The invention relates to an apparatus (100) and a method to fetch an end portion of a sheet (40) of material wound in a bobbin (152), the apparatus including: a rotatable bobbin holder (150) adapted to be inserted in a bobbin; an articulated arm (180); a suction device (110) having a contact surface (124) including a first portion (130) capable of exerting a first suction power and a second portion (132) capable of exerting a second suction power different from zero, wherein the first suction power is higher than the second suction power, the suction device being attached to the articulated arm; and a control unit (190), adapted to command a movement of the articulated arm so that the first portion of the contact surface of the suction device contacts the bobbin. The invention also relates to a method to fetch an end portion of a sheet of material wound in a bobbin.

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) and a method to fetch an end portion of a sheet (40) of material wound in a bobbin (152), the apparatus including: a rotatable bobbin holder (150) adapted to be inserted in a bobbin; an articulated arm (180); a suction device (110) having a contact surface (124) including a first portion (130) capable of exerting a first suction power and a second portion (132) capable of exerting a second suction power different from zero, wherein the first suction power is higher than the second suction power, the suction device being attached to the articulated arm; and a control unit (190), adapted to command a movement of the articulated arm so that the first portion of the contact surface of the suction device contacts the bobbin. The invention also relates to a method to fetch an end portion of a sheet of material wound in a bobbin.

The invention relates to a method to unwind a sheet of material wound in a bobbin, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin defining an outer surface and comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a compressing element on the outer surface of the bobbin, so as to define a contact line, the contact line being the line separating the free portion of the sheet from the rest of the bobbin; pressing by means of the compressing element the outer surface of the coiled sheet at the contact line with a force comprised between about (4) Newton and about (16) Newton; and unwinding the sheet from the bobbin pulling the sheet in the unwinding direction.

The invention relates to a method to unwind a sheet of material wound in a bobbin, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin defining an outer surface and comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a compressing element on the outer surface of the bobbin, so as to define a contact line, the contact line being the line separating the free portion of the sheet from the rest of the bobbin; pressing by means of the compressing element the outer surface of the coiled sheet at the contact line with a force comprised between about (4) Newton and about (16) Newton; and unwinding the sheet from the bobbin pulling the sheet in the unwinding direction.

The present invention relates to a machine for the production of a component for an aerosol generating article, the machine including: a buffer station, the buffer station including: # fixed sheet guides; # movable sheet guides which are movable in a reciprocating manner in a direction towards the fixed sheet guides and in a direction away from the sheet fixed guides; # an actuator for moving the movable sheet guides, wherein the fixed and movable sheet guides together define a zig-zag trajectory for the sheet having a variable length for varying the total length of the sheet of material in the buffer station; # supports for the sheet, the supports being arranged so that, when the movable sheet guides are moved towards the fixed sheet guides, at least one of the movable sheets guides is interposed between two different supports of the plurality; # an air system; # wherein the each of the supports defines an outer surface, at least one of the outer surfaces having a first portion in which a sucking action is exerted by the air system to attract the sheet towards the outer surface and a second portion in which a blowing action is exerted by the air system to push the sheet away from the outer surface.

The present invention relates to a machine for the production of a component for an aerosol generating article, the machine including: a buffer station, the buffer station including: # fixed sheet guides; # movable sheet guides which are movable in a reciprocating manner in a direction towards the fixed sheet guides and in a direction away from the sheet fixed guides; # an actuator for moving the movable sheet guides, wherein the fixed and movable sheet guides together define a zig-zag trajectory for the sheet having a variable length for varying the total length of the sheet of material in the buffer station; # supports for the sheet, the supports being arranged so that, when the movable sheet guides are moved towards the fixed sheet guides, at least one of the movable sheets guides is interposed between two different supports of the plurality; # an air system; # wherein the each of the supports defines an outer surface, at least one of the outer surfaces having a first portion in which a sucking action is exerted by the air system to attract the sheet towards the outer surface and a second portion in which a blowing action is exerted by the air system to push the sheet away from the outer surface.

The present invention relates to a method for unwinding a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a blade between the free portion of the sheet and the remaining of the sheet coiled in the bobbin in such a way that the blade is in contact to the sheet coiled in the bobbin; and vibrating the blade while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin. The present invention also relates to an unwinding apparatus for unwinding a bobbin.

The present invention relates to a method for unwinding a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a blade between the free portion of the sheet and the remaining of the sheet coiled in the bobbin in such a way that the blade is in contact to the sheet coiled in the bobbin; and vibrating the blade while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin. The present invention also relates to an unwinding apparatus for unwinding a bobbin.

The present invention relates to a method for unwinding a bobbin (12) of a coiled sheet (13), the method comprising the steps of: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin having a first rotation axis (17) and comprising a free portion (14) of the sheet unwound from the bobbin, the free portion (14) defining a contact line (16) as a line separating the free portion and the remaining of the coiled sheet (13); providing a roller (30) having a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis (17); putting the roller (30) in contact with the bobbin (12) at the contact line (16); unwinding the sheet from the bobbin (12) pulling the sheet in an unwinding direction such that an angle between the free portion of the sheet and a radius of the bobbin at the contact line is comprised between about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees or between about 200 degrees and about 300 degrees; and while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin keeping the roller in contact with the outer surface of the bobbin. The present invention also relates to a kit to unwind a sheet of material wound in a bobbin.

The present invention relates to a method for unwinding a bobbin (12) of a coiled sheet (13), the method comprising the steps of: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin having a first rotation axis (17) and comprising a free portion (14) of the sheet unwound from the bobbin, the free portion (14) defining a contact line (16) as a line separating the free portion and the remaining of the coiled sheet (13); providing a roller (30) having a second rotation axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis (17); putting the roller (30) in contact with the bobbin (12) at the contact line (16); unwinding the sheet from the bobbin (12) pulling the sheet in an unwinding direction such that an angle between the free portion of the sheet and a radius of the bobbin at the contact line is comprised between about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees or between about 200 degrees and about 300 degrees; and while unwinding the sheet from the bobbin keeping the roller in contact with the outer surface of the bobbin. The present invention also relates to a kit to unwind a sheet of material wound in a bobbin.