Method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes

Abstract

An orderly succession of first tobacco articles ( 4 ), each defined by a double cigarette portion, is fed, with a first pitch (P 1 ), to a first portion (S 1 ) of a path (B) along a filter assembly machine ( 5 ); as they travel along the first portion, the first articles ( 4 ) are cut into respective pairs of portions ( 13, 14 ), and the portions in each pair are spaced axially and then fed along a second portion (S 2 ) of the path (B); as they travel along the second portion, the portion ( 13, 14 ) in each pair are separated by the interposition of a double filter ( 21 ) to form a succession of second articles ( 29 ), each defined by the relative pair of portions ( 13, 14 ) and by the relative interposed double filter ( 21 ); a respective strip ( 33 ) being applied, by rolling, to each second article ( 29 ) to connect the pair of portions ( 13, 14 ) and the double filter ( 21 ) and form a third article ( 40 ) defined by a double cigarette; and the first articles ( 4 ) being subjected to a pitch reduction to assume, along the first portion (S 1 ) of the path, a second pitch (P 2 ) shorter than the first pitch (P 1 ) and of a length approximately equal to but no shorter than the length of the relative strip ( 33 ).

1 ) A method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes, the method comprising the steps of feeding an orderly succession of first tobacco articles ( 4 ), spaced with a first pitch (P 1 ) and each defined by a double cigarette portion, to a first portion (S 1 ) of a path (B) extending along a filter assembly machine ( 5 ); feeding said first articles ( 4 ) along said first portion (S 1 ) and through a first cutting station ( 12 ) to cut said first articles ( 4 ) transversely into respective pairs of portions ( 13 ,  14 ), and then through spacing means ( 18 ) for axially spacing the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) in each said pair; feeding said pairs of spaced portions ( 13 ,  14 ) along a second portion (S 2 ) of said path (B); interposing, as they travel along said second portion (S 2 ), a double filter ( 21 ) between the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) in each said pair, to form a succession of second articles ( 29 ), each defined by the relative said pair of portions ( 13 ,  14 ) and by the relative interposed said double filter ( 21 ); applying by rolling, along said second portion (S 2 ), a respective strip ( 33 ) to each second article ( 29 ) to connect the relative said pair of portions ( 13 ,  14 ) and the relative said double filter ( 21 ) and form a third article ( 40 ) defined by a double cigarette; feeding said third articles ( 40 ) along a third portion (S 3 ) of said path (B) and through a second cutting station ( 45 ) to obtain, from each said third article ( 40 ), two fourth articles ( 46 ) oppositely oriented and each defined by a filter-tipped cigarette; and feeding said fourth articles ( 46 ) along a fourth portion (S 4 ) of said path (B) and through a turnover unit ( 50 ) to obtain a succession of equioriented said fourth articles ( 46 ); and being characterized by comprising the further step of subjecting said first articles ( 4 ), as they travel along said first portion (S 1 ) or as they are transferred from said first portion (S 1 ) to said second portion (S 2 ), to a pitch reduction to assume a second pitch (P 2 ) shorter than said first pitch (P 1 ) and of a length approximately equal to but no less than the length of the relative said strip ( 33 ).  
   
   
       2 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first pitch is about 37.7 mm, and said second pitch (P 2 ) ranges between 30 and 32 mm.  
   
   
       3 ) A method as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that said second pitch (P 2 ) is about 31 mm long.  
   
   
       4 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pitch reduction is made at the end of said first portion (S 1 ) as said first articles ( 4 ) are transferred from said first portion (S 1 ) to said second portion (S 2 ).  
   
   
       5 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pitch reduction is made along the first portion (S 1 ).  
   
   
       6 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising the further step of subjecting said third articles ( 40 ), as they travel along said second portion (S 2 ), to a further pitch reduction to assume a third pitch (P 3 ) shorter than said second pitch (P 2 ).  
   
   
       7 ) A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said further pitch reduction is made as said third articles ( 40 ) are transferred from said second portion (S 2 ) to said third portion (S 3 ).  
   
   
       8 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising the further step of subjecting said fourth articles ( 46 ), as they travel along said fourth portion (S 4 ), to yet a further pitch reduction to assume a fourth pitch (P 4 ) shorter than said third pitch (P 3 ).  
   
   
       9 ) A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said yet a further pitch reduction is made as said fourth articles ( 46 ) travel through said turnover unit ( 50 ).  
   
   
       10 ) A method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes, the method comprising the steps of feeding an orderly succession of first tobacco articles ( 4 ), spaced with a first pitch (P 1 ) and each defined by a double cigarette portion, to a first portion (S 1 ) of a path (B) extending along a filter assembly machine ( 5 ); feeding said first articles ( 4 ) along said first portion (S 1 ) and through a first cutting station ( 12 ) to cut said first articles ( 4 ) transversely into respective pairs of portions ( 13 ,  14 ), and then through spacing means ( 18 ) for axially spacing the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) in each said pair; feeding said pairs of spaced portions ( 13 ,  14 ) along a second portion (S 2 ) of said path (B); interposing, as they travel along said second portion (S 2 ), a double filter ( 21 ) between the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) in each said pair, to form a succession of second articles ( 29 ), each defined by the relative said pair of portions ( 13 ,  14 ) and by the relative interposed said double filter ( 21 ); applying by rolling, along said second portion (S 2 ), a respective strip ( 33 ) to each second article ( 29 ) to connect the relative said pair of portions ( 13 ,  14 ) and the relative said double filter ( 21 ) and form a third article ( 40 ) defined by a double cigarette; feeding said third articles ( 40 ) along a third portion (S 3 ) of said path (B) and through a second cutting station ( 45 ) to obtain, from each said third article ( 40 ), two fourth articles ( 46 ) oppositely oriented and each defined by a filter-tipped cigarette; and feeding said fourth articles ( 46 ) along a fourth portion (S 4 ) of said path (B) and through a turnover unit ( 50 ) to obtain a succession of equioriented said fourth articles ( 46 ); and being characterized by comprising the further steps of subjecting said first articles ( 4 ), as they travel along said first portion (S 1 ) or as they are transferred from said first portion (S 1 ) to said second portion (S 2 ), to a pitch reduction to assume a second pitch (P 2 ) shorter than said first pitch (P 1 ) and of a length approximately equal to but no less than the length of the relative said strip ( 33 ); subjecting said third articles ( 40 ), as they travel along said second portion (S 2 ), to a second pitch reduction to assume a third pitch (P 3 ) shorter than said second pitch (P 2 ); and subjecting said fourth articles ( 46 ), as they travel along said fourth portion (S 4 ), to a third pitch reduction to assume a fourth pitch (P 4 ) shorter than said third pitch (P 3 ).