Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can be incorporated into machines or production lines for the making of rod-shaped articles, such as filter cigarettes. The apparatus ascertains at least the diameters of longitudinally spaced-apart portions of an article, such as a continuous cigarette rod having equidistant portions of greater density, while the article advances lengthwise at a constant speed or at one of several different speeds. Accurate determination of the diameters of spaced-apart portions and, if necessary, a change of the diameter when it deviates from an optimum value, renders it possible to reduce the number of rejects and to turn out high-quality products, such as filter cigarettes wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the dense ends of the plain cigarettes; this ensures that the diameter of the dense end is identical with or sufficiently close to that of the filter mouthpiece so that the customary uniting band can secure the mouthpiece to the plain cigarette without leakage.

Abstract: A continuous web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material, particularly for smokers' products, is split by a pair of rotary knives into two strips which are fed to discrete strip processing units, such as wrapping units for rod-like tobacco fillers. If the width of the web and/or of one strip or both strips departs from a predetermined width, the web is shifted sideways and/or at least one of the strips is moved relative to the other strip to at least partially compensate for departures of monitored width from the predetermined width. This can be accomplished by changing the orientation of a frame for rollers which flank the web and/or by changing the level or levels of one or more rolls which advance the web by way of the strips.

Abstract: An improved method of and an improved apparatus for detecting and correcting unsatisfactory patterns of adhesive is applied to a running web of paper or the like in a tobacco processing machine by a cyclically operated paster. A linear scanning camera is employed to take pictures of groups of at least some of the patterns which are applied during successive cycles of the paster, and such pictures are displayed and compared with a reference image of satisfactory patterns and preferably also with additional reference images. The results of comparison are relied upon for the making of corrections, for example, by changing the operation of the paster and/or by changing the direction of advancement of the web between the paster and the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an additive to a moving, spread-out web of filter tow in the tobacco-processing industry includes an application element for applying the additive to the spread-out web of filter tow. At least one scraper element is positioned transverse to a direction of movement of the filter tow and includes a sliding surface aligned substantially parallel to the filter tow movement direction.

Abstract: Lack of balance of a crank mechanism, which reciprocates a ledger having one or more guides for one or more cigarette rods or filter rods each issuing from a maker and being subdivided into a row of cigarettes or filter mouthpieces, is at least partially counteracted by at least two counterpoises one of which orbits about the axis of the crank mechanism in a first direction and the other of which orbits, in a second direction counter to the first direction, about a second axis laterally offset relative to the axis of the crank mechanism. A third counterpoise can be mounted for orbital movement about the axis of the crank mechanism and, if utilized, is angularly offset relative to the first counterpoise. The prime mover for the crank mechanism orbits the first and third counterpoises in the first direction, and the second counterpoise in the second direction.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for tracking product data for a product mass flow in a transport storage section of the tobacco-processing industry having the steps: production of product data sets which each correspond to approximately equal portions of the product mass flow entering the transport storage section, writing the product data sets into corresponding memory units of a data memory and reading the product data sets corresponding to the product mass flow emerging from the transport storage section from the data memory. The application further relates to a corresponding product dating tracking system.

Abstract: A method for separating out foreign bodies from a material flow includes generating a material flow and transferring the material flow to a measuring section. At least one foreign body is detected in the material flow at the measuring section and the foreign body is removing from the material flow. The method includes moving the airflow along with and at substantially the same speed as the material flow between the detecting and removing steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonator housing for detecting at least one characteristic of a strand of the tobacco processing industry. Moreover the invention relates to the use of a material for one part of a resonator housing. The invention resides in the provision that the part of the housing, which substantially determines the shape of the resonator, comprises, at least in part, a non-metallic material.

Abstract: A method of operating a rod maker for tobacco processing that includes sifting a tobacco flow in a chamber of the rod maker with a first air flow to separate tobacco ribs from the tobacco flow and conveying the sifted tobacco flow in the chamber by at least one of the first air flow and a second air flow. Moreover, the method includes conveying air out of the chamber via a third air flow and a fourth air flow, where a sum of an air throughput of the third air flow and the fourth air flow is substantially constant, irrespective of a productive capacity of the rod maker. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Apparatus for replacing spent and/or damaged knives with fresh knives in a machine wherein semifinished rod-shaped smokers' products are converted into cigarettes, filter mouthpieces or the like employs a knife holder, a locking device which can releasably clamp a knife in the holder, a preferably automated system for temporarily deactivating the locking device in order to allow for removal of a spent knife, and a conveyor system for introduction of a fresh knife into the holder subsequent to removal of the spent knife and prior to renewed activation of the locking device.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a rod-shaped article in the tobacco industry includes a source of light for illuminating the rod-shaped article. An imaging device is disposed for forming an image of at least a portion of light transmitted through the article. A sensor has a surface on which the image is formed and detects an intensity of the light in the image.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for winding strips of material not intended for processing, in particular within an apparatus for joining a web of material running off a first reel to a web of material running to a second reel. Known apparatuses have a winding element with a receptacle for the web of material or strip of material, the strip of material being taken up by rotating the winding element. However, it is problematic that the web of material or strip of material slips out of the receptacle during winding, so that reliable take-up is not ensured. By means of the invention, namely, the arrangement of an element for holding the web of material or strip of material in the region of the receptacle, the web of material or strip of material is reliably caught and held, in particular even after the strip of material is separated from the web of material.

Abstract: Apparatus for replacing spent and/or damaged knives with fresh knives in a machine wherein semifinished rod-shaped smokers' products are converted into cigarettes, filter mouthpieces or the like employs a knife holder, a locking device which can releasably clamp a knife in the holder, a preferably automated system for temporarily deactivating the locking device in order to allow for removal of a spent knife, and a conveyor system for introduction of a fresh knife into the holder subsequent to removal of the spent knife and prior to renewed activation of the locking device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing multi-segment filter elements in the tobacco-processing industry. The multi-segment filter elements each include a first filter segment and at least one second filter segment. A sleeve element is arranged in the first filter segment. The second filter segment is inserted into the sleeve element in the first filter segment and the sleeve element is pulled out.

Abstract: Lack of balance of a crank mechanism, which reciprocates a ledger having one or more guides for one or more cigarette rods or filter rods each issuing from a maker and being subdivided into a row of cigarettes or filter mouthpieces, is at least partially counteracted by at least two counterpoises one of which orbits about the axis of the crank mechanism in a first direction and the other of which orbits, in a second direction counter to the first direction, about a second axis laterally offset relative to the axis of the crank mechanism. A third counterpoise can be mounted for orbital movement about the axis of the crank mechanism and, if utilized, is angularly offset relative to the first counterpoise. The prime mover for the crank mechanism orbits the first and third counterpoises in the first direction, and the second counterpoise in the second direction.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying drum for articles in the tobacco-processing industry. The conveying drum includes displacement means for moving articles, that are aligned in a longitudinal axial direction relative to each other and are supplied cross-axially in at least one row to the conveying drum, wherein the displacement means includes an electric drive. The invention furthermore relates to the use of an electric drive in a conveying drum, as well as to a machine in the tobacco-processing industry.

Abstract: A device for transporting a wrapping-paper web in the tobacco industry includes a transport channel in which the wrapping-paper web is transported; and a conveying slide arranged for movement inside the transport channel for transporting the wrapping-paper web in the transport channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for perforating the tubular wrappers of plain or filter cigarettes and other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. The articles are advanced sideways at the periphery of a rotary drum-shaped carrier which cooperates with a device serving to roll them about their longitudinal axes while the wrappers are being perforated by one or more pulsating beams issuing from one or more lasers and passing through a stationary cylinder lens on their way to the facets of a rotating cylindrical mirror which directs the beam(s) across the axis of the carrier and pivots the beam(s) about such axis on its or their way radially outwardly of the carrier toward a first set of stationary deflecting mirrors.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing and packaging cigarettes that includes a cigarette machine including at least one cigarette machine unit, a packaging machine structured and arranged to package the cigarettes one of in packages, in packing units, in cartons, and on pallets; and the packaging machine and the at least one cigarette machine unit being arranged along a substantially straight line. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.