Abstract: A machine for shredding tobacco wherein the rear portion of the upper reach of the lower chain conveyor of the conveyor system which converts a continuous stream of tobacco particles into a continuous cake is located below the open lower end of an upright duct serving to deliver tobacco to the conveyor system. The rear wall of the duct is oscillated by an orbiting eccentric pin through the medium of a rod, a lever and a link, the latter being rigidly connected with the upper portion of the rear wall and being pivotable about the axis of a horizontal shaft disposed substantially centrally and transversely of the upper end of the duct so that a vertical plane which includes such axis intersects the upper reach of the lower chain conveyor in front of the forwardly curved spade-like lower portion of the rear wall.

Abstract: A tobacco shredding apparatus wherein a relatively small upright duct receives tobacco from a large magazine. A system of tobacco compacting chains draws tobacco from the lower part of the duct and feeds the resulting cake into the path of orbiting shredding knives. The chains and the knives are driven by a first variable-speed motor. A conveyor which is driven by a second variable-speed motor transfers tobacco from the magazine into the duct. The volume of tobacco in the duct is monitored by a first set of photocells whose signals are used to regulate the speed of the second motor so as to maintain the volume of tobacco in the duct within a first range. The volume of tobacco in the magazine is monitored by a second set of photocells whose signals are utilized to regulate the speed of the first motor so as to maintain the volume of tobacco in the magazine within a second range. The capacity of the magazine is between five and ten times the capacity of the duct.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the movement of cigarettes from a maker to a packing machine has a first multi-conveyor transporting unit which normally delivers cigarettes directly to a bin for the block forming device at the inlet of the packing machine, and a second multi-conveyor transporting unit which can deliver cigarettes to the last conveyor of the first unit in response to actuation of a switchover device. The latter normally transfers cigarettes from the maker to the first conveyor of the first unit but is caused to transfer cigarettes to the first conveyor of the second unit in response to detection of a pile-up of cigarettes on an intermediate conveyor of the first unit. The path which is defined by the second unit communicates with the interior of a variable-volume magazine which can accept cigarettes, whereby its volume automatically increases, when the packing machine is slowed down or arrested while the maker continues to supply cigarettes at a normal rate.