A machine for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product includes both (a) a helical pre-form assembly having a cylindrical mandrel with a longitudinal axis and a guide member for guiding the sheet stock material from a supply thereof into a helical path along and around the mandrel so as to form a helical pre-form that rotates around the longitudinal axis and advances parallel to the longitudinal axis; and (b) a restriction in the path of the pre-form that slows the advance and rotation of the pre-form past the restriction, the restriction causing the pre-form to retard longitudinal advancement, to twist upon itself, and to permanently deform as it moves past the restriction, thereby longitudinally and helically crumpling the pre-form.

A can to contain a liquid and/or a gas is closed with a bottom element and a cover element. The innermost layer is a straight-wound barrier layer having a folded seam extending in a longitudinal direction. The barrier layer includes an inner diffusion-tight layer and an outer kraft paper layer. At least two further straight-wound layers made of paper or cardboard are around the barrier layer of the can shell. Adjoining cardboard or paper surfaces of the barrier layer and a next wound layer are adhered directly to each other. Each of the two further wound layers is longitudinally wound and include in the longitudinal direction an overlapping region with itself. The overlapping region of the next wound layer adjoining the barrier layer is offset relative to the folded seam of the barrier layer and the overlapping regions of the two further wound layers are located at different peripheral regions.

A can to contain a liquid and/or a gas is closed with a bottom element and a cover element. The innermost layer is a straight-wound barrier layer having a folded seam extending in a longitudinal direction. The barrier layer includes an inner diffusion-tight layer and an outer kraft paper layer. At least two further straight-wound layers made of paper or cardboard are around the barrier layer of the can shell. Adjoining cardboard or paper surfaces of the barrier layer and a next wound layer are adhered directly to each other. Each of the two further wound layers is longitudinally wound and include in the longitudinal direction an overlapping region with itself. The overlapping region of the next wound layer adjoining the barrier layer is offset relative to the folded seam of the barrier layer and the overlapping regions of the two further wound layers are located at different peripheral regions.

A paper tube making and cutting machine includes a fixed rod, a paper tape winding mechanism, an angle measurement unit, a length measurement unit, a cutter, and a drive mechanism. The paper tape winding mechanism wraps or winds at least one paper tape around the fixed rod to form a paper tube. The angle measurement unit measures an angle of the paper tape winding mechanism or the paper tape relative to the fixed rod. The length measurement unit measures a conveyed length of the paper tape. The drive mechanism determines and sets a moving speed of the cutter along the fixed rod according to the angle and the conveyed length, such that the moving speed of the cutter is corresponding to or close to a producing speed or generation rate of the paper tube formed on the fixed rod, in order to prevent the paper tube from pushing a side surface of the cutter or to prevent the cutter from pulling and stretching the paper tube to thereby improve durability of the cutter and the quality of a cut paper tube.

A paper tube making and cutting machine includes a fixed rod, a paper tape winding mechanism, an angle measurement unit, a length measurement unit, a cutter, and a drive mechanism. The paper tape winding mechanism wraps or winds at least one paper tape around the fixed rod to form a paper tube. The angle measurement unit measures an angle of the paper tape winding mechanism or the paper tape relative to the fixed rod. The length measurement unit measures a conveyed length of the paper tape. The drive mechanism determines and sets a moving speed of the cutter along the fixed rod according to the angle and the conveyed length, such that the moving speed of the cutter is corresponding to or close to a producing speed or generation rate of the paper tube formed on the fixed rod, in order to prevent the paper tube from pushing a side surface of the cutter or to prevent the cutter from pulling and stretching the paper tube to thereby improve durability of the cutter and the quality of a cut paper tube.

A paper tube making apparatus includes a fixed rod, a paper tape winding mechanism, a glue applying device, a length measurement unit, and a hot airflow generation unit. The length measurement unit measures a conveying speed of a paper tape, and the glue applying device is operable to coat glue on the paper tape. The hot airflow generation unit is located downstream of the length measurement unit and the glue applying device and is operable to adjust the flow rate and temperature of a hot airflow according to the conveying speed of the paper tape. The hot airflow generation unit blows the hot airflow generated thereby toward the paper tape to control the extent of drying of the glue, so that the extent of drying of glue coated on the paper tape is not affected by the environment temperature and humidity and the quality of the paper tube so fabricated is enhanced.

A paper tube making apparatus includes a fixed rod, a paper tape winding mechanism, a glue applying device, a length measurement unit, and a hot airflow generation unit. The length measurement unit measures a conveying speed of a paper tape, and the glue applying device is operable to coat glue on the paper tape. The hot airflow generation unit is located downstream of the length measurement unit and the glue applying device and is operable to adjust the flow rate and temperature of a hot airflow according to the conveying speed of the paper tape. The hot airflow generation unit blows the hot airflow generated thereby toward the paper tape to control the extent of drying of the glue, so that the extent of drying of glue coated on the paper tape is not affected by the environment temperature and humidity and the quality of the paper tube so fabricated is enhanced.

There is provided a tubular element for use in the manufacture of a filter of a smoking article, the tubular element comprising a first and a second layer wound of substantially continuous strips of a cellulose-fibre-based web material. The strips have predetermined thickness (T) and width (W). The web material is coated on a first surface with an activatable polymer and the first surface of the web material in the first layer faces the first surface of the web material in the second layer. An external diameter of the tubular element is substantially uniform over a given length.

An apparatus for forming a box or bag that is made of a substrate strip which includes a winder having a mandrel and posts that extend from the mandrel in a direction parallel to a winding and translation axis that rotate together as a unit around the translation axis. The apparatus also has a feeder that includes precursors and a gathering head used for forming the precursors into the strip and feeding the strip to the winder. A motor adjusts the feeder's angle relative to the winder in response to instructions from the controller based on the dimensions of the box or bag. This causes controlled overlap between adjacent windings of the strip on the posts. As the mandrel rotates, the posts draw the strip and wind the strip along a spiral having a length in excess of the depth. Zero waste of precursors is made possible by cutting the substrate perpendicular to its length and folding over the box or bag ends to form an angled seam with respect to the sides of the box.

An apparatus for forming a box or bag that is made of a substrate strip which includes a winder having a mandrel and posts that extend from the mandrel in a direction parallel to a winding and translation axis that rotate together as a unit around the translation axis. The apparatus also has a feeder that includes precursors and a gathering head used for forming the precursors into the strip and feeding the strip to the winder. A motor adjusts the feeder's angle relative to the winder in response to instructions from the controller based on the dimensions of the box or bag. This causes controlled overlap between adjacent windings of the strip on the posts. As the mandrel rotates, the posts draw the strip and wind the strip along a spiral having a length in excess of the depth. Zero waste of precursors is made possible by cutting the substrate perpendicular to its length and folding over the box or bag ends to form an angled seam with respect to the sides of the box.