CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/IB2016/056278, filed Oct. 19, 2016, which claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102015000063004, filed Oct. 19, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a machine and to a method for producing substantially cylindrical articles of the tobacco processing industry.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, several new smoking articles, alternative to traditional cigarettes have been proposed. Said new smoking articles are made in order to provide the smoker with an experience as similar as possible to that of a cigarette.

In particular, smoking articles comprising a heat generating element and flavour generating materials have been proposed. In use, the heat generating element heats the flavour generating material, which consequently releases flavouring substances that are inhaled by the user during inhalation.

An example of this type of smoking articles is described in patent application with publication number US2015/0013703.

Currently the production of articles of the type described above and others similar is performed mostly by hand or with rudimentary machines which require the continuous use of manpower. Consequently, the production is slow (i.e. with low productivity) and the articles obtained are of greatly variable quality (and, however, generally low quality).

Cartridges useful for smoking articles and a machine for the manufacturing thereof are described in patent EP257230B1.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method which permit to overcome, at least partially, the drawbacks of the prior art and are, at the same time, inexpensive and easy to implement.

According to the present invention a method is provided, as claimed in the independent claim cited below, and, preferably, in any one of the claims depending directly or indirectly from the mentioned independent claim.

