Drum component of smoking article packaging manufacturing system

Abstract

A drum component (2) of a manufacturing system (1) for smoking article packaging is disclosed, comprising: a main body (4) comprising an attachment feature (14) for connecting to a rotatable element (20) of the manufacturing system, wherein the main body comprises an outer surface comprising: a seat (24); and a blade insert assembly (6) configured to be removably received in the seat, the blade insert assembly comprising a blade (8) configured to cut foil (10) for smoking article packaging.

Description

[0001] DRUM COMPONENT OF SMOKING ARTICLE PACKAGING MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to manufacturing systems for smoking article packaging. In particular, the invention relates to an improved drum component of a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, can come packaged in foil to maintain freshness of the smoking articles therein. The foil is often provided as a lining of an outer packet or package. In particular, the use of a foil as an inner lining of the package, preferably connected to the opening lid of package so that the foil provides a barrier when the lid is in the closed position, are effective in maintaining the freshness of the smoking articles contained in the packages. In particular, the use of an inner lining foil of the packages has been proven to be effective when the packages are commercialized in countries where ambient conditions, such as temperature and humidity, could negatively affect the freshness of the smoking article. In systems for manufacturing the foil, a drum component with a blade can be used to repeatedly cut a sheet of foil passed continuously between the drum and a counter-roller to create a desired shape or to create features in the foil. In one example, the blade can be used to provide a line of weakness to enable a user to create an opening in the foil that, in use, is arranged at the open upper portion of the package, reversibly closed by the lid, from which the smoking articles can be taken out by a user.

[0006] It has been found that this manufacturing mechanism using a drum component with a blade to repeatedly cut a sheet becomes inconsistent and can create undesirable jagged or unclean cuts in the foil when the blade becomes worn. It has also been found that the drum component in such systems is difficult and expensive to maintain.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to address these issues. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a drum component of a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging, comprising: a main body comprising an attachment feature for connecting to a rotatable element of the manufacturing system, wherein the main body comprises an outer surface comprising: a seat; and a blade insert assembly configured to be removably received in the seat, the blade insert assembly comprising a blade configured to cut foil for smoking article packaging.

[0009] In this way, when the blade becomes irreparably worn through use, the blade insert assembly can be removed from the seat and replaced independently of the drum component. This avoids the need to remove and replace the entire drum component from the manufacturing system, which is expensive and time consuming.

[0010] In practice, the blade may be arranged to cut the foil without fully penetrating through the foil, for instance to create a line of weakness to enable a user to easily open a portion of the foil when incorporated in a packet. In one example usage of the drum component, the blade is arranged at a distance from the foil to cut through about 50-90% of the foil, preferably about 75%, within a tolerance of ± 5%, of the thickness of the foil. In other use cases, the blade may fully penetrate the foil.

[0011] Preferably, the blade insert assembly comprises a base to which the blade is attached, and the drum component further comprises an adjustment device that is usable or insertable to increase or set a separation distance, the separation distance defined by a distance between the base and the seat during use, preferably to offset a reduction in height of the blade resulting from wear of the blade. In this way, the usable lifetime of the blade can be increased before replacement of the blade is required. It has been found that unsatisfactory cutting can be caused by wearing of the blade, which causes an increase in the distance from the blade tip to a foil sheet passed by the drum component in use. The adjustment device is operable to counteract this consequence of wearing of the blade by increasing the distance between the seat and the base. Advantageously, the reduced blade height is mitigated while avoiding a known technique of modifying the relative position of the entire drum component and the counter-roller, where the blade is arranged adjacent the counter-roller, which can be inconvenient.

[0012] In cases where the adjustment device is not provided to offset a reduction in height of the blade resulting from wear of the blade, the adjustment device provides a more convenient manner of modifying the relative position of the blade of the drum component and the counter-roller to make adjustments to the manufacturing system, without having to move the entire drum component.

[0013] The adjustment device can be embodied in any suitable manner.

[0014] It would be understood that the “height” of the blade is the extent of the blade as measured from the base of the blade insert assembly to the cutting edge of the blade.

[0015] Preferably, the adjustment device comprises an insertable spacer configured to be inserted between the base and the seat to increase or set the separation distance. In this way, the height reduction of the blade can be offset conveniently by inserting a spacer between the base and the seat. The base of the blade insert assembly can then rest against the spacer during use, thereby increasing the distance between the base and the seat to restore the distance between the blade’s tip and the seat. The spacer may have a shape corresponding to a shape of at least part of the seat that enables the spacer to fit against the seat without obstructing the base or any fixing mechanism for attaching the base to the seat. In one example, the spacer may comprise one or more holes configured to accommodate a fixing mechanism used to attach the blade insert assembly to the seat. The spacer can have the shape of a washer, in one example. The spacer may comprise metal, such as aluminium.

[0016] Preferably, the spacer has a maximum thickness between 30 pm and 50 pm, more preferably between 40 pm and 50 pm, preferably within a tolerance of ± 5%. In this way, the spacer is sufficiently thin for offsetting levels of blade wear typically seen from cutting foil for cigarette packaging. In this sense, the spacer can also be described as a wafer. The spacer can be more or less thick in other examples.

[0017] More preferably, the spacer has a maximum thickness of about 50 pm, preferably within a tolerance of ± 5%. In other examples, the spacer can be 10, 20, 30, 60, 70, 80, or 90 pm thick.

[0018] Preferably, the adjustment device comprises a plurality of insertable spacers configured to be inserted between the base and the seat simultaneously to increase or set the separation distance to offset a reduction in height of the blade resulting from wear of the blade. In this way, height reduction of the blade due to wear can be offset several times before the blade insert assembly requires replacement, further extending the lifespan of the assembly. Each spacer of the plurality of insertable spacers may be configured in the same way as the singular spacer described above. The plurality of insertable spacers may comprise spacers of different thicknesses to accommodate different levels of wear of the blade.

[0019] Preferably, the blade insert assembly comprises a first threaded hole and the seat comprises a corresponding second threaded hole, each configured to receive a threaded component to attach the blade insert assembly to the seat. In this way, the blade insert assembly can be attached conveniently to the drum component. The first threaded hole may be provided in a base of the blade insert assembly. In other examples, any other suitable mechanism may be used to attach the blade insert assembly to the seat.

[0020] Preferably, the blade is substantially U-shaped to allow the blade to cut a flap into foil during use. Such blades can be used to create incisions in the foil that are visible to the user in some types of smoking article packaging. Therefore, there is a particular need to maintain the quality of incisions or cuts created by this type of blade to avoid the visual appearance of the packaging from being degraded. One example of this type packaging is a cigarette packet that includes a foil lining with a flap arranged at the opening of the packet, where the flap is attached to an outer lid of the packet. In this example it is necessary that the foil lining is perfectly aligned with the opening of the packet and therefore the incisions in the foil need to be performed with a high degree of accuracy and quality.

[0021] Preferably, the blade comprises two substantially parallel first portions connected at respective first ends by a second portion that is substantially perpendicular to the first portions and the two first portions each comprise a respective second end opposite their respective first end that is curved. In this way, the blade can be particularly suitable for creating a flap in the foil that is attachable to an outer lid of a smoking article packet.

[0022] Preferably, the blade is configured to cut foil having a thickness of about 50 pm, preferably within a tolerance of ± 5%. In this way, the blade is configured for cutting foil that is typically used for smoking article packaging. Alternatively, or in addition, the blade may be configured to cut aluminium or tin foil.

[0023] The drum component may comprise a plurality of blade insert assemblies, each blade insert assembly comprising a respective blade, wherein the outer surface comprises a corresponding plurality of seats, each seat configured to removably receive a respective blade insert assembly. A corresponding adjustment device, such as the insertable spacer as described previously, may be provided for each seat and corresponding blade insert assembly to counteract each blade’s wear over time. Several insertable spacers may be insertable into each seat.

[0024] The blade may comprise any suitable material. Preferably, the blade comprises steel. More preferably, the blade comprises steel with a hardness (according to the Hardness Rockwell Scale C, HRC) in the range of 50-65 HRC. In one example, the blade comprises steel of hardness in the range of 60-62, however other hardness values below 60 or above 62 are also possible, e.g. in the range of 55 - 60 or in the range of 62 - 65. Yet more preferably, the blade comprises steel no. 1.2379, preferably which has a HRC in the range of 50-65, such as 60- 62, however other hardness values below 60 or above 62 are also possible, e.g. in the range of 55 - 60 or in the range of 62 - 65. In other words, according to possible embodiments the blade comprises steel, preferably steel no. 1.2379. According to different possible embodiments, the hardness (according to the Hardness Rockwell Scale C, HRC) can be in the range of 50-65. Preferably, all the values or ranges of the hardness indicated herein have a tolerance of ±5. It has been found that a blade formed using this steel is more durable when cutting foil for cigarette packaging and requires replacement less often.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the blade comprises steel of steel no. 1 .2379 and a hardness of 55 HRC (±5 HRC), which has been found to be the most effective combination for cutting foil for cigarette packaging. In summary, the blade can comprise steel, preferably steel no. 1 .2379, with a hardness in the range of 50-65 HRC, more preferably 55-65 HRC, more preferably 55-62, most preferably 55 HRC (each value preferably being ±5 HRC).

[0026] Preferably, the blade insert assembly and the drum component comprise respective interlocking alignment features configured to align the blade insert assembly in the seat. In this way, the blade insert assembly can be more reliably aligned in the seat. Preferably, the alignment features are provided asymmetrically, such as only on one corresponding side of the blade insert assembly and the drum component, to prevent the blade insert assembly from being inserted into the seat in the wrong orientation. In one example, the alignment features comprise a pin and a slot, one of which is provided on an outer surface of the drum component, such as on the seat, while the other is provided on the blade insert assembly.

[0027] The drum component may be suitable for a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging, the manufacturing system comprising the drum component of the first aspect of the invention.

[0029] Preferably, the manufacturing system comprises a counter-roller arranged adjacent the drum component and configured to provide a bracing surface to a foil sheet while blade of the drum component creates an incision in the foil sheet. Preferably, the counter-roller and the drum component are arranged at a relative distance that allows the blade of the drum component to cut through 50-90%, more preferably through about 75%, within a tolerance of ± 5%, of a maximum thickness of the foil. This allows a line of weakness to be created to make the foil openable by the user into a flap, as described previously.

[0030] Preferably, the counter-roller is made of a material that is softer, and / or has a lower HRC value, than the material of which the blade is made of. In this way, premature wearing of the blade can be avoided.

[0031] Preferably, the counter-roller comprises steel. More preferably, the counter-roller comprises a steel that is softer, and / or has a lower HRC value, than steel of the blade. In this way, premature wearing of the blade can be avoided, compared to existing systems wherein the blade and counter-roller are formed from the same material. More preferably, the counter-roller has a HRC in the range of 40-55, preferably 45-55, more preferably of about 45 or 50 HRC. Preferably, all the values or ranges of the hardness indicated herein have a tolerance of ± 5.

[0032] The counter-roller may comprise steel no. 420F, which provides a hardness of 50 HRC in one example, however other hardness values in the range 40-55 are possible for steel no. 420F. The counter-roller may comprise steel no. 420F and the blade may comprise steel no. 1.2379, a combination that has been found to reduce wear on the blade. Also in this case, as mentioned above, preferably the values or ranges of the hardness indicated herein have a tolerance of ± 5.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the counter-roller comprises steel no. 420F, preferably with hardness of 40 - 55 HRC, more preferably of 45-55, yet more preferably about 45 HRC, and the blade comprise steel no. 1 .2379, preferably with hardness between 50 - 65 (in particular 60 - 62 or below 60 e.g. 55 - 60 are also possible), more preferably hardness is about 55 HRC. As mentioned above, preferably the values or ranges of the hardness have a tolerance of ± 5.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the counter-roller comprises steel no. 420F, preferably with hardness of about 50 HRC, and the blade comprise steel no. 1 .2379, preferably with hardness of 60 - 62 HRC. Also in this case, as mentioned above, preferably the values or ranges of the hardness have a tolerance of ± 5.

[0035] Preferably, the blade is substantially U-shaped to enable the blade to create a flap in the foil, the flap configured to be attached to a lid of a smoking article packet.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of maintaining the drum component of the first aspect of the present invention, comprising removing the blade insert assembly and inserting a replacement blade insert assembly into the seat, the replacement blade insert assembly comprising a fresh blade that is less worn than the blade of the previous blade insert assembly.

[0037] Preferably, the method comprises, prior to inserting the replacement blade insert assembly, using or inserting an adjustment device of the drum component to increase or set a separation distance between a base of the blade insert assembly and the seat, preferably to offset a reduction in blade height caused by wear of the blade during use. In this way, the lifetime of the original blade insert assembly can be extended before the replacement blade insert assembly is installed. In one example, the method can include inserting one or more spacers between the seat and the base so that the base rests on the spacer(s).

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional diagram of part of a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a drum component in an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a top view of a schematic diagram of a blade insert assembly of an embodiment of the invention; and

[0042] Figure 4 shows a top view of a schematic illustration of a spacer in an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a portion of a manufacturing system 1 for manufacturing smoking article packaging according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The manufacturing system 1 comprises a drum component 2 comprising a main body 4 with an outer surface on which a blade insert assembly 6 is mounted. The blade insert assembly 6 comprises a blade 8 for cutting a foil sheet 10 passed between the drum component 2 and a counter-roller 12. The drum component comprises a central bore 14 configured to receive an axle to drive rotation of the drum component 2. It has to be noted that, even if reference is made herein to a drum component comprising a central bore configured to receive an axle to drive rotation, i.e. the drum component is a sleeve or a tubular part (such as a hollow axle or a bushing) designed to fit over a roller or an axle, embodiments are possible wherein the drum component is 2 is a roller or an axle (e.g. without a central bore) that can be put into rotation. Similarly, the counter-roller 12 comprises a central bore 16 configured to receive a corresponding axle to drive rotation of the counter-roller 12 in an opposite direction to the drum component 2. In other embodiments, the counter-roller 12 is a roller or an axle (e.g. without a central bore) that can be put into rotation. An outer surface 18 of the counter-roller 12 contacts the foil sheet 10 to provide a bracing surface for the foil sheet 10 as it is being cut. The foil sheet 10 may be dispensed from a roll in a previous section of the manufacturing system 1 and pulled by further rolling components situated after the drum component 2 and the counter-roller 12.

[0046] During use, a downstream component can pull the foil sheet 10 continuously past the drum component 2 and the counter-roller 12. The drum component 2 is rotated by the axle fitted within the bore 14 so that the blade 8 of the blade insert assembly 6 repeatedly encounters and cuts the foil sheet 10. The outer surface 18 of the counter-roller 12 provides a surface to brace the foil sheet 10 when cutting, ensuring a consistent cutting action and preventing movement of the foil sheet 10 during cutting. As shown in Figure 2, the drum component 2 comprises further blade insert assemblies that also repeatedly cut the foil sheet 10 in a similar fashion. The foil sheet 10 undergoes subsequent processing in other parts of the manufacturing system (not shown) to incorporate the cut foil within smoking article packaging.

[0047] In particular, the blade 8 can be configured to create a line of weakness that can be broken by a user to create a flap in the foil sheet 10. It would therefore be understood that “cut” and “cutting” as used herein includes both partial and full cuts through the foil. Thus, the blade 8 may not cut completely through the foil sheet 10, but rather may create an incision that is about 75% of the maximum thickness of the foil sheet 10. The portion that is to form the flap can be attached to an outer lid of a smoking article packet so that a foil lining can be opened and closed as the smoking article packet is opened and closed.

[0048] The drum component 2 has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section in this example, but could have any other suitable shape or cross section in other examples.

[0049] The main body 4 comprises a cylindrical structure formed of a metal material. The outer surface of the cylindrical structure comprises features shaped to receive the blade insert assembly 6, as described in further detail below with respect to Figure 2. In other examples, the main body 4 can comprise other materials and have other structures. In one example, the main body 4 can comprise a removable sleeve that forms the outer surface of the drum component 2 that can be slid on and off from a frame to facilitate maintenance. In this case, the blade insert assembly 6 (and any further blade insert assemblies) can be attachable to the sleeve and the frame can comprise the bore 14. The foil sheet 10 In this example comprises aluminium, but could comprise any other suitable material for forming smoking article packaging in other examples. The foil sheet 10 is preferably a metal foil, and is preferably suitable for forming the lining of a smoking article packet.

[0050] The counter-roller 12 comprises a cylindrical metal body. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , at least the outer surface 18 of the counter-roller 12 comprises a steel that is softer than steel of the blade 8, in this example steel no. 420F, in order to reduce wearing of the blade 8. The material of the counter-roller, preferably steel and in particular steel no. 420F, can be provided with hardness of 40 - 55. According to an embodiment the steel, preferably steel no. 420F, of the counterroller has hardness of 45 HRC. Also in this case, as mentioned above, preferably the values or ranges of the hardness have a tolerance of ± 5. The counter-roller 12 could comprise other shapes and materials, or have other structures, in other examples.

[0051] In other examples, any other suitable attachment mechanism can be used to connect the drum component 2 and the counter roller 12 to a rotatable element of the manufacturing system 1.

[0052] Over time, the blade 8 becomes worn from repeated contact with the foil sheet 10 and, in some cases, from marginal contact with the outer surface 18 of the counter-roller 12. Once worn, the blade 8 begins to produce unsatisfactory cuts with jagged edges, or may fail to cut at all. The drum component 2 comprises further features designed to mitigate this issue, described below with respect to Figure 2.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the drum component 2 in greater detail, in a partially exploded perspective view.

[0054] The drum component 2 is shown mounted on an axle 20 that drives rotation of the drum component 2 during use. The blade insert assembly 6 comprises a base 22 onto which the blade 8 is mounted by any suitable means. A corresponding seat 24 is provided on the outer surface of the main body 4. The seat 24 is formed by a recess in the outer surface of the main body 4 and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the base 22 so that the base 22 can be removably inserted into the recess. A schematic diagram of the blade insert assembly 6 is shown in Figure 3 in a plan view.

[0055] The base 22 comprises threaded holes 26 that enable attachment of the base 22 to the seat 24. The seat 24 comprises corresponding threaded holes 28 of the same dimensions as the holes 28 so that the base 22 can be secured to the seat 24 using screws 30. As shown in Figure 3, for a more secure attachment, threaded holes 26 are provided on both sides of the blade insert assembly 6 for attachment to corresponding threaded holes (not shown) on the seat 24.

[0056] The seat 24 is provided in this example with a positioning pin 25 that fits into and interlocks with a complementary receiving slot 27 in the blade insert assembly 6 to ensure the positioning of the blade insert assembly 6 relative to the drum component 2 is fixed when installed. The positioning pin 25 and receiving slot 27 are arranged only one side of the seat 24 and blade insert assembly 6 prevent the blade insert assembly 6 from being installed in an incorrect orientation. In other embodiments, the receiving slot 27 can be provided in the seat 24 and the positioning pin 25 can be provided on the blade insert assembly 6. Alternatively, any other suitable alignment features can be provided on the blade insert assembly 6 and / or the seat 24 to prevent misorientation or misalignment of the blade insert assembly 6.

[0057] As the blade 8 becomes worn through use, the height of the blade 8 with respect to the base 22 decreases, causing the quality of cutting provided by the blade 8 to drop. The present invention provides a way of counteracting this wear by providing a spacer 32 that is insertable between the base 22 and the seat 24 to offset the reduction in height due to wear. The spacer 32 has a thickness similar to the reduction in height of the blade 8 at which unsatisfactory cuts start to occur during manufacturing. Thus, the ideal thickness of the spacer 32 may depend on various factors, such as the blade’s material or the particular foil sheet 10. In this example, the spacer 32 has a thickness of about 50 pm, and thus can equally be described as a foil or a wafer. The spacer 32 comprises features that enable the spacer 32 to fit within between the seat 24 and the base 22. In this case, the spacer 32 comprises holes 34 that correspond in size to the holes 26, the holes 28, and the positioning pin 25.

[0058] Once wearing of the blade 8 has been identified, the blade insert assembly 6 can be removed from the seat 24 using the screws 30. The spacer 32 can then be inserted into the seat 24 and arranged so that the holes 34 align with the holes 28. The blade insert assembly 6 can then be repositioned in the seat 24 using the positioning pin 25 and the receiving slot 27, so that the base 22 rests against the spacer 32, and re-attached using the screws 30. The separation distance between the base 22 and the seat 24 is thus slightly increased to restore an original separation distance between the tip of the blade 8 and the seat 24. This offsets the reduction in height of the worn blade 8 to increase the lifespan of the blade insert assembly 6. Several identical spacers 32 can be inserted in a similar fashion, so that several spacers 32 are present simultaneously between the seat 24 and the base 22 during use of the drum component 2, as further wear occurs.

[0059] Eventually, the blade insert assembly 6 can be replaced with a fresh or “replacement” blade insert assembly and previously positioned spacers 32 may be removed. This replacement can be done conveniently using the screws 30 without necessitating removal of the entire drum component 2, dramatically reducing the time required to perform maintenance on the manufacturing system 1.

[0060] As shown in Figure 2, the drum component 2 can comprise further blade insert assemblies 36, each comprising a respective blade 38 mounted by any suitable means to a respective base 40. The outer surface of the main body 4 comprises recesses forming corresponding seats 42. That is, each seat 42 has a shape corresponding to the shape of a base 40 of a corresponding blade insert assembly 36. As with the blade insert assembly 6, the blade insert assemblies 36 each comprise threaded holes 44 that have the same diameter as threaded holes 46 in the corresponding seat 42. Screws 48 can be used to secure the blade insert assemblies 36 to the seats 42, as illustrated by the dashed lines in Figure 2.As described previously, spacers 50 with corresponding holes 52 can be inserted between each base 40 and each seat 42 to offset a reduction in height of the blades 38 due to wear. Eventually, the blade insert assemblies 36 can be removed and replaced with fresh assemblies without having to replace the entire drum component.

[0061] The additional blade insert assemblies 36 can be configured to cut the foil sheet 10 to any suitable shape. Alternatively, or in addition, the additional blade insert assemblies 36 can be configured or arranged in use to cut the foil sheet 10 without fully penetrating the foil sheet 10 to create a line of weakness. The line of weakness can be used to later fold the foil sheet 10 into a desired shape or to create a packaging portion that can be easily opened by a user.

[0062] The additional blade insert assemblies 36 may also comprise respective alignment features (not shown), similar to the positioning pin 25 and receiving slot 27, to prevent misorientation or misalignment.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the blade 8 in this example is generally U-shaped. That is, it comprises two substantially straight portions connected by a substantially perpendicular portion. The blade 8 is arranged upstanding and substantially perpendicularly from the base 22, but other arrangements are possible. The blade 8 comprises curved ends 9 to impart a particular shape onto the foil sheet 10 that is useful for creating a flap in the foil that is attachable to a smoking article packet lid. The blade 8 can comprise any suitable material, such as steel, and may have other shapes in other examples. In this example, the blade comprises steel no.: 1.2379, preferably which has a HRC in the range of 50-65, such as 55 or 60-62 (preferably the values or ranges of the hardness have a tolerance of ±5), which has been found to provide a more durable blade for cutting foil for smoking article packaging.

[0064] As mentioned above other hardness values of the blade material, preferably steel and more preferable steel no.: 1.2379, are also possible e.g. 55 - 60, and in general between 50 - 65. According to a possible embodiment, the blade comprises steel no.: 1.2379, preferably which has a HRC of about 55. Also in this case, as mentioned above, preferably the values or ranges of the hardness have a tolerance of ±5.

[0065] The blade 8 is preferably configured specifically to cut aluminium or tin foil of a thickness of about 50 pm, and more preferably to create an incision in said foil of about 75% of the thickness of the foil, as described elsewhere. More generally, the blade 8 is preferably configured to cut foil suitable for use in smoking article packaging.

[0066] The base 22 has an arched shape that enables the base 22 to fit into a corresponding arched recess that forms the seat 24. It would be appreciated that the base 22 and the seat 24 can have any other suitable corresponding shapes in other embodiments. The bases 40 and the seats 42 have an approximately cuboidal shape with bevelled edges in this example, however it would also be appreciated that any other suitable shape could be implemented.

[0067] The spacer 32 can have any suitable shape that enables insertion between the seat 24 and the base 22. In this example, the spacer comprises a strip with holes 34, where the strip is sized to fit within the seat 24. The spacer 32 comprises metal, such as aluminium, in this example, but could comprise other materials in other embodiments.

[0068] Equally, the spacer 50 is formed of a strip comprising a metal such as aluminium, the strip sized to fit in the seats 42. The spacer 50 has holes 52 that enable the spacer 52 to be screwed in place by the screws 48. The spacer can have any other suitable shape in other examples. One example of an alternatively shaped spacer 54 is shown in Figure 4, which comprises a single hole 56 configured to receive the screws 48. The spacer 54 can also be used with the blade insert assemblies 36 of the drum component 2.

[0069] In this example embodiment, the blade insert assembly 6 and the blade insert assemblies 36 comprise threaded holes as an attachment mechanism to the corresponding seat 24 and seats 42. It would be appreciated that any other suitable attachment mechanism could be used in other examples that enables the blade insert assemblies 6, 36 to be removable from the drum component 2 and the spacers 32, 50 to be inserted beneath each base 22, 40. In one example, an interference fit or snap-lock mechanism could be used as an alternative to the threaded holes. It is considered that threaded holes provide the best combination of secureness of fit and ease of removal for performing maintenance.

[0070] In other embodiments, the drum component 2 may comprise only one, or could comprise further blade insert assemblies, to accommodate the requirements of different manufacturing systems or different smoking article packets.

[0071] The manufacturing system 1 is configured to produce cigarette packaging in this example. The cigarette packaging can comprise an outer packet comprising paper or cardboard and an inner foil lining including foil cut with the drum component 2. In other examples, the foil could form part of an outer packet, or could be used in the packaging of any other type of smoking article.

[0072] In this example embodiment, the spacer 32 and the spacer 50 provide an adjustment device that is insertable to offset wear of the blade 8 or the blades 38, respectively. This provides a cheap mechanism that is easy to use and implement.

[0073] However, other types of adjustment devices are also envisaged.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A drum component of a manufacturing system for smoking article packaging, comprising: a main body comprising an attachment feature for connecting to a rotatable element of the manufacturing system, wherein the main body comprises an outer surface comprising: a seat; and a blade insert assembly configured to be removably received in the seat, the blade insert assembly comprising a blade configured to cut foil for smoking article packaging.

2. The drum component of claim 1 , wherein the blade insert assembly comprises a base to which the blade is attached, and the drum component further comprises an adjustment device that is usable to increase or set a separation distance, the separation distance defined by a distance between the base and the seat during use, preferably to offset a reduction in height of the blade resulting from wear of the blade.

3. The drum component of claim 2, wherein the adjustment device comprises an insertable spacer configured to be inserted between the base and the seat to increase or set the separation distance.

4. The drum component of claim 3, wherein the spacer has a maximum thickness between 30 pm and 50 pm, preferably between 40 pm and 50 pm, within a tolerance of ± 5%.

5. The drum component of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the spacer has a maximum thickness of 50 pm within a tolerance of ± 5%.

6. The drum component of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the adjustment device comprises a plurality of insertable spacers configured to be inserted between the base and the seat simultaneously to increase or set the separation distance, preferably to offset a reduction in height of the blade resulting from wear of the blade.

7. The drum component of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade insert assembly comprises a first threaded hole and the seat comprises a corresponding second threaded hole, each configured to receive a threaded component to attach the blade insert assembly to the seat.

8. The drum component of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is substantially U-shaped to allow the blade to cut a flap into foil during use.

9. The drum component of claim 8, wherein the blade comprises two substantially parallel first portions connected at respective first ends by a second portion that is substantially perpendicular to the first portions and the two first portions each comprise a respective second end opposite their respective first end that is curved.

10. The drum component of any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is configured to cut foil having a thickness of about 50 pm.11 . The drum component of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of blade insert assemblies, each blade insert assembly comprising a respective blade, wherein the outer surface comprises a corresponding plurality of seats, each seat configured to removably receive a respective blade insert assembly.

12. A manufacturing system for smoking article packaging comprising the drum component of any of the preceding claims.

13. The manufacturing system of claim 12, comprising a counter-roller arranged adjacent the drum component and configured to provide a bracing surface to a foil sheet while the blade of the drum component creates an incision in the foil sheet.

14. The manufacturing system of claim 13, wherein the blade is substantially U-shaped to enable the blade to create a flap in the foil, the flap configured to be attached to a lid of a smoking article packet.

15. A method of maintaining the drum component of any of claims 1 to 11 , comprising removing the blade insert assembly and inserting a replacement blade insert assembly into the seat, the replacement blade insert assembly comprising a fresh blade that is less worn than the blade of the previous blade insert assembly.

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