Device and method for combining filter segments with cigarette rod segments in a machine for making cigarettes

A method for combining at least a cigarette rod segment with at least a filter segment in a filter tip attachment machine for making cigarettes, comprising the following steps:

• providing:
• a device for combining filter segments with cigarette rod segments in a filter tip attachment machine for making cigarettes, comprising:
• first feed device configured for feeding a succession of gummed connecting strips;
• second feed device configured for feeding a succession of groups, each comprising at least one cigarette rod segment and one filter segment abutted against each other end to end;
• a combining conveyor configured to receive the succession of groups from the second feed device in a first receiving station and to receive the succession of gummed connecting strips from the first feed device in a second receiving station located downstream of the first receiving station so that each gummed connecting strip is applied in flag-like manner on a respective group to connect the cigarette rod segment to the filter segment;
• a rolling drum which is coupled to the combining conveyor to receive from the combining conveyor, at a release station, a succession of groups, each provided with a gummed connecting strip applied in flag-like manner, and which is configured to roll the gummed connecting strip round the group;
• a compression device associated with the combining conveyor and acting downstream of the second receiving station and upstream of the release station, along a predetermined trajectory from the second receiving station to the release station, to produce compression between each group and the respective connecting strip applied in flag-like manner;
• wherein the combining conveyor is configured as a combining drum comprising a peripheral mantle including a plurality of suction flutes for receiving respective groups and a plurality of support sections, alternated with successive ones of the suction flutes, for supporting free portions of the respective gummed connecting strips applied in flag-like manner;
• wherein the compression device comprises a pressure belt having an active section which faces the peripheral mantle of the combining drum and is configured to keep each gummed connecting strip pressed against the respective group through a specified arc of rotation of the combining drum;
• wherein the active section of the pressure belt has a concave configuration whose concavity faces the peripheral mantle of the combining drum and defines, in conjunction with the peripheral mantle, a compression channel through which each group, with a connecting strip applied in flag-like manner, passes;
• feeding a succession of gummed connecting strips;
• feeding a succession of groups, each comprising at least a first segment, specifically a cigarette rod segment with at least a second segment, specifically a filter segment, abutted against each other end to end, towards a first receiving station of a combining conveyor provided with suction flutes for accommodating respective groups;
• applying each of the gummed connecting strips in flag-like manner on a respective group in a second receiving station of the combining conveyor downstream of the first receiving station, so as to connect the first segment to at least one second segment;
• conveying a succession of groups, each provided with a gummed connecting strip from the second receiving station to a release station;
• rolling the succession of gummed connecting strips round the respective groups;
• compressing, by the compression device, each group with the respective gummed connecting strip attached thereto and maintaining the compression along a predetermined trajectory from the second receiving station to the release station.

A device for combining filter segments with cigarette rod segments in a filter tip attachment machine for making cigarettes, comprising:

• a first feed device including a suction surface and configured for feeding a succession of gummed connecting strips;
• a second feed device including engagement flutes and configured for feeding a succession of groups, each comprising at least one cigarette rod segment and one filter segment abutted against each other end to end;
• a combining conveyor configured to receive the succession of groups from the second feed device in a first receiving station and to receive the succession of gummed connecting strips from the first feed device in a second receiving station located downstream of the first receiving station so that each gummed connecting strip is applied in flag-like manner on a respective group to connect the cigarette rod segment to the filter segment;
• a rolling drum which is coupled to the combining conveyor to receive from the combining conveyor, at a release station, a succession of groups, each provided with a gummed connecting strip applied in flag-like manner, and which is configured to roll the gummed connecting strip round the group;
• a compression device operating in combination with the combining conveyor and acting downstream of the second receiving station and upstream of the release station, along a predetermined trajectory from the second receiving station to the release station, to produce compression between each group and the respective connecting strip applied in flag-like manner;
• wherein the combining conveyor is configured as a combining drum comprising a peripheral mantle including a plurality of suction flutes for receiving respective groups and a plurality of support sections, alternated with successive ones of the suction flutes, for supporting free portions of the respective gummed connecting strips applied in flag-like manner;
• wherein the compression device comprises a pressure belt having an active section which faces the peripheral mantle of the combining drum and is configured to keep each gummed connecting strip pressed against the respective group through a specified arc of rotation of the combining drum;
• wherein the compression device also comprises a heater configured to heat the pressure belt to improve adhesion of each gummed connecting strip to the respective group.