Patent ID: 7299726

Claim:
A method of transversely cutting cigarette portions ( 2 ) on a filter assembly machine, the method comprising cutting a cigarette portion ( 2 ) by feeding the cigarette portion ( 2 ) transversely of its length through a cutting station to intercept a circular blade ( 8 ) rotating continuously about a first axis ( 9 ) parallel to length of the cigarette portion ( 2 ), the method being characterized by: supporting the circular blade ( 8 ) by an arm ( 13 ); moving the arm ( 13 ) between a work position, in which the circular blade ( 8 ) cuts the cigarette portions ( 2 ), an unloading position facing a first store ( 11 ) configured for storing a plurality of worn circular blades ( 8 ), and a feed position facing a second store ( 12 ) configured for storing a plurality of new circular blades ( 8 ); unloading the circular blade ( 8 ) from the arm ( 13 ) to the first store ( 11 ) at the unloading position by using the arm ( 13 ) to transfer the circular blade ( 8 ) from the arm ( 13 ) to the first store ( 11 ), and loading a new circular blade ( 8 ) from the second store ( 12 ) onto the arm ( 13 ) at the feed position by using the arm ( 13 ) to transfer the new circular blade ( 8 ) from the second store ( 12 ) onto the arm ( 13 ).