Patent EA-000314-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes
Inventor: HENNESSY MARTIN ANTHONY
IPC: A24C5/60
Filed: 1996-06-19
Abstract: 1. A method of producing filter-tipped cigarettes of non-circular cross-section, wherein a filter-tipped cigarette of circular cross-section is compressed over the full length thereof in a compression zone between a first surface and a second surface, said first surface and said second surface moving with rotative motion relative to one another, said circular cigarettes being fed to said compression zone in an orientation such that the lengthwise axis of said cigarettes is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said cigarettes through said compression zone and said compression zone being provided with means for removing the compressed non-circular filter-tipped cigarette therefrom. 2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said first surface and said second surface are arranged in such a manner that the filter tip of the cigarette is subjected to a higher degree of compression than the tobacco rod of said filter tipped cigarette. 3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first surface and said second surface move at the same speed relative to one another. 4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the non-circular cross-section is an oval cross-section. 5. Apparatus operable to produce filter-tipped cigarettes of non-circular cross-section, the apparatus comprising a first surface and a second surface, said first surface and said second surface being movable with rotative motion relative to one another said first surface and said second surface providing a compression zone, at which compression zone the maximum distance between said first surface and said second surface is less than the diameter of circular cigarettes fed to said compression zone in an orientation such that the lengthwise axis of said cigarettes is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said cigarettes through said compression zone and said compression zone being provided with means for removing the compressed non-circular filter-tipped cigarettes therefrom. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said first surface and said second surface are driven by the same drive gear. 7. Apparatus according to Claims 5 or 6, wherein said first surface comprises one or more flutes shaped to produce a desired cross-section. 8. Apparatus according to Claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein said second surface comprises one or more flutes shaped to produce a desired cross-section. 9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein one or both of said first surface and said second surface takes the form of a drum. 10. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein one or both of said first surface and said second surface takes the form of a resilient elongate surface. 11. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said drum is provided with vacuum means to hold cigarettes on the surface of said drum. 12. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said resilient, elongate surface comprises a conveyor belt. 13. Apparatus according to Claims any one of Claims 5 to 12, wherein said first surface and said second surface are arranged in such a manner that the filter tip of the cigarette is subjected to a higher degree of compression than the tobacco rod of said filter-tipped cigarette. 14. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the portion of the resilient surface which contacts the filter tip is thicker than the portion of the resilient surface which contacts the tobacco rod of the filter-tipped cigarette. 15. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein said flute is shaped in such a manner that the cross-section of the flute in contact with the filter tip of the cigarette is of slightly smaller diameter than the section of the flute in contact with the tobacco rod. 16. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 15, wherein said non-circular cross-section is an oval cross-section.