WO2016203362A1

WO2016203362A1 - Telescopic, coaxial filter cigarette and related production method, filter rod making machine and filter tip attachment machine

Info

Publication number: WO2016203362A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/053489
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Eusepi; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2015-06-16
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2016-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-16
Also published as: JP6830450B2; EP3310194A1; JP2018521644A; EP3310194B1

Abstract

This invention relates to a cigarette 100 comprising a filter 102, a cigarette piece 103 and a connecting sleeve 104 joining the filter 104 to the cigarette piece 103. The filter (102) is a telescopic coaxial filter comprising an inner portion (105) and an outer portion (106) wrapped around the inner portion (105). The outer portion (106) comprises a first section (106a) which is integral with the cigarette piece (103) and a second section (106b) which is slidable between a drawn-in position and an extended position. Means for stopping the second section (106b) to define the fully extended position are located between the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106) and comprise two abutment elements (107, 108), respectively fixed to or associated with the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106). The axial distance ("L") between the two abutment elements defines the stroke ("C") of the second section (106b) between the drawn-in position and the extended position.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TELESCOPIC, COAXIAL FILTER CIGARETTE AND RELATED PRODUCTION METHOD, FILTER ROD MAKING MACHINE AND

FILTER TIP ATTACHMENT MACHINE.

Technical field

This invention relates to a telescopic, coaxial filter cigarette and to a method for making cigarettes of this kind.

Background art

The invention also relates to a machine for making a filter rod suitable for making a telescopic, coaxial filter and to a filter tip attachment machine for making telescopic, coaxial filter cigarettes.

The term "cigarette" is used to denote a plurality of products or smokers' articles such as, for example, cigars, cigarillos, electronic cigarettes and the like.

Cigarettes of known type generally comprise a filter from which the consumer inhales through the mouth and which is connected to a cigarette stick comprising tobacco, for example.

Known from documents WO2014102528-A1 or US4904308, for example, are telescopic filter cigarettes where at least part of the filter is movable between two positions relative to the cigarette stick. Disclosure of the invention

Cigarettes of this kind are designed to be variable in length and, if necessary, to also vary cigarette ventilation during use by allowing air to pass through channels not involved in combustion.

Known telescopic cigarettes are provided with stopping means for stopping the movement of the telescopic parts in the fully extended position.

These stopping means are embodied by the pieces of paper wrapped around the outside of the cigarette, creating a perceptible step along the outside surface.

This step, besides negatively affecting the appearance of the cigarette, also negatively affects their production, in particular during handling and packing, and use, in particular when they are being taken out of the packet.

Moreover, known telescopic cigarettes are difficult to make and relatively unreliable since even the smallest rolling errors lead to sliding problems. In this context, the main technical purpose of this invention is to propose a cigarette, a method for making the cigarette, a machine for making a filter rod and a filter tip attachment machine, which are free of the above mentioned disadvantages.

The aim of this invention is to provide a cigarette, a method for making the cigarette, a machine for making a filter rod and a filter tip attachment machine, which keep the outward appearance of the cigarette unchanged to obtain a constant outer size.

The technical purpose and aims specified are achieved by a cigarette according to claim 1 and by a method for making the cigarette according to claim 21. The technical purpose and aims specified are also achieved by a machine for making a filter rod according to claim 12 and a filter tip attachment machine according to claim 19:

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows, of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a cigarette, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an installation for the production of cigarettes according to this invention;

- Figure 2 shows a cigarette according to this invention in a schematic perspective view and in a first configuration; - Figure 3 shows the cigarette of Figure 2 in a second configuration;

- Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a possible embodiment of the cigarette of Figure 2, suitably interrupted;

- Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a possible embodiment of the cigarette of Figure 3, suitably interrupted;

- Figures 6a-6e are schematic plan views, partly in cross section, showing cigarettes in the process of their production in the installation of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross section of a different embodiment of the cigarette of Figure 2, suitably interrupted;

- Figures 8a and 8b are schematic longitudinal cross sections of a different embodiment, in two different configurations, of the cigarette of Figure 2, suitably interrupted;

- Figure 9 is a schematic front view of a portion of a machine for making a filter rod, forming part of the installation of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 10 is a schematic front view of a processing station of the machine for making a filter rod, forming part of the installation of Figure 1 , according to a first embodiment;

- Figure 11 shows an enlarged detail from Figure 10;

- Figure 12 is an enlarged schematic view showing the successive processing steps the inner rod is subjected to in the form of a filter piece;

- Figure 13 is a schematic front view of a processing station of the machine for making a filter rod, forming part of the installation of Figure 1 , according to a second embodiment;

- Figure 14 shows an enlarged detail from Figure 13;

- Figure 15 is a schematic front view of a portion of the machine for making a filter rod, forming part of the installation of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 15a is a schematic cross section through line X-X of a detail from Figure 15;

- Figure 15b is a schematic longitudinal cross section of another detail from Figure 15; - Figure 16 is a schematic front view of a filter tip attachment machine forming part of the installation of Figure 1.

- Figure 1 shows an installation for making telescopic, coaxial filter cigarettes 100 according to this invention, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 2-5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

As stated above, the cigarette of this invention is a specific example of a smokers' article which may be embodied in several ways.

The cigarette 100 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal axis 101 , shown by way of example in Figure 4.

Hereinafter, the terms "inner" and "outer" are used with reference to a direction perpendicular to the axis 101 , that is to say, with reference to radially inside/outside positions within the cigarette. The cigarette 100 comprises a filter 102 of a telescopic, coaxial type and a cigarette piece 103 connected to the filter 102.

The filter 102 has a first end 102a which is joined to one end of the cigarette piece 103 and an end 102b on the side opposite the cigarette piece 103 and intended to be placed in a smoker's mouth.

The cigarette piece 103 is of substantially known type and will not be described in detail.

The cigarette 100 comprises means for connecting the filter 102 to the cigarette piece 103. The connecting means comprise, for example, a connecting sleeve 104, described in detail below. The sleeve is preferably wrapped around the filter 102 and the cigarette piece 103 to connect the two together.

Each filter 102 comprises an inner portion 105, which is elongate in shape, and an outer portion 106, which surrounds the portion 105. The inner portion 105 may be made of a first material, preferably a filter material. In a further embodiment, the inner portion 105 may be made in the form of a tube, without filter material, to define an intake channel. In the same way, the outer portion 106 comprises a second material, preferably a filter material.

In other words, the portions 105 and 106 extend along the filter 102 (from the first end 102a ton the second end 102b of the filter 102) in such a way that the portion 105 is inside the portion 106.

The first and second materials may be identical or they may differ in some respects. For example, the first and second materials may differ in colour and/or flavouring and/or filtering capacity.

The outer portion 106 is divided, along a cutting line "T", into at least two sections located one after the other along the axis 101. The first section 106a of the outer portion 106 is located at the first end 102a of the filter and is attached to the cigarette piece 103. The second section 106b of the outer portion 106 is located at the second end 102b of the filter. The second section 106b is slidabie along the axis 101 relative to the first section 106a between a drawn-in position, where it is close to the first stretch 106a (Figures 2 and 4), and an extended position, where it is at a certain distance from the first section 106a (Figures 3 and 5). In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-5, the inner portion 105 of the filter defines a sliding guide for the second section 106b of the outer portion 106 during the passage from the drawn-in position to the extended position and vice versa.

Between the inner portion 105 and the outer portion 106 there are means for stopping the second section 106b to define the fully extended position. These stopping means are illustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5 and comprise respective abutment elements located at a certain distance "L" along the axis 101 and respectively fixed to or associated with the inner portion 105 and the outer portion 106 (or vice versa). The axial distance "L" between the two abutment elements defines the stroke "C" of the second section 106b of the outer portion 106 of the filter between the drawn-in position and the extended position.

The numeral 107 denotes a first abutment element, closer to the second end 102b of the filter, and the numeral 108 denotes a second abutment element, closer to the first end 102a of the filter. In the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-5, the first abutment element 107 is located at the second end 102b of the filter and the second abutment element 108 is located at an intermediate position along the axis 101 at the distance "L" from the first abutment element 07.

The two abutment elements 107 and 108 are respectively fixed to or associated with the inner portion 105 and the outer portion 106. More specifically, in the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the first abutment element 107 is fixed to or associated with the inner portion 105 and the second abutment element 108 is fixed to or associated with the second section 106b of the outer portion 106.

Each abutment element 107, 108 may consist of a piece extending around the axis 101.

In a possible embodiment, the inner portion 105 comprises an inner intermediate sleeve 109 wrapped around the first filter material and fixed thereto for example by a layer of adhesive, not illustrated. In this case, the corresponding abutment element (first abutment element 107 in Figures 4- 5) is externally fixed to or associated with the inner intermediate sleeve 109, for example by a layer of adhesive and is facing towards the outer portion 106 of the filter.

In a possible embodiment, the outer portion 106 comprises an outer intermediate sleeve 110 wrapped around the second filter material and fixed thereto for example by a layer of adhesive, not illustrated. In this case, the corresponding abutment element (second abutment element 108 in Figures 4-5) is fixed to or associated with the outer intermediate sleeve 110, for example by a layer of adhesive and is facing towards the inner portion 105 of the filter.

In a possible embodiment, the outer portion 106 comprises an outer sleeve 111 wrapped around the second filter material and fixed thereto by a layer of adhesive, not illustrated. Preferably, the abutment elements 107, 108 are embodied by pieces of continuous tape applied to the respective sleeves or to the respective filter material as described in more detail below.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the piece which defines the second abutment element 108 extends also at the first section 106a and, in this section, is fixed, for example by a layer of adhesive 112, also to the inner portion 105, in particular to the inner intermediate sleeve 109. Alternatively to the layer of adhesive, the first section 106a and the inner portion 105 may be joined to each other by pressure, embossing or other methods.

The connecting sleeve 104 has a line of weakness 13 running around the axis 101 and defining two portions of the connecting sleeve 104 along the selfsame axis. A first portion 104a is fixed to the cigarette piece 103 and a second portion 104b is fixed to the second section 106b of the outer portion 106 of the filter.

The two portions of the connecting sleeve 104 can be separated by the user by applying an axial tensile force on the second section 106b to move it to the extended position.

In a possible embodiment, not illustrated, the line of weakness 113 may be positioned at the cutting line "T" which constitutes the dividing line between the first section 106a and the second section 06b of the outer portion 106 of the filter. Alternatively, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the line of weakness 113 may be located at a position corresponding to the first section 106a, that is to say, between the cigarette piece 103 and the cutting line "T". The distance "D" between the cutting line "T" and the line of weakness 113 is preferably greater than the stroke "C" so that, in the extended position, the gap between the second section 106b and the first section 106a, corresponding to the annular cavity "A" illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, is not visible.

In the second embodiment, the second portion 104b of the sleeve slides on the first section 106a. In other words, the inner portion 105 of the filter defines a sliding guide for the second section 106b and the first section 106a defines a sliding guide for the second portion 104b of the connecting sleeve 104.

Preferably, the connecting sleeve 104 comprises a perforated zone 114, which defines a high permeability zone suitably located at the annular cavity "A" created between the first section 106a and the second section 106b in the extended position.

The connecting sleeve 104 and/or the outer intermediate sleeve 110 and/or the abutment elements 107, 108, if visible, are made in different colours or of different materials from the first or second material and/or the inner intermediate sleeve 109 to indicate to the user when the extended position has been reached. As illustrated in Figure 3, the inner portion 105 may differ in colour from the intermediate sleeve 110 and, if necessary, also from the second material visible at the second end 102b.

The filter 102 may have an internal chamber designed to receive an additive. The chamber is preferably located along the cigarette axis 101. The additive is used to flavour the smoke inhaled by the consumer (smoker) and may be in the form, for example, of a capsule, powder, granules, gel, liquid or small piece of flavoured filter material.

Preferably, the additive is of the type whose release is determined by the combustion of the cigarette or by the heat or smoke generated by such combustion.

The cigarette 100 may comprise a duct giving access to the chamber in order to add the additive. Preferably, the duct runs through the filter in a direction transverse to the axis 101 and is preferably rectilinear. Further, the duct is made accessible when the filter is in the extracted position. In one possible embodiment, the internal chamber for receiving an additive at least partly comprises the annular cavity "A" formed between the first section 106a and the second section 106b in the extended position. In this case, the connecting sleeve 104 may have an access hole which, in the extracted position, is positioned at the annular cavity "A". In use, the user grips the second stretch 106b of the filter and moves it away from the first stretch 106a, thereby tearing the connecting sleeve 104 at the line of weakness 113. Extracting the second stretch 106b allows varying the length and, where applicable, the ventilation of the cigarette at the moment of use.

Figures 7, 8a and 8b show two possible embodiments of the cigarette 100 according to this invention.

The embodiment of Figure 7 corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 4 but differs from it in that the piece which constitutes the second abutment element 108 does not extend at the first stretch 106a. The adhesive layer 112 (or other materials / processes) attaches directly to each other the inner portion 105 and the outer portion 106, in particular the inner intermediate sleeve 109 and the outer intermediate sleeve 110.

In the embodiment of Figures 8a and 8b, showing the drawn-in and extended positions, the two abutment elements 107 and 108 are located between the inner portion 105 and the first stretch 106a of the outer portion 106. Further, the second abutment element 108 is fixed to the inner portion 105, while the first abutment element 107 is fixed to the first stretch 106a., Preferably, the second stretch 106b is attached to the inner portion 105 for example by the adhesive layer 112 (or other materials/processes). In this case, the inner portion 105 still acts as a guide for the second stretch 106b sliding relative to the first stretch 106a. In other possible embodiments, either or both the inner intermediate sleeve 109 and the intermediate sleeve 110 are not provided and the abutment elements are glued directly to the material, preferably filter material, or to the tube which may define the inner portion 105.

Alternatively to the pieces of tape, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied in different ways. For example, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied by applying a material in the form of glue. Alternatively, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied by distributing a powder. In another alternative, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied by layers of ink. Furthermore, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied by relief features or embossings. Lastly, the stopping means, and in particular, the abutment elements 107 and 108 may be embodied by cuts or folds. Both in the case of pieces of tape and in the case of added materials or processed features, the abutment elements may, as stated previously, cover the entire circumference around the axis 101 or only one or more arcs.

With reference to the installation of Figure 1 , the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a machine for making a filter rod suitable for making a telescopic, coaxial filter 102.

The machine 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a station 2a for processing the first material suitable for making the inner portion 105 of the filter and a station 2b for processing the second material suitable for making the outer portion 106 of the filter. The two stations operate according to known operating methods. More specifically, the machine 1 is suitable for making a filter rod from a first material and a second material. If the inner portion 105 is embodied by a tube, a part of the machine 1 is replaced by a machine for supplying a continuous tube. One possible embodiment of the processing station 2a is illustrated by way of example in Figure 9 and comprises a bale "M" of the first material, preferably filter material. Respective wicks 3 are drawn out from the bale "M" (the term "wick" being used to denote strips of filter material drawn out from the bale "M" and likened to a strip of gauze with reduced transverse dimensions). The wicks 3 are fed along a feed path P1 by means of guiding device of known type. Usually, there is at least one pneumatic device 4 of known type, adapted to widen the wicks 3 transversely by means of an air flow, changing them into a strip or continuous ribbon "F" of predetermined width. The processing station 2a also comprises a device 5 for treating the material situated downstream of the pneumatic devices 4 and receiving the ribbon "F" in order to plasticize it by means of a plasticizing fluid.

The ribbon "F" is then fed towards a conveying device 6 which conveys the ribbon "F" towards a forming device 6a adapted to receive the ribbon "F" and gather it up around its central axis to obtain a tow 7.

Preferably, the tow 7 is associated with a composite tape 8 and made to move along above the composite tape 8 itself. Next, the tow 7 is wrapped in the tape 8 to obtain an inner rod 9. As described further on, the inner rod 9 comprises an uninterrupted succession at least of inner portions 105 and stopping means, preferably positioned mirror-symmetrically.

The tape 8 may be wrapped around the tow 7 by a garniture tongue, labelled 6b in Figure 9.

The inner rod 9 thus obtained is conveyed towards a portion 1b of the machine 1 adapted to terminate the formation of a filter rod. As described further on, the filter rod comprises an uninterrupted succession of inner portions 105, stopping means and outer portions 106, preferably positioned mirror-symmetrically.

One possible embodiment of the portion 1b of the machine 1 and of the end part of the processing station 2b is illustrated by way of example in Figure 15.

In the portion 1 b, the rod 9 meets an adhesive material applicator device 10 adapted to apply at least strips 11 of adhesive material along the outside surface of the rod 9. The rod 9 may be supported by a centring device 12, preferably located downstream of the applicator device 10. In this case, the centring device 12 may comprise longitudinal ribs 13 running parallel to the rod 9 in order to support it between one adhesive strip 11 and another.

The processing station 2b may be functionally and structurally similar to the station 2a, so that respective wicks are drawn out from a bale of the second material, preferably filter material, and the wicks are then fed along a feed path P2 by means of guiding devices of known type towards a station for processing the material until a strip 14 of the second material is formed. Figure 15 schematically illustrates the station 2b which brings the strip 14 of the second material to converge with the continuous rod 9. More specifically, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 15b, the strip 14 is conveyed to the mouth 55 of a forming device 6a into which the inner rod 9 is also fed in a position substantially coaxial with its axis. The forming device 6a has the shape of a funnel which progressively reduces the transverse dimension of the strip 14. More precisely, the strip 14 enters the mouth 55 of the device 6a in a direction P2 which is transverse to the direction P1 of the rod 9 and is distributed around the latter.

The forming device 6a comprises a funnel-shaped body 53 and a tile- shaped tip 54 positioned with its concavity above the garniture tongue 17. The body 53 is supplied in known manner with air flows, schematically represented by the arrows "A" in Figure 15b. The air flows from an air source not illustrated decisively contribute to distributing the strip 14 uniformly around the inner rod 9 and to feeding the combination of the inner rod 9 wrapped in the second material towards the outlet of the body 53 until reaching the tile 54 and then being wrapped along the garniture tongue 17.

More specifically, at the garniture tongue 17, the portion 1 b of the machine 1 also receives a continuous tape 15, preferably of paper, which is fed along the tongue and progressively wrapped around the inner rod 9 wrapped in the second material.

To sum up, the inner rod 9 enters the portion 1 b following the feed path P1 , the strip 14 enters the portion 1b following the feed path P2, and the tape 15, if present, enters the portion 1 b following the feed path P3 at the garniture tongue 17.

The garniture tongue 17 has an inner channel whose transverse cross section changes along the longitudinal extension of the garniture tongue itself, closing on itself in the feed direction along the feed path P. The assembly made up of the rod 9 wrapped in the second material and in the tape 15 runs along the feed path P in the garniture tongue 17. At the end of the garniture tongue 17, the tape 15 and the strip 14 are wrapped around the rod 9 to form the filter rod 16.

The shape of the transverse cross section of the filter rod 16 is determined by the transverse cross section (at the end) of the channel of the garniture tongue 17, preferably circular or helical.

The machine 1 also comprises an apparatus 1c adapted to make the composite tape 8.

In a first possible embodiment, for example illustrated in Figure 13, the apparatus 1c comprises feeding means of essentially known type adapted to unwind a continuous tape 19 from a roll 20.

Along the path P4 followed by the tape 19 there is an applicator device 21 for applying pieces 22 on the tape 19. The applicator device 21 is configured to cut the pieces 22, at predetermined regular intervals, from a respective tape 23 unwound from a roll 24 and to apply glue on one surface of them by means of a gluing device of known type, not illustrated, in order to form the adhesive layer, not illustrated, by which they are attached to the tape 19. The pieces 22 are arranged at a predetermined spacing "p1" from each other and are configured to make the first abutment elements 107 on each finished cigarette 100. Preferably, the length Ύ1" of each piece 22 along the main longitudinal direction of the tape 19 is equal to twice the length "X1" of the abutment elements 107. The pieces 22 may be made of any suitable material, for example paper or plastic material, or they may comprise metallic material.

With reference to the cigarette illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the tape 19 to which the pieces 22 are glued is intended to make the inner intermediate sleeve 109.

The apparatus 1c comprises further feeding means of essentially known type adapted to unwind a further continuous tape 25 from a roll 26.

Along the path P5 followed by the further tape 25 there is a further applicator device 27 for applying further pieces 28 on the further tape 25. The further applicator device 27 is configured to cut the further pieces 28, at predetermined regular intervals, from a respective tape 29 unwound from a roll 30 and to apply glue on one surface of them by means of a gluing device of known type, not illustrated, in order to form the adhesive layer, not illustrated, by which they are attached to the further tape 25. The further pieces 28 are arranged at a predetermined spacing "p2" from each other and are configured to make the second abutment elements 108 on each finished filter cigarette 100. Preferably, each further piece 28 has, along the main longitudinal direction of the further tape 25, a length Ύ2" greater than twice the length "X2" of the abutment elements 108, and more specifically, equal to twice the length "X2" plus twice the length of the stretch of the abutment element 108 which also extends at the first stretch 106a.

The further pieces 28, too, may be made of any suitable material, for example paper or plastic material, or they may comprise metallic material. With reference to the cigarette illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the further tape 25 to which the further pieces 28 are glued is intended to make the outer intermediate sleeve 110.

Downstream of the feed means and of the further feed means, the tape and the further tape are coupled and superposed in parallel with each other in such a way that the pieces 22 and the further pieces 28 are positioned inside, between the two tapes. The relative position of the two tapes is adjusted in such a way that on each of the finished cigarettes 100, the abutment element 107 and the abutment element 108 are positioned at the distance "L". The composite tape 8 is the result of coupling the tape 19 and the further tape 25 comprising the respective pieces.

In a different embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 10, the apparatus 1c comprises the feed means which unwind the continuous tape 19 from the roll 20. Along the path P4 followed by the tape 19 are located both the applicator device 21 and the further applicator device 27 configured like the previous embodiment but adapted to apply both the pieces 22 and the further pieces 28 on the tape 9.

As illustrated in detail in Figure 11 , applying the pieces 22 to the tape 19 involves applying glue 31 to form an adhesive layer by which each piece 22 is permanently attached to the tape 19. Preferably, the layer of glue 31 covers the entire surface of the piece 22. Applying the further pieces 28 to the tape 19 involves applying glue 32 on a limited surface, preferably at the centre of the further piece. The glue 32 forms the adhesive layer 112 between the inner portion 105 and the outer portion 106.

The numeral 33 denotes a gluing device adapted to apply a layer of glue 34 on the face of the further pieces 28 and suitable for coupling to the further tape 25. The layer of glue 34 is suitable for permanently attaching each further piece 28 to the further tape 25. Preferably, the layer of glue 34 covers the entire surface of the further piece 28.

The further tape 25 is unwound from the roll 26 and is applied in parallel with the tape 19 in such a way that the pieces 22 and the further pieces 28 are positioned inside, between the two tapes. The composite tape 8 is the result of coupling the tape 19 and the further tape 25.

Both in the case of Figure 10 and in the case of Figure 13, the applicator devices 21 and 27 are independent and adjustable independently of each other to allow varying the positions of the pieces and further pieces, setting them apart according to requirements and/or varying their spacing. In the embodiment described above, the inner rod 9 comprising the tow 7 and the composite tape 8, comprises an uninterrupted succession of inner portions 105 including the inner intermediate sleeve 109, stopping means preferably positioned mirror-symmetrically, and outer intermediate sleeves 110 of the outer portions 106.

Figure 12 schematically illustrates a partial longitudinal cross section of the inner rod 9 where the composite tape 8 is preferably obtained from the apparatus 1c of Figures 10 and 11. The rod 9 of Figure 12 is suitable for making cigarettes 100 according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 12 also shows the subsequent cutting and incision operations which it will undergo at different stages in the form of a filter piece to indicate the spacing of the elements of the inner rod 9 as a function of how they will be positioned in the finished cigarette. More specifically, the reference "T1" denotes a cutting line which will define the second end 102b of the filter 102 at a subsequent processing stage. With reference to the embodiment of the cigarette 100 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the cutting line "T1" lies at each piece 22 and delimits two abutment elements 107. In the subsequent production method, it will correspond to the cutting line which divides a double cigarette into two cigarettes 100. The reference "T2" denotes a cutting line which will define the first end 102a of the filter 102 at a subsequent processing stage. With reference to the embodiment of the cigarette 100 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the cutting line "T2" lies at each further piece 28 and defines two abutment elements 108. In the subsequent production method, it will correspond to the cutting line which divides two filter pieces. More specifically, a filter piece 38 is defined between two alternate cutting lines "T2", whilst a filter piece 42 is defined between two consecutive cutting lines "T2". The reference "T" denotes the incision lines which, at each further piece 28, will delimit the first stretch 106a from the second stretch 106b of the filter in the subsequent stages of the production method.

With reference to the installation of Figure 1 and the detail of Figure 15, the filter rods 16 leaving the machine 1 are fed to a density checking device 35 and after that to a cutting device 36 forming part of a cutting and outfeed station 37.

The cutting device 36 is adapted to cut the rods 16 transversely to obtain respective successions of pieces 38 (Figure 6c) between two alternate cutting lines "T2".

The installation of Figure 1 also comprises, downstream of the cutting and outfeed station 37 with reference to the direction of feed of the continuous rod 16, a conveyor device of essentially known type, for sequentially feeding the filter pieces 38 towards the infeed of a filter tip attachment machine 39 of known type for applying filters to cigarette pieces. The filter tip attachment machine 39 is adapted to receive cigarette pieces 40 sequentially from a cigarette maker schematically represented as a block 41 , to divide the cigarette pieces 40 into two pieces 103 of half the length, to move them apart in an axial direction, to divide the filter pieces 38 into two pieces 42 of half the length at the cutting line "T2", to incise them at the incision lines "T", to axially interpose one pieces 42 between two cigarette pieces 103 and to connect the pieces 103 and 42 to each other with one piece of tape to make a double cigarette which is then divided in half at the cutting line "T1" to make two finished filter cigarettes 00.

Preferably, the pieces 38 correspond to a sequence of four filters 102, each positioned mirror-symmetrically relative to the one adjacent to it. Preferably, the pieces 42 correspond to a sequence of two filters 102, each positioned mirror-symmetrically.

Figure 16 illustrates a portion of a filter tip attachment machine where the filter pieces 38 are placed in a hopper 43 and fed to a first line 44 of drums along which they meet a cutting device 45 which divides them into two pieces 42 along the cutting line "T2" and an incision device 46 upstream of which the pieces 42 incised along the incision lines proceed along the first line 44. The cigarette pieces 40 travel along a second line 47 of drums where they meet a cutting device 47a which divides them into pieces 103 which proceed along the second line 47 and moved axially away from each other. At the drums where the first line 44 and the second line 47 converge, one filter piece 42 is inserted between two cigarette pieces 03 which have been moved axially apart.

In one possible embodiment, a tape 48 crosses an incision station 49 configured to make two perforated zones 114 and two lines of weakness 113 in the tape 48 itself. The tape 48 also crosses a cutting station 50 configured to obtain pieces, not illustrated, which are wrapped around the piece 42 and the two pieces 103 to form a double cigarette which is subsequently divided in half along a third line 51 of drums along which there is a cutting device 52 that operates along a cutting line "T1". Dividing the tape 48 in half produces the two connecting sleeves 104 of the two cigarettes 100 resulting from cutting the double cigarette.

Figures 6a-6e illustrate a possible embodiment of a production method for making cigarettes 100 according to this invention.

Figure 6a illustrates the step of making the inner rod 9 in which the composite tape 8 is wrapped around the tow 7. This step is preferably carried out in the portion 1a of the machine 1.

Figure 6b illustrates the step of making the filter rod 16 comprising the rod 9 wrapped in the second material 14 in the form of a strip 14 which is further wrapped in the tape 15. This step is preferably carried out in the portion 1 b of the machine 1. Figure 6b also illustrates the step of cutting along alternate cutting lines "T2" to obtain the piece 38. This step is preferably carried out in the cutting and outfeed station 37.

Figure 6c illustrates the step of cutting along the cutting lines "T2" to obtain the piece 42. This step is preferably carried out as a result of passing through the cutting device 45.

Figure 6d illustrates the step of incising along the incision lines "T" the tape 15, the strip 14 and the further tape 25 of the composite tape 8 which will constitute an outer portion 106 of the cigarette being made. This step is preferably carried out as a result of passing through the incision device 46.

Figure 6e illustrates the step of wrapping a piece of tape 48 around a filter piece 42 and two cigarette pieces 103 to form a double cigarette and the step of cutting along the cutting line "T1" to obtain two cigarettes 100. In this case, therefore, the reference numerals correspond to those of Figures 4 and 5, considering the cigarettes 100 substantially finished.

The cigarette, the machines and the method according to the invention offer considerable advantages. The inner portion 105 defines a coaxial core which acts as a guide for telescopic movement, making it mechanically more solid when it is in the extended position. It also makes it possible to insert the stopping means between the inner portion and the outer portion, in particular directly in the double wrapping between the two portions. This aspect allows making a filter with a very smooth outside surface. Thus, the outside surface is free of irregularities which, besides the obvious aesthetic advantage, means that the cigarette is more manageable during the different production stages and, above all, during packing.

Thanks to the two coaxial portions, the filtering capacity and physical properties of the filter (for example ventilation and pressure drop) can be calibrated very precisely at the design stage by acting on the inner portion or on the outer portion. For example, it is possible to use two different materials or the same material with different specifications. Preferably, two types of cellulose acetate are used: one with a few filaments, but thick, as the first material, that is to say, the material used to make the inner portion 105, and one with many, thin filaments as the second material, that is to say, the material used to make the outer portion 106.

According to the invention, the cigarette can be customized by adjusting the ventilation: high ventilation when the outer portion 106 is in the drawn- in position, low ventilation when the outer portion 106 is in the extended position. In particular, thanks to the perforated zones 114, it is possible to make high-permeability zones on the connecting sleeve 104, using laser perforation, electrostatic or plasma microperforation techniques. In the extended position, the perforated zones 114 are moved to the annular cavity "A". In addition or alternatively, there may be porous paper underneath which is uncovered when the outer portion 106 is in the extended position.

It is also possible to gain access to an internal cavity (through an opening which opens when the outer portion 106 is in the extended position) to insert an additive (for example, flavouring capsules or granules). Further, the variation of cigarette properties may be clearly indicated by: colour, text, or marks on the paper which is uncovered, besides the obvious change of shape. The outer intermediate sleeve 110 might also by coloured.

Lastly, compared to non-telescopic cigarettes, cigarettes according to this invention can be packed in shorter packets, with obvious savings in terms of packaging materials, freight volume, etc.

Claims

1. A cigarette (100) comprising a filter (102), a cigarette piece (103) and a connecting sleeve (104) adapted to wrap and thereby couple the filter (102) to the cigarette piece (103), the cigarette extending along an axis (101),

characterized in that

the filter (102) is a telescopic coaxial filter comprising an inner portion (105) and an outer portion (106) wrapped around the inner portion (105), the outer portion (106) comprising in succession along the axis (101) a first section (106a) which is integral with the cigarette piece (103) and a second section (106b) which is slidable relative to the first section (106a) along the cigarette axis (101) between a drawn-in position and an extended position,

wherein means for stopping the second section (106b) to define the fully extended position are located between the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106) and comprise a first abutment element (107) and a second abutment element (108), respectively fixed to or associated with the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106), or vice versa, and wherein the axial distance ("L") between the two abutment elements defines the stroke ("C") of the second section (106b) relative to the first section (106a) between the drawn-in position and the extended position.

2. The cigarette (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the inner portion (105) comprises an inner intermediate sleeve (109) wrapped around a first material, preferably filter material, and wherein the respective first or second abutment element (107, 108) is externally fixed to or associated with the inner intermediate sleeve (109).

3. The cigarette (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer portion (106) comprises an outer intermediate sleeve (110) which internally wraps a second material, preferably filter material, and wherein the respective first or second abutment element (107, 108) is fixed to or associated with the outer intermediate sleeve (110).

4. The cigarette (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each first and second abutment element (107, 108) consists of a piece of tape (22, 28) extending around the cigarette axis (101) or one or more of the following: layers of powder, layers of ink, relief features or embossings, cuts or folds.

5. The cigarette (100) according to claim 4, wherein the outer portion (106) is divided by an incision line "T" into the first section (106a) and second section (106b) and the piece (28) which defines one between the first and the second abutment element (107, 108) extends between the first section (106a) and the second section (106b), and wherein an adhesive layer (112) is provided which makes the inner portion (105) and the first or the second section (106a, 106b) of the outer portion (106) integral with each other.

6. The cigarette (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting sleeve (104) has a line of weakness (113) running around the axis (101) and being such as to define two portions of the connecting sleeve (104) along the selfsame axis, a first portion (104a) being fixed to the cigarette piece (103) and a second portion (104b) being fixed to the second section (106b) of the outer portion (106) of the filter.

7. The cigarette (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment elements cover the entire circumference around the axis (101) or only one or more arcs.

8. The cigarette (100) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the line of weakness (113) is arranged axially between the cigarette piece (103) and the incision line ("T"), the distance ("D") between the incision line ("T") and the line of weakness (1 3) being preferably greater than the stroke ("C").

9. The cigarette (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting sleeve (104) has a perforated zone (114) adapted to be arranged at an annular cavity ("A") which is created, in the extended position, between the first section (106a) and the second section (106b) of the outer portion (106) of the filter.

10. The cigarette (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the inner portion (105) comprises a first material, preferably a filter material, and the outer portion (106) comprises a second material, preferably a filter material, and wherein the first and second filter materials differ in one or more aspects, for example selected from the following: colour, flavour, permeability, resistance to draw.

11. The cigarette (100) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the connecting sleeve (104) and/or the outer intermediate sleeve (110) and/or the first/second abutment element (107, 108) are made in different colours or of different materials from the first or second material and/or the inner intermediate sleeve (109) to indicate the extended position to the user.

12. A machine (1) for making a filter rod (16) suitable for making a telescopic coaxial filter (102) comprising an inner portion (105) and an outer portion (106) wrapped around the inner portion (105), the outer portion (106) comprising a first section (106a) which is integral with the cigarette piece (103) and a second section (106b) which is slidable relative to the first section (106a) along the cigarette axis (101) between a drawn-in position and an extended position,

the machine comprising:

- a machine portion (1a) configured to obtain an inner rod (9) from a tow (7) of a first material, preferably filter material, or from a support, for example in the form of a tube,

- a machine portion (1 b) configured to obtain a filter rod (16) by wrapping a strip (14) of a second material, preferably filter material, around the inner rod (9),

characterized in that

at least one of the machine portions (1a, 1 b) is configured to position, between the tow (7) or the support and the strip (14), means for stopping the second section (160b) and suitable for positioning and operating between the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106) of the filter, preferably by applying at least one piece (22) of tape (24) suitable for making a first abutment element (107) of the stopping means and preferably by applying at least one further piece (28) of tape (30) suitable for making a second abutment element (108) of the stopping means.

13. The machine (1) according to claim 12, comprising an apparatus (1c) suitable for making a composite tape (8) comprising a tape (19) and a further tape (25) positioned opposite and parallel to each other and suitable, respectively, for making an inner intermediate sleeve (109) of the inner portion (105) of the filter and an outer intermediate sleeve (110) of the outer portion (106) of the filter, the composite tape (8) comprising, between the two tapes (19, 25), a plurality of pieces (22) arranged at a certain spacing ("p1") and a plurality of further pieces (28) arranged at a certain spacing ("p2"),

wherein the machine portion (1a) is configured to obtain an inner rod (9) by wrapping the tow (7) in the composite tape (8).

14. The machine (1) according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus (1c) is configured to prepare pieces (22) having, along the main longitudinal direction of the tape (19), a length ("Y1") equal to twice the length ("X1") of the first abutment elements (107), and further pieces (28) having, along the main longitudinal direction of the further tape (25), a length ("Y2") greater than twice the length ("X2") of the second abutment elements (108).

15. The machine (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the apparatus (1c) comprises:

- feeding means suitable for unwinding the continuous tape (19) from a roll (20),

- an applicator device (21) for applying pieces (22) and located along the path (P4) followed by the tape (19),

- further feeding means suitable for unwinding the further continuous tape (25) from a roll (26),

- a further applicator device (27) for applying further pieces (28) and located along the path (P5) followed by the further tape (25), - means for coupling the tape (19) and the further tape (25) parallel to each other to the pieces (22) and the further pieces (28) positioned between the two tapes.

16. The machine (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the apparatus (1c) comprises:

feeding means suitable for unwinding the continuous tape (19) from a roll (20),

an applicator device (21) for applying pieces (22) and located along the path (P4) followed by the tape (19),

a further applicator device (27) for applying further pieces (28) and located along the path (P4) followed by the tape (19),

further feeding means suitable for unwinding the further continuous tape (25) from a roll (26),

means for coupling the tape (19) and the further tape (25) parallel to each other to the pieces (22) and the further pieces (28) positioned between the two tapes.

17. The machine (1) according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus (1c) comprises a gluing device (33) adapted to apply a layer of glue (34) on the face of the further pieces (28) and suitable for coupling to the further tape (25).

18. The machine (1) according to one or more of claims 12-17, wherein the portion (1 b) comprises an adhesive material application device (10) for applying at least strips (11) of adhesive material along the outside surface of the rod (9) and a centring device (12) preferably located downstream of the application device (10) and preferably comprising longitudinal ribs (13) running parallel to the rod (9) to support it between one strip (11) of adhesive and another.

19. A filter tip attachment machine (39) for making cigarettes (100) according to one or more of claims 1-11 , the filter tip attachment machine being configured for: - receiving in succession cigarette pieces (40) obtained by cutting a cigarette rod,

- receiving in succession filter pieces (38) obtained by cutting a filter rod (16) feeding out of a machine (1) according to one or more of claims 12- 18,

- dividing the cigarette pieces (40) into two pieces (103) of half the length and moving the latter apart in an axial direction,

- incising, by means of an incision device (46), the filter pieces (42) at the incision lines ("T") in order to divide the first section (106a) and the second section (106b) of the outer portion ( 06) of the filter,

- dividing the filter pieces (38) into two pieces (42) of half the length along cutting lines ("T2"),

- axially interposing a filter piece (42) between two cigarette pieces (103) and connecting them to each other with a piece of tape (48) to make a double cigarette,

- dividing the double cigarette in half at the cutting line ("T1") to make two finished filter cigarettes (100).

20. The filter tip attachment machine (39) according to claim 19, comprising:

an incision station (49) operating on the tape (48) and configured to make two perforated zones (114) and two lines of weakness (113) on the tape (48), and

a cutting station (50) configured to obtain the pieces of tape (48), each designed to form two connecting sleeves (104).

21. A method for making cigarettes (100) according to one or more of claims 1-11 comprising the following steps:

- processing a first material, preferably a filter material, suitable for making the inner portion (105) of a telescopic coaxial filter, to obtain a tow (7) of the first material, or preparing a support, for example in the form of a tube, - processing a second material, preferably a filter material, suitable for making the outer portion (106) of a telescopic coaxial filter, to obtain a strip (14) of the second material,

- obtaining an inner rod (9) from the tow (7) or from the support and obtaining a filter rod (16) by wrapping at least the strip (14) around the inner rod (9),

- cutting the filter rod (16) along cutting lines ("T2") to obtain a piece (38),

- cutting the piece (38) along the cutting lines ("T2") to obtain a piece (42) and incising the piece (42) to divide the outer portion (106) into the first section (106a) and second section (106b),

- dividing the cigarette pieces (40) into two pieces (103) of half the length and moving them apart in an axial direction,

- dividing the double cigarette in half along the cutting line ("T1"), characterized in that

the step of obtaining the rod (9) and/or the step of obtaining the rod (16) is accomplished by positioning, between the tow (7) or the support and the strip (14), stopping means adapted to operate between the inner portion (105) and the outer portion (106) of the filter, preferably by applying at least one piece (22) of tape (24) suitable for making a first abutment element (107) of the stopping means and preferably by applying at least one further piece (28) of tape (30) suitable for making a second abutment element (108).

22. The method according to claim 21 , comprising the step of making a composite tape (8) comprising a tape (19) and a further tape (25) positioned opposite and parallel to each other and suitable, respectively, for making an inner intermediate sleeve (109) of the inner portion (105) of the filter and an outer intermediate sleeve (110) of the outer portion (106) of the filter, the composite tape (8) comprising, between the two tapes (19, 25), a plurality of pieces (22) arranged at a certain spacing ("p1 ") and a plurality of further pieces (28) arranged at a certain spacing ("p2"), wherein the inner rod (9) is obtained by wrapping the tow (7) or the support in the composite tape (8).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of making a composite tape (8) comprises

- feeding the continuous tape (19) from a roll (20),

- applying the pieces (22) to the tape (19),

- feeding the further continuous tape (25) from a roll (26),

- applying the further pieces (28) to the further tape (25),

- coupling the tape (19) and the further tape (25) parallel to each other to the pieces (22) and the further pieces (28) positioned between the two tapes.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of making a composite tape (8) comprises

- feeding the continuous tape (19) from a roll (20),

- applying the pieces (22) and the further pieces (28) to the tape (19),

- feeding the further continuous tape (25) from a roll (26),

25. The method according to claim 24, comprising the step of applying a layer of glue (34) on the face of the further pieces (28) suitable for coupling to the further tape (25).

26. A composite tape (8) for making cigarettes (100) according to one or more of claims 1-11 , comprising a tape (19) and a further tape (25) positioned opposite and parallel to each other and suitable, respectively, for making an inner intermediate sleeve (109) of the inner portion (105) of the filter and an outer intermediate sleeve (110) of the outer portion (106) of the filter, the composite tape (8) comprising, between the two tapes (19, 25), a plurality of pieces (22) arranged at a certain spacing ("p1") and suitable for making the first abutment elements (107), and a plurality of further pieces (28) arranged at a certain spacing ("p2") and suitable for making the second abutment elements (108).