Rod feeding unit for an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles, assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles and method for feeding rods for the production of multi-component articles

Abstract

A unit (7) for feeding rods (4) to an assembling machine (1) for the production of multi-component articles (2) comprising a plurality of rods (3, 4), which are provided with a central axis (X) is described; the unit (7) is designed to receive, at the input, rods (4*) with a multiple length, to cut each rod (4*) with a multiple length by means of a transverse cut so as to obtain two rods (4) with a single length, to move the rods (4, 4*) with a single or multiple length perpendicularly to their central axis (X) and to feed, at the output, pairs of rods (4, 4*) with a single length arranged coaxial to one another and axially spaced apart from one another so as to receive a group of further rods (3A, 3B, 3C); wherein the unit (7) comprises a plurality of drums (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) capable of rotating around respective axes (R) parallel to one another and arranged in succession, each one of said drums (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) being provided with respective peripheral seats (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19), each designed to receive at least one pair of rods (4*) with a multiple length or at least a pair of rods (4) with a single length (Figures 3 and 4)

Description

[0001] ROD FEEDING UNIT FOR AN ASSEMBLING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MULTI-COMPONENT ARTICLES , ASSEMBLING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MULTI-COMPONENT ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR FEEDING RODS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MULTI-COMPONENT ARTICLES

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102023000009354 filed on May 10 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a unit for feeding rods for an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles , to an assembling machine for the production of multicomponent articles and to a method for feeding rods for the production of multi-component articles . The present invention finds advantageous but not exclusive application to the production of multi-component cigarettes , wherein at least one rod is a filtering element and at least one rod is an aromatic element , preferably tobacco-based .

[0006] Prior Art

[0007] As known, there i s an increasingly greater need to produce multicomponent articles such as multi-component cigarettes , each comprising a plurality of rods placed side by side , of which typically at least one rod is formed by a filtering element and at least one other rod is formed by an aromatic element , preferably tobacco-based .

[0008] To produce said multi-component cigarettes it is known to use assembling machines which comprise , in succession, a combining unit which carries out the feeding and alignment of groups of first rods ; a wrapping unit which feeds further rods to the group of rods coming from the combining unit and wraps a wrapping sheet around the group of rods thus obtained in order to obtain the two multi-component articles ; and finally an output unit having a tipping drum, wherein a row of multi-component articles passes from a discordant orientation to a concordant orientation with the other row of multi-component articles and a plurality of drums wherein the withdrawing of some samples , checking and possibly rej ecting defective multi-component articles is carried out .

[0009] The wrapping unit receives the groups of first rods from the combining unit and is provided with a feeding unit for inserting further rods into the groups of first rods . More in detail , the combining unit trans fers the groups of first rods in succession to a withdrawing drum which in turn feeds them to a combining drum that forms the final group of rods by inserting the further rods . In particular, two further rods are fed, which are arranged coaxial to the group of first rods and with one of their ends facing and in contact head-to-head with respective ends of said group of first rods ; in other words , the group of first rods is placed between the two further rods . US2003234023 , WO03024256 , US5566812 and EP3141134 describe units for feeding rods to an assembling machine .

[0010] The need to ef fectively feed rods with a single length so that they are coaxial and axially separated from one another in order to receive the group of first rods is increasingly felt .

[0011] Description of the Invention

[0012] The obj ect of the present invention is to provide a unit for feeding rods for an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles , which unit is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture .

[0013] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles , which machine is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture .

[0014] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a method for feeding rods for the production of multi-component articles , which method is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and inexpensive to implement .

[0015] According to the present invention, a unit for feeding rods for an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles , an assembling machine for the production of multicomponent articles and a method for feeding rods for the production of multi-component articles as stated by the attached claim are provided .

[0016] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings , which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof , wherein :

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a multi-component article obtained by means of an assembling machine for the production of multicomponent articles made according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic and plan view of an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles made according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a front schematic view, and with parts removed for clarity, of a unit for feeding rods made according to the present invention; and

[0021] Figure 4 schematically shows the di f ferent steps of the feeding process implemented by the unit for feeding rods of Figure 3 .

[0022] Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0023] In Figure 2 , number 1 denotes as a whole an assembling machine for the production of multi-component articles 2 , one of which is illustrated in Figure 1 . Each multi-component article 2 is made using a number of rods 3A, 3B, 3C and 4 ( in particular, three or four rods 3 , 4 ) having a central axis X . Preferably, at least one rod 3A, 3B, 3C and 4 is formed by a filtering element and at least one rod 3A, 3B, 3C and 4 is formed by an aromatic element , preferably tobacco-based . Each multi- component article 2 comprises a wrapping sheet 6 which wraps the rods 3 , 4 . Preferably, each multi-component article 2 also comprises a wrapping sheet 5 which partially wraps the group of rods 3 , 4 ( in other words , the wrapping sheet 5 only wraps the rods 3A, 3B ) .

[0024] The assembling machine 1 is arranged with a preferably in-line configuration and comprises a combining unit A which carries out the feeding and alignment of groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C ; a wrapping unit B which carries out the feeding of further rods 4 to the group of first rods 3A, 3B, 3C coming from the combining unit A and wraps the wrapping sheet 6 around the group of rods thus obtained in order to obtain the two multi-component articles 2 ; and f inally an output unit C having a tipping drum, in which a row of multi-component articles 2 is subj ected to the so-called " tip-turning" in order to pass from an orientation discordant with the other multi-component article 2 placed side by side to an orientation concordant with the other multicomponent article 2 and, at the same time , to pass from two side-by-side rows of multi-component articles 2 to a single row of multi-component articles 2 ( obviously having a distribution distance that is hal f the one of the two side-by-side rows of multi-component articles 2 ) and a plurality of drums in which the withdrawing of some samples , checking the multi-component articles 2 and rej ecting the defective multi-component articles 2 is carried out , up to an output conveyor which transports the multi-component articles 2 out o f the assembling machine 1 to a packaging machine (not illustrated) .

[0025] The combining unit A forms the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C, each comprising a number of rods 3A, 3B, 3C axially aligned with one another, wherein the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C are moved transversely ( that is , perpendicular to their central axis X ) . Preferably, each group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C comprises a plurality ( in particular three ) of rods 3A, 3B, 3C axially aligned with one another, wherein the groups of first rods are moved transversely ( that is , perpendicular to their central axis X ) . The combining unit A comprises a number of feeding stations (not illustrated) , which are structurally substantially identical to one another ; each of said feeding stations is designed to feed respective rods 3A, 3B, 3C to form the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C . Preferably, the combining unit A comprises a wrapping device which receives a succession of groups of rods 3A, 3B and wraps a wrapping sheet 5 around the rods 3A, 3B .

[0026] The wrapping unit B receives the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C from the combining unit A and moves them transversally . The wrapping unit B also provides for the insertion of further rods 4 into the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C by means of a unit 7 for feeding rods 4 which will be better described in the following disclosure . The wrapping unit B comprises a feeding unit for further wrapping sheets 6 which are wrapped around the succession of groups of rods 3 , 4 . The feeding unit for the further wrapping sheets 6 is arranged downstream of the unit 7 for feeding further rods 4 . The wrapping unit B, finally, separates the groups of rods 3 , 4 by means of a transverse cut so as to obtain two multi-component articles 2 which are fed to the output unit C .

[0027] The wrapping sheet 6 is wrapped around the entire circumference of each group of rods 3 , 4 so as to establish a mechanical connection between the rods 3 , 4 of each group of rods 3 , 4 . Preferably, the wrapping sheet 6 is partially wrapped around the group of rods 3 , 4 ; in other words , an external end of the rod 4 ( and, consequently of the multi-component article 2 ) is uncovered and is not wrapped with the wrapping sheet 6 . In more detail , the wrapping unit B receives the groups of first rods and moves them transversally . The combining unit A trans fers the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C in succession to a withdrawing drum (not illustrated) provided with peripheral suction seats ( couvet tes) for the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C .

[0028] From the withdrawing drum, the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C are trans ferred to a subsequent combining drum (not illustrated) which is also provided with peripheral suction seats for the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C . The combining drum forms a group of rods 3 , 4 into which the further two rods 4 are fed; the two rods 4 are coaxial to the group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C, they are arranged with one of their ends facing and in contact head-to- head with respective ends of said group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C . In other words , the group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C coming from the combining unit A is interposed between two respective rods 4 .

[0029] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 , the unit 7 for feeding the rods 4 comprises a number of drums capable of rotating around respective axes R which are parallel to one another and arranged in succession to feed the rods 4 to the combining drum .

[0030] In particular, the feeding unit 7 comprises a withdrawing drum 8 provided with a plurality of peripheral suction seats 9 . Each seat 9 is designed to contain a number of rods 4 * ( or sticks ) with a multiple length, ( that is , having a multiple length compared to the single rod 4 to be inserted in the group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C coming from the combining unit A) . The rods 4 * with a multiple length are arranged with their ends facing one another and substantially in contact head-to-head and coaxial to the axis X . The withdrawing drum 8 cooperates with the blades 21 ( only one of which il illustrated in Figure 3 ) to perform the transverse cut of the rods 4 * with a multiple length in order to obtain rods 4 * with a shorter multiple length ( rods 4* with a multiple length of the desired length) . Advantageously, the with drawing drum 8 cooperates with the blades 21 to perform the transverse cut of the rods 4 * with a multiple length so as to obtain the rods 4 * with a multiple length .

[0031] From the withdrawing drum 8 , the rods 4 * with a multiple length are trans ferred to a subsequent staggering drum 10 which is also provided with peripheral suction seats 11 . The staggering drum 9 is arranged downstream of the withdrawing drum 8 with which it cooperates to pick up the rods 4 * with a double length . Each seat 9 of the withdrawing drum 8 is suitable for feeding the rods 4 * with a multiple length in a staggered manner to a pair of seats 11 of the staggering drum 10 ; the seat denoted with 11A receives the first and third rods 4 * with a multiple length housed in the seat 9 while the seat denoted with 11B receives the second and fourth rods 4 * with a multiple length housed in the seat 9 . In other words , each seat 11 of the staggering drum 10 is made to contain two rods 4 * with a double length . The seats 11 of the staggering drum 10 have a distribution distance that is hal f the one of the seats 9 of the withdrawing drum 8 .

[0032] The feeding unit 7 then comprises a trans fer drum 12 arranged downstream of the staggering drum 10 with which it cooperates . The trans fer drum 12 is provided with a plurality of peripheral suction seats 13 . Each seat 13 is designed to contain a number of rods 4 * with a multiple length fed by a respective seat 11 of the staggering drum 10 . In particular, each seat 13 is designed to contain two rods 4 * with a double length . The seats 13 of the trans fer drum 12 therefore have the same distribution distance as the seats 11 of the staggering drum 10 .

[0033] The trans fer drum 12 is made so that the rods 4 * with a multiple length arranged internally in each seat 13 are axially shi fted in the area of an end of the respective seat 13 . In this way, the rods 4 * with a multiple length are arranged on two parallel rows .

[0034] From the trans fer drum 12 , the rods 4 * with a multiple length are trans ferred to a subsequent cutting drum 14 which is also provided with peripheral suction seats 15 . The cutting drum 14 is arranged downstream of the trans fer drum 12 with which it cooperates . Each seat 15 of the cutting drum 14 is designed to contain a number of rods 4 * with a double length . In particular, each seat 15 of the cutting drum 14 is designed to contain two rods 4 * with a multiple length arranged at respective ends of the seat 15 . Each seat 15 is designed to contain two rods 4 * with a multiple length fed by a respective seat 13 of the trans fer drum 12 . The seats 15 of the cutting drum 14 therefore have the same distribution distance as the seats 13 of the trans fer drum 12 .

[0035] The cutting drum 14 cooperates with a pair of blades 20 ( only one of which is illustrated in Figure 3 ) arranged in the area of the seats 15 to perform the transverse cut of the rods 4 * with a multiple length so as to obtain the rods 4 with a single length to be inserted in the group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C coming from the combining unit A.

[0036] From the cutting drum 14 , the rods 4 with a single length are trans ferred to a subsequent staggering drum 16 which is also provided with peripheral suction seats 17 . The staggering drum 16 is arranged downstream of the cutting drum 14 with which it cooperates to pick up the rods 4 with a single length . Each seat 15 of the cutting drum 14 is suitable for feeding the rods 4 with a single length to a pair of seats 17 of the staggering drum 16 .

[0037] According to a first embodiment , the seat denoted with 17A receives the first and fourth rods 4 with a single length (namely, the two outermost rods 4 with a single length) housed in the seat 15 while the seat denoted with 17B receives the second and the third rod 4 with a single length (namely, the two innermost rods 4 with a single length) housed in the seat 15 .

[0038] In other words , each seat 17 of the staggering drum 16 is made to contain two rods 4 with a single length . The seats 17 of the staggering drum 16 have a distribution distance that is hal f the one of the seats 15 of the cutting drum 14 .

[0039] The feeding unit 7 finally comprises a separating drum 18 arranged downstream of the staggering drum 16 with which it cooperates . The separating drum 18 is provided with a plurality of peripheral suction seats 19 . Each seat 19 is designed to contain a number of rods 4 with a single length fed by a respective seat 17 of the staggering drum 16 . In particular, each seat 19 is designed to contain two rods 4 with a single length . The seats 19 of the separating drum 18 therefore have the same distribution distance as the seats 17 of the staggering drum 16 . The separating drum 18 is made so that the rods 4 with a single length arranged internally are axially shifted in the area of an end of a respective seat 19B . In other words , the separating drum 18 is arranged to axially separate the rods 4 with a single length by means of a simultaneous axial movement of both rods 4 housed in the seat 19B . On the contrary, the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19A do not have to be further separated by any axial movement . According to an example , the rods 4 with a single length that enter the separating drum 18 are housed in the seat 19B at an axial distance from one another which is less than the axial distance they show when they leave the separating drum 18 . When leaving the separating drum 18 , the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19B are arranged at the same axial distance as the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19A. In this way, the rods 4 with a single length are arranged on two parallel rows . According to a further example , the separating drum 18 could be replaced by a centring drum, wherein the rods 4 with a single length entering the separating drum 18 are housed in the seat 19B at an axial distance from one another which is greater than axial distance they show when they leave the centring drum . The centring drum is designed to bring the rods 4 with a single length closer to one another by means of an axial mutual approaching movement .

[0040] From the separating drum 18 and at an input station, the axially separated rods 4 with a single length are trans ferred to the combining drum which, at a further input station arranged upstream of the input station for the rods 4 with a single length, receives the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C fed by the withdrawing drum and coming from the combining unit A. According to a second embodiment not illustrated, the seat denoted with 17A receives the first and third rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 15 , while the seat denoted with 17B receives the second and fourth rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 15 ; in other words , each seat 15 of the cutting drum 14 is suitable for feeding the rods 4 with a single length in a staggered manner to a pair of seats 17 of the staggering drum 16 . Also in this case , each seat 17 of the staggering drum 16 is made to contain two rods 4 with a single length and the seats 17 of the staggering drum 16 have a distribution distance that is hal f the one of the seats 15 of the cutting drum 14 . The separating drum 18 is made so that the rods 4 with a single length arranged internally in each seat 19A, 19B ( that is , the rods 4 with a single length that are not already arranged in the area of the respective seat 19A, 19B ) are axially shi fted in the area of one end of the respective seat 19A, 19B . In other words , the separating drum 18 is arranged to axially separate the rods 4 with a single length by means of an axial movement of a single rod 4 in each seat 19A, 19B . On the contrary, the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19A do not have to be further separated by any axial movement . When leaving the separating drum 18 , the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19A are arranged at the same axial distance as the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19B . In this way, the rods 4 with a single length are arranged on two parallel rows . As anticipated, the separating drum 18 could be replaced by a centring drum, designed to bring the rods 4 with a single length closer to one another by axial movement . In this embodiment , when they leave the centring drum, the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19A are arranged at the same axial distance as the rods 4 with a single length housed in the seat 19B (which is less than the axial distance they show when entering the centring drum 18 ) .

[0041] Preferably, the rods 4 , 4 * are formed by or comprise a tobacco- based aromatic element. According to further examples, the rods 4, 4* could be elements made up of materials other than tobacco (e.g., vegetable fibre, paper, filtering material, polylactic acid, etc . ) .

[0042] It is important to highlight that in each drum 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 at least two rods 4, 4* with a single or double length are always housed simultaneously; in other words, pairs of rods 4* with a multiple length or rods 4 with a single length are always housed inside the seats 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19. It is also evident that the feeding unit 7 is configured to feed exclusively a single type of rods 4, 4*; in other words, the feeding unit 7 is not configured to form groups of different rods .

[0043] It appears evident that the feeding unit 7 described so far can find advantageous application not only in the wrapping unit B but also within the combining unit A. In other words, according to a possible embodiment, the combining unit A comprises a number of feeding stations (not illustrated) designed to feed respective rods 3A, 3B, 3C to form the groups of rods 3A, 3B, 3C, wherein at least one of said feeding stations is made like the feeding unit 7 described in the preceding disclosure.

[0044] In this case, said feeding station of the combining unit A is configured to receive, at the input, rods 3 with a multiple length, to cut each rod 3 with a multiple length by means of a transverse cut so as to obtain two rods 3 with a single length, move the rods 3 with a single or multiple length perpendicularly to their central axis X and feeding, at the output, pairs of rods 3 with a single length arranged coaxially and axially separated from one another to receive the group of first rods 3. Said feeding station of the combining unit A comprises a plurality of drums 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 of the type described in the preceding disclosure; said drums 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 are capable of rotating around respective axes R which are parallel to one another and are arranged in succession. Each one of said drums 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 is provided with respective peripheral seats 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, each of said seats 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 is configured to simultaneously receive a pair of rods 3 with a multiple length or a pair of rods 3 with a single length.

[0045] It is important to underline that the two rods 3, 4* with a multiple length or the two rods 3 with a single length, 4 inside each peripheral seat 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 are arranged coaxially .

[0046] The assembling machine 1 and the feeding unit 7 described so far are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, as they do not show any particular construction complexities and above all they allow the rods 4 to be fed to the ends of the group of rods 3A, 3B, 3C in an effective and efficient manner and to produce cigarettes 2 or other smoking articles 2 comprising a plurality of different rods 3, 4.

[0047] List of Reference Numbers

[0048] 1 assembling machine

[0049] 2 multi-component articles

[0050] 3 rods

[0051] 4 rods

[0052] 5 wrapping sheet

[0053] 6 wrapping sheet

[0054] 7 feeding units

[0055] 8 withdrawing drum

[0056] 9 seat

[0057] 10 staggering drum

[0058] 11 seat

[0059] 12 transfer drum

[0060] 13 seat

[0061] 14 cutting drum

[0062] 15 seat

[0063] 16 staggering drum

[0064] 17 seat 18 separating drum

[0065] 19 seat

[0066] 20 blades

[0067] X central axis A combining unit

[0068] B wrapping unit

[0069] C output unit

[0070] R axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. A unit (7) for feeding rods (4) for an assembling machine (1) for the production of multi-component articles (2) comprising a plurality of rods (3, 4) , which are provided with a central axis (X) ; the unit (7) is configured to receive, at the input, rods (4*) with a multiple length, to cut each rod (4*) with a multiple length by means of a transverse cut so as to obtain two rods (4) with a single length, to move the rods (4, 4*) with a single or multiple length perpendicularly to their central axis (X) and to feed, at the output, pairs of rods (4, 4*) with a single length arranged coaxial to one another and axially spaced apart from one another so as to receive a group of further rods (3A, 3B, 3C) ; wherein the unit (7) comprises a plurality of drums (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) capable of rotating around respective axes (R) parallel to one another and arranged in succession, each one of said drums (8, 10 , 12, 14, 16, 18) being provided with respective peripheral seats (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) , each configured to receive at least one pair of rods (4*) with a multiple length or at least a pair of rods (4) with a single length.

2. The unit according to claim 1 and comprising a first withdrawing drum (8) provided with a plurality of first peripheral seats (9) designed to house a number of rods (4*) with a multiple length arranged with their ends facing one another, substantially in contact head-to-head and coaxial to the central axis (X) .

3. The unit according to claim 1 and comprising first cutting members (21) , which cooperate with the first withdrawing drum (8) in order to obtain rods (4*) with a multiple length.

4. The unit according to claim 2 or 3 and comprising a second staggering drum (10) provided with a plurality of second peripheral seats (11) , each designed to receive, at the input and from the first withdrawing drum (8) , two rods (4*) with amultiple length, which are axially spaced apart from one another; wherein the second seats (11) have a distribution distance that is half the one of the first seats (9) .

5. The unit according to claim 4 and comprising a third separating drum (12) provided with a plurality of third peripheral seats (13) , each designed to receive, at the input, two rods (4*) with a multiple length from the staggering drum (10) ; wherein the rods (4*) with a multiple length are axially shifted in the area of an end of the respective third seat (13) .

6. The unit according to claim 5 and comprising a fourth cutting drum (14) provided with a plurality of fourth peripheral seats (15) , each designed to receive, at the input, two rods (4*) with a multiple length, preferably with a double length, from the third separating drum (12) ; and comprising a pair of second cutting members (20) arranged in the area of the fourth seats (15) to cut the rods (4*) with a multiple length crosswise so as to obtain rods (4) with a single length.

7. The unit according to claim 6 and comprising a fifth staggering drum (16) provided with a plurality of fifth peripheral seats (17) , each designed to receive, at the input, two rods (4) with a single length, which are axially spaced apart from one another, from the fourth cutting drum (14) ; wherein the fifth seats (17) have a distribution distance that is smaller than, preferably half, the one of the fourth seats (15) .

8. The unit according to claim 7 and comprising a sixth separating drum (18) provided with a plurality of sixth peripheral seats (19) , each designed to receive, at the input, two rods (4) with a single length from the fifth staggering drum (16) ; wherein the rods (4) with a single length are axially shifted so as to arrange the rods (4) with a single length on two parallel rows.

9. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the peripheral seats (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) is configured to receive two rods (4*) with a multiple length or two rods (4) with a single length arranged coaxial to one another .

10. An assembling machine (1) for the production of multicomponent articles (2) comprising a plurality of rods (3, 4) , which are provided with a central axis (X) ; the machine comprises :- a combining unit (A) , which forms groups of first rods (3) , each comprising at least two different first rods (3A, 3B, 3C) axially aligned with one another and in end-to-end contact, and comprises a number of feeding stations to feed respective first rods (3A, 3B, 3C) to form the groups of first rods (3) ; and- a wrapping unit (B) , which receives a succession of groups of first rods (3) , which are axially aligned with one another and are in end-to-end contact, from the combining unit (A) and comprises a unit (7) for feeding further rods (4) , which is designed to insert a pair of further rods (4) , preferably with a single length, into the group of first rods (3) , and a feeding unit for first wrapping sheets (6) , which are wrapped around the first group of rods (3 , 4) arranged downstream of the unit (7) for feeding further rods (4) ; the machine is characterized in that the unit (7) for feeding further rods (4) and / or any feeding station of the combining unit (A) is designed according to any one of the claims from 1 to 9.

11. A method for feeding first rods (4) for the production of multi-component articles (2) comprising a plurality of rods (3, 4) which are provided with a central axis (X) ; the method comprises the steps of:- feeding a number of first rods (4*) with a multiple length, preferably a double length, with their ends facing one another and substantially in contact head-to-head and coaxial to thecentral axis (X) ; moving the first rods (4*) with a multiple length perpendicularly to their central axis (X) so as to obtain pairs of first rods (4*) with a multiple length arranged coaxial to one another and axially spaced apart from one another;- axially shifting at least one first rod (4*) with a multiple length for each pair in order to increase the axial distance between said first rods (4*) with a multiple length;- dividing each first rod (4*) with a multiple length into two first rods (2) , preferably with a single length, by means of a transverse cut;- moving the first rods (4) perpendicularly to their central axis (X) so as to obtain pairs of first rods (4) arranged coaxial to one another and axially spaced apart from one another;- axially shifting at least one first rod (4) for each pair in order to increase the axial distance between said first rods ( 4 ) ; and- feeding the pairs of rods (4) with a single length so as to receive a group of further rods (3A, 3B, 3C) .

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