Abstract: A continuous stream of tobacco shreds is built at the underside of the lower reach of an air-permeable belt conveyor by conveying tobacco shreds in currents of air which impinge upon the lower reach of the conveyor at a variable angle and at a variable speed. The density of various layers of the stream at a plurality of points at different distances from the lower reach of the conveyor is monitored by a device which directs X-rays transversely across the stream and has a uni- or two-dimensional detector with one or more rows of diodes exposed to X-rays which have penetrated through the stream. The signals which are thereby generated by the diodes denote the monitored density at the plurality of points and are scanned, evaluated and processed to actuate one or more servomotors which vary one or more parameters that influence the orientation of shreds in the stream, the density and/or other characteristics of the stream.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes which are transported sideways at the periphery of a rotating drum-shaped conveyor are engaged by successive rolling surfaces of a pair of coaxial rotary rolling members which rotate at the peripheral speed of the conveyor but in the opposite direction so that the cigarettes are caused to roll about their respective axes and cease to advance with the conveyor. The periphery of the conveyor is formed with flutes which receive the freshly rolled cigarettes, and the rolling of cigarettes is abruptly terminated by arresting members which orbit adjacent the path of movement of the cigarettes at the peripheral speed of the conveyor and in the same direction. A laser is used to make holes in successive cigarettes while the cigarettes roll about their respective axes.

Abstract: Cigarettes can be coded and identified at a later time by perforating the tipping paper to provide air dilution characteristics to the cigarette. The perforation pattern employed has a unique, predetermined configuration which is recorded and used at a later time for identifying particular set of cigarettes. A different perforation pattern can be applied to different sets of cigarettes at various times, locations, etc. Thus, the manufacturer of air dilution cigarettes can trace coded cigarettes in order to improve quality control.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped material such as tipping paper of a cigarette is perforated by comprising the steps of:(1) generating a circular single pulsed laser beam,(2) beam-splitting the single pulsed laser beam into first and second pulsed laser beams by utilizing a beam splitting prism,(3) beam-splitting each of the first and second pulsed laser beams into a plurality of split pulsed laser beams having substantially equal focusing points by utilizing each of first and second mirror polygons, and(4) perforating the sheet-shaped material by use of the plurality of split pulsed laser beams having the substantially equal focusing points while transporting the sheet-shaped material.

Abstract: A laser or a spark discharge apparatus which is used to perforate the wrapping material for rod-like fillers of tobacco and/or filter material is adjusted in dependency on variations of the characteristics of signals which denote the mass per unit length of a trimmed filler having a predetermined hardness. The wrapping material is tipping paper or cigarette paper and can be perforated prior or subsequent to draping around the trimmed filler, and the draped filler is thereupon subdivided into sections of desired length. Signals denoting the mass per unit length of the filler can be influenced by signals denoting the hardness of the filler, the filling power of the filler, the temperature of fibrous material of the filler, the moisture content of fibrous material of the filler and/or other parameters of the fibrous material and/or filler.

Abstract: A plastic bag of polyolefin material such as polyethylene, for packaging materials, comprising particles of less than 50 .mu.m, and a closed bag containing such materials and a foil material for such a bag.The foil wall of the bag is provided with venting apertures with smooth edges, obtained by laser radiation, having a maximum size of 50-100 .mu.m; the distance between the venting perforations is such that the tensile strength of the foil is substantially the same as the tensile strength of the similar non-perforated foil.In a low density polyethylene foil of a thickness of 130-190 .mu.m distance between the perforations of 80 .mu.m is more than 20 mm, in a linear low density polyethylene foil of about 50-110 .mu.m the perforation distance is at least 5 mm.The bag may consist of two perforated foil layers, the perforations being staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: A device for piercing holes in rod-shaped items particularly cigarettes, on which the items are housed inside respective recesses mounted so as to rotate around their own axes on a conveyor moving cross wise in relation to the recesses. A focusing lens is associated with each respective recess. When the conveyor is operated, the focusing lenses are struck successively by a pulsating laser beam and reflected by a reflecting device located between the laser source and the route travelled by the focusing lenses. The beam is then focused by the focusing lenses on to the periphery of the relative items as they turn.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating on a cigarette, which comprises a tobacco rod and a filter element interattached by a thermoplastic tipping wrapper, to allow for the ingress of ventilation air. The filter element also comprises ventilation duct(s) extending therewithin. A heated former is brought into contact with the tipping wrapper in such a way as to form indentations which intersect with a ventilation duct(s) of the filter element and to seal upstream end portions thereof.

Abstract: A transfer device in which the bar-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, are transferred transversely to their axis by three rollers, of which one is disposed in an intermediate position between the other two and is tangential thereto at two separate points defining between them a transfer arc, and are made to advance along said transfer arc supported by respective cradles associated with a rotation device arranged to rotate the cradles about their axis at a constant angular speed equal to a whole multiple of the angular speed of the intermediate roller.

Abstract: Cigarettes are perforated by being rolled along a row of pins which are excited, for example by being vibrated. Vibration may be towards and away from the cigarettes so that the pins penetrate as a result of the vibration; the depth of penetration may be varied to control the size of the perforations. Alternatively the vibration may be in a direction transverse to the axes of the pins. In either case the pins may be mounted on a flexible member having a resonant frequency equal to the frequency of vibration. The vibratorary drive may be an electro magnetic device or a piexoelectric crystal. An alternative form of excitation of the pins involves passing compressed air through the pins and into the cigarettes, the pins being tubular for that purpose.

Abstract: A piercing device for piercing holes in cigarettes or similar smoking commodities, in which a laser beam emitted by a continuous laser source is directed, by a mobile reflecting and focusing unit, mounted in a rotary manner around an axis. A fixed reflecting member is arranged on the axis and the beam is reflected, on to each cigarette for piercing, the latter being arranged essentially coaxial with the axis and being carried crosswise in relation to it on a rotary drum. The mobile unit receives the laser beam in a direction coaxial with the axis and diverts it first outwards and then inwards to a fixed point on the axis. The focused beam is diverted on to each cigarette by the fixed reflecting member which is provided with two rings of fixed mirrors.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating the wrappers of filter cigarettes or a continuous web of wrapping material for filter cigarettes has a continuous-wave laser and one or more rotary disc-shaped shutters extending across the path of propagation of the laser beam toward the wrappers or web of wrapping material. The dimensions of perforations in the wrappers or web of wrapping material can be regulated by changing the position of the shutter or shutters relative to the laser beam and/or relative to each other.

Abstract: A variable dilution filter cigarette is provided which includes a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, an axially aligned, substantially cylindrical wrapped filter plug, and tipping paper which circumscribes the filter plug and joins the filter plug to the tobacco rod. The filter plug has first and second ends, which are open to permit the passage of air and smoke. The plug wrap is substantially air-impermeable and is divided into a mouth-end band, a central band, and a rod-end band having a first opening. The first and third bands are attached to the filter. The tipping paper is also substantially air-impermeable, circumscribes the filter plug, and extends from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position on the tobacco rod adjacent the rod end of the filter plug. The tipping paper is divided into first and second bands, the first band extending from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position overlying the rod-end band.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes with a predetermined dilution factor are produced by perforating a filter attachment web by means of an adjustable perforating device prior to using portions of the web to join filters to cigarettes; measuring the porosity of the perforated web; measuring the dilution of cigarettes assembled with portions of the web; and controlling the perforating device by immediate response to the measured porosity and by progressive response to the dilution of the assembled cigarettes. The perforating device may comprise spark perforating electrodes, the web being possibly passed twice between the electrodes. In particular, the perforating device includes a number of pairs of electrodes defining spark gaps therebetween and lying along a line inclined to the direction of movement of the web. Individual rod electrodes are located between and spaced from opposed metal plates connected to a power supply to form capacitances in series with the spark gaps.

Abstract: A piercing device for piercing holes in cigarettes or similar smoking commodities, in which a laser beam emitted by a continuous laser source is directed, by a mobile reflecting and focusing unit, mounted in a rotary manner around an axis a fixed reflecting member is arranged on the axis and the beam is reflected on to the cigarettes for piercing, while the latter turn round their own axis and travel crosswise in relation to the axis of the beam.The mobile unit receives the laser beam in a direction coaxial with the axis and diverts it first outwards and then towards the latter. The focused beam is derived on to the cigarettes by a ring of mirrors with which the reflecting member is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for making ventilated cigarettes, includes a first perforator which is not readily susceptible to control and is arranged to perforate the tipping paper by which cigarettes are joined to filter portions, or to perforate the completed filter cigarettes. A controllable perforator is arranged to form additional perforations in the tipping paper prior to assembly of the filter cigarettes; and a control circuit is arranged to control the controllable perforator in response to a porosity measuring device and/or in response to a cigarette dilution testing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming perforations in bar-shape articles, in which each said article is clamped, during its advancement in a direction transverse its own axis on a conveyor, by a respective actuator device and turned by this about its axis in such a way as to receive, along at least one circumference, a succession of laser pulses each forming a respective perforation.

Abstract: A continuous web which is drawn off a roll is perforated on its way toward the wrapping station of a machine for the making of plain or filter tipped smokers' products or filter rod sections. The perforating device is adjustable by a control system which receives signals from a photoelectronic testing unit serving to monitor the permeability of successive increments of the web between the perforating device and the wrapping station. The combined cross-sectional area of holes per unit area of the web is increased or reduced, depending upon whether the monitored permeability is less than or exceeds a preselected optimum permeability.

Abstract: A running web of cigarette paper or the like is perforated in a first portion of its path, thereupon tested for permeability by a pneumatic detector in a second portion of the path, and finally tested for permeability by an optical detector in a third portion of the path. Signals which are generated as a result of pneumatic testing are used to adjust the perforating unit in the first portion of the path. Signals which are generated as a result of testing by the optical detector are compared with a reference signal denoting the desired permeability of the web, and the web and perforating unit are arrested, or the cigarettes which contain defective portions of the web are segregated from satisfactory cigarettes, if the deviation of generated signals from the reference signal exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A running web of cigarette paper or tipping paper, which is formed with one or more groups of longitudinally extending perforations by heating and resulting burning or charring selected portions of the web, is treated by one or more wiping devices which sweep along one or both sides of the web, at least in the region of the group or groups of perforations. The wiping device or devices can employ one or more rotary brushes in conjunction with one or more back supports in the form of driven rollers or idler rollers, or a stationary pad which is biased against the web to thereby urge the web against a stationary back support. The wiping device or devices enhance the appearance of the web by reducing the visual contrast between the perforated and non-perforated portions.

Abstract: A device for forming perforations in bar-shape articles, in which the articles are pierced during their translation through a piercing station by means of bundles of focused laser rays emitted by laser diodes, disposed in fixed positions and distributed in such a way that the distance between each diode and the associated perforation on each said article is, at the instant of emission of the bundle of rays identical to the focal length thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming perforations in articles in the form of bars, in which, during their movement through a piercing station, the articles are pierced by means of beams of laser rays emitted in a predetermined sequence by laser emitters, which can be laser generators or simple reflectors so positioned with respect to each said article to be pierced as to maintain the path length followed by the laser rays to form each perforation, once focused, constantly equal to the focal length thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for making perforations in continuous or interrupted webs of cigarette paper or the like has one or more perforating units serving to direct radiant or electrical energy against selected portions of the web to make holes therein. That portion of each perforating unit which surrounds the locus of propagation of energy beyond the respective perforating unit is externally cooled and cleaned by one or more streams of compressed gas which ensure that such portion cannot accumulate solid combustion products which could interfere with the propagation of energy toward the web. The stream or streams are furnished by the orifices of nozzles which can be provided in the carrier or carriers for the perforating units or can be outwardly adjacent to the carrier or carriers.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for converting a single, continuous incident laser beam into a plurality of pulsed laser beams is disclosed. The apparatus uses a rotatable first optical refracting element to cause the incident laser beam to sweep the surface of an imaginary cone. A circular or elliptical array of fixed, second optical refracting elements is placed in the path of the sweeping beam. The array is mounted in a holder of nontransmissive material. As the beam sweeps past each of the fixed second optical refracting elements, it is transmitted by that element and then interrupted by the nontransmissive material separating that element from the next fixed second optical refracting element. As the beam sweeps a complete circle or ellipse, a pulsation effect is created by the repetitive transmission and interruption, giving rise to a plurality of pulsed output beams. Such apparatus can be used in a system for perforating a web of sheet material with pulsed laser beams.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in a running web of tipping paper for filter cigarettes has a carrier for a battery of suitably distributed perforating units each of which has an optical system for focusing upon the running web a discrete beam of coherent radiation which is furnished by a laser. The making of holes entails the development of contaminants, and such contaminants are removed by air streams which are circulated through the perforating units not only to remove the contaminants but also to cool the optical systems of the respective perforating units. The web advances along the convex side of a shroud which maintains the web at an optimum distance from the optical systems of the perforating units. The shroud is installed between the web and the perforating units and has elongated slot-shaped apertures for the beams of radiation. The perforating units form several rows, and the shroud has or can have one elongated aperture for each row of perforating units.

Abstract: A spark perforation apparatus includes a rotary electrode assembly for effecting spark perforation of sheet material passing between the electrodes of the assembly and a suitably juxtapositioned earthed surface. The electrode assembly comprises a first set of annular electrodes for connection to a suitable power source, a second set of annular electrodes alternating with and of greater external diameter than the electrodes of the first set, and dielectrical material spacing the electrodes so as to form a series of parallel capacitors.

Abstract: A junction zone between the first and second sections of a conveyor system for sidewise transport of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles communicates with the first opening of a reservoir which normally constitutes a surge bin for temporary storage of those articles which are delivered by the first section but cannot be accepted by the second section. The reservoir has a second opening which is normally separated from the first opening by a reciprocable partition but is free to discharge articles into a tray filling machine when the reservoir is filled to capacity and the rate at which the first section delivers articles continues to exceed the rate at which the second section removes articles from the junction zone.

Abstract: Discrete uniting bands which are used in a filter tipping machine to connect filter plugs with plain cigarettes consist of foraminous material, and the permeability of such material is varied, when necessary, by changing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to the uniting bands prior to convolution around the respective plain cigarettes and filter plugs. This ensures that each convoluted uniting band admits a preselected quantity of cool atmospheric air into the column of tobacco smoke when the respective filter cigarette is lighted. The paster which applies adhesive to a continuous web which is about to be subdivided into uniting bands is adjusted in response to signals which are generated by a testing device for the wrappers of successive filter cigarettes. If the permeability is too high, the paster is adjusted by reducing or increasing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to successive unit areas or unit lengths of the running web.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making ventilated cigarettes. Either the cigarettes are perforated after assembly or the tipping paper is perforated before assembly. The position of the perforations as a group relative to the mouth end of the cigarette is adjustable to select a required degree of ventilation of the assembled cigarette. Automatic selection is effected by measuring the dilution of the assembled cigarettes and causing the perforator to be controlled accordingly. Perforation may be effected by pins mechanically, by spark discharge by laser or by electron beam.

Abstract: A cigarette tipping material having non-lipsticking properties includes preselected areas of the tipping material provided with non-lipsticking coatings with other preselected uncoated areas having perforations therein.

Abstract: Ventilated cigarettes are made by perforating the wrapper of each filter over an area which lies within pre-formed perforations in the uniting band joining the filter to the tobacco rod. The filter wrappers may be perforated by pins on a rolling plate and fluted drum between which filter portions cut from longer filter rods are rolled to stagger the portions so that they can then be pushed into a single row.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in a running web of wrapping material in a filter tipping machine has a housing which defines an elongated passage for the running web and contains rows of first and second electrodes which are disposed at the opposite sides of the passage and define spark gaps forming part of the passage. When the web is drawn through the passage and the electrodes receive high voltage impulses from the secondary winding of a transformer, sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps burn holes in the running web with attendant heating of the electrodes as well as development of dust and ozone. The intake end of a conduit is connected to the housing to draw through the passage a stream of cool atmospheric air when a blower which is connected to the discharge end of the conduit is in operation. The air stream cools the electrodes to thereby prolong their useful life and to reduce the likelihood of charring of the web.

Abstract: A running web of wrapping material which is about to be converted into adhesive-coated uniting bands for joining plain cigarettes with filter plugs in filter tipping machines is transported through the passage of a housing wherein the web travels through a series of spark gaps between pairs of spaced-apart electrodes. The sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps perforate the web with attendant development of ozone and particles of dust. The passage of the housing forms part of an endless path for the circulation of Argon which reduces the rate of development of ozone, which is cooled to cool the electrodes, and which is caused to pass through a filter serving to intercept the particles of dust which are removed from the spark gaps. The making of holes in a noble-gas atmosphere prolongs the useful life of the electrodes.

Abstract: A perforating device and a method for perforating double length filter cigarette assemblies, in which cigarettes are transferred from the drying drum, of a plug assembler onto a first conveyor which conveys them into the space between a straight flight of the first conveyor and a parallel flight of a second conveyor. The speed of the first conveyor is varied cyclically relative to that of the second by means of a speed modulator, so that the cigarettes are rolled in successive steps during their travel through the device so as to present successive different segments of the outer circumferential surface of the central filter portion to a perforator device.

Abstract: Hollow cylinders of relatively rigidized paper are perforated in closely spaced circularly extending, axially spaced rows by perforating adjacent ones of the rows from opposite sides on the cylinders. Apparatus for perforating the cylinders uses a fixed rolling shoe and a rotating drum each of which carry needles to effect perforation. The method and apparatus are especially effective for perforating paper cylinder cigarette mouthpieces.

Abstract: Discrete uniting bands which are used in a filter tipping machine to connect filter plugs with plain cigarettes consist of foraminous material, and the permeability of such material is varied, when necessary, by changing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to the uniting bands prior to convolution around the respective plain cigarettes and filter plugs. This ensures that each convoluted uniting band admits a preselected quantity of cool atmospheric air into the column of tobacco smoke when the respective filter cigarette is lighted. The paster which applies adhesive to a continuous web which is about to be subdivided into uniting bands is adjusted in response to signals which are generated by a testing device for the wrappers of filter cigarettes and denote the permeability of wrappers of successive filter cigarettes. If the permeability is too high, the paster is adjusted by reducing or increasing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to successive unit areas or unit lengths of the running web.

Abstract: Webs which are to be converted into wrappers for filter rod sections, cigars, cigarillos or cigarettes, or the wrappers of such articles, are perforated by one or more laser beams in the machine wherein the articles are produced. The permeability of wrappers can be changed by increasing or reducing the number of holes and/or by increasing or reducing the size of holes in each wrapper. The permeability of the wrappers of finished articles is monitored and the intensity of laser beam or beams is automatically adjusted when the monitored permeability deviates from a desired value. The perforations are formed for the purpose of admitting cool atmospheric air which influences the quantity of nicotine and condensate in the column of smoke. The perforations are disposed close to or in the filter plugs of filter cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, or close to one or both ends of each filter rod section or plain cigarette, depending on the length of such articles.

Abstract: Arrangement for effecting the superfine perforation of film-like sheeting with the aid of high-voltage pulses. The sheeting to be perforated is permitted to pass in a contactless manner between two areal electrode fields. The electrode fields consist of a multitude of needles which are aligned to one another in a mirror-inverted manner and arranged in rows, with each time pairs of them forming discharge or sparking gaps. The needles of the first electrode field are in a direct conductive connection with each time one high-ohmic resistor. Each needle pair is arranged within the secondary circuit of an ignition transformer. These transformers have a high transformation ratio. On the primary side, the transformers are connected via transistor switches, to a source of low d.c. voltage. The transistor switches are initiated groupwisely via a distributor (ring counter) which, in turn, is controlled by a clock-pulse generator.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating a web of wrapping material or tubular wrappers of discrete filter cigarettes of unit length or double unit length in a filter tipping machine has a laser which is energizable at a frequency depending on the speed of the main prime mover of the machine to emit a beam which is reflected by a pivotable reflector to impinge alternately upon different portions of a single optical system or upon several discrete optical systems serving to focus the beam upon the web or upon discrete wrappers whereby the beam forms two or more rows or more complex patterns of perforations in the web or in the wrappers of successive cigarettes. The pivotable reflector can be omitted or is optional if a diffraction grating is placed in front of a single optical system so that the grating splits the beam into several discrete beams each of which is focused upon a different portion of the web or of the wrapper of a cigarette.