Multi-component article, in particular multi-component cigarette, and method for the production of said multi-component article

Abstract

A method is described for the production of multi-component articles (2) having a plurality of first rods (3) provided with an axis (X) which provides manufacturing a group of first rods (3B, 3C) comprising at least two different first rods (3B, 3C) axially aligned with one another; wrapping a first wrapping sheet (5) around the group of first rods (3B, 3C) so as to form a wrap; inserting at least a pair of second rods (3D) in the group of first rods (3B, 3C) once the wrapping has been formed by means of the first wrapping sheet (5); wherein each second rod (3D) is arranged facing one respective end of the group of first rods (3B, 3C); and wrapping a second wrapping sheet (6) around the group of first and second rods (3).

Description

[0001] "MULTI-COMPONENT ARTICLE, IN PARTICULAR MULTI-COMPONENT CIGARETTE, AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SAID MULTICOMPONENT ARTICLE"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102023000024165 filed on November 15, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Field of the Art

[0005] The present invention relates to a multi-component article and a method for the production of said multi-component article. The present invention may be advantageously but not exclusively applied to the production of multi-component smoking articles, wherein at least one rod is a filtering element and at least one rod is an aromatic, preferably tobacco-based, element.

[0006] Prior Art

[0007] As is well known, there is an increasing need to manufacture multi-component articles such as multi-component smoking articles, each of which comprises a plurality of rods placed side by side to each other, of which typically at least one rod consists of a filtering element and at least one other rod consists of an aromatic, preferably tobacco-based, element.

[0008] In order to manufacture the aforesaid multi-component articles, it is known to use assembly machines comprising, in sequence, a combining unit which inserts and aligns groups of first rods; a wrapping unit which inserts further rods in the group of rods coming from the combining unit and wraps a wrapping sheet around the group of rods thus obtained to obtain the two multi-component articles; and finally, an outlet unit having a tip-turning drum, wherein a row of multi-component articles passes from a discordant orientation to an orientation concordant with the other row of multi-component articles, and a plurality of drums wherein some samples are picked up, checked and, if necessary, defective multi-component articles are rejected.

[0009] However, there is an increasing need to make available assembly machines that are versatile and enable the effective and efficient production of multi-component articles comprising a plurality of different rods.

[0010] For example, document EP3641572 discloses a method for the production of multicomponent articles comprising a plurality of rods provided with an axis, which comprises manufacturing a group of first rods comprising at least two different first rods axially aligned with one another, wrapping a first wrapping sheet around the group of first rods so as to form a wrap, and obtaining two sub-groups of first rods. The method also comprises feeding two second rods interposed between the two sub-groups of first rods and wrapping a second wrapping sheet around the group of first and second rods.

[0011] Disclosure of the Invention

[0012] An aim of the present invention is to provide a method for the production of multicomponent articles, which is free from the drawbacks of the prior art and that can be implemented easily and cost-effectively.

[0013] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a multi-component article, which is free from the drawbacks of the prior art and that can be implemented easily and cost- effectively.

[0014] According to the present invention, a method for the production of multi-component articles and a multi-component article according to the attached claims are provided.

[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 schematically shows a multi-component article manufactured according to the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an assembly machine for implementing a method for the production of multi-component articles made in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0020] In Figure 1, number 1 globally denotes an assembly machine for the production of multicomponent articles 2, one of which is shown in Figure 2. Each multi-component article 2 is made from a number of rods 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D (in particular, four rods 3) having an axis X. Preferably, at least one rod 3 A, 3B, 3C and 3D consists of a filtering element and at least one rod 3 A, 3B, 3C and 3D consists of an aromatic, preferably tobacco-based, element. Multi-component article 2 has a diameter D (in the direction orthogonal to the axis X) ranging from 7 mm to 7.5 mm; preferably, multi-component article 2 has a diameter D that is 7.2 mm.

[0021] Each multi-component article 2 comprises a wrapping sheet 6 which wraps rods 3 A, 3B, 3C and 3D. More specifically, wrapping sheet 6 completely wraps rods 3 A, 3B, 3C and at least partially wraps rod 3D. Wrapping sheet 6 is single. An end of rod 3D (and, consequently, of multi-component article 2) is exposed (uncovered), i.e., without wrapping sheet 6. More specifically, the exposed portion of rod 3D, i.e. without wrapping sheet 6, has a length along central axis X that is at least 1 / 3 of the total length of rod 3D . Advantageously, the length along axis X of the exposed portion of rod 3D, i.e. without wrapping sheet 6, ranges from 1 to 6 mm; preferably, the length along axis X of the exposed portion of rod 3D ranges from 3 to 5 mm. Advantageously, wrapping sheet 6 has a length along axis X ranging from 40 to 46 mm; preferably, wrapping sheet 6 has a length along axis X that is 43 mm.

[0022] Preferably, each multi-component article 2 also comprises a wrapping sheet 5, which partially wraps the group of rods 3. More specifically, wrapping sheet 5 wraps exclusively rods 3C, 3B. Wrapping sheet 5 is single. Wrapping sheet 5 completely wraps rod 3C and at least partially wraps rod 3B. One end of rod 3B is without wrapping sheet 5. More specifically, the portion of rod 3B without wrapping sheet 5 has a length along axis X that is at least 3 mm. Advantageously, the length along the axis X of the portion of rod 3B without wrapping sheet 5 ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 mm.

[0023] Wrapping sheet 5 and / or wrapping sheet 6 are made of a material having a basis weight ranging from 18 to 125 gsm; preferably, wrapping sheet 5 and / or wrapping sheet 6 are made of a material having a basis weight ranging from 30 to 60 gsm.

[0024] Wrapping sheet 5 and / or wrapping sheet 6 are made of a material having a thickness ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 mm; preferably, wrapping sheet 5 and / or wrapping sheet 6 are made of a material having a thickness ranging from 0.03 to 0.08 mm.

[0025] Wrapping sheet 6 completely overlaps with wrapping sheet 5.

[0026] Rod 3A has a length along central axis X ranging from 8 to 14 mm; preferably, rod 3A has a length along axis X that is of 12 mm. Rod 3A is advantageously made of acetate or filtering material. Rod 3B has a length along axis X ranging from 12 to 20 mm; preferably, rod 3B has a length along rod X that is 17 mm. Rod 3C has a length along axis X ranging from 5 to 10 mm; preferably, rod 3C has a length along axis X that is 7 mm.

[0027] Rod 3D has a length along axis X ranging from 8 to 15 mm; preferably, rod 3D has a length along axis X that is 12 mm. Advantageously, rod 3D is defined by a tobacco-based aromatic element. According to further variants, rod 3D is defined by an element made of materials other than tobacco (e.g. plant fibre, paper, filtering material, polylactic acid, etc.).

[0028] Advantageously, multi-component article 2 has a total length along axis X ranging from 45 to 52 mm; preferably, multi-component article 2 has a length along axis X that is 48 mm.

[0029] Assembly machine 1 is arranged in a preferably in-line configuration and comprises a forming and wrapping unit A which inserts and aligns groups of rods 3C, 3B and wraps wrapping sheet 5 around the group of rods 3C, 3B thus obtained; a feeding and wrapping unit B which inserts further rods 3A, 3D in the group of rods 3C, 3B coming from the forming and wrapping unit A and wraps wrapping sheet 6 around the group of rods thus obtained in order to obtain the two multicomponent articles 2; and finally, an outlet unit C having a tip-turning drum, wherein a row of multi-component articles 2 undergoes the so-called "tip-turning" to pass from an orientation discordant with the other side-by-side multi-component article 2 to an orientation concordant with the other multicomponent article 2 and, simultaneously to switch from two side-by-side rows of multi-component articles 2 to a single row of multi-component articles 2 (obviously having a distribution pitch halved if compared to the two side-by-side rows of multi-component articles 2) and a plurality of drums wherein some samples are picked up, multi-component articles are checked 2 and defective multi-component articles 2 are rejected up to an exit conveyor which transports multi-component articles 2 out of the assembly machine 1 to a packing machine (not shown).

[0030] Forming and wrapping unit A creates the groups of rods 3C, 3B, each of which comprises a number of axially aligned rods 3C, 3B , wherein the groups of rods 3C, 3B are advanced transversely (i.e., perpendicular to their axis X). Preferably, each group of rods 3C, 3B comprises a number of rods 3C, 3B (in detail two rods) axially aligned with one other, wherein the groups of rods 3C, 3B are advanced transversely (i.e., perpendicular to their axis X).

[0031] Forming and wrapping unit A comprises a number of feeding stations (schematically shown); each of said feeding stations is made to insert respective rods 3C, 3B to form the groups of rods 3C, 3B.

[0032] In particular, forming and wrapping unit A comprises a feeding station 4 having a pickup drum (of the known type and not shown) which successively picks up rods 3B* of multiple lengths, preferably of double length, and cooperates with a cutting device provided with blades to perform the cross-cutting of double-length rods 3B* so as to obtain rods 3B of the desired length, preferably of single length, arranged in head contact. In addition, feeding station 4 comprises a separating drum (of the known type and not shown), which receives the pairs of single-length rods 3B from the pick-up drum and axially spaces (i.e., moves) rods 3B away from each other. Finally, feeding station 4 comprises an outlet drum (of the known type and not shown) that receives rods 3B axially separated from the separator drum and transfers them to a subsequent feeding station 7 of the forming and wrapping unit A .

[0033] Feeding station 7 is provided with a pick-up drum (of the known type and not shown) which successively picks up multi-length rods 3C*, preferably of double length, and an insertion drum, wherein a double-length rod 3C* is inserted between two axially separated rods 3B coming from feeding unit 4. Finally, feeding station 7 comprises an outlet drum (of the known type and not shown) that receives the groups formed by rods 3B, 3C*, 3B placed in succession, facing and in head contact from the insertion drum and transfers them to a subsequent wrapping station 8.

[0034] Wrapping station 8 comprises a wrapping device (of the known type and not shown) made to receive a succession of groups of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B placed in succession, facing and in head contact and wrap wrapping sheet 5 around each group of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B. The wrapping device receives the groups of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B from the outlet drum, advances them transversally and wraps wrapping sheet 5 around the succession of groups of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B and finally separates the groups of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B by means of a transverse cut in a central position so as to obtain two mirror- like groups of rods 3B, 3C arranged with the respective rods 3C facing each other and in head contact. Wrapping sheet 5 is wrapped around the entire circumference of each group of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B in order to establish a mechanical connection between rods 3B, 3C*, 3B of each group. Preferably, wrapping sheet 5 is wrapped partially around the group of rods 3B, 3C*, 3B; in other words, one outer end of the two rods 3B is exposed and is not wrapped with wrapping sheet 5.

[0035] Lastly, forming and wrapping unit A comprises a tip-turning device (of the known type and not shown) which receives the two groups of rods 3B, 3C arranged with their respective facing and head-contacting 3C rods, tip-turns them by 180° so as to arrange them with their respective facing rods 3B and inserts them to the feeding and wrapping unit B. Advantageously, the tip-turning device is made in such a way that the two groups of rods 3B, 3C are axially spaced apart (i.e., rods 3B are not arranged in head / end contact). Feeding and wrapping unit B receives the groups of rods 3B, 3C from forming unit A and advances them transversally. Wrapping and forming unit B comprises a feeding station 9 having a pick-up drum (of the known type and not shown) which successively picks up multiple-length rods 3A*, preferably double length, and co-operates with an insertion drum (of the known type and not shown) to insert a double-length rod 3 A* between two groups of rods 3B, 3C arranged facing each other so that each end of the double-length rod 3 A* of is arranged facing and in head contact with one end of a respective rod 3B.

[0036] Finally, feeding and wrapping unit B comprises a feeding station 10 that receives the groups of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C from feeding station 9 and provides for the insertion of further rods 3D into the groups of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C. In more detail, two rods 3D of the desired length, in particular of single length, arranged at the ends of the group of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C are inserted. In other words, each rod 3D is arranged with one end facing and in head contact with one respective end of the group of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C; in particular, each rod 3D is arranged with one end facing and in head contact with one end of a respective rod 3C. In other words, the group of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C coming from feeding station 9 is interposed between two respective rods 3D.

[0037] Finally, feeding and wrapping unit B comprises a wrapping station 11 designed to wrap the additional wrapping sheet 6 around the succession of groups of rods 3 and finally to separate the groups of rods 3 by means of a transverse cut in a central position so as to obtain two multi-component articles 2 that are fed to the outlet unit C. In more detail, wrapping sheet 6 is wrapped around the entire circumference of each group of rods 3 so as to establish a mechanical connection between rods 3 of each group. In particular, wrapping sheet 6 is configured to (mechanically) connect rods 3D to the group of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C. Preferably, wrapping sheet 6 is wrapped partially around the group of rods 3; in other words, an outer end of each rod 3D (and consequently of multi-component article 2) is exposed and is not wrapped with wrapping sheet 6. Since the group of rods 3C, 3B, 3A*, 3B, 3C coming from feeding station 9 is interposed between two respective rods 3D, it is possible to leave exposed (i.e. unwrapped) a portion of the desired length of each rod 3D (and thus of multi-component article 2).

[0038] The assembly machine 1 described can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, as it does not have any particular constructional complexity, is versatile and above all allows to produce multi-component articles 2 comprising a plurality of different rods 3 effectively and efficiently.

[0039] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

[0040] 1 assembly machine

[0041] 2 multi-component article

[0042] 3 rod

[0043] 3 A rod

[0044] 3B rod

[0045] 3C rod

[0046] 3D rod

[0047] 4 feeding station

[0048] 5 wrapping sheet

[0049] 6 wrapping sheet

[0050] 7 feeding station

[0051] 8 wrapping station

[0052] 9 feeding station

[0053] 10 feeding station

[0054] 11 wrapping station X axis

[0055] A forming and wrapping unit

[0056] B feeding and wrapping unit

[0057] C outlet unit

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for the production of multi-component articles (2) comprising a plurality of rods (3) provided with an axis (X), which comprises the following steps:- manufacturing a group of first rods (3B, 3C) comprising at least two different first rods (3B, 3C) axially aligned with one another;- wrapping a first wrapping sheet (5) around the group of first rods (3B, 3C) so as to form a wrap;- inserting at least two second rods (3D) in the group of first rods (3B, 3C) once the wrapping has been formed by means of the first wrapping sheet (5); wherein each second rod (3D) is placed facing one respective end of the group of first rods (3B, 3C) so that the group of first rods (3B, 3C) is interposed between said two second rods (3D); and- wrapping a second wrapping sheet (6) around the group of first and second rods (3).2.- The method according to claim 1 and comprising the further step of inserting at least a third rod (3 A) in the group of first rods (3B, 3C) once the wrap has been formed by means of the first wrapping sheet (5).3.- The method according to claim 2 and comprising the further steps of:- dividing the group of first rods (3B, 3C) by means of a transverse cut once the wrap has been formed by means of the first wrapping sheet (5) so as to obtain two mirror-like groups of first rods (3B, 3C);- axially spacing the two mirror-like groups of first rods (3B, 3C) from one another; and- inserting a third rod (3A*) with a multiple length, preferably with a double length, between the two mirror-like groups of first rods (3B, 3C).4.- The method according to claim 3 and comprising the further step of tip-turning the two mirror- like groups of first rods (3B, 3C) by 180° before the insertion of the third rod (3A*) with a multiple length.5.- The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first wrapping sheet (5) partially wraps the group of first rods (3B, 3C) so as to leave an end of the group of first rods (3B, 3C) exposed.6.- The method according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the group of first rods (3B, 3C) without the first wrapping sheet (5) has a length along the axis (X) of at least 3 mm, preferably ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 mm.7 The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second wrapping sheet (6) partially wraps the group of rods (3) so as to leave an end of the group of rods (3) exposed.8.- The method according to claim 7, wherein the second wrapping sheet (6) partially wraps the group of rods (3) so as to leave an end of the group of each second rod (3D) exposed.9.- The method according to claim 8, wherein the portion of the second rod (3D) without the second wrapping sheet (6) has a length along the axis (X), which is equal to at least 1 / 3 of the total length of the second rod (3D).10.- The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the portion of the second rod (3D) without the second wrapping sheet (6) has a length along the axis (X) ranging from 1 to 6 mm, preferably ranging from 3 to 5 mm.11.- The method according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the further steps of:- dividing each group of first and second rods (3) into two multi-component articles (2) by means of a transverse cut; and- tip-turning a row of multi-component articles (2) so as to switch to an orientation that is the same as the one of the other row of multi-component articles (2).12.- A multi-component article (2) comprising:- a plurality of rods (3) provided with an axis (X) and having at least one rod (3) consisting of a filtering element and at least one rod (3) consisting of an aromatic, preferably tobacco-based element;- a first wrapping sheet (5) wrapped around a group of first rods (3B, 3C) so as to leave an end of the group of first rods (3B, 3C) exposed; wherein the exposed portion of the group of first rods (3B, 3C), i.e. the one without the first wrapping sheet (5), has a length along the axis (X) of at least 3 mm, preferably ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 mm;- a second wrapping sheet (6) wrapped around the entire circumference of the plurality of rods (3) and overlapping the first wrapping sheet (5) so as to leave an end of a second rod (3D) exposed; wherein the exposed portion of the second rod (3D), i.e. the one without the second wrapping sheet (6), has a length along the axis (X), which is equal to at least(3D), i.e. the one without the second wrapping sheet (6), has a length along the axis (X) ranging from 1 to 6 mm, preferably from 3 to 5 mm.13.- The article according to claim 12, wherein the first wrapping sheet (5) and / or the second wrapping sheet (6) are made of a material having a basis weight ranging from 18 to 125 gsm; preferably, the first wrapping sheet (5) and / or the second wrapping sheet (6) are made of a material having a basis weight ranging from 30 to 60 gsm.14.- The article according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first wrapping sheet (5) and / or the second wrapping sheet (6) are made of a material having a thickness ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 mm; preferably, the first wrapping sheet (5) and / or the second wrapping sheet (6) are made of a material having a thickness ranging from 0.03 to 0.08 mm.

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