoking article upon cutting.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of a crimped web allows obtaining segments in which the draw resistance can be adjusted based on the web crimping level.

[0006] The crimping process commonly includes using two rotating cylindrical rollers between which the material web is pressed.

[0007] At least one of the rollers has grooves and ridges on the outer surface thereof. On the latter, recesses defining zones with reduced or no crimping are made. In such a situation, when the web is passed through the pair of rollers, the ridges present on the roller make crimping lines on the web separated by interruption zones (corresponding to the roller zones with reduced or no crimping), in which such lines are absent or have a limited depth (meaning the distance between a ridge and a respective groove). An example of such rollers is described in EP3609352B1, in which a roller of the pair of rollers comprises a plurality of circumferential ridges and a plurality of interruption recesses made on the ridges and forming at least one interruption line on the web. Such an interruption line extends inclined with respect to the axis of the roller so that said interruptions define an interruption on the web with reduced or no crimping, inclined with respect to the longitudinal extension of the web.

[0008] Therefore, it is a technical task of the present invention to provide an apparatus for crimping a web, a method for making a crimped web, and a continuous semi-finished web which are capable of providing an alternative to the prior art.

[0009] In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for crimping a flat web which is structurally simple.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for making an efficient and reliable crimped web.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a continuous semi-finished web which can be easily collected transversely. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a continuous semi-finished web which allows obtaining segments with adequate draw resistance. The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by an apparatus for crimping a flat web, a method for making a crimped web, and a continuous semi-finished web comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0012] In particular, the specified technical task and the specified objects are achieved by an apparatus for crimping a flat web extending along a longitudinal direction.

[0013] The apparatus comprises a first and a second roller rotatable about a first and a second axis of rotation parallel to each other, respectively.

[0014] At least one of the first and second rollers is a crimping roller comprising a plurality of circumferential protrusions positioned in sequence along the corresponding axis of rotation and separated by respective grooves. The protrusions have respective peripheral edges lying on a (preferably cylindrical) peripheral surface. Each protrusion has at least one respective recess defining a corresponding interruption with reduced or no crimping on the web.

[0015] The recesses of the protrusions are distributed along at least one interruption line lying along the peripheral surface and extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the crimping roller.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one interruption line is replicated two or more times, e.g., at regular intervals, along the angular extension of the crimping roller.

[0017] According to a possible embodiment, the protrusions are distributed along at least one interruption line lying along the peripheral surface of the crimping roller and extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the crimping roller. In such a situation, the recesses define a corresponding continuous, single interruption with reduced or no crimping on the web.

[0018] Alternatively, the apparatus comprises a plurality of interruption lines angularly offset about the axis of rotation of the crimping roller and axially offset from one another. Each interruption line extends over a part of the axial dimension of the crimping roller. In such a situation, preferably, the interruption lines have identical or substantially identical lengths. Alternatively, the interruption lines have, along the axis of rotation, different dimensions.

[0019] Preferably, each interruption line extends over a length, measured parallel to the axis of rotation of the crimping roller, substantially equal to the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller and the number of interruption lines.

[0020] Preferably, a final end of one of the interruption lines is substantially aligned, in the circumferential direction, with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption line.

[0021] Preferably, the interruption lines are arranged in sequence, preferably from an axial end of the crimping roller to the opposite end, according to a helical trend.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the recesses of the protrusions are distributed along at least two interruption lines lying on the peripheral surface and having respective helical extensions about the axis of rotation of the crimping roller; in particular, the at least two interruption lines have opposite directions of winding about the axis of rotation. Preferably, the at least two interruption lines converge towards a vertex point, defining an "arrow" or "cusp" trend. Preferably, such a vertex point is oriented in a direction consistent with the direction of rotation of the crimping roller. Preferably, the interruption lines are angularly distributed with a constant pitch about the axis of rotation of the crimping roller.

[0023] It is understood that the apparatus according to the above description can be enclosed in a machine for making a continuous rod, in particular in the tobacco industry. In particular, the machine comprises: feeding means for a continuous web; an apparatus for crimping a web according to the above description; web collecting means arranged downstream of the web crimping apparatus to collect the web and impart thereto a lower transverse width than the transverse width of the web upstream of the crimping apparatus; feeding means for a wrapper intended to wrap the collected crimped web; a forming beam which receives the collected (or at least partially collected) crimped web and the wrapper to wrap the wrapper about the collected crimped web, imparting a rod shape thereto.

[0024] The specified technical task and the specified objects are further achieved by a method for making a crimped web, in particular a web for making a segment in the tobacco or smoking article industry.

[0025] The method is preferably carried out by means of an apparatus in accordance with the above.

[0026] The method comprises a step of preparing a web extending along a longitudinal direction and a step of operating a crimping of the web generating mutually parallel longitudinal crimping lines on the web.

[0027] The crimping lines are interrupted lines having respective interruptions with reduced or no crimping. In other words, the crimping lines are weakening / deformation lines of the web; such crimping lines are longitudinal, i.e., they extend in the longitudinal direction of extension of the web. Said crimping lines are mutually parallel and each have at least one interruption, i.e., a zone in which the material is less weakened or not weakened at all. Such interruptions of each crimping line define interruption zones with reduced or no crimping on the web.

[0028] The interruptions are mutually aligned so as to define at least one interruption zone with reduced or no crimping on the web that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0029] Preferably, the interruptions are mutually aligned so as to define, on the web, a plurality of mutually parallel interruption zones perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the web. The interruption zones are mutually offset along the longitudinal direction of the web and are also mutually offset along the width of the web.

[0030] Preferably, the at least one interruption zone has a length less than the width of the web and more preferably the interruption zones have substantially identical lengths.

[0031] Even more preferably, the interruption zones have a length substantially equal to the ratio between the width of the web and the number of interruption zones.

[0032] Preferably, a final end of one of the interruption lines is substantially aligned, in the longitudinal direction, with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption line.

[0033] Preferably, the interruption lines are arranged in sequence from a lateral edge of the web to the opposite lateral edge, according to a generally inclined, e.g., rectilinear, trend. Such a trend is obtained by considering the trend, along the width, of homologous points of adjacent interruption lines, e.g., the initial points of the interruption lines mutually in sequence along the width of the web.

[0034] Preferably, the aforesaid inclined trend forms an angle of between 0° and 30°, more preferably between 3° and 15°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0035] Preferably, the interruption lines are mutually offset, in the longitudinal direction, by a constant pitch preferably between 6 and 30 mm, more preferably between 8 and 16 mm.

[0036] According to a possible embodiment, the interruption zones are replicated in sequence at preferably regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0037] The specified technical task and the specified objects are further achieved by a continuous semi-finished web, in particular for making a segment of a smoking or aerosol generating article.

[0038] The web comprises a plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal crimping lines. The crimping lines are interrupted lines having respective interruptions with reduced or no crimping. The interruptions are mutually aligned so as to define at least one interruption zone with reduced or no crimping on the web that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0039] Preferably, the interruptions are mutually aligned so as to form a plurality of mutually parallel interruption zones perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the web. The interruption zones are mutually offset along the longitudinal direction of the web and are also mutually offset along the width of the web.

[0040] Alternatively, the at least one interruption zone has a length less than the width of the web, and preferably the interruption zones have a substantially identical length, more preferably a length substantially equal to the ratio between the width of the web and the number of interruption zones.

[0041] Preferably, a final end of one of the interruption lines is substantially aligned, in the longitudinal direction, with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption line.

[0042] Preferably, the interruption lines are arranged in sequence from a lateral edge of the web to the opposite lateral edge, according to a preferably rectilinear, inclined (in particular helical) trend.

[0043] Preferably, the inclined trend forms an angle of between 0° and 30°, more preferably between 3° and 15°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0044] Preferably, in a particular embodiment, the web includes at least two interruption lines having opposite directions of winding about the axis of rotation. Preferably, the at least two interruption lines converge towards a vertex point, defining an "arrow" or "cusp" trend on the web.

[0045] Preferably, the interruption lines are mutually offset, in the longitudinal direction, by a constant pitch preferably between 6 and 30 mm. More preferably, between 8 and 16 mm.

[0046] Preferably, the interruption zones are replicated in sequence at preferably regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the web.

[0047] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of an embodiment of an apparatus for crimping a flat web, a method for making a crimped web, and a continuous semi-finished web.

[0048] Such a description will be provided hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, only given for indicative and thus non-limiting purposes, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus of the present invention; Figure 1A shows an enlargement of a portion of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a web of the present invention crimped with the apparatus in Figure 1.

[0049] With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 100 indicates an apparatus for crimping a flat web "N" extending along a longitudinal direction "L".

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the web "N" is a web employable in the industry of tobacco or smoking articles or aerosol generators. In detail, such a web "N" can be made of a cellulose-based material (e.g., paper) and / or tobacco and / or non-woven fabric. Furthermore, such a web "N" can be a single layer web or a web formed by multiple overlapping layers (said layers can be equal or made of different materials).

[0051] The apparatus 100 comprises a first and a second roller 200, 300 rotatable about a first and a second axis of rotation "X1", "X2" that are parallel to each other, respectively.

[0052] At least one of the first and second rollers 200, 300 is a crimping roller comprising a plurality of circumferential protrusions arranged in sequence along the corresponding axis of rotation "X1, X2" and separated by respective grooves.

[0053] The protrusions have respective peripheral edges lying on a preferably cylindrical peripheral surface, and each protrusion has at least one respective recess defining an interruption "I" with reduced or no crimping on the web "N".

[0054] In use, once the web "N" is passed through a passage gap defined between the first and second rollers 200, 300, a crimping pattern is recognizable on the surface of the web "N". Such a crimping pattern has longitudinal crimping (i.e., material weakening) lines separated by some interruption zones "Z", in which such lines are interrupted (i.e., the crimping is absent) or in which such lines are less pronounced (i.e., the distance between a groove and a protrusion is less than the distance between such a groove and such a protrusion along the remaining longitudinal extension thereof).

[0055] Preferably, the crimping pattern has longitudinal crimping (i.e., web "N" weakening) lines parallel to one another.

[0056] The term "reduced or no crimping" means in fact that the crimping present in the interruption zones "Z" is totally absent or has a depth (i.e., a distance between a protrusion and a respective groove) less than that present on the remaining surface of the web "N".

[0057] The recesses of the protrusions are distributed along at least one interruption line "F" lying along the peripheral surface of the crimping roller 200, 300 and extending parallel to the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0058] In particular, the recesses of the protrusions are distributed along the at least one interruption line "F" extending parallel to the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300 so that said interruptions "I" on the web "N" are mutually aligned to define, on the web "N", at least one interruption zone "Z" with reduced or no crimping that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0059] In the accompanying figures, the protrusions are shown only on an axial stretch of the crimping roller 200, 300 in order to better highlight the position of the interruption lines "F" on the surface of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0060] In accordance with the embodiment shown, the at least one interruption line "F" is replicated two or more times along the angular extension of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0061] Preferably, the at least one interruption line "F" is replicated two or more times at regular intervals along the angular extension of the crimping roller 200, 300, i.e., it is replicated in a constant manner along the angular extension of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0062] Preferably, the crimping roller 200, 300 comprises a plurality of interruption lines "F" angularly offset about the axis of rotation "X1", "X2".

[0063] Preferably, the interruption lines "F" are angularly distributed with a constant pitch about the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0064] In other words, along the circumferential direction, the interruption lines "F" are mutually spaced apart by the same distance.

[0065] The interruption lines "F" of the plurality of interruption lines "F" are also axially offset.

[0066] In the preferred embodiment, since the interruption lines "F" are both angularly and axially offset, they create a crimping pattern on the web "N" in which the interruption zones "Z" (corresponding to the interruption lines "F" of the roller 200, 300) are distributed along a respective oblique line with respect to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N" and substantially define a stepped profile along such an oblique line. In such a situation, the oblique line joins homologous points of adjacent interruption lines "F".

[0067] With reference to the embodiment shown, each interruption line "F" extends over a part of the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300. In other words, each interruption line "F" has a predetermined axial extension less than the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300.

[0068] In the embodiment shown, the interruption lines "F" have identical or substantially identical lengths.

[0069] Alternatively, the interruption lines "F" could have different lengths.

[0070] The term "substantially identical" means that, between the lengths of the interruption lines "F", there could be a variation of ±10%, for example. In such a situation, the interruption lines "F" could thus have different lengths. Preferably, each interruption line "F" extends over a length, measured parallel to the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300, substantially equal to the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300 and the number of interruption lines "F".

[0071] In the embodiment shown, each interruption line "F" extends over a length, measured parallel to the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300, precisely equal to the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300 and the number of interruption lines "F". Alternatively, each interruption line "F" extends over a length, measured parallel to the axis of rotation "X1", "X2" of the crimping roller 200, 300, substantially equal to the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300 and the number of interruption lines "F".

[0072] The term "substantially equal" means that, between the lengths of the interruption lines "F", there could be a variation of ±10%, for example, with respect to the length obtained from the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller 200, 300 and the number of interruption lines "F".

[0073] Regardless of the length of each interruption line "F", according to the embodiment shown, a final end of one of the interruption lines "F" is substantially aligned, in the circumferential direction, with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption line "F".

[0074] Preferably, as also shown in the accompanying figures, the interruption lines "F" are arranged in sequence from an axial end of the crimping roller 200, 300 to the opposite end, preferably according to a helical trend. Even more preferably, such a helical trend is defined by the centerline points of each interruption line "F".

[0075] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the interruption lines "F" are arranged in sequence over a single stretch of the roller width. In other words, the interruption lines "F" are arranged in sequence but do not extend from one axial end of the crimping roller 200, 300 to the opposite end.

[0076] The present invention further relates to a method for making a crimped web "N", in particular a web for making a segment in the tobacco or smoking article industry.

[0077] Preferably, the aforesaid method is carried out by means of an apparatus 100 according to the above description.

[0078] The method comprises a step of preparing a web "N" extending along a longitudinal direction "L" and a step of operating a crimping of the web "N" thus generating mutually parallel longitudinal crimping lines on the web "N".

[0079] The crimping lines are interrupted lines having respective interruptions "I" with reduced or no crimping.

[0080] Such interruptions "I" are mutually aligned so as to form at least one interruption zone "Z" on the web "N" that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0081] Preferably, the interruptions "I" have a longitudinal dimension between 5 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 15 and 30 mm, even more preferably between 20 and 25 mm.

[0082] Preferably, the interruptions "I" have a length, in the longitudinal direction "L", between 2 mm and 6 mm. Even more preferably, the interruptions "I" have a length, in the longitudinal direction "L", between 3 mm and 5 mm. As shown in the embodiment in Figure 3, the interruptions "I" are mutually aligned so as to define a plurality of mutually parallel interruption zones "Z" on the web "N" that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0083] According to the embodiment shown, the interruption zones "Z" are replicated in sequence at preferably regular intervals along the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0084] The interruption zones "Z" are mutually offset along the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0085] Preferably, the interruption zones "Z" are mutually offset, in the longitudinal direction "L", by a constant pitch "p" preferably between 6 and 30 mm and more preferably between 8 and 16 mm. Such a pitch is identifiable, in a completely similar manner, as the circumferential pitch on the crimping roller.

[0086] The interruption zones "Z" are also mutually offset along a width "G" of the web "N". In such a situation, the at least one interruption zone "Z" has a length less than the width "G" of the web "N".

[0087] In the embodiment shown, since the interruption zones "Z" are offset along both the longitudinal direction "L" and the width "G" of the web "N", they are distributed on the web "N" so as to define a stepped trend.

[0088] Preferably, the interruption zones "Z" have substantially identical lengths. More preferably, the interruption zones "Z" each have a length substantially equal to the ratio between the width "G" of the web "N" and the number of interruption zones "Z".

[0089] The term "substantially identical" or "substantially equal to" means that the lengths of the interruption zones "Z" have a variation of ±10%, for example.

[0090] As shown in the embodiment in Figure 3, the interruption zones "Z" are arranged in sequence from a lateral edge of the web "N" to the opposite lateral edge, according to a preferably rectilinear inclined trend. In such a situation, the inclined trend forms an angle "α" of between 0° and 30°, preferably between 3° and 15°, with respect to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N". Such a trend is obtained by considering the trend, along the width, of homologous points of adjacent interruption lines, e.g., the initial points of the interruption lines arranged in sequence along the width of the web.

[0091] Furthermore, such an angle is identifiable, in a completely similar manner, as the helix angle on the crimping roller.

[0092] According to the embodiment shown, a final end of one of the interruption zones "Z" is substantially aligned, in the longitudinal direction "L", with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption zone "Z".

[0093] The present invention further relates to a continuous semi-finished web "N", in particular for making smoking or aerosol generating articles.

[0094] The web "N" comprises a plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal crimping lines.

[0095] The crimping lines are interrupted lines having respective interruptions which define interruption zones "Z" with reduced or no crimping.

[0096] The interruptions "I" are mutually aligned so as to form at least one interruption zone "Z" on the web "N" that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0097] Preferably, the interruptions "I" are mutually aligned so as to form a plurality of mutually parallel interruption zones "Z" that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0098] Preferably, the interruption zones "Z" are replicated in sequence at intervals, e.g., regular intervals, along the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N".

[0099] The interruption zones "Z" are mutually offset along the longitudinal direction "L" of the web "N" and are also mutually offset along the width "G" of the web "N".

[0100] Preferably, the interruption zones "Z" are mutually offset, in the longitudinal direction "L", by the aforementioned constant pitch "p".

[0101] According to a possible embodiment, the at least one interruption zone "Z" has a length less than the width "G" of the web "N" and preferably the interruption zones "Z" have a substantially identical length.

[0102] More preferably, the interruption zones "Z" have a length substantially equal to the ratio between the width "G" of the web "N" and the number of interruption zones "Z".

[0103] In the preferred embodiment, the interruption zones "Z" are arranged in sequence from a lateral edge of the web "N" to the opposite lateral edge, according to a preferably rectilinear inclined trend. In such a situation, the inclined trend forms the aforementioned angle "α".

[0104] According to the embodiment shown, a final end of one of the interruption zones "Z" is substantially aligned, in the longitudinal direction "L", with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption zone "Z".

[0105] The present invention achieves the intended objects by suggesting an alternative solution with respect to the prior art.

[0106] In particular, the present invention provides a reliable apparatus for crimping a web.

[0107] The present invention further provides a method for making an efficient and reliable crimped web.

[0108] The present invention further provides a continuous semi-finished web, in particular for making a segment of smoking or aerosol-generating articles, which can be easily collected and allows obtaining segments with adequate draw resistance.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for crimping a flat web (N) extending along a longitudinal direction (L), said apparatus (100) comprising a first and a second roller (200, 300) rotatable respectively about a first and a second axis of rotation (X1, X2) parallel to each other, and wherein at least one between said first and second roller (200, 300) is a crimping roller comprising a plurality of circumferential protrusions positioned in succession along the corresponding axis of rotation (X1, X2) and separated by respective grooves, said protrusions having respective peripheral edges lying in a peripheral surface, each protrusion having at least one respective recess defining on the web (N) an interruption (I) with reduced or absent crimping, wherein the recesses of the protrusions are distributed along at least one interruption line (F) lying on said peripheral surface and extending parallel to the axis of rotation (X1, X2) of the crimping roller (200, 300) so that said interruptions (I) are aligned with each other to define on the web (N) at least one interruption zone (Z) with reduced or absent crimping perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the crimping roller (200, 300) comprises a plurality of said interruption lines (F) angularly offset about the axis of rotation (X1, X2) and axially offset from each other, and wherein each interruption line (F) extends for a part of the axial dimension of said crimping roller (200, 300).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said interruption lines (F) have identical or substantially identical lengths.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each interruption line (F) extends for a length, measured parallel to the axis of rotation (X1, X2) of the crimping roller (200, 300), substantially equal to the ratio between the axial dimension of the crimping roller (200, 300) and the number of interruption lines (F).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a final end of one of said interruption lines (F) is substantially aligned, in a circumferential direction, with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption line (F).

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said interruption lines (F) are arranged one after another, preferably from one axial end of the crimping roller (200, 300) to the opposite end, according to a helical trend.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said interruption lines (F) are angularly distributed with a constant spacing about the axis of rotation (X1, X2) of the crimping roller (200, 300).

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one interruption line (F) is replicated two or more times, preferably at regular intervals, along the angular extension of the crimping roller (200, 300).

9. A method for making a crimped web (N), in particular a web for making a segment of the tobacco industry or smokers' articles, preferably using an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - preparing a web (N) which extends along a longitudinal direction (L); - crimping the web (N) generating longitudinal crimping lines parallel to each other on the web, said crimping lines being interrupted lines having respective interruptions (I) with reduced or absent crimping; - wherein said interruptions (I) are aligned with each other in such a way as to form on the web (N) at least one interruption zone (Z) with reduced or absent crimping perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

10. A continuous semi-finished web (N), in particular for making a segment of a smoking article or for generating aerosols, comprising a plurality of longitudinal crimping lines parallel to each other, said crimping lines being interrupted lines having respective interruptions (I) with reduced or absent crimping, and wherein said interruptions (I) are aligned with each other in such a way as to form on the web (N) at least one interruption zone (Z) with reduced or absent crimping perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

11. The web according to claim 10, wherein said interruptions (I) are aligned with each other in such a way as to form on the web (N) a plurality of interruption zones (Z) parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N), said interruption zones (Z) being offset from each other along the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N) and also being offset from each other along the width (G) of the web (N).

12. The web according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one interruption zone (Z) has a length less than the width (G) of the web (N), and preferably the interruption zones (Z) have a length substantially identical to each other, more preferably a length substantially equal to the ratio between the width (G) of the web (N) and the number of interruption zones (Z).

13. The web according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a final end of one of said interruption zones (Z) is substantially aligned, in a longitudinal direction (L), with a corresponding initial end of the next interruption zone (Z).

14. The web according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said interruption zones (Z) are arranged in succession, preferably from a lateral edge of the web (N) to the opposite lateral edge of the web (N), according to an inclined trend preferably rectilinear.

15. The web according to claim 14, wherein said inclined trend forms an angle of between 0° and 30°, preferably between 3° and 15°, with respect to the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

16. The web according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said interruption zones (Z) are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction (L) by a constant spacing, preferably between 6 and 30 mm, preferably between 8 and 16 mm.

17. The web according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said interruption zones (Z) are replicated in succession, at preferably regular intervals, along the longitudinal direction (L) of the web (N).

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