Abstract: Cigarette cartons are packages with a relatively large number (for example, ten) of cigarette packs (30). Because of a special design of this cigarette carton or of a common blank (33), it becomes possible to divide the cigarette carton to form part packs (half-cartons 34, 35), each of these part packs as well as the complete cigarette carton forming a saleable unit which is convenient to handle.

Abstract: For testing cigarettes, a test head confronts end faces of the cigarettes. Light beams emitted by a light transmitter are transmitted through those cigarettes having a tobacco deficiency. The transmitted light exits from sides of the defective cigarettes and is received by a transversely arranged receiver responsive to light transmitted through the cigarette paper.

Abstract: A stepping gear includes an output member attached to a wheel which is provided with a number of rollers on both faces thereof. In driving contact with these rollers is a pair of cam members having contours which allow for driving in the forward direction as well as a standstill or dwell phase. In addition, reverse movement of the wheel is made possible by providing an undercut in one of the cams coupled with a superelevation on the other of the two cams. Form locking engagement between the cams and the rollers is maintained during the forward driving phase, and the standstill and return phases as well.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for U-folding a sheet of wrapping film or material around a group of cigarettes which are being conveyed along a longitudinal path to a wrapping station. The sheet of wrapping material is fed transversely into the path at the wrapping station and held there by a pair of suction rollers. Reciprocating longitudinally along the path is a receiver into which the group of cigarettes is conveyed. Before the group of cigarettes reaches the wrapping station, the forward end of the receiver engages the sheet of wrapping material and strips it from the suction rollers to form a U-shaped fold about the group of cigarettes as the group moves forwardly out of the receiver into the wrapping station. Thus, the group of cigarettes itself is not subjected to the stress required in removing the wrapping material from the suction rollers.