Abstract: Inspection of completed cigarettes is accomplished by the cigarettes traveling on a rolling drum past a single stationary rolling block with preferably two cameras connected to a vision system. The first camera views the cigarette before the rolling block, the cigarette is then rolled approximately 180.degree. and then the second camera views the previously hidden portion of the cigarette. Cigarettes are accepted or rejected based on a comparison of the viewed cigarettes to a predetermined set of characteristics.

Abstract: A process for making a cohesive tobacco composition in which tobacco pectins within the tobacco itself serve as the binder by contacting dry tobacco particles with a solution, which contains an agent to destroy the alkaline earth metal cross-links of the tobacco pectins, under a high shear condition. A reconstituted tobacco sheet is made by forming the resulting mixture into a sheet and drying. In one embodiment ammonia and tobacco volatiles contained in vapors from the sheet drying step are recovered and recycled into the solution.

Abstract: A tobacco rod firmness sensor arrangement wherein the tongue of a continuous rod type cigarette making machine is divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion is independently mounted from the downstream portion and is associated with a sensor to measure the force exerted by the tobacco rod compressed between the upstream portion and the garniture. Calibration of the sensor is unaffected by adjustment of the downstream portion of the divided tongue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the operation of a cigarette maker to produce a cigarette rod having a predetermined moisture content. The moisture of the rod leaving the maker is sensed and the tobacco being input to the maker is treated as a function of the measured moisture content, in such a manner as to cause the output rod to have the desired moisture content. Preferably, other characteristics of the output rod, such as density and firmness, are also monitored, and are taken into account in controlling the treatment of the tobacco stream being input into the maker.

Abstract: A method for shaping a helical twist in a ribbon of thermoplastic material, as well as a method of making a composite structured article in which a tubular sheet is formed around the twisted ribbon is disclosed.