The present application relates to a smoking article assembly machine. The smoking article assembly machine has a web of tipping paper conveying path. The smoking article assembly machine also has a mechanical cutter (70) configured to perform a cutting action to form a pattern (5) including a line (6) having a dimension of at least 5 mm on a web (11) of tipping paper (4) passing along the web of tipping paper conveying path, and a web severing device (60) configured to sever the web (11) of tipping paper (4) into segments for wrapping smoking articles. The present application also relates to a method of making a smoking article.

Apparatus for producing a rod of aerosol-generating material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first feed device adapted to supply a first web of aerosol-generating material to a processing unit, a second feed device adapted to supply a second web of aerosol-generating material, and a web changeover unit arranged to change supply of aerosol-generating material to the processing unit from the first web of aerosol-generating material to the second web of aerosol-generating material. The web changeover unit is configured to position a leading edge of the second web of aerosol-generating material adjacent to a trailing edge of the first web of aerosol-generating material upstream of the processing unit during changeover from the first web of aerosol-generating material to the second web of aerosol-generating material. A method of producing a rod of aerosol-generating material is also disclosed.

A conveyor for conveying strands of aerosol-generating material is disclosed. The conveyor comprises a conveying surface, comprising a plurality of openings, on which the strands of aerosol-generating material are conveyed, and an air flow generator for generating a flow of air through the plurality of openings in the conveying surface to provide an air cushion between the conveying surface and the strands of aerosol-generating material. Apparatus for producing a rod of aerosol-generating material comprising a slitting unit arranged to slit a web of aerosol-generating material into a plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material that are received by the conveyor is also disclosed, as well as a method of conveying strands of aerosol-generating material.

The present invention is related to a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article component, the method comprising the steps of: •providing a web (210) of a material containing alkaloids; •feeding the web (210) of a material containing alkaloids to an embossing device (310) in a transport direction; •embossing the web (210) of a material containing alkaloids to form embossed web (220) of a material containing alkaloids by feeding the web (210) between a first and a second embossing rollers (350,360) so that the first and second embossing rollers (350,360) apply an embossing pattern to the web (210), wherein the embossing pattern includes ridges (240) or troughs (350) extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction; •gathering the embossed web (220) of a material containing alkaloids, and •forming a continuous rod using the embossed web (220) of a material containing alkaloids.

A processing machine for rod-shaped articles includes a base frame including a back plate extending upward from the base frame; and a plurality of function modules each adapted to perform a manufacturing function on a rod-shaped article. Each function module includes a mounting plate adapted to removably attach the function module to the back plate as a unit, and a dedicated drive motor supported on the mounting plate and adapted to move at least a portion of the function module. The plurality of function modules includes at least one of a rod infeed module, a hopper module, a drum module, a knife module, and a gluing module. A method of configuring a modular processing machine for rod-shaped articles is also described.

A processing machine for rod-shaped articles includes a base frame including a back plate extending upward from the base frame; and a plurality of function modules each adapted to perform a manufacturing function on a rod-shaped article. Each function module includes a mounting plate adapted to removably attach the function module to the back plate as a unit, and a dedicated drive motor supported on the mounting plate and adapted to move at least a portion of the function module. The plurality of function modules includes at least one of a rod infeed module, a hopper module, a drum module, a knife module, and a gluing module. A method of configuring a modular processing machine for rod-shaped articles is also described.

A process of producing aerosol-generating material rod segments includes cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of aerosol-generating material strands; gathering the strands together to form an aerosol-generating material rod in which each of the plurality of aerosol-generating material strands is substantially non-coiled; and cutting the aerosol-generating material rod into segments to produce the aerosol-generating material rod segments. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing aerosol-generating material rod segments, and a product including an aerosol-generating material rod.

Laser supply unit for at least one laser device for processing at least one of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry and components of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry. The unit includes a supply frame structured to receive one or more supply devices for the at least one laser device and at least one of an adapter device structured to position the at least one laser device one of on or in the supply frame, at least one laser device structured to be positionable in operative connection with an adapter device of a machine of the tobacco processing industry. The at least one laser device is positionable in co-operation with the adapter device of the supply frame one of on or in the supply frame.

Laser supply unit for at least one laser device for processing at least one of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry and components of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry. The unit includes a supply frame structured to receive one or more supply devices for the at least one laser device and at least one of an adapter device structured to position the at least one laser device one of on or in the supply frame, at least one laser device structured to be positionable in operative connection with an adapter device of a machine of the tobacco processing industry. The at least one laser device is positionable in co-operation with the adapter device of the supply frame one of on or in the supply frame.

Laser supply unit for at least one laser device for processing at least one of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry and components of rod-like articles of the tobacco processing industry. The unit includes a supply frame structured to receive one or more supply devices for the at least one laser device and at least one of an adapter device structured to position the at least one laser device one of on or in the supply frame, at least one laser device structured to be positionable in operative connection with an adapter device of a machine of the tobacco processing industry. The at least one laser device is positionable in co-operation with the adapter device of the supply frame one of on or in the supply frame.