Abstract: A method of removing dust, dirt and the like from the surface of a paper substrate comprises the steps of transporting the paper substrate along a path of travel, and training the paper substrate over and in direct contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of a vacuum drum having openings therein. Suction is applied to the openings as the paper moves over the drum at a slightly different linear velocity from the surface velocity of the drum. Dust, dirt and the like are drawn away from one surface of the paper substrate through the openings of the drum as the paper substrate sweeps over the vacuum drum surface.

Abstract: Machinery and process for continuously making a compound filter rod include a tow transport for continuously delivering an expanded fiber tow while compressing the tow as it travels in a downstream direction. At least one rotating pocket wheel has a plurality of spaced apart pockets therein, and a filter media supply delivers media to the pockets. A vacuum source applied to the pockets of the rotating wheel operates to draw filter media into the pockets from the filter media supply. An air transport tube in alignment with the pockets of the rotating pocket wheel discharges the filter media from the pockets as they rotate past the transport tube. The discharged filter media is delivered to the tow transport into interior portions of the fiber tow. Subsequently, the rod is wrapped with filter paper.

Abstract: A system for removing dust, dirt and like from the surface of a flexible paper substrate and accurately positioning same comprises a transport assembly for conveying the paper substrate along a path of travel. The transport assembly includes a rotating vacuum drum having an outer surface over which the paper substrate is trained in the direction of drum rotation as it moves along the path of travel. Openings are provided in the outer surface of the vacuum drum, and a suction source is connected to those openings so that dust, dirt and the like on the surface of the paper substrate are drawn away by the suction as the paper substrate moves along the path of travel over the drum. The linear speed of the paper substrate is slightly more or less than the surface velocity of the vacuum drum so that the paper sweeps across the drum surface during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A system for removing dust, dirt and like from the surface of a flexible paper substrate and accurately positioning same comprises a transport assembly for conveying the paper substrate along a path of travel. The transport assembly includes a rotating vacuum drum having an outer surface over which the paper substrate is trained in the direction of drum rotation as it moves along the path of travel. Openings are provided in the outer surface of the vacuum drum, and a suction source is connected to those openings so that dust, dirt and the like on the surface of the paper substrate are drawn away by the suction as the paper substrate moves along the path of travel over the drum. The linear speed of the paper substrate is slightly more or less than the surface velocity of the vacuum drum so that the paper sweeps across the drum surface during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A system and method for adding material such as foam material to spaced cavities within a cigarette filter. A belt is provided and adapted to be driven synchronously with a moving cigarette filter rod. A plurality of injection needles protrude from the belt at spaced intervals, with the spacing between the needles coinciding with a spacing between the cavities within a cigarette filter rod. A chamber containing an expandable foam material is in fluid communication with one or more of the injection needles at one or more positions along a path traveled by the injection needles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering predetermined amounts of particulate material and/or plasticizer to a location remote from the particulate material, and a cigarette filter and a cigarette made according to the method and apparatus.

Abstract: A drum elevator and method of elevating cigarettes, the apparatus including a series of rotatable cigarette transferring drums including a first plurality of horizontally disposed drums at a first elevation and a second plurality of vertically disposed drums extending to a second elevation, the second plurality of vertically disposed drums receiving output from the first plurality of drums, the series of drums adapted to receive a procession of cigarettes at the first elevation and to elevate the cigarettes along a transfer path to the second elevation while maintaining the cigarettes arranged substantially in the procession; a rejection station at a location along the transfer path; a controller operative to selectively actuate the rejection station; and a stack former at the second elevation, the stack former receiving output of the second plurality of vertically disposed drums.

Abstract: A drum elevator and method of elevating cigarettes, the apparatus having a series of rotatable cigarette transferring drums including a first plurality of horizontally disposed drums at a first elevation and a second plurality of vertically disposed drums extending to a second elevation, the second plurality of vertically disposed drums receiving output from the first plurality of drums, the series of drums adapted to receive a procession of cigarettes at the first elevation and to elevate the cigarettes along a transfer path to the second elevation while maintaining the cigarettes arranged substantially in the procession; a rejection station at a location along the transfer path; a controller operative to selectively actuate the rejection station; and a stack former at the second elevation, the stack former receiving output of the second plurality of vertically disposed drums.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining suitable profiles of rod-shaped articles contained in a hopper includes an agitator translatable in the hopper in the direction of movement of conveyors fed by the hopper. A detector unit is provided for sensing the level of articles in the hopper and arrangement is made for rendering the detector unit inoperative during preselected times attending the placement of article storage trays atop the hopper.

Abstract: A pneumatic conduit cigarette rod transfer system includes an energy absorbing assembly adapted to dissipate the kinetic energy of rods traversing a guide on issuance from the conduit to avert end shape alteration of transferred rods.

Abstract: A pneumatic conduit cigarette rod transfer system includes an extended capacity rod hopper, a hopper rod level detector and a control arrangement responsive to such detector to pressurize the conduit and supply thereto rods for transmission to the rod hopper in selective time spaced relation compatible with rod hopper capacity. To facilitate entry of transferred rods into the hopper, a conveyor is disposed interiorly of the hopper in rod receiving relation to a further conveyor disposed exteriorly of the hopper.