Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material to a rod forming device comprises:—a winding unit (3) for unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin (21) on which the sheet material is provided,—a crimping unit (7) for crimping the sheet material,—a dispensing unit (8) for adding a particulate or liquid add-on material to the sheet material, and—a control unit (9) for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units. The dispensing unit (8) is arranged downstream of the crimping unit (7) when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material, and upstream of the rod forming device to which the crimped sheet material is supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a continuous web of crimped sheet material (2) to a rod forming device comprises:—a winding unit (3) for unwinding the sheet material from a bobbin (21) on which the sheet material is provided;—a crimping unit (7) for crimping the sheet material,—a cutting unit (5) for cutting the continuous web of sheet material (2) to a predetermined width, the cutting unit (5) being arranged upstream of the crimping unit (7) when viewed in the direction of transport of the sheet material (2); and—a control unit (9) for controlling the various units of the apparatus in response to sensor signals received from the respective units.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a coiled cigarette filter is described. The apparatus includes a winding pin having a pinhead and a pin body, the pin body having a slot therein, separating the pin body into a first leg and a second leg. The winding pin is secured to a pin holder for synchronized rotation therewith, such that the pin body extends beyond one end of the pin holder to expose a length of the pin body. One end of a sheet of cigarette filter paper is inserted into the slot in the pin body and the pin holder is rotated in one direction causing the cigarette filter paper to wind around the pin body forming the coiled cigarette filter. Included as well is a pin cover, which is removeably attached to the pin holder for protecting the pin body when not in use.

Abstract: A guide nozzle (112) for use with an apparatus (110) for the manufacture of filter rods for smoking articles. The guide nozzle comprises a support member (130) configured to be fixed relative to said apparatus for the manufacture of filter rods, a funnel (120) through which loose filter material is propelled, mounted to the support member and, an adjuster (140) mounted between the support member and the funnel to enable the relative position of the funnel and the support member to be adjusted to control the direction of flow of loose filter material propelled through the funnel. An apparatus for the manufacture of filter rods for smoking articles having such a guide nozzle, and a method of manufacturing a filter rod using the same.

Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. The two or more fibrous inputs are provided in the form of staple fibers, which are at least partially entangled with each other to form a mixed fiber sliver. The mixed fiber sliver includes a first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers blended with a second plurality of staple fibers comprising a polymeric material different from the first plurality of staple fibers, such as staple fibers of a degradable polymeric material. The entangled fibers of the mixed fiber sliver may be sufficiently separated from one another such that blooming operations typically required in filter element production may not be necessary prior to incorporating the mixed fiber sliver into a filter element. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of capsules into cigarette filter tows is disclosed. The apparatus may include a tow processing unit, a capsule insertion unit and a filter rod making unit. The capsule insertion unit may include a hopper, a capsule presorter, an inlet pipe, a capsule feeder wheel, a capsule insertion wheel, and a tow gathering funnel.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for making a cigarette filter assembly for potentially reducing particle breakthrough. The method includes forming a lofty porous network of charge retaining polymer fibers by mechanical, chemical or thermal bonding of the fibers, wrapping the lofty porous network in a cylindrical or tubular shape with optional mediating filter fibers in a filter paper to form a filter plug while maintaining the lofty structure. The charge retaining fibers can be charged to attract and hold particles from such sources as particulate matter from sorbents (preventing break-through), and smoke constituents while having a suitable pressure drop. The apparatus handles'the lofty media with minimal crushing, for example, by spacing apart delivery rolls equipped with protrusions to punch, push, and/or pull the lofty media ahead for high speed operation.

Abstract: A filter making apparatus includes a positioning device having a passageway therethrough, with the passageway guiding a continuous flavor element such as a continuous strand of textile material from an inlet of the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. A liquid flavorant is introduced into the passageway at a desired flow rate and the strand of material carries the supplied liquid flavorant out of the positioning device at a rate substantially equal to the desired flow rate. A portion of the passageway can form a bath of the liquid flavorant supplied to the passageway through a separate inlet at approximately atmospheric pressure. A portion of the positioning device guides the continuous strand of material through the bath, or guides the strand to pass along the bottom of the passageway, and the saturated or partially saturated strand of material then exits from an outlet of the passageway to a point in the path of filter tow material that is being converged to form a filter rod.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for making a cigarette filter assembly for potentially reducing particle breakthrough. The method includes forming a lofty porous network of charge retaining polymer fibers by mechanical, chemical or thermal bonding of the fibers, wrapping the lofty porous network in a cylindrical or tubular shape with optional mediating filter fibers in a filter paper to form a filter plug while maintaining the lofty structure. The charge retaining fibers can be charged to attract and hold particles from such sources as particulate matter from sorbents (preventing break-through), and smoke constituents while having a suitable pressure drop. The apparatus handles the lofty media with minimal crushing, for example, by spacing apart delivery rolls equipped with protrusions to punch, push, and/or pull the lofty media ahead for high speed operation.

Abstract: A system configured to produce smokable products including filter elements formed from multiple fibers is provided. The system includes a texturing apparatus configured to combine the fibers such that the fibers are at least partially entangled with each other and form a mixed fiber product. The entangled fibers may be sufficiently separated from one another such that plasticizer may be applied to the mixed fiber product without necessarily performing tow opening, crimp removal, or blooming operations. The fibers combined to form the mixed fiber product may define characteristics that differ or which are the same. Accordingly, filter elements may be produced that include different fibers that have respective desirable properties associated therewith. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: A method of making segmented filters including moving substantially identical segments of one type at uniform rate to a transferring element, which places each segment separately on an exit path. Setting of the filter segments in a repeating group on the exit path is accomplished by delay in collecting segments by a transferring element in each module of the apparatus. Uniform positioning is effected using the transferring element which includes uniformly spaced drivers, and non-uniform positioning is effected using the transferring element with non-uniformly spaced drivers. The apparatus includes a guiding element positioned adjacent to a cutting drum and has a wall closing a channel for a set of segments drawn out of a flute on the drum. The filter set is led through the channel with the aid of a dog of a chain and is advanced by a worm surface of a pushing together drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of capsules into cigarette filter tows is disclosed. The apparatus may include a tow processing unit, a capsule insertion unit and a filter rod making unit. The capsule insertion unit may include a hopper, a belt, an inlet pipe, a capsule feeder wheel and a capsule insertion wheel.

Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.

Abstract: A method of making segmented filters including moving substantially identical segments of one type at uniform rate to a transferring element, which places each segment separately on an exit path. Setting of the filter segments in a repeating group on the exit path is accomplished by delay in collecting segments by a transferring element in each module of the apparatus. Uniform positioning is effected using the transferring element which includes uniformly spaced drivers, and non-uniform positioning is effected using the transferring element with non-uniformly spaced drivers. The apparatus includes a guiding element positioned adjacent to a cutting drum and has a wall closing a channel for a set of segments drawn out of a flute on the drum. The filter set is led through the channel with the aid of a dog of a chain and is advanced by a worm surface of a pushing together drum.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.

Abstract: A cigarette filter assembly comprises a hollow paper tube with a spaced apart solid fiber plugs inside the tube together with granular filter material in the spaces between the plugs. Energy activated adhesive is only between the solid filter plugs and interior surface portions of the tube. After the spaced apart solid fiber plugs are within the tube the adhesive is activated to secure the plugs to the tube. The energy activated adhesive is only on selected portions of the hollow tube where the solid fiber plugs are located or alternatively the adhesive is only on the exterior surface portions of the solid fiber plugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter (10) for tobacco products with a first terminal filter element (12), a second terminal filter element (14), a middle filter element (16) which is located between first and second terminal filter element and contains a granular filter material, and a casing (20), one part of one of the terminal filter elements (12) being displaceable vis-à-vis the casing (20). The invention furthermore relates to smoking articles with such filters, filter strands with two or more of the filters, and processes and devices for the production of such filters and tobacco products.

Abstract: Composite filters are assembled initially by an upstream unit as groups of at least two plugs having different filtration properties. A single flow of the groups is directed from the assembling unit onto a pair of drums and divided into two flows, whereupon these are taken up by two pitch-adapting drums rotating substantially tangential one to another about parallel axes, and released to a rotating member turning on an axis normal to the axes of the drums and equipped with a plurality of carriers by which pairs of the groups are transferred from the drums to the twin channels of a garniture tongue along which two continuous rods of composite filters are formed. The carriers are equipped with an arm presenting a portion angled relative to the axis of the rotating member, so that two groups can be picked up at a time from the drums and deposited simultaneously in the channels.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter for a smoking article which includes exposing cellulose acetate fibers to an electron beam process, wherein electron beam process deacetylates the cellulose acetate fibers to render the cellulose acetate fibers water-permeable; and forming a cellulose acetate rod from a tow of the cellulose acetate fibers. Filter plugs of the cellulose acetate fibers are water-permeable and allow discarded filtered smoking articles to rapidly degrade and expose the components to the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter tow strip, especially twin tow from cross-linked and crimped filaments which form at least two partial strips (12a, 12b) that are interlinked by a section of reduced cross-linking density (11), the linking filaments (13) being interlooped and/or interlocked in such a manner that the linking filaments form intersections (14). The filter two strip is characterized in that the maximum cross-cutting force of the partial strips (12a, 12b) does not exceed 20 cN on a length of approximately 20 cm of the filter tow strip (10) and/or the number of the Baking filaments (13) does not exceed 200 cross-locking and/or cross-looping filaments on a length of approximately 20 cm of the filter tow strip (10) when impinged with the maximum cross-cutting force.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette comprises a porous filter rod (3) a material sheet (2) wrapped around the filter rod and a cellulose acetate thread (4) formed from substantially uncrimped cellulose acetate filaments. The cellulose acetate thread is positioned within the filter rod and extends along the central axis of the filter rod.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.

Abstract: A filter making apparatus includes a positioning device having a passageway therethrough, with the passageway guiding a continuous flavor element such as a continuous strand of textile material from an inlet of the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. A liquid flavorant is introduced into the passageway at a desired flow rate and the strand of material carries the supplied liquid flavorant out of the positioning device at a rate substantially equal to the desired flow rate. A portion of the passageway can form a bath of the liquid flavorant supplied to the passageway through a separate inlet at approximately atmospheric pressure. A portion of the positioning device guides the continuous strand of material through the bath, or guides the strand to pass along the bottom of the passageway, and the saturated or partially saturated strand of material then exits from an outlet of the passageway to a point in the path of filter tow material that is being converged to form a filter rod.

Abstract: Method and device for producing filter rods of the tobacco-processing industry. The method includes combining and mixing fibers of finite length of two different fiber types, and separating the combined and mixed fibers. The combining and mixing occurs directly before the separating.

Abstract: A filter rod making machine comprises a tow treatment section (10) for forming a filter web (WF) from fibrous tow (T), a scatter device (42) for scattering activated carbon grains (PC) evenly over the filter web (WF) fed from the tow treatment section (10) toward a trumpet guide (34), the trumpet guide (34) forming the filter web into a rod-shaped material (WR), a web guide (36) arranged between the tow treatment section (10) and the trumpet guide (34) for supporting the lower surface of the filter web (WF) and guiding the filter web (WF) while it is transported, and a wrapping section (16) for wrapping the rod-shaped material (WR) fed from the trumpet guide (34) in a paper web.

Abstract: Filters and smoking articles include at least one carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent capable of selectively removing one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke in a cigarette comprising the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and compositions effective for the selective removal of gaseous aldehydes from tobacco smoke. The materials and compositions comprise tobacco smoke filters comprising a fibrous material or fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues. The fibrous material or fibers are capable of reacting with and removing aldehydes present in tobacco smoke. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of fibrous materials and fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues and methods for the removal of a gaseous aldehyde from tobacco smoke by contacting tobacco smoke with the aforesaid fibrous materials or fibers containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter for a smoking article which includes exposing cellulose acetate fibers to an electron beam process, wherein electron beam process deacetylates the cellulose acetate fibers to render the cellulose acetate fibers water-permeable; and forming a cellulose acetate rod from a tow of the cellulose acetate fibers. Filter plugs of the cellulose acetate fibers are water-permeable and allow discarded filtered smoking articles to rapidly degrade and expose the components to the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a nonwoven fiber composite for the manufacture of filters in the tobacco industry, wherein the method feeds separated fiber materials to a fluidized bed and the separated filter material inside the fluidized bed are transported to a rod-forming device, essentially by a transport air flow flowing in the direction of the rod-forming device and the filter material is compiled on the rod-forming device prior to forming the compacted fiber filter elements.

Abstract: A cigarette filter assembly machine wherein a rolling unit is defined by a rolling drum and a guide drum coaxial with each other and connected to each other in angularly-fixed, axially-sliding manner; and wherein the rolling drum has a number of suction rollers (54) rotated, with respect to the rolling drum, by respective independent drive units; the guide drum has a number of semicylindrical cavities, each coaxial, and defining a relative rolling channel, with a relative suction roller; the suction rollers receive, with a first spacing, relative groups of component parts of a relative double cigarette; and each drive unit rotates the relative suction roller to roll the relative group inside the relative rolling channel and to extract a relative double cigarette from the relative rolling channel, and reverses the relative suction roller to release the relative double cigarette with a second spacing smaller than the first spacing.

Abstract: A filter making apparatus includes a positioning device having a passageway therethrough, with the passageway guiding a continuous flavor element such as a continuous strand of textile material from an inlet of the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. A liquid flavorant is introduced into the passageway at a desired flow rate and the strand of material carries the supplied liquid flavorant out of the positioning device at a rate substantially equal to the desired flow rate. A portion of the passageway can form a bath of the liquid flavorant supplied to the passageway through a separate inlet at approximately atmospheric pressure. A portion of the positioning device guides the continuous strand of material through the bath, or guides the strand to pass along the bottom of the passageway, and the saturated or partially saturated strand of material then exits from an outlet of the passageway to a point in the path of filter tow material that is being converged to form a filter rod.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for producing compound filters for products in the tobacco-processing industry. A filter tube, having a filter element in a central region of the filter tube, is supplied to a predetermined position. Predetermined portions of filtering material are then inserted into the filter tube from at least a first end of the filter tube so that filter segments form in at least a first part of the filter tube.

Abstract: A filter rod making machine wherein successive increments of a stream constituting a converted tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke are contacted by a compressing tool which is vibrated at a frequency and/or amplitude sufficient to prevent over-heating of the tool and/or of filaments of filter material, such as acetate fibers. Conversion of the tow into the stream and the wrapping of the compressed stream into a running web of filter paper are carried out in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing composite filter stock is provided that includes several steps. In a first step, a paper carrier strip feeds along a conveyor. Along one edge of the carrier strip, the paper is folded back against itself. Fibrous filter segments are then deposited on the carrying strip in spaced apart intervals. The spacing defines cavities between adjacent filter segments. The carrier strip with the deposited filter segments is fed along a path of travel into an elongated guide or support chamber that substantially surrounds the circumference of the paper-enveloped segments and which leaves a narrow fill opening opposite an elongated particulate filling opening that is elongated in the direction of motion of the carrying strip. Suction or a vacuum is concurrently applied adjacent the narrow opening, the suction increasing a downward momentum of a gravity feed stream of particulate matter and concurrently vacuums away loose particulate matter.

Abstract: There is provided a biodegradable filter tow or filter material from renewable raw materials for the use as a tobacco smoke filter element of cigarettes, cigars or pipes as well as a method for preparing it, wherein fibers, films or foams prepared in an extrusion method from biopolymers based on thermoplastic starch or its polymer compositions are processed to the filter tow or filter material according to the present invention.The advantages of this invention reside in the use of mainly renewable raw materials, a fast and complete biodegradability of the natural biopolymer filter material, a pollutant-reducing flavor-increasing filtering effect and an economically favorable preparation method.

Abstract: A tow of fibrous filter material for tobacco smoke is transported lengthwise through a so-called finger which is an elongated channel wherein the cross-sectional area of the tow is gradually reduced to that of the rod-like filler in the wrapper of a filter rod. The homogeneity of the tow is enhanced by introducing a compressed gas into longitudinally spaced apart gas admitting portions of the channel and by providing the channel with sets of openings for the evacuation of gas downstream of each gas admitting portion. The channel discharges a continuous homogenized tow into a wrapping mechanism wherein the tow is draped into a web of cigarette paper or the like, and the thus obtained filter rod is severed to yield a file of filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length.

Abstract: The treatment of a tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke prior to draping of the resulting filler into a web of wrapping material is followed by advancement of the filler in a plane and single or multiple deflection of successive increments of the filler from and transversely of the plane. The deflected increments are returned into the plane and are advanced into the draping unit. Deflection of successive increments of the filler reduces the likelihood of the so-called towsplit which denotes the separation of partially bonded and gathered filaments from each other.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one fiber skein for the production of filters for cigarettes and for other smokable rod-shaped articles, comprises the steps of drawing from a supply at least one filter tow strip, supplying the drawn fiber strip to a subsequent treatment, in which the fiber strip is stretched and fluffed, then the treated fiber strip is collected in a formating unit to a fiber skein which is finally provided with an enveloping material, to form a continuous, wrapped fiber skein. The fiber strip of strips are exposed at the beginning of the treatment to a brake force, to adjust at least the quantity to be processed of the fiber strip of strips, the brake force being set automatically.

Abstract: An air jet for producing a filter plug for cigarette comprising an imparting portion for propelling force to a tow-like fiber bundle and a beak portion, wherein said imparting portion is constructed by a trumpet (21) having a converged tip end region, a trumpet holder (23) coaxially and encirclingly assembled on the trumpet (21) so that a primary air chamber (26a) is formed between the bodies of the trumpet and the trumpet holder, and an annular slit (29) communicated with the primary air chamber (26a) is also formed between the tip end regions of the trumpet (21) and the trumpet holder (23). An inner tube (22) is disposed coaxially in front of the assembly of the trumpet (21) and the trumpet holder (23), whereby a fiber path through which the tow-like fiber bundle is fed to a tongue of a filter plug machine is formed through the air jet along the axis thereof; the fiber bundle being accelerated by a propelling force imparted by compressed air ejected from the annular slit (29) to the fiber path.

Abstract: A tobacco filter stock capable of being molded into a filter only be entanglement of filaments with one another without any adhesion means, whereby the resulting filter has a suitable hardness and a superior whiteness. A tobacco filter and a production process thereof are provided, whereby the tobacco filter stock comprises a ton of crystalline polyolefin filaments, preferably crystalline polypropylene filaments, having a single filament denier of 1 to 6 d/f, a total denier of 30,000 to 60,000 D 40 to 60 crimps/25 mm filament, a crimp elastic modulus of 2.5 to 5.0, a frictional coefficient between filaments of 0.20 to 0.37 and a height ratio (height/width) of 0.01 to 0.1.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing fiber rods useful as cigarette filter tips comprises feeding a synthetic fiber tow through an air jet bulker directly into the garniture of a conventional cigarette filter making apparatus. The process allows production of filters with lower denier tow than has heretofore been possible while affording to the manufacturer greater versatility to change filter characteristics more readily.

Abstract: A machine for rolling bulk material, such as fiber filters and tobacco, and wrapping a sheet member around the bulk material has a flexible apron connected to a roller bar which is rotated with an electric motor. The apron is located over a convex support between side walls having track slots for guiding the roller bar as it rolls up the apron and moves relative to the support. Bulk material placed on the apron adjacent the roller bar is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape within a sheet member as the apron moves over the support. The cylindrical product is discharged from the apron when the roller bar reaches the rear of the slots.

Abstract: Filler material, particularly for cigarette filters, is produced by feeding a stream of substantially continuous fibres of filter material onto a pin roller having a surface carrying sharp projections in the form of pins and the pin roller is driven at a speed such that the fibres are rapidly accelerated so as to be broken by the pins into irregular lengths and are projected from the roller in random orientations. The broken fibres may be collected as a stream for delivery to a rod-making unit by showering onto a conveyor band, by continuously rolling the fibres between cooperating rollers, or pneumatically. More than one stream could be supplied to the pin roller, so that the broken fibres can comprise a mixture of fibres of different filter materials. The broken fibres may be received on a substantially continuous carrier stream, comprising similar or different filtering material, before the fibres and carrier stream are formed into filter rod.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter includes a corrugated tape-like wrapping which, together with an outer perforated or otherwise air-permeable paper, defines a set of longitudinal grooves. Each of the grooves includes a blocking member, so as to inhibit direct smoke flow through the grooves and promote a ventilation effect. The blocking members in each groove are longitudinally staggered from one groove to the next to simplify the production of the device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing tobacco smoke filters wherein a continuous tube of smoke filtration material is ensheathed in a smoke-pervious layer of fibrous material. The ensheathed tube is cut into discrete lengths and in each of the lengths a cross section of the ensheathed material is rendered impervious to the passage of tobacco smoke and the tube is closed at a distance spaced longitudinally from the cross section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed processes and apparatus for the manufacture of cigarette filter rods. In accordance with this invention it has been discovered that in a process of manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow, wherein said tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet positioned adjacent a compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, that filter rod pressure drop and weight variations are reduced by causing the opened and deregistered tow to contact a drag inducing tow width and direction controlling means positioned substantially intermediate said mechanical forwarding means and said aspirating jet.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette product has a cylindrical filter plug or element surrounded by a filter wrapping material. The overlapping edges of the filter wrap are secured together by a line of adhesive along and between the overlapping edges. The filter wrap is anchored to the filter plug by another line of adhesive between the filter wrap and filter plug superimposed with the line of adhesive securing the overlapping edges of the filter wrap.