A smoking device comprised of a rectangular middle panel comprising a central rectangular subpanel hingably joined to a lower rectangular subpanel, and hingably joined to an upper rectangular subpanel; a left panel hingably joined to a left edge of the rectangular middle panel and comprising a plurality of left panel facets hingably joined to each other; and a right panel hingably joined to a right edge of the rectangular middle panel and comprising a plurality of right panel facets hingably joined to each other. The lower rectangular subpanel and upper rectangular subpanel are pivotable with respect to the central subpanel to an opposed position forming an enclosed cavity. The left panel facets and right panel facets are pivotable so as to collapse and be contained within the enclosed cavity. Alternative embodiments with additional multifunctional capabilities are also described.

A method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article, specifically an HNB smoking article, includes preparing a rod segment, of the tobacco industry and wrapping a connecting strip of wrapping material round that rod segment, about a wrapping axis, in such a way that a first portion of the connecting strip is superposed on a first end of the rod segment and a second portion of it is axially protruding from the first end of the rod segment thereby defining a tubular wrapping which encloses a containment chamber. Then a filling material of the tobacco industry is placed inside the containment chamber. The method also includes a step of making a wall, transverse to the wrapping axis, defining an at least partial closure of the containment chamber, specifically by folding an end portion of the second portion the connecting strip.

A method for making a sub-unit of a smoking article, specifically an HNB smoking article, includes preparing a rod segment, of the tobacco industry and wrapping a connecting strip of wrapping material round that rod segment, about a wrapping axis, in such a way that a first portion of the connecting strip is superposed on a first end of the rod segment and a second portion of it is axially protruding from the first end of the rod segment thereby defining a tubular wrapping which encloses a containment chamber. Then a filling material of the tobacco industry is placed inside the containment chamber. The method also includes a step of making a wall, transverse to the wrapping axis, defining an at least partial closure of the containment chamber, specifically by folding an end portion of the second portion the connecting strip.

Packaging apparatus (10) and method for automatically packaging smoking articles (100). The apparatus (10) comprises, disposed in sequence in a direction of working (X), a first closing assembly (11) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a first closing mode, a cutting assembly (12) configured to cut the smoking article (100) and a second closing assembly (13) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a second closing mode, different from the first closing mode.

Packaging apparatus (10) and method for automatically packaging smoking articles (100). The apparatus (10) comprises, disposed in sequence in a direction of working (X), a first closing assembly (11) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a first closing mode, a cutting assembly (12) configured to cut the smoking article (100) and a second closing assembly (13) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a second closing mode, different from the first closing mode.

A material handling machine dispenses uniformly metered charges of smoking material from a bulk supply, by means of a metered material feeder that has a first hopper with an opening disposed over a first horizontal chute. The first chute is mounted on slanted springs and has a dispensing end above a second chute also mounted upon slanted springs. The second chute discharges onto a tippable weighing tray above a set of nested hoppers in which one is fixed and the other is vertically movable. A weight sensor may be attached to the tippable tray or the fixed hopper, or both. The move-able hopper may comprise a forming belt indenter to form a trough in a cigarette rolling apparatus. The first hopper may include an agitator that has at least one vertical rod for stirring the bulk material. The dispensing end of the first chute may also include a rotating rake.

A material handling machine dispenses uniformly metered charges of smoking material from a bulk supply, by means of a metered material feeder that has a first hopper with an opening disposed over a first horizontal chute. The first chute is mounted on slanted springs and has a dispensing end above a second chute also mounted upon slanted springs. The second chute discharges onto a tippable weighing tray above a set of nested hoppers in which one is fixed and the other is vertically movable. A weight sensor may be attached to the tippable tray or the fixed hopper, or both. The move-able hopper may comprise a forming belt indenter to form a trough in a cigarette rolling apparatus. The first hopper may include an agitator that has at least one vertical rod for stirring the bulk material. The dispensing end of the first chute may also include a rotating rake.

A closing machine including a cone loading/unloading station, at least one pick and place gripper, a holder assembly, a closing station, and a collection station. The cone loading/unloading station is configured to receive a lower tube assembly and a tray including a plurality of cones. The at least one pick and place gripper is configured to grab at least one cone of the plurality of cones. The holder assembly is configured to receive the at least one cone and move the at least one cone through the closing machine. The closing station is configured to receive the at least one cone from the holder assembly and configured to close an end of the at least one cone. The holder assembly is further configured to release the at least one cone into the collection station.

A closing machine including a cone loading/unloading station, at least one pick and place gripper, a holder assembly, a closing station, and a collection station. The cone loading/unloading station is configured to receive a lower tube assembly and a tray including a plurality of cones. The at least one pick and place gripper is configured to grab at least one cone of the plurality of cones. The holder assembly is configured to receive the at least one cone and move the at least one cone through the closing machine. The closing station is configured to receive the at least one cone from the holder assembly and configured to close an end of the at least one cone. The holder assembly is further configured to release the at least one cone into the collection station.

Component (2) for a non-combustible aerosol provision article (1), and a method of forming the component. The component comprises: a body (7) formed from a sheet of aerosol-generating material, the body comprising a void (8); and the at least one tube (11) located in the void within the body. The sheet of aerosol-generating material comprises an internal edge at least partially defining a closed end of the void. The void comprises an open end in the plane of an end of the body. The application also discloses an apparatus for manufacturing the component.