Relating to smoking article assembly

Abstract

A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly comprises a plurality of modules and a plurality of respective interface units, and a controller to control said plurality of modules via said interface units. The modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a first sequence of operations. The modular apparatus can be reconfigured so as to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations. The first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising one of said rods of smokable material, which is smoked in use.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of modules having a plurality of respective interface units, and   a controller configured to control said plurality of modules via said interface units,   wherein the modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a first sequence of operations,   wherein each said module comprises one or more drums and the controller controls said one or more drums of each said module via the interface unit of its module, and   wherein the modular apparatus can be reconfigured by replacing at least one of said drums of at least one of said plurality of modules so as to cause received rods of smokable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations, and   wherein the first sequence of operations and the second sequence of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising a said rod of smokable material, which is smoked in use.   
     
     
       2. The modular apparatus for smoking article assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said drum has a respective drive mechanism, wherein each of said drive mechanisms is controlled by the controller via the interface unit of its module. 
     
     
       3. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of said drive mechanisms comprises an integrated servo drive. 
     
     
       4. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the modules receive electrical power from the controller via the interface units. 
     
     
       5. The modular apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article between two tobacco rods; a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts, a separator configured to separate a first group comprising a rod of smokable material and one of said parts from a second group comprising a rod of smokable material and another of said parts, and   a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article between the first and second groups.   
     
     
       6. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a second rod divider configured to divide the second rod article into at least two parts; and   a wrapping station configured to wrap a wrapper at least partially around an inserted rod article after the inserted rod article is inserted between the two tobacco rods and before the inserted rod article is divided by a rod divider.   
     
     
       7. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first module comprising said first inserter, and a second module comprising said second inserter. 
     
     
       8. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of inserters, each said inserter being configured to insert a rod article between two tobacco rods;   a plurality of rod dividers, each said rod divider being configured to divide a rod article into at least two parts, and   a plurality of wrapping stations, each said wrapping station being configured to wrap a wrapper at least partially around an inserted rod article after the rod article is inserted between two tobacco rods and before the inserted rod article is divided by a rod divider.   
     
     
       9. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the modular apparatus includes a plurality of modules of different types having different functions. 
     
     
       10. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the modular apparatus includes two or more modules, each having a separate base unit and one or more drums, wherein each of said two or more modules is configured to receive the same number of drums. 
     
     
       11. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each of said two or more modules are configured to receive drums in corresponding positions with respect to the respective base unit. 
     
     
       12. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first process for assembling smoking articles forms a first configuration of smoking article and wherein said second process for assembling smoking articles forms a second configuration of smoking article different to the first configuration. 
     
     
       13. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first sequence of operations and said second sequence of operations cause rods of smokable material to be respectively combined with one or more rod articles. 
     
     
       14. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of modules configured to receive said rods of smokable material, said plurality of modules comprising a plurality of functional units configured to conduct said first sequence of operations. 
     
     
       15. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said functional units comprise a plurality of conveying elements arranged to define a conveyance path through the modular apparatus, along which rods of smokable material are caused to undergo said first sequence of operations. 
     
     
       16. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said
 modular apparatus can be reconfigured by repositioning modules relative to one another and/or removing one or more of the modules and/or adding one or more further modules.   
     
     
       17. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of modules comprise a reconfigurable module, wherein reconfiguration of the modular apparatus comprises reconfiguring said reconfigurable module. 
     
     
       18. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when
 reconfigured, the modular apparatus comprises a plurality of modules, said plurality of modules comprising a plurality of functional units configured to conduct said second sequence of operation.   
     
     
       19. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein modules are arranged in a row to cause said rods of smokable material to undergo said first sequence of operations and said second sequence of operations. 
     
     
       20. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one module is left unchanged when the modular apparatus is reconfigured for said second sequence of operations. 
     
     
       21. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said at least one module which is left unchanged comprises an in-feed module configured to receive rods of smokable material. 
     
     
       22. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each module comprises one or more servo motors and wherein said servo motors are synchronized. 
     
     
       23. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first group-forming apparatus configured to associate a rod of smokable material with a rod article to form a first group, and a second group-forming apparatus configured to associate a rod article with the first group to form a second group. 
     
     
       24. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first module comprising said first group-forming apparatus and a second module comprising said second group-forming apparatus. 
     
     
       25. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a first wrapping station to apply a first wrapper to the smoking article and a second wrapping station to apply a second wrapper to the smoking article after the first wrapper is applied. 
     
     
       26. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the second wrapping station is configured to apply the second wrapper so that it overlaps with the first wrapper. 
     
     
       27. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the second wrapping station is configured to apply to the second wrapper so that there is a longitudinal gap between the first wrapper and the second wrapper. 
     
     
       28. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the first wrapping station is included in a first module and the second wrapping station is included in a second module. 
     
     
       29. A smoking article assembling apparatus comprising a modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       30. The smoking article assembling apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising a tobacco rod source, wherein the modular apparatus is arranged to receive tobacco rods from the tobacco rod source. 
     
     
       31. The smoking article assembling apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the modular apparatus is arranged to receive tobacco rods directly from the tobacco rod source. 
     
     
       32. The modular apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of modules is a reconfigurable module comprising a base unit configured to removably receive a plurality of different parts. 
     
     
       33. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein in a first configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive a group of rod articles, a rod-cutting component to cut a central rod in said group of received articles into two segments, and a rod-separating component to separate the segments, thereby to form two spaced rod groups. 
     
     
       34. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein in a second configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive two tobacco rods which are longitudinally separated by a gap, a rod-insertion component to insert a rod article in the gap, a rod-cutting component to cut an inserted rod article into two segments, and a rod separating component to separate the segments, thereby to form two spaced rod groups. 
     
     
       35. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein in a third configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive two tobacco rods separated by a gap, a rod-insertion component to insert a rod article in the gap, and a wrapping station to apply a wrapper around an inserted rod article. 
     
     
       36. The modular apparatus in  claim 32 , comprising a drum-receiving portion adapted to selectively receive a first drum and a second drum. 
     
     
       37. The modular apparatus in  claim 36 , comprising a suction control element configured to apply suction to either the first or the second drum. 
     
     
       38. The modular apparatus in  claim 37 , comprising four drums. 
     
     
       39. A kit of parts to assemble a modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       40. A modular apparatus for smoking article assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of modules, each comprising a plurality of functional units, each of said plurality of modules comprising a single respective interface unit, and   a controller configured to control each of said plurality of functional units on each of said plurality of modules via said interface units, wherein the interface unit of each module is configured to mediate communication between the controller and said plurality of functional units on the module,   wherein the modular apparatus is configured to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a first sequence of operations and   wherein each said module comprises one or more drums and the controller controls said one or more drums of each said module via the interface unit of its module, and   wherein the modular apparatus can be reconfigured by:   replacing at least one of said drums of at least one of said plurality of modules, and   one or more of: repositioning modules relative to one another; removing one or more of the modules; or adding one or more further modules,   so as to cause received rods of smokeable material to undergo a second sequence of operations, different to the first sequence of operations,   wherein the first and second sequences of operations respectively form at least part of first and second processes for assembling smoking articles, each smoking article comprising a said rod of smokeable material, which is smoked in use.    
     
     
       41. The modular apparatus for smoking article assembly as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein each said drum has a respective drive mechanism to drive the drum, wherein each of said drive mechanisms is controlled by the controller via the interface unit of its module.  
     
     
       42. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein each of said drive mechanisms comprises an integrated servo drive.  
     
     
       43. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the modules receive electrical power from the controller via the interface units.  
     
     
       44. The modular apparatus according to  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a first inserter configured to insert a first rod article between two tobacco rods;   a first rod divider configured to divide the first rod article into at least two parts,   a separator configured to separate a first group comprising a rod of smokeable material and one of said parts from a second group comprising a rod of smokeable material and another of said parts, and   a second inserter configured to insert a second rod article between the first and second groups.    
     
     
       45. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , further comprising:
 a second rod divider configured to divide the second rod article into at least two parts; and   a wrapping station configured to wrap a wrapper at least partially around an inserted rod article after the inserted rod article is inserted between the two tobacco rods and before the inserted rod article is divided by a rod divider.    
     
     
       46. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first module comprising said first inserter, and a second module comprising said second inserter.  
     
     
       47. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , comprising:
 a plurality of inserters, each said inserter being configured to insert a rod article between two tobacco rods;   a plurality of rod dividers, each said rod divider being configured to divide a rod article into at least two parts, and   a plurality of wrapping stations, each said wrapping station being configured to wrap a wrapper at least partially around an inserted rod article after the rod article is inserted between two tobacco rods and before the inserted rod article is divided by a rod divider.    
     
     
       48. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the modular apparatus includes a plurality of modules of different types having different functions.  
     
     
       49. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the modular apparatus includes two or more modules, each having a separate base unit and one or more drums, wherein each of said two or more modules is configured to receive the same number of drums.  
     
     
       50. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein each of said two or more modules are configured to receive drums in corresponding positions with respect to the respective base unit.  
     
     
       51. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein said first process for assembling smoking articles forms a first configuration of smoking article and wherein said second process for assembling smoking articles forms a second configuration of smoking article different to the first configuration.  
     
     
       52. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein said first and second sequences of operations cause rods of smokeable material to be respectively combined with one or more rod articles.  
     
     
       53. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , comprising a plurality of modules configured to receive said rods of smokeable material, said plurality of modules comprising a plurality of functional units configured to cause said rods of smokeable material to undergo said first sequence of operations.  
     
     
       54. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said functional units comprise a plurality of conveying elements arranged to define a conveyance path through the modular apparatus, along which rods of smokeable material are caused to undergo said first sequence of operations.  
     
     
       55. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of modules comprise a reconfigurable module, wherein reconfiguration of the modular apparatus comprises reconfiguring said reconfigurable module.  
     
     
       56. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein when reconfigured, the modular apparatus comprises a plurality of modules, said plurality of modules comprising a plurality of functional units configured to cause rods of smokeable material to undergo said second sequence of operations.  
     
     
       57. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein modules are arranged in a row to cause said rods of smokeable material to undergo said first and second sequences of operations.  
     
     
       58. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein at least one module is left unchanged when the modular apparatus is reconfigured for said second sequence of operations.  
     
     
       59. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein said at least one-module which is left unchanged comprises an in-feed module configured to receive rods of smokeable material.  
     
     
       60. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein each module comprises one or more servo motors and wherein said servo motors are synchronized.  
     
     
       61. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first group-forming apparatus configured to associate a rod of smokeable material with a rod article to form a first group, and a second group-forming apparatus configured to associate a rod article with the first group to form a second group.  
     
     
       62. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein the modular apparatus comprises a first module comprising said first group-forming apparatus and a second module comprising said second group-forming apparatus.  
     
     
       63. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , comprising a first wrapping station to apply a first wrapper to the smoking article and a second wrapping station to apply a second wrapper to the smoking article after the first wrapper is applied.  
     
     
       64. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the second wrapping station is configured to apply the second wrapper so that it overlaps with the first wrapper.  
     
     
       65. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the second wrapping station is configured to apply to the second wrapper so that there is a longitudinal gap between the first wrapper and the second wrapper.  
     
     
       66. The modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the first wrapping station is included in a first module and the second wrapping station is included in a second module.  
     
     
       67. A method of reconfiguring a modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , comprising repositioning modules relative to one another and/or removing on or more modules and/or adding one or more further modules and/or reconfiguring one or more of the modules.  
     
     
       68. A method as claimed in  claim 67 , comprising repositioning modules relative to one another.  
     
     
       69. A module of a modular apparatus as claimed in claim 43, the module having an interface unit configured so that the module can be controlled by the controller.  
     
     
       70. The module of  claim 69 , wherein the module is a reconfigurable module comprising a base unit configured to removably receive a plurality of different parts.  
     
     
       71. The module of  claim 70 , wherein in a first configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive a group of rod articles, a rod-cutting component to cut a central rod in said group of received articles into two segments, and a rod-separating component to separate the segments, thereby to form two spaced rod groups.  
     
     
       72. The module as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein in a second configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive two tobacco rods which are longitudinally separated by a gap, a rod-insertion component to insert a rod article in the gap, a rod-cutting component to cut an inserted rod article into two segments, and a rod separating component to separate the segments, thereby to form two spaced rod groups.  
     
     
       73. The module as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein in a third configuration of the reconfigurable module, the base unit is fitted with a rod-receiving component to receive two tobacco rods separated by a gap, a rod-insertion component to insert a rod article in the gap, and a wrapping station to apply a wrapper around an inserted rod article.  
     
     
       74. The module as claimed in  claim 70 , comprising a drum-receiving portion adapted to selectively receive first and second drums.  
     
     
       75. The module as claimed in  claim 74 , comprising a suction control element configured to apply suction to either the first or the second drum.  
     
     
       76. The module as claimed in  claim 75 , comprising four drums.  
     
     
       77. A smoking article assembling apparatus comprising a modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 .  
     
     
       78. The smoking article assembling apparatus as claimed in  claim 70 , further comprising a tobacco rod source, wherein the modular apparatus is arranged to receive tobacco rods from the tobacco rod source.  
     
     
       79. The smoking article assembling apparatus as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the modular apparatus is arranged to receive tobacco rods directly from the tobacco rod source.