Patent ID: 7226404

Claim:
A cigarette filter assembly machine comprising a rolling unit ( 8 ) rotating about a first axis ( 20 ) and interposed between a feed drum ( 3 ) for supplying a succession of groups ( 4 ) equally spaced with a first spacing (P 1 ) and each defined by component elements ( 5 , 6 , 7 ) of a relative double filter-tipped cigarette ( 11 ), and an output drum ( 10 ) for receiving a succession of double cigarettes ( 11 ) equally spaced with a second spacing (P 2 ); the rolling unit ( 8 ) comprising: a number of suction rollers ( 54 ) for supporting respective, groups ( 4 ), having a generally circular cross section, and mounted to rotate about respective second axes ( 24 ) parallel to the first axis ( 20 ) and equally spaced about the first axis ( 20 ); actuating means ( 49 , 70 )( 88 , 89 ) for rotating each suction roller ( 54 ) about the relative second axis ( 24 ) and comprising a number of independent reversible drive units ( 49 ) ( 88 ), each connected to a respective said suction roller ( 54 ) to rotate the suction roller ( 54 ) about the relative said second axis ( 24 ) at a variable speed and in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions during a rotation about said first axis ( 20 ) and while the suction roller ( 54 ) supports a respective group ( 4 ); and a number of semicylindrical cavities ( 23 ), each of which faces outwards, is coaxial with a relative second axis ( 24 ), and defines a relative rolling channel ( 69 ) about a relative suction roller ( 54 ).