Apparatus and method for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material

Abstract

An apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material ( 2 ) to a rod forming device comprises:—a winding unit ( 3 ) for unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin ( 21 ) on which the sheet material is provided;—a crimping unit ( 7 ) for crimping the sheet material,—a cutting unit ( 5 ) for cutting the continuous web of sheet material ( 2 ) to a predetermined width, the cutting unit ( 5 ) being arranged upstream of the crimping unit ( 7 ) when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material ( 2 ); and—a control unit ( 9 ) for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units.

1 . Apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material to a rod forming device, the apparatus comprising
 winding unit or unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin on which the sheet material is provided;   a crimping unit for crimping the sheet material,   a cutting unit for cutting the continuous web of sheet material to a predetermined width, the cutting unit being arranged upstream of the crimping unit when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material; and a control unit for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units, wherein   the cutting unit comprises cutting elements displaceable in a direction perpendicular to a direction of transport of the sheet material for adjusting the width of the sheet material.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing unit for adding an add-on material to the sheet material, wherein the dispensing unit is arranged downstream of the crimping unit when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material, and upstream of the rod forming device to which the crimped sheet material is supplied. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the crimping unit comprises a first pair of crimping rollers for engaging and crimping the continuous web of sheet material being transported between them, the crimping rollers having a surface adapted to crimp the sheet material in the direction of transport of the sheet material. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the crimping unit comprises a second pair of crimping rollers for engaging and crimping the continuous web of sheet material being transported between them, the crimping rollers having a surface adapted to crimp the sheet material in a direction transverse to the direction of transport of the sheet material. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the crimping unit comprises both the first pair of crimping rollers having a surface adapted to crimp the sheet material in a longitudinal direction relative to the direction of transport of the sheet material, and a second pair of crimping rollers having a surface adapted to crimp the sheet material in a direction transverse to the direction of transport of the sheet material. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the winding unit comprises a motor for driving the bobbin on which the sheet material is provided and a brake, the control unit controlling the motor and the brake in a manner such as to prevent the continuous web of sheet material from rupturing. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning unit comprising a controlled actuator for applying and maintaining a predetermined tension to the sheet material during the transport of the sheet material through the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a softening unit for softening the sheet material to be crimped, the softening unit being arranged upstream of the crimping unit when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is one of paper, plastic, metal or is a laminate of at least two of paper, plastic and metal. 
     
     
         10 . Method for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material to a rod forming device, the method comprising the steps of
 unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin on which the sheet material is stored;   transporting the sheet material to a crimping unit;   cutting the sheet material to a predetermined width;   crimping the sheet material;   supplying the crimped sheet material to the rod forming device, wherein cutting the sheet material to a predetermined width is performed prior to crimping the sheet material; and   varying the width of the sheet material by displacing cutting elements in a direction perpendicular to a direction of transport of the sheet material.   
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding an add-on material to the sheet material, wherein adding the add-on material to the sheet material is performed after crimping of the sheet material and prior to supplying the crimped sheet material to the rod forming device. 
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of varying the width of the sheet material comprises changing the resistance to draw of a filter. 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of changing the resistance to draw of a filter comprises the step of measuring a filter parameter, generating a signal indicative of the measured filter parameter and adapting the cut width of the sheet material in response to the signal. 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 13 , wherein the filter parameter comprises at least one of: resistance to draw, rod firmness, weight, transparency, density and moisture content. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the crimping unit comprises a first pair of crimping rollers for engaging and crimping the continuous web of sheet material being transported between them, the crimping rollers having a surface adapted to crimp the sheet material in the direction of transport of the sheet material. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of varying the width of the sheet material comprises changing the resistance to draw of a filter. 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the step of incorporating the filter into a smoking article.