Abstract: The trailing end (5) of a strip of paper (8) which was wound on a first reel (3) is immobilized by means of suction devices (16, 17, 18) relative to a counterplate (19). The trailing end is severed by means of a cutter (29), the rear portion being discarded by blowing. The leading end of the new strip of paper (11) is then positioned between a punch (20) and the counterplate, immobilized by means of a suction device (18), and joined to the trailing end by interpenetration, brought about by the punch, of the material of two superposed joining areas.

Abstract: Combined in a very compact unit (1) are means for trimming and for compressing tobacco during the cycle of formation of a cigarette rod. Dense-end disks (3, 4) are made up of beveled circular cutters in contact (at 21) at their peripheries. The trimmed tobacco drops by the force of gravity into a discharge container without being subjected to buffeting by extraction brushes. The cyclic compression of the cigarette rod at locations corresponding to the tips of cigarettes is carried out by a rotary cam (7) placed slightly upstream and below the dense-end disks.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (P) and a time-measurement component actuate a gate (15) for clearing out a duct (7) as a function of a predetermined program. When the gate is open, the feed of the machine is interrrupted. When the gate is closed, suction air carries along tobacco particles from a bed (5), and negative pressure having a critical threshold exists at the level of the sensor. If, when the gate is closed, a plug of tobacco forms in the bottom opening of a sleeve (23), this sleeve is drawn upward by suction and butts against bolts (19), which dislodges the plug of tobacco. If the pressure continues to drop, the gate is opened, the sleeve falls back, and the plug is definitely dispelled.

Abstract: An upper conveyor (4) moves full compartments (9) toward an emptying station (2) so that rods contained in the compartments enter a horizontal conduit (15). Empty compartments are taken over by a lift (7). Another conveyor (5) feeds empty compartments to the entrance of a filling station (3) into which the rods flow from the conduit. The full compartments are recovered on the lift or on still another conveyor (6) which can route them via the lift or via another lift (8) toward a storage position on one of the conveyors.

Abstract: A carriage (6) is moved so that the periphery of a roller (4) rests against the reel (3). The blade (14) of a knife (5) cuts the closing belt of the reel and a few of the outer turns of the strip. The roller is started up so that the scraps are drawn into a device (8) by suction, the free end of the strip also entering this device. The suction device pivots downward so that the free portion of the strip comes to rest upon a presentation block (54) which has meanwhile been advanced.

Abstract: A pallet (4) bearing a load of objects (5) disposed in horizontal layers formed of parallel rows aligned in a certain direction (Y) is raised step by step on a frame (1) by a lift (2, 3). A transfer arrangement (7) provided with claws (31) is mounted on a carriage (8). A control causes the claws to engage under each of the objects of a row so that this row is secured to the transfer arrangement, after which the row is placed on a conveyor (10) which then transfers it to another conveyor (11). This latter conveyor moves in the aforementioned direction and brings each object to the entry station (14) of a machine (15).

Abstract: A filter mouthpiece for a smoking article comprises a rod end portion having a tube extending axially therethrough and a mouth end portion. The tube is open at each end and has perforations in its wall. The peripheral surface of the filter mouthpiece is rendered air permeable in at least one discrete area by means of perforations in an impermeable tipping, to admit air to the filter. When attached to a tobacco rod this filter mouthpiece provides a substantially constant dry particulate matter delivery throughout the smoking of the article.

Abstract: In apparatus for feeding tobacco to cigarette-making machines, the tobacco (9) is conveyed by suction from a feed receptacle (1). One end (14) of a duct (3) facing the receptacle above the level (19) of the tobacco is provided with a device (16) for regulating the rate of tobacco delivery in order to allow continuous feeding of the cigarette-making machine. The regulating device comprises a movable sleeve (17) slidable on the end portion (14) of the duct so that the bottom rim (18) of the sleeve is always at a required distance H from the level of the tobacco, this distance being continuously detected by a sensor (25), and the quantity of tobacco drawn into the duct to be adapted to the rate of production being a function of H. The other end (15) of the duct opens out into a tangential separator (12). The regulating device combined with the tangential separator makes it possible to reduce damage to the particles of tobacco.

Abstract: A filter for a smoking article comprises a mouth-end section and a rod-end section, the opposed faces of which are so shaped that, on relative rotation they perform a camming action on each other, so that a variable volume air-smoke mixing chamber is formed. Ambient air passes into the air-smoke mixing chamber through perforations 22 in the wrapping.

Abstract: A filter cigarette has a wrapper surrounding the filter and retaining it on the end of the tobacco rod. At least one portion of the wrapper overlying the filter and extending circumferentially at least partly around the cigarette at a distance from the mouth end is delimited by a line or lines of weakness in the wrapper and is at least partly removable to expose a portion of the surface of the filter, whereby ventilating air can pass beneath the wrapper to reach the mouth end of the cigarette.

Abstract: A culture of microorganisms requiring oxygen but capable of living anaerobically while using nitrates and/or nitrites as oxygen source, which are brought to their exponential growth phase under anaerobic conditions, and are made to react under like conditions on the nitrates and/or nitrites, until the nitrates and/or nitrites are reduced to the desired level and the effect of the microorganisms is then stopped.

Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette pack comprising an inner slide 13, having a hinged lid, slidable in an outer shell 11. The inner slide has a tongue 39, formed into a first hook, cut from its rear wall 19 and depending from the top wall 21 of the lid of the inner slide. On the inner slide being pushed up and partially out of the outer shell, the first hook engages with a flap 67 formed into a second hook on the rear wall 61 of the outer shell. The action of the tongue on the lid of the inner slide causes it to open, exposing the cigarettes within the pack.

Abstract: A rod-like smoking article with a rod-like mouthpiece core at the mouth end of a tobacco rod, the entire periphery of said mouthpiece core being enveloped by an adhered wrapping paper which is suitable for contact with the lips and which overlappingly follows a covering paper surrounding the tobacco rod and with secondary air channels covered by the wrapping paper on the periphery of the mouthpiece core and an apparatus for producing such an article.

Abstract: An improved method of reducing the nitrate, nitrite and ammonium compound content of an aqueous tobacco extract employing microorganisms is described. The nitrates, nitrites and ammonium compounds are eliminated on a continuous basis via an aerobic assimilatory metabolic pathway by introducing aqueous tobacco extract and necessary additives into a work mixture, containing suitable microorganisms, at a dilution rate which does not exceed the growth rate of the microorganisms while withdrawing a portion of the work mixture at a rate such that the volume of the work mixture remains constant. Optionally the biomass may be removed from the withdrawn mixture.

Abstract: A pallet (2) is positioned on its edge in the receiver (6) where it is restrained by the dog (9). The action of the jack (12) is such as to fold back the receiver (6) for the guidance of the pallet to the position (2'). The two jacks (14) drive the arms (8), the stops on which (16) restrain the pallet and guide it to the loading position (2"), releasing the receiver (6), which can be raised. The jacks (15) provide the means for putting the rollers (28, 29) into the conveying position.

Abstract: A process for reducing the content of nitrate and/or nitrite salts contained in tobacco is disclosed whereby tobacco is treated, under controlled aerobic conditions, with microorganisms capable of degrading nitrates and/or nitrites to other nitrogen-containing compounds, such as proteins and amino acids.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping cases of cigarettes from a casing machine and for stacking the cases on a pallet including two fixed and vertical uprights to guide the movements of a bridge which is cantilevered in front of the uprights and which is movable in the vertical direction along these uprights. A suction-cup is rotatable about a vertical axis and is mounted on a carriage movable transversely on a slide which is movable longitudinally on the bridge. The cases of cigarettes are put onto a roller train which moves forward so that each case reaches a presentation position where the suction-cup seizes it. Position sensors detect the presence of a pallet under the bridge and control the movements of the suction-cup so as to distribute the cases in several successive layers on the pallet.

Abstract: A method for producing tobacco flavors which comprises the steps of hydrolytically degrading into amino acids the proteins of biomass produced by the assimilation of low molecular weight nitrogen compounds from an aqueous tobacco extract, isolating the amino acid mixture and converting that mixture into flavors by the use of reducing sugars and heat. The flavors of this invention may be added to smoking products to improve their aroma and taste.

Abstract: Microbial degradation of nitrates in a tobacco extract takes place in a first fermenter under exponential growth conditions of the micro-organisms employed and subsequently in a second fermenter under stationary growth conditions of the degrading micro-organisms. In the first fermenter, carbohydrates are added, while in the second fermenter the depot carbohydrates which the micro-organisms have stored in the first fermenter are utilized.