Abstract: The apparatus employs two pairs of cutting discs which are diametrically spaced apart on a rotating drum to sever two filter plugs at a time from a travelling rod of filter material. The plugs are cut in uniform size, for example, in sizes between 5 millimeters and 14 millimeters and can be subsequently spaced apart so as to receive charcoal or other particulate filter material in the intermediate spaces. The drum rotates in synchronism with a recessed ledger through which the respective pairs of cutting discs pass to sever the travelling rod of filter material. Sharpening means are provided to maintain the cutting discs sharp.

Abstract: The sensing and correcting apparatus is employed in a machine for making cigarette filter rods containing hollow tubes on a continuous in line basis. The apparatus senses the position of the hollow tubes in a stream of tow and corrects the insertion position of subsequent hollow tubes if the position of the inserted tubes does not coincide with the proper cutting position. Sensing is accomplished by measuring the density of the moving stream and generating a position signal in response for comparison with a reference signal generated on cutting of a filter rod. If there is a difference exceeding acceptable tolerance limits, the comparison means generates a correction signal which is delivered to a timing assembly in the transmission for inserting the hollow tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high speed transportation of cigarette filter rods from a magazine containing the rods to a transfer drum. The apparatus has a magazine, a downwardly extended chute connected to the magazine adapted to receive filter rods singularly, a rod separation means at the junction of the magazine and chute, and a vacuum means adjacent to the chute exit. The vacuum means creates a negative pressure within the chute to hold the lowermost rod in the chute in a fixed position for accurate transfer to the transfer drum.

Abstract: The apparatus employs two cutting discs which are spaced apart from each other laterally to sever plugs of different lengths from a travelling rod of filter material. The plugs alternate in size, for example, between 24 millimeters and 14 millimeters and are subsequently spaced apart so as to receive charcoal or other particulate filter material in the intermediate spaces. The resulting filter has the charcoal chamber closer to the tobacco end of the cigarette than to the exposed end of the cigarette. The cutting discs are mounted on a drum which rotates in synchronism with a recessed ledger through which the respective cutting discs pass to sever the travelling rod of filter material.

Abstract: The machine produces a filter rod made up of a cylinder of tow and spaced apart hollow plastic tubes within the tow. The machine includes a means for supplying a continuous tow stream to an injection station below a rotatable wheel which delivers the plastic tubes in spaced apart fashion. Plungers on the wheel eject the tubes from the wheel and positively push the ejected tubes into the cylinder of tow at the injection station. The tubes are cut from a continuous tubing by means of a cutter which is timed with respect to the operation of the machine. The cut tubes are initially pushed forward on the wheel by a pushing roll and thereafter slid backwardly by a cover so as to be properly positioned for injection into the tow.