Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
This application claims the priority of German
patent application Serial No. 198 47 336.2 filed
October 14, 1998. The disclosure of the German patent
application, as well as that of each US and foreign
patent and patent application mentioned in the
specification of the present application, is
incorporated herein by reference.
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
BACRGRODND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in
apparatus for connecting rod-shaped commodities end-
to-end, and more particularly to improvements in
apparatus which can be utilized with advantage as
filter tipping machines wherein succesive groups or
arrays each consisting of two or more rod-shaped
smokers' products are joined end-to-end by so-called
uniting bands, such as adb.esive-coated pieces or
patches of cigarette paper, artificial cork or other
forms or types of so-called tipping paper.
It is well known to make filter cigarettes of
unit length by placing a plain cigarette of unit length
I
end-to-end with a filter mouthpiece of unit length and
by thereupon connecting the two rod-shaped articles
to each other by means of a uniting band which is
convoluted around a portion of or around the entire
filter mouthpiece as well as around the adjacent end
portion of the plain cigarette. Pairs of filter ciga
rettes of unit length can be produced by placing a
filter mouthpiece of double unit length between two
plain cigarettes of unit length, by draping an
adhesive-coated uniting band around the entire
mouthpiece and around tb.e neighboring end portions of
the two plain cigarettes, and by thereupon severing
- 3 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
the resulting filter cigarette of double unit length
midway across the tubular wrapper, i.e., midway across
the converted uniting band.
Similar or identical procedures and apparatus
can be resorted to far the making of filter cigars,
cigarillos or other types of filter tipped smokers'
products.
The making of filter cigarettes having an
elliptical cross-sectional outline (i.e., of th.e so-
called oval cigarettes) is analogous, except that the
apparatus or units for draping uniting bands around
groups of neighboring oval plain cigarettes and filter
mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines
are somewhat more complex because th.e draping unit of
such filter tipping machine must cause the elongated
oval cigarettes and the aligned oval filter mouthpieces
to roll about their respective longitudinal axes by
resorting to a more complex wrapping or rolling mechan-
ism. Reference may be had to published German patent
application Serial No. 195 07 395 A and to the corres-
ponding U.S. patent No. 5,632,285 granted May 27, 1997
to ~~Dah.lgrtin for "APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTER TIPPED
SMOKERS' PRODUCTS HAVING A NON-CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTI-
ONAL OUTLINE".
The ' 285 patent to Dahlgrtln discloses a filter
- 4 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
tipping machine wherein successive groups or arrays
of plain oval cigarettes and oval filter mouthpieces
are admitted into an arcuate rolling channel between
the peripheral surface (first rolling surface) of a
rotary drum-shaped first rolling member and a second
rolling surface provided on a stationary or mobile
second rolling member. A stationary strip- or rail-
shaped device is provided at the inlet of the rolling
channel to ensure or to render it more likely that all
constituents of the arrays or groups entering the roll-
ing channel by moving sideways are compelled to begin
to turn about their own axes simultaneously and
immediately upon entering the inlet of the rolling chan-
nel. This ensures, among other advantages, that each
uniting band is more reliably convoluted around the
abutting ends of rod-shaped commodities (oval
cigarettes and oval filter mouthpieces) during travel
of successive groups or arrays through a relatively
short rolling channel. In most instances, a filter
tipping machine is designed to make succesive pairs
of filter cigarettes by assembling rod-shaped groups
or arrays in each of which a filter mouthpiece of
double unit length is placed between and is connected,
end-to-end, with the neighboring end portions of two
plain cigarettes (oval or cylindrical) of unit length.
- 5 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
The purpose of the aforementioned stationary
strip- or rail-shaped device (which may but need not
be affixed to the second rolling member) is to consi-
derably enhance the likelihood of the establishment
of a properly configurated (eye-pleasing) and at least
substantially impervious seal between the abutting
filter mouthpiece and plain cigarette or cigarettes.
This is accomplished by the aforementioned expedient
that the strip- or rail-shaped device ensures that the
rolling of all constituents of each group or array
entering the rolling channel begins at the same time.
In accordance with. a prior proposal which is
disclosed in German patent No. 25 04 772 C3 and in the
corresponding U.S. patent No. 4,023,577 granted May
17, 1977 to Preston et al. for "MANUFACTURE OF CIGA-
RETTES", it is proposed to reduce the pressure upon
cigarettes in a rolling channel by engaging the
external surfaces of the cigarettes by a toothed member
which. is located at the inlet of the channel. Such
toothed member is further intended to ensure that an
article entering the channel will be compelled to roll
during advancement toward the outlet of the channel.
This proposal failed to gain acceptance in the making
of filter cigarettes and the like.
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the instant invention is to provide
an apparatus which is even more reliable than the pa-
tented apparatus of Dahlgrtin, particularly as concerns
the treatment of the rod-shaped constituents and the
adhesive-coated uniting bands) of a g.rx~xtp durinq and
immediately subsequent to entry into the rolling ch.an-
nel.
Another object of the invention is to provide
an apparatus, such as a filter tipping machine, which
is particularly suited for predictable making of short
or long series of eye-pleasing and properly assembled
oval cigarettes.
A further object of the invention is to provide
the apparatus with novel and improved means for
controlling the movements of successive groups or arrays
of coaxial rod-shaped constituents and one or more
uniting bands in the region of the aforediscussed strip-
or rail-shaped rotation initiating and synchronizing
device at the inlet of the rolling channel in apparatus
of the type disclosed in the '285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
An additional object of the invention is to
provide a novel and improved method of making high-
quality oval filter cigarettes.
Still another object of the invention is to pro-
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
vide an apparatus which can be installed in, and/or can
form part of, new filter tipping machines as well as
in existing filter tipping machines for all kinds of
filter-tipped smokers' products including oval
cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and the like.
A further object of the invention is to
construct, assemble, configurate and finish various
group-contacting constituents of a filter tipping
machine in such a way that their influence upon the
movements and/or other parameters of groups or arrays
of rod-shaped articles in a filter tipping or an
analogous machine does not change, or does not change
appreciably, in response to wear on continuous
extensive use of a filter tipping or an analogous ma
chine.
Another object of th.e invention is to provide
an apparatus, such as a filter tipping machine, which
can turn out high-quality products (such as filter
tipped cigarettes having an elliptical cross-sectional
outline) at a rate required in a modern high-speed pro-
duction line.
An additional object of the invention is to pro-
vide a novel and improved method of finishing the pro-
duct-contacting surface or surfaces of one or more con-
stituents of the above outlined apparatus in such. a
_ g
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
way that, where and/or when required, the surface or
surfaces cannot slip relative to the product or
products and vice versa.
Still another object of the invention is to pro
s vide rod-shaped products which. are produced in
accordance with the method and/or in the apparatus of
the present invention.
_ g _
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is embodied in an apparatus which
can be utilized to connect to each other elongated at
least substantially rod-sb.aped commodities of groups
of axially aligned commodities having neighboring end
portions wb.ich are connectable to each other by
adhesive-coated (adherent) uniting bands to be
convoluted around the neighboring end portions. The
improved apparatus comprises a mobile rolling member
having a first rolling surface, and a second rolling
member having a second rolling surface which defines
with the first rolling surface a rolling channel. The
mobile rolling member is arranged to advance successive
groups of a series of groups into and along the rolling
channel with attendant rolling of uniting bands around
the neighboring end portions of the respective commodi-
ties and, in accordance with. an advantageous feature
of tb.e invention, at least a portion of at least one
of the rolling surfaces is roughened.
In accordance with a presently preferred
embodiment, tb.e aforementioned potion of the at least
one rolling surface is or can be roughened by resorting
to a suitable standard chasing tool.
The aforementioned portion of the at least one
rolling surface can be rougb.ened by providing it with
- 10 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
crossing grooves. Such grooves can include a first
set of at least substantially parallel grooves and a
second set of substantially parallel grooves which are
inclined relative to the grooves of the first set. At
least some of the grooves can be inclined relative to
the longitudinal extensions of the elongated
commodities in the rolling channel. For example, th.e
grooves can include a first set of grooves which are
at least substantially parallel to th.e longitudinal
extensions of commodities in the rolling channel, and
at least one second set of grooves which are inclined
relative to the longitudinal extensions of commodities
in the rolling channel. The grooves of the second set
can be at least substantially normal to the
longitudinal extensions of commodities in the rolling
channel.
The crossing grooves can be dimensioned,
distributed and oriented in such a way that they
together form a network of grooves covering at least
the aforementioned portion of the at least one rolling
surface. In their entirety, the grooves of the network
of grooves in the at Least one rolling surface can
define in such rolling surface a plurality of raised
portions having minute top lands.
The mobile rolling member can include or consti-
- 11 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
tute a rotary drum or an analogous conveyor having a
peripheral surface including or constituting the at
least rolling surface.
The second rolling surface is or can be
stationary.
Furthermore, at least a portion of each of the
rolling surfaces can be roughened.
Th.e commodities of each group can have a
substantially elliptical cross-sectional outline, and
the rolling surfaces can be designed to roil adhesive-
coated uniting bands around such groups having
substantially elliptical cross-sectional outlines. At
least one of the rolling surfaces can have an undulate
profile, particularly if the commodities have at least
substantially elliptical or oval cross-sectional out-
lines.
The improved apparatus can further comprise a
group-contacting device which is disposed at the inlet
of the rolling channel and includes a first portion
arranged to induce simultaneous rolling - relative to
the rolling surfaces - of all commodities of successive
groups being advanced toward the inlet of the rolling
channel. The group-contacting device can further com-
prise a second portion which is arranged to guide suc-
cessive groups from th.e first portion of the device into
- 12 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
or toward the inlet of the channel. Each. group of
aligned commodities can comprise at least one rod-
shaped smokers' product (such as a plain cigarette),
at least one filter mouthpiece for tobacco smoke having
an end portion sdjacent an end portion of the smokers'
product, and at least one uniting band adhering at
least to the end portion of the at least one filter
mouthpiece and to the end portion of the smokers'
product.
The second portion of th.e group-contacting
device can be provided with an at least substantially
uninterrupted guide surface for successive groups
advancing beyond the first portion of the device. The
second portion of the group-contacting device can be
provided with an at least partially arcuate Quide
surface for successive groups advancing beyond the
first portion of the device. Such guide surface can
be roughened, e.g., grooved.
The first portion of the group-contacting device
can have a toothed or otherwise configurated (such as
substantially undulate) group-contacting part.
The grooves of the aforementioned portion of
the at least one rolling surface can have a depth of
between about 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm, for example, a depth
of about 0.5 mm.
- 13 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
An important advantage of the aforediscussed
roughened rolling surface or surfaces is that the two
rolling members can ensure predictable rolling of the
uniting band or bands about selected portions of the
groups of axially aligned commodities (such as plain
cigarettes having a circular or elliptical cross-secti-
onal outline and filter mouthpieces of unit length or
multiple unit length and having a circular or ellip-
tical cross-sectional outline} without undue
compression of such commodities. This will be readily
appreciated since the roughened rolling surface or
surfaces is or are less likely to slide relative to
the external surfaces of th.e rod-shaped commodities
(and/or vice versa) than a smooth surface.
It has been ascertained that roughening of one
or more rolling surfaces is of particular advantage
if the rod-shaped commodities have elliptical cross-
sectional outlines. Furthermore, it has been
ascertained that the absence of need of the application
of prononced pressure upon the commodities in the
rolling channel reduces the likelihood of excessive
softening of the filter cigarettes or other filter
tipped rod-shaped smokers' products. Still further,
the treatment in the rolling channel reduces the
likelihood of damage to the rather sensitive cigarette
- 14 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
paper if the rolling surfaces are grooved and/or
otherwise roughened. Also, the seams where the
marginal ,portions of the wrappers of plain cigarettes
and/or filter mouthpieces overlap are less likely to burst
open during advancement of the respective commodities
in the rolling channel if at least a portion of the
rolling surface of at least one of the rolling members
is roughened in the above outlined manner.
The novel features which. are considered as ch.a
racteristic of the invention are set forth in
particular in th.e appended claims. Th.e improved
apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction
and its mode of operation, together with. numerous addi
tional important and advantageous features and attri
bates thereof, will be best understood upon perusal
of the following detailed description of certain pre-
sently preferred specific embodiments with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
- 15 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI3E DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of
the drawings in the '285 patent to Dahlgrfin and further
shows one form of that portion of a group contacting
device which forms part of the invention and controls
the movements of successive groups of rod-shaped
constituents at the inlet of the rolling channel-;
Fig. 2 is a larger-scale partly sectional view
of a detail in the structure shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a smaller-scale perspective view of
the two rolling members and of the group contacting
device in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 3a is an expanded view of a portion of one
presently preferred first rolling surface within the
circle shown in th.e upper part of Fig. 3;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective
view of that portion of the group-contacting device
which i-s encircled in the lower part of Fig. 3 and
embodies one form of tb.e invention; and
~ Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of a
modified group-contacting device.
- 16 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
DESCRIPTION OF PREF'EItRED $NHODIN~NTS
That portion of a filter tipping machine which
forms part of or constitutes one embodiment of the
improved apparatus 30 is shown in Figs. 1-3 and 3a.
With the exception of a group guiding portion or guide
72a of a group-contacting device, which. latter further
includes a strip- or rail-shaped portion 72, the
apparatus 30 is or can be identical with or plainly
analogous to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the '285
patent to Dahlgrtln. Such apparatus can receive
successive groups 52 consisting of aligned (coaxial)
rod-shaped constituents or components and at least one
adhesive-coated uniting band 53 (only one shown in Fig.
2) from the corresponding part of the machine shown in
Fig. 1 of the '285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
It is assumed that each group 52 comprises two
coaxial plain oval cigarettes of unit length, an oval
filter mouthpiece of double unit length between and
abutting the two plain cigarettes, and an adhesive-
coated sheet-like (non-convoluted) uniting band 53
in linear (tangential) contact with the entire filter
mouthpiece as well as with the adjacent inner end
portions of the plain cigarettes. It is clear that
only one side of each sheet-like uniting band 53 is
coated with a suitable adhesive.
_ 17 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
When the wrapping operation is completed, the
uniting band 53 is rolled around the filter mouthpiece
of double unit length as well as around the neighboring
end portions of the two plain cigarettes of the thus
obtained oval filter cigarette 71 of double unit
length; such converted uniting band then forms a tube
having an oval cross-sectional outline and being ready
to be severed midway between its ends, i.e., th.e filter
cigarette 7i of double unit length is converted into
a pair of oval filter cigarettes of unit length which
are mirror images of one another because their
mouthpieces or filter plugs (of unit length) are adjacent
each other.
The apparatus 30 further comprises a mobile
first rolling member 29 here shown as a drum driven
by a suitable prime mover to rotate (see the arrow 63)
about a preferably horizontal axis 69 and having an
undulate peripheral (first) rolling surface 62
confronting and complementary to - an undulate concave
second rolling surface 54 provided on a normally or
preferably stationary second rolling member 31 of the
apparatus 30.
The drum 29 comprises or constitutes a cylin-
drical sleeve 56 which is provided with the aforemen-
tinned first rolling surface 62 and is rotatable about
- 18 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
a stationary shaft 57 constituting a stationary valuing
member and serving to regulate the retention of
successive groups 52 and their uniting bands 53 at the
rolling surface 62 during transport of successive
groups 52 toward the inlet (at 72) of an arcuate roll-
ing channel 67 between the surfaces 54 and 62. The
peripheral surface of the valuing member 57 has suit-
ably distributed suction chambers 58 which are
connected to a standard suction generating device
(e. g., a pump, not shown), and the suction chambers
58 draw air from neighboring orbiting radially extend-
ing suction ports 61 extending from t~rw internal
surface to the rolling surface 62 of the sleeve 56.
The radially outer ends of the ports 61 attract groups
52 on their way toward the strip- or rail-shaped
portion 72 of the composite group-contacting device
72, 72a of the apparatus 30. The radialiy outer ends
of the suction ports 61 communicate with elongated
receptacles ar flutes 59 which are provided in the
rolling surface 62 and are parallel to the axis 69.
Such flutes receive portions of groups 52 during
advancement of such groups toward the inlet of the
rolling channel 67, i.e., into the range of the portion
72 of the group-contacting device 72, 72a.
The rolling member 31 is adjustable relative
- 19 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
to the rolling surface 62 by a motor 66 (e.g., a
hydraulic or pneumatic double-acting cylinder and piston
unit) by way of a suitable linkage 64 (e. g., a parallel
motion). For example, the motor 66 will .be actuated
to move the rolling member 31 away from the sleeve 56
in order to clean the rolling surface 54 and/or to
remove groups 52 which are jammed in.the channel 67
and/or to remove remnants of damaged or destroyed
groups 52 from the rolling channel. Furthermore, the
motor 66 will be actuated to adjust the position of
the rolling surface 54 relative to the rolling surface
62 in order to ensure an optimal rolling of uniting
bands 53 on their way from the inlet to the outlet of
the channel 67.
As can be seen in each of Figs . 1 to 3 ( and for
the rolling surface 62 also in Fig. 3a), each of the
rolling surfaces 54, 62 has an undulate shape such as
is necessary to ensure reliable rolling of the uniting
bands 53 around the rod-shaped constituents of the
respective groups 52 when the groups are confined in
and advance along the rolling channel 67 due to
rotation of the sleeve 56 in the direction of the arrow
63 and also because those suction ports 6I which comma
nicate with the channel 67 are sealed from the suction
chambers 58. The configuration of the undulate rolling
- 20 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
surfaces 54, 62, the distance of the rolling surface
54 from the axis 69, and the rotational speed of the
sleeve 56 in the direction of the arrow 63 are such
that successive groups 52 roll in the channel 67 with
at least substantially uninterrupted and hence
predictable and reliable guidance of the peripheral
surfaces of the oval constituents of the groups so that
th.e axes of the groups travel along an arcuate path 68
(indicated by dot-dash lines) having a center of
curvature on the axis 69.
The just described mode of compelling the axes
of the groups 52 to travel along the arcuate path 68
ensures that the center of gravity of the mass of each
group also advances along a predetermined arcuate path
(namely that denoted by the arcuate dot-dash line 68
or close thereto) even though the oval constituents
of each group 52 turn about their common axis during
advancement from the inlet (at 72, 72a) toward the
outlet (at 54g) of the rolling channel 67. The result
is that the quality of the filter cigarettes 71 of
double unit length emerging from the channel 67 is
highly satisfactory, i.e., the mutual axial as well
as angular positions of all oval constituents are the
same as during advancement (by suction) toward the
inlet of the channel 67 (or even more accurate), and
- 21 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
each uniting band 53 is converted into a tube having
an elliptical cross-sectional outline and closely fol-
lowing the adjacent portions of the external surface
of the entire filter mouthpiece of double unit length
as well as the adjacent end portions of the two plain
cigarettes of unit length.
The strip- or rail-shaped portion 72 of the
group-contacting device 72, 72a is dimensioned, confi-
gurated and positioned with a view to ensure a highly
i0 satisfactory start of rolling movement of all rod-
shaped constituents of each of a short or long series
of successive oncoming groups 52. The reasons for this
are fully explained in the '285 patent to Dahlgr~in.
The portion 72 is located at the inlet of the channel
67, i.e., at the upstream end of the rolling surface
54. Actually, the portion 72 can be said to serve as
a means for expelling the rod-shaped constituents of
the oncoming groups 52 from their respective flutes
59 (in which the groups 52 were held by suction via
ZO ports 61) and fox simultaneously setting all rod-shaped
constituents of the oncoming groups into rotary (roll-
ing) motion.
The lower of the two suction chambers 58 which
are shown in Fig. 2 terminates (as seen in the direc
tion of the arrow 63) radially inwardly of the portion
- 22 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
72 so that suction in such chamber 58 cannot interfere
with the intended function of the portion 72. Such
positioning of the portion 72 relative to the
downstream end of the adjacent suction chamber 58 is
desirable and advantageous because it contributes to
gentle treatment of all parts of the groups 52.
The undulate shapes of tb.e rolling surfaces 54,
62 are selected in such a way that each thereof
includes a series of successive identical sections.
Moreover, the number of identical sections (54a, 54b,
54c, 54d, 54e, 54f, 54g} of the rolling surface ~ 54 is
or can be selected in such a way that the rod-shaped
constituents of each. group 52 advancing from the inlet
to the outlet of the arcuate rolling channel 67
complete a full revolution or a whole multiple of a
full revolution. The free ends of the lead lines for
the reference characters 54a-54g paint to the apices
of successive hills of the concave undulate rolling
surface 54. A group 52 advancing in the channel 67
is compelled to complete several convolutions about
the common axis of its rod-shaped constituents because
each rolling between the apices of two consecutive
hills (e. g., between those denoted by the characters
54a-54b, 54b-54c, etc.} involves an angular displace-
ment through 180°. An advancement from 54a to 54e
- 23 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
causes a group 52 to complete two full revolutions
about the common axis of its rod-shaped constituents.
Each group 52 advancing in the channel 67 from 54a and
all the way to 54g completes three full revolutions.
Repeated rolling of successive groups 52 on
their way from the inlet and all the way to the outlet
of the channel 67 reliably ensures predictable rolling
of the entire uniting bands 56 around the adjacent
filter mouthpieces and neighboring end portions of the
respective pairs of oval cigarettes, i.e., the appear-
ance of each .filter cigarette 71 is highly satisfactory
and the quality of the connections between its filter
mouthpiece and plain cigarettes is equally satisfac-
tory. Moreover, a suction port 61 catches up with the
finished filter cigarettte 71 of double unit length
when it begins to communicate with the upper suction
chamber 58 of Fig. 2 and while such cigarette 71 is
in the adjacent flute 59 of the surface 62 so that the
rotating sleeve 56 entrains successive filter
cigarettes 71 to a transfer station, such as the
transfer station between 29 and 32 in Fig. 1 of the
'285 patent to Dahlgr$n, for advancement to a severing
station (33, 34 in Fig. 1 of the '285 patent) where
the filter cigarettes 71 of double unit length are
halved to yield pairs of identical mirror symmetrical
- 24 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
filter cigarettes of unit length. Further processing
of such filter cigarettes of unit length is or can be
the same as described with reference to Fig . 1 of th.e
' 285 patent to Dahlgrtin.
Fig. 3 shows the sleeve of the rolling member
29, the undulate peripheral rolling surface 62 of the
sleeve, the rolling member 31 and its undulate rolling
surface 54, the channel 67 between the rolling surfaces
54, 62, and th.e group-contacting device including the
first portion 72 and a second portion 72a with a
concave guide surface extending from the portion 72
toward the interior of the channel 67. More specific-
ally, the guide surface of the portion 72a slopes from
the port~.on 72, away from the rolling surface 62 and
toward the section 54a of the rolling surface 54.
As shown in Figs. 3 and 3a, the rolling surface
62 is provided with two sets of shallow grooves or
rifles. The grooves of one set are parallel to the
axis 69 (i.e., to the axis of the sleeve 56 of the
rolling member 29), and the grooves of the other set
are parallel to each other and normal to the grooves
of the one set. Thus, in the embodiment of Figs. 3
and 3a, the grooves of the other set extend at least
substantially circumferentially of the sleeve 56 and
are inclined relative to the axes of the rod-shaped . con-
- 25 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
stituents of groups 52 in the channel 67 as well as
relative to the axes of the rod-shaped constituents
of the groups 52 being attracted into the flutes 59
of the rolling surface 62 by the suction. ports 61 on
their way toward the inlet of the channel 67.
Tb,e illustrated sets of parallel or nearly
parallel grooves can be formed by resorting to one or
more suitable roughening or scratching implements,
e.g., to chasing tools (not shown). Furthermore, the
rolling surface 62 can be roughened by providing it
with three or more sets of grooves, and the grooves
of any given set may but need not be parallel to each
other. Sets of parallel grooves are often preferred
on the ground that they can be provided in the surface
62 by resorting to one or more relatively simple tools
and i.n a time-saving manner. In their entirety, the
two sets of grooves in the rolling surface 62 form a
network which. covers (but need not always cove) th.e
entire rolling surface and defines a relatively large
number of raised portions or platforms having
relatively small (and b.ereinafter referred to as minu-
te) identical or differently dimensioned and/or
configurated top lands or faces. An advantage of such
design and/or finish of the rolling surface 62 is that
it can reliably engage the external surface of a group
- 26 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
52, without causing any scoring or other optical or
mechanical damage to the constituents of the group,
with. the result that the rolling of the uniting bands
53 around the rod-shaped constituents of the respective
groups 52 takes place in a highly predictable and
reproducible fashion. In other words, the minute top
faces or lands of the raised portions defined by the
network or networks of crossing sets of grooves in the
rolling surface 62 of the sleeve 56 prevent or
minimize slippage of the components of the group 52
relative to th.e conveyor 29.
It has been found that the grooves can fulfill
their intended purpose (particularly to prevent any
slippage or excessive slippage of the groups 52
relative to the sleeve 56) even if they are rather
shallow or very shallow. A satisfactory depth is
between about 0.3 and 1.2 mm, especially about 0.5 mm.
It was further ascertained that th.e grooves in
the rolling surface 62 meet their purpose even if none
of the grooves are parallel to th.e axis 69 and/or even
if the grooves of one set are not normal (or even close
to normal) to the grooves of any other set.
Another important advantage of the grooves and
of the resulting elimination or reduction of slippage
between the rolling surface 62 and th.e external surfa
- 27 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
ces of the groups 52 is that th.e rolling of the groups
in the channel 67 necessitates the application of
lesser or weaker forces which exerts a beneficial in-
fluence upon one or more parameters (such as the
hardness) of the filter cigarettes 71.
For the sake of clarity, the flutes (59) in the
rolling surface 62 shown in Figs. 3 and 3a are not as
pronounced as in Fig. 2.
As shown in Fig. 3, the rolling surface 54 of
the rolling member 31 can be provided with two or more
sets of grooves similar to, identical with or different
from those shown in the roiling surface 62 of the
sleeve 56 of the rolling member 29. The same holds true
for the concave guide surface of the portion 72a of
the group-contacting device 72, 72a. The provision
of grooves in th.e rolling surface 54 further reduces
the likelihood of slippage between the external
surfaces of the groups 52 and the rolling surfaces 54,
67 during advancement of the groups in the rolling
channel 67. An advantage of grooves in the guide
surface of the portion 72a is that the advancement of
successive groups 52 from the portion 72 toward
engagement with th.e rolling surfaces 54, 62 at the
inlet of the channel 67 is even more predictable.
The provision of grooves or analogous uneven-
- 28 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
nesses in the rolling surfaces is equally advantageous
if they are provided in surfaces for the rolling of
cylindrical groups, i.e., in connection with. the making
of standard filter cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars
having tobacco-containing portions and filter material-
containing portions (mouthpieces) with a circular or
substantially circular cross-sectional outline. Filter
tipping machines of such character (i.e., for the
making of standard non-oval filter cigarettes) are dis-
20 closed, for example, in U.S. patent No. 5.,135,008
granted August 4, 1992 to Oesterling et al. for "METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTER CIGARETTES". Refer-
ence may also be had to U.S. patent No. 4,969,551
granted November 13, 1990 to Heitmann et al. for "ME-
TROD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ROLLING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES".
It has been found that the advantages of sets and/or
networks of grooves and raised portions or platforms
defined by intersecting grooves are just as apparent
when the rolling mechanism for uniting bands is
employed in a machine for the making of circular
(standard) filter cigarettes.
The strip- or rail-shaped portion 72 of the no-
vel group-contacting (combined movement synchronizing
and group guiding) device 72, 72a can be provided With
a row of teeth 72b (Fig. 4) or with a row of undula-
- 29 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
tions or rounded projections (scallops) 72c (Fig. 5).
The teeth 72b or th,e undulations (scallops) 72c extend
toward the rolling surface 62 adjacent the inlet of
.the rolling channel 67, i.e., at the concave guide
surface of the portion 72a. Such teeth 72b and/or
undulations (scallops) 72c and/or analogous
configurations can be formed in a grinding machine or
any other suitable material removing machine tool.
The just discussed configurations on the portion 72
are desirable in the machines or apparatus for the
making of cylindrical as well as for th.e making of oval
filter cigarettes.
The provision of a network or any other suitable
array of crossing and/or otherwise distributed grooves
in the guide surface of the portion 72a is particularly
desirable if th.e rod-shaped constituents of the groups
52 have an elliptical cross-sectional outline.
However, and as already mentioned hereinbefore, at
least the toothed or scalloped portion (72b or 72c)
and/or the provision of the concave guide surface on
the portion 72a can be put to use in all kinds of
filter tipping machines (for rod-shaped circular or
oval ( i , a . , non-round) filter cigarettes ) , particularly
in machines or apparatus employing the portion 72 (with
projections 72b or 72c), because the surface of the
- 30 -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
portion 72a can also serve as a means for gently and
predictably guiding the groups 52 away from the portion
72, i.e., into the inlet of the rolling channel 67.
Any dropping or other unpredictable and abrupt depart-
s ure of groups 52 from contact with the portion 72 could
affect the rolling of uniting bands around cylindrical
and particularly around oval rod-shaped constituents
of filter cigarettes or th.e like.
- 3I -
CA 02285141 1999-10-OS
Without further analysis, the foregoing will
so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that
others can, by applying current knowledge, readily
adapt it for various applications without omitting
features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic
and specific aspects of the above outlined contribution
to the art of making filter cigarettes and, therefore,
such, adaptations should and are intended to be compre-
hended within the meaning and range of equivalence of
the appended claims.
- 32 -