Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for perforating the tubular wrappers of plain or filter cigarettes and other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. The articles are advanced sideways at the periphery of a rotary drum-shaped carrier which cooperates with a device serving to roll them about their longitudinal axes while the wrappers are being perforated by one or more pulsating beams issuing from one or more lasers and passing through a stationary cylinder lens on their way to the facets of a rotating cylindrical mirror which directs the beam(s) across the axis of the carrier and pivots the beam(s) about such axis on its or their way radially outwardly of the carrier toward a first set of stationary deflecting mirrors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for electromagnetic monitoring of products of tobacco-processing industry in a monitoring zone. An apparatus includes a first imaging device aligned to the monitoring zone, a second imaging device aligned to the monitoring zone from a direction different from the first imaging device, and an evaluating device structured and arranged to evaluate image data recorded by the first and second imaging devices. At least one of the first and second imaging devices is aligned to at least one product. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for ascertaining the transverse dimensions, such as diameters, of one or more rod-shaped articles, for example, continuous or finite-length cigarette rods and/or other rod-shaped smokers' products. When the method and/or the apparatus is utilized to ascertain the transverse dimensions of a single rod-shaped article, such as a continuous cigarette rod-which is stationary, which turns about its longitudinal axis and/or which is moved lengthwise, the apparatus can employ at least one radiation source which emits a beam of radiation against the stationary or moving article whereby the article intercepts a first portion of the beam and permits the remaining portion to impinge upon a device which evaluates the non-intercepted portion of the beam and generates signals denoting the diameter of the article.

Abstract: Conveyor drum for receiving axially aligned articles that are conveyed in a cross-axial direction toward the conveyor drum. Conveyor drum includes a separation device for changing a longitudinal axial spacing of the articles by a predetermined longitudinal axial separation, and an adjustment device structured and arranged to adjust the predetermined longitudinal axial separation. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A rod-cutting device and method of the tobacco-processing industry. The device includes a rotatable cutting body with a cutting edge, and a first rotary body with a rotation axis on which the cutting body is arranged. The cutting body is arranged essentially parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotary body, and has an extension at least from a mounting point to the cutting edge. A tangent of the first rotary body extends through or parallel to the extension.

Abstract: A device for processing filter tow material used for producing filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes. The device includes a filter tow supply to provide at least two filter tow strips to at least two filter tow guideways. Each of the at least two filter tow strips is directed within the at least two filter two guideways, respectively. Apparatuses are also provided for processing the filter tow strips. The device includes a separately controllable independent processing apparatus assigned to each filter tow guideway.

Abstract: A cleaning device and method is provided for a glue-spreading element, which spreads glue in a working position onto a material web, in particular a paper web, and which can be moved to a cleaning position inside the cleaning device. At least one scraper element is provided for cleaning the glue-spreading element.

Abstract: Apparatus for the application of adhesive to one side of a running web of tipping paper for use in filter cigarette makers has a single source of adhesive or two or more sources containing identical or different adhesives, and one or more conduits leading from the source(s) to one or more nozzles which applies or apply one or more films of a single adhesive or of different adhesives to selected portions of the one side of the web. The rate of admission of adhesive(s) to the nozzle(s), including interruption and restarting of admission of adhesive(s), is regulated by one or more valves each having a body receiving a rotary valving element provided with one or more peripheral projections and/or recesses serving to regulate the rate of flow of adhesive toward the single nozzle or the respective nozzles. The rotary elements of two or more valves can constitute disc-shaped sections of a single rotor confined in a valve body common to all valves.

Abstract: Method of optically monitoring a tobacco-processing industry product with a gradient-index lens and device for optically monitoring tobacco-processing industry products. The device includes an image-recording device comprising at least one gradient-index lens. A method of optically monitoring a product in a machine for making or processing tobacco-processing industry products is also provided. The method includes arranging a device for optical monitoring of the product on the machine for making or processing tobacco-processing industry products. The device for optically monitoring includes at least one gradient-index lens. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for filling and/or emptying receptacles filled and/or to be filled with articles, essentially including at least one handling device for transporting receptacles that have been and/or are to be filled between a reservoir and a device which alters the level of the receptacles, at least one device which alters the level of the receptacles, and at least one reservoir for holding receptacles that have been and/or are to be filled, which is distinguished in that the arrangement is designed as a closed unit, such that the handling device is surrounded in cell fashion by the at least one device altering the level of the receptacles and by the at least one reservoir.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry. The process includes guiding at least one wrapper strip along a conveyor path from a wrapping strip supply to a garniture device, and fixing the at least one wrapper strip in at least one preset position along the conveyor path The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Device and method for measuring properties of combination of filter segments of the tobacco-processing industry. The device includes an illumination device structured and arranged to essentially uniformly illuminate, in a longitudinally axial manner, at least one section of the combination of filter segments, and a photodetector. The illumination device images a first line of electromagnetic radiation on the combination of filter segments having an extension transverse to the longitudinal axis of the combination of filter segments smaller than a diameter of the combination of filter segments.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the mass and/or the moisture content of successive increments of a running rod containing tobacco and/or filter material for tobacco smoke has a resonator housing with a cylindrical internal chamber which is disposed between an inlet and an outlet and wherein the rod is exposed to microwaves. The housing is made of a metallic material having a low thermal expansion coefficient, and its internal surface is lined with gold or another corrosion resistant substance. A protective plastic tube establishes a path for the rod from the inlet, across the chamber and into the outlet of the resonator housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a glue quantity or glue mass applied to a wrapping strip of the tobacco-processing industry includes an ultrasound measuring system. The ultrasound measuring system comprises at least two ultrasound generating sources adapted to supply the wrapping strip with ultrasound, at least two ultrasound sensor receiving units adapted to receive the ultrasound signals penetrating the wrapping strip, and a separating wall arranged between at least two of the ultrasound generating sources and/or between at least two of the ultrasound sensor receiving units.

Abstract: A roller for a device for processing a filter material ribbon in the tobacco-processing industry. The roller comprises a roller core and a covering for the roller core. The roller has at least one wear indicator operatively arranged for indicating wear of the covering.

Abstract: Machine for making tobacco-processing industry products includes a plurality of lamps arranged on components of the machine. Each lamp includes at least one visible light-emitting power semiconductor light source. An electronic mode control unit is electrically connected to and controlling the lamps. The electronic mode control unit is structured and arranged to control the lamps so as to provide uniform continuous light for illuminating at least one of the components and the tobacco-processing industry products, and is structured and arranged to control the lamps so as to provide periodically interrupted light for illuminating at least one of the components and the tobacco-processing industry products. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level, which is distinguished in that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow. Furthermore, the invention concerns an apparatus and a method for filling a corresponding storage apparatus.

Abstract: Method for operating a rod maker of the tobacco-processing industry. In order to place additives, e.g., flavoring agents, in a cigarette in a location-dependent manner, a tobacco cake or tobacco web is formed from deposited tobacco. Furthermore, an extrudate is formed. The extrudate is applied to the deposited tobacco. The extrudate contains a basic component. An additive is fed to the basic component in a discontinuous manner. The invention also relates to a device for producing a tobacco rod that contains an extrudate.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rod-like articles from a longitudinal conveyor that longitudinal-axially conveys the articles onto a transverse conveyor that transverse-axially conveys the articles. Moreover, the apparatus includes a conveyor that receives the articles from the longitudinal conveyor and delivers the articles to the transverse conveyor, the conveyor comprising at least a first conveying element and a separate second conveying element which are configured to be in functional connection with one another. Additionally, the first conveying element being structured and arranged to rotate the articles by a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the second conveying element being structured and arranged to reduce the transport speed of the articles. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for transporting articles forming a mass flow from an input device to an output device, including an endless conveying element with a transport run and a return run, the conveying element being guided about at least two rollers designed as a driving and/or deflecting element, which is distinguished in that the transport run can be moved out of a throughflow position in which the transport run exhibits its maximum length, into a discharge position in which the transport run is shortened from the maximum length, and vice versa.