Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple width fiber strip consisting of crimped interlaced filaments and having several zones extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip as Well as at least one predetermined tear line (4) extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip, wherein the tear strength (daN) of the fiber strip, referred to the total denier (dtex) is at least about 1.7.times.10.sup.-4 daN/dtex. Further it relates to a method for producing one or several such fiber strips, with several separate bands (1, 2) being formed of substantially parallelly extending filaments and the formed bands being crimped jointly to produce one or several crimped fiber strips. The apparatus for carrying out this method is characterized by a pair of transport rolls (8, 9) for jointly transporting the supplied bands (1, 2) and a crimping chamber (10.1, 10.2, 11, 12, 13, 14) which is arranged after the pair of transport rolls (8, 9), for crimping the bands (1, 2) leaving the pair of transport rolls.

Abstract: Structures are formed from cellulose acetate in which an additive is present or on this surface the additive consisting of a nitrogenous organic compound which by degradation by microorganisms forms basic decomposition products, in particular ammonia, and/or--basic--compounds having an NH group or NH groups and/or an NH.sub.2 group or NH.sub.2 groups. The structures may have the form of filaments, staple fibers, films, foils, sheets or other objects. The structures in the form of filaments and/or staple fibers are used for the manufacture of filter tows. The filter tow of this kind is described. The filter tow is for the manufacture of a tobacco smoke filter element, and such a tobacco smoke filter element is described.

Abstract: Filter tow comprising crimped spun fibers and/or filaments is prepared in a preparation zone and fed to a processing zone where it is gathered, in an intake zone, then wrapped and cut into tobacco smoke filter rods. In the region of the intake zone, a gas or vapor under elevated pressure acts on the filter tow at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the filter tow in the direction of movement of the filter tow. The relevant apparatus includes a preparation unit and a processing unit, the latter unit for feeding a gas or vapor under elevated pressure to the filter tow in the direction of movement thereof including:an intake finger (14) having holes (17) in the wall thereof on the filter tow intake side, ora pipe (22), whose gas or vapor exit end 23 terminates in the region of the filter tow outlet side of the intake funnel (23) or the filter tow intake side of the intake finger (14), ora blowing device (27) immediately upstream of the filter tow intake side of the intake finger (14).

Abstract: Filter tow comprising crimped spun fibers and/or filaments is prepared in a preparation zone and fed to a processing zone where it is gathered, in an intake zone, then wrapped and cut into tobacco smoke filter rods. In the region of the intake zone, a gas or vapor under elevated pressure acts on the filter tow at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the filter tow in the direction of movement of the filter tow. The relevant apparatus includes a preparation unit and a processing unit, the latter unit for feeding a gas or vapor under elevated pressure to the filter tow in the direction of movement thereof including:an intake finger (14) having holes (17) in the wall thereof on the filter tow intake side, ora pipe (22), whose gas or vapor exit end 23 terminates in the region of the filter tow outlet side of the intake funnel (23) or the filter tow intake side of the intake finger (14), ora blowing device (27) immediately upstream of the filter tow intake side of the intake finger (14).