Method of tipping for smoking article

Abstract

A method is provided for manufacturing a smoking article from a wrapped tobacco rod and a filter material wrapped to form a filter plug. The method utilizes nozzle-applied cold glue adhesive rather than roller-applied adhesive applied to tipping material, which connects the tobacco rod to the filter plug. In other aspects, mechanisms for using the method are provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of assembly for a cigarette, the method comprising steps of:
 providing at least one filter plug and at least one wrapped tobacco rod;   applying a first predetermined quantity of a cold glue adhesive, via at least one nozzle, in a pattern upon one surface of a tipping paper material; and   adhering the patterned surface to and around the at least one filter plug and at least one wrapped tobacco rod in a manner joining the at least one filter plug and the at least one wrapped tobacco rod together to form a smoking article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the adhesive is applied at an average surface density of about 0.7 mg/cm 2  to about 0.8 mg/cm 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of nozzles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises dots, a straight line, a spiral, or some combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A cigarette made according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The cigarette of  claim 5 , wherein the filter comprises a breakable capsule containing a flowable flavorant material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where the adhesive is applied at a density of about 7 to about 8 mg per linear meter of tipping paper material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where the adhesive is applied at a density of about 7.5 mg per linear meter of tipping paper material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where the cold glue adhesive comprises a material bearing National Starch code 20001812. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined quantity of adhesive applied is dynamically determined by an encoder that correlates the quantity of adhesive applied via the at least one nozzle to a speed at which the tipping paper material is directed past the at least one nozzle, where the encoder is in communication with the tipping paper material in a manner monitoring the rate at which the tipping paper material is directed past the at least one nozzle and is in communication with the at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . A cigarette-making apparatus configured to operate according to the method of  claim 10 , the apparatus comprising a cold glue adhesive applicator including the at least one nozzle through which adhesive is dispensed. 
     
     
         12 . A cigarette-making apparatus configured to operate according to the method of  claim 1 , the apparatus comprising a cold glue adhesive applicator including the at least one nozzle through which adhesive is dispensed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter-plug comprises a “two-up” filter plug, and the at least one wrapped tobacco rod comprises two tobacco rods, where each of the two tobacco rods is attached to an opposite end of the at least one filter plug. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , where the tipping paper material encircles the filter plug and covers a portion of each of the two tobacco rods sufficient to form attachment with the filter plug. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a step of cutting across a central portion of the at least one filter plug to form two smoking articles.