Abstract: A method of separating objectionable particles from host tobacco material which includes fluidizing the tobacco material with a fluidizing air stream to allow heavy unwanted particles to fall, to cause light unwanted particles to rise and be air transported away and to leave a carpet of acceptable material.

Abstract: A method of separating objectionable particles from host tobacco material which includes fluidizing the tobacco material with a fluidizing air stream to allow heavy unwanted particles to fall, to cause light unwanted particles to rise and be air transported away and to leave a carpet of acceptable material.

Abstract: A cigarette filter rod comprising a filter element of fibrous material, the fibres of which extend longitudinally between a first end which is for attachment to a tobacco rod and a second end, and which surrounds a longitudinally extending tube member, one end of which is closed and is located at the first end of the filter element and the open end of which extends to the second end of the element, the wall of the tube being provided with one or more radially extending apertures adjacent to its closed end to promote radial flow through the fibres of the filter element adjacent the aperture or apertures and being dimensioned so that they remain open to allow flow communication through the wall of the tube throughout the period that a cigarette provided with the rod is smoked.