Abstract: The height of a continuous tobacco stream between a first side which is supported by a conveyor and an uneven second side is monitored by an opto-electrical level detector which directs a row of parallel light rays transversely across the stream and has a battery of photosensitive elements at different distances from the first side of the stream so that each element produces a signal in response to impingement of a different light ray upon its photosensitive surface. The number of elements which generate signals is indicative of the height of the stream portion advancing past the level detector. Such signals can be utilized to adjust a trimming device which removes the surplus at the second side of the stream before the thus equalized stream enters a wrapping mechanism to be converted into a cigarette rod which is thereupon severed to yield discrete cigarettes.

Abstract: An adjustable distributor transports particles of tobacco into a stream building zone wherein the tobacco is converted into a stream containing a surplus of particles. The surplus is removed by an equalizing device and the equalized stream is converted into a rod-like filler. An optical level detector monitors the height of the stream ahead of the equalizing device, and a second detector monitors the height of the equalized stream. Signals which are furnished by the detectors are transmitted to the corresponding inputs of a dividing circuit whose output transmits signals which are used to adjust the distributor in such a way that the rate of tobacco transport to the stream building zone is increased when the quantity of removed surplus decreases and vice versa. The equalizing device, together with the second detector, is movable transversely of the tobacco stream in response to signals from a detector which monitors the density of the filler.

Abstract: A distributor for use in a cigarette maker has a relatively long and relatively narrow upright duct whose upper end receives particles of tobacco from one or more magazines by way of an endless belt. The resulting column of tobacco descends through the lower end of the duct and into the range of orbiting needles at the periphery of a horizontal drum. An oscillating barrier is interposed between the lower end of the rear wall of the duct and the path of needles close to the apex of the drum. The barrier has a profiled rib which extends into the lower end of the duct to homogenize the lower end of the descending column of tobacco as well as to promote uniform filling of gaps between the neighboring needles with particles of tobacco along the full axial length of the drum. The particles are expelled from the gaps by a picker roller and are converted into a wide carpet, thereupon into a narrow stream and finally into a rod-like filler.

Abstract: A fresh web of cigarette paper or the like is spliced to the running web by a uniting band, which is adhesive at both sides, after the fresh web is accelerated to the speed of the running web. The uniting band is placed between the running web and the leader of the fresh web, and the running web is shifted sideways to adhere to the adjacent side of the uniting band as well as to move the other side of the uniting band against the fresh web as soon as the speed of the fresh web rises to that of the running web. The running web is severed behind the moving uniting band, and the fresh web is severed ahead of the moving uniting band. Severing of the fresh web is preceded by relaxation of tensional stress upon the leader of the fresh web in response to displacement of a guide roller which engages the fresh web between a stationary knife for the fresh web and a pair of motor-driven advancing rolls which pull the leader of the fresh web in the course of and subsequent to completed acceleration of the fresh web.