Abstract: A machine which simultaneously produces several rods of fibrous material has discrete conveyors which are closely adjacent each other and transport the streams from stream building stations to discrete surplus removing apparatus each of which employs a pair of coplanar trimming discs. The trimming discs of discrete surplus removing apparatus are disposed in different planes which are inclined relative to each other and can be inclined relative to or parallel with the planes of the respective conveyors. The orientation of the planes of the trimming discs ensures that the removal of surplus is not impeded by neighboring apparatus and/or by the channels for the streams of fibrous material.

Abstract: Smokable particles of a first type are withdrawn from a source and are gathered into a narrow stream on a belt conveyor whereon the stream is trimmed prior to transport through a pneumatic conduit wherefrom the stream issues to impinge upon the peripheral surface of a rotating wheel having peripheral pockets for accumulation of batches of smokable particles. The batches are transferred onto a belt conveyor to form a file with gaps between successive batches, and such gaps are filled by smokable particles of a second type before the resulting composite stream is homogenized, equalized and draped into a web of cigarette paper to form a cigarette rod which is severed across the batches or across the accumulations of smokable particles of the second type to yield a series of plain cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length.

Abstract: Cigarettes with soft cores are produced by forming a continuous stream having a U-shaped cross-sectional outline and advancing the stream along a stationary mandrel and past a shower of tobacco which conceals the mandrel and forms with the stream a ring-shaped filler which is stripped off the mandrel, draped into a web of cigarette paper and subdivided into cigarettes of desired length.

Abstract: A cigarette maker wherein batches consisting of a first type of tobacco particles are deposited at intervals at one side of a suction belt conveyor and the gaps between successive batches are filled with tobacco particles of a second type to form a composite stream which is thereupon homogenized in regions where the batches abut the accumulations of particles of the second type to thus avoid the presence of cavities in the rod-like filler into which the stream is converted preparatory to draping of the filler into a web of cigarette paper. The homogenizing operation can involve mere shifting of particles of the second type toward the belt conveyor or a trimming of the stream with attendant formation of protuberances in the regions of abutment of batches against the accumulations of particles of the second type. The protuberances are eliminated during draping so that the density of the corresponding portions of the filler is increased.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a composite filler which is to be draped into a web of cigarette paper has a rotary wheel-shaped conveyor with a series of pockets which are provided in its peripheral surface and are connected to a suction generating device which draws into the pockets shreds of tobacco or other smokable fibrous material issuing from the outlet of a pneumatic conduit which receives metered quantities of fibrous material from a belt conveyor. The inclination of the stream issuing from the outlet with reference to the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor is such that fibrous material which advances from the outlet toward and into successive pockets has a component of movement in the direction of rotation of the rotary conveyor, i.e., the particles of fibrous material do not travel radially of the rotary conveyor.

Abstract: Circumferentially extending recesses in the peripheral surface of a rotating suction wheel are filled with tobacco shreds which are delivered in the form of a narrow stream by a pneumatic conveyor having a narrow tobacco propelling channel extending radially of the suction wheel and receiving the shreds of the stream in a current of compressed air. The surplus of shreds is removed by the current and/or by a trimming device which is installed in the interior of the pneumatic conveyor, and such surplus is recirculated through the distributor of a cigarette rod making machine and back into the pneumatic conveyor. The batches are used to form the interrupted core of a composite tobacco filler wherein the core is surrounded by a tubular envelope containing a different blend of tobacco.