Abstract: A method of producing at least one filter skein for cigarettes and other smokable rod-shaped articles, from at least one filter tow strip comprises the steps of: (a) drawing at least one filter tow strip, from at least one supply, (b) feeding the at least one filter tow strip to a treatment in a treatment unit; (b1) at the beginning of the treatment unit, subjecting at least one filter strip to a brake force to adjust at least the quantity to be processed, the brake force being set automatically, and (b2) afterwards, stretching and fluffing the filter tow strip(s) by the use of two pairs of rolls, wherein the surface of one roll of at least one pair of the two pairs is smooth and the other roll is profiled over its entire surface, (c) after the treatment, collecting the treated filter tow strip from step (b) in a formating unit to at least one round skein with an enveloping material to form at least one continuous, wrapped filter skein, (d) detecting and measuring a characteristic value of the produced filter

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for holding a collecting container (20) of low stiffness for collecting and packaging re-usable packages for filter tow, has erectable side parts (1) to (6), fastening strips (30) connected with the side parts (1 to 6) for fastening the collecting container (20) on the erected side parts (1 to 6); the side parts (1, 2, 6; 3, 4, 5) are divided into two groups (A) and (B) with the side parts (1, 2, 6) and (3, 4, 5) in each of the groups (A),(B) connected so as to be hinged, and the side parts (1, 2, 6) and (3, 4, 5) in the groups (A),(B) are connected so as to be hinged. The side parts (2, 3) and (5, 6) of the groups (A),(B) are foldable toward the outside away from the collecting container (20) so that the collecting container (20) can be removed from the apparatus (10) laterally or at the front face.

Abstract: A plasticized cellulose acetate is described with a content of a modified cellulose acetate A comprising a grafted oligomer of a cyclic ester, in particular in the form of .epsilon.-caprolactone, which comprises additionally a plasticizing agent in the form of an oligomer B of a cyclic ester, and the terminal carboxyl group of the oligomer is esterified with an alcohol or an alcohol derivative having at least one free hydroxyl group, with a boiling point of at least approximately 120.degree. C. and a melting point of no more than approximately 180.degree. C. and the ratio of weight of component A to B is represented by the formula (I)0.3.ltoreq.A/(A+B).ltoreq.0.95 (I).This plasticized cellulose acetate can be produced advantageously for example when an oligomer B in the form of the reaction product of a cyclic ester, in particular in the form of .epsilon.

Abstract: The process for the treatment of cellulose for activation for subsequent chemical reactions by bringing the cellulose in contact with liquid ammonia at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in a pressure vessel and subsequent expansion by rapid reduction of the pressure to atmospheric pressure, is carried out by using a cellulose pulp of an alpha-cellulose content of at least 92 mass %, letting the ammonia act on the pulp at room temperature or at a temperature higher than room temperature, after the expansion, removing the ammonia then still remaining in the pressure vessel except for a minimum content at which the state of activation reached by the action of the ammonia is still maintained and finally replacing the residual ammonia still needed to maintain the state of activation by another swelling or inclusion agent.

Abstract: A filter tow from cellulose acetate filaments and/or staple fibers is described on the surface of which an additive from cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is present, at least the surface of the filaments and staple fibers consisting of a cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The method for the production of such a filter tow comprises spinning cellulose acetate filaments from a solution in acetone, of cellulose acetate of an acetyl number of at least 53% if necessary, cutting the filaments to staple fibers, gathering the filaments and/or staple fibers to a filter tow and applying an additive, the filaments and staple fibers being hydrolyzed and as additive one of cellulose chain-splitting enzymes is used. There are described also a tobacco smoke filter element from such a filter tow and a method for its production.

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: There are described filaments on the basis of a cellulose acetate soluble in acetone, the degree of polymerization (DP) of the cellulose acetate being between about 110 and 210 and the degree of substitution (DS) preferably between about 2.2 and 2.7. Optically isotropic spinning solutions can be obtained, the cellulose acetate concentration of which is about 35 to 47 mass-%. When such an optically isotropic spinning solution is spun, in particular by dry spinning, filaments are obtained in a profitable manner because the costs connected with the recovery of the acetone can be appreciably lowered, without impairing the desirable properties of the filaments, which are suitable in particular for the production of cigarette filter tow.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for carrying out the method are described which are used for reprocessing waste material accumulating in the production of cigarettes and similar rod-form smoking items, wherein the waste material comprises paper material, tobacco and filter material, wherein the paper material is wrapped around the tobacco, and wherein essentially the following process steps are carried out: the waste material is subjected to a dry mechanical treatment in order to obtain waste material which is broken down and in which the material components of the waste material are separated one from the other, and in particular the paper material is detached from the tobacco or the other material components, and the tobacco is subsequently sifted out of the broken-down waste material. The paper material can be suctioned out of the broken-down waste material after the tobacco has been sifted out.

Abstract: A filter tow of cellulose acetate filaments and/or cellulose acetate staple fibers, has at least the surface of the filaments and staple fibers consisting of a cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The method for the manufacture of the filter tow comprises the spinning of cellulose acetate filaments from a solution of cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of at least 53% in acetone, if necessary, cutting the filaments into staple fibers, and combining the filaments and/or staple fibers to a filter tow, the filaments or staple fibers being hydrolyzed so that at least the cellulose acetate at the surface of the filaments and staple fibers has an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The invention involves also a tobacco smoke filter element made from the filter tow, as well as a method for the manufacture of the tobacco smoke filter element.

Abstract: There is described a process for silylizing carbohydrates in liquid nitrogen compounds,the carbohydrates being reacted under pressure in an autoclave at a tempperature of about 0.degree. to 200.degree. C. with a silylizing agent of the formula (I) ##STR1## in a liquid nitrogen compound of the formula (II) ##STR2## the respective radicals in the two formulas (I) and (II) being, independently of each other:hydrogen, a low alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group with 3 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group in the form of a phenyl or naphthyl radical, an aralkyl group with 7 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkylaryl group with 7 to 18 carbon atoms, or an O-, S- or N-containing heterocyclic group with 2 to 5 carbon atoms.An especially suitable silylizing agent is hexamethyl disilazane. As liquid nitrogen compound preferably ammonia is taken, which under the process conditions is liquid. The process according to the invention is of advantage ecologically and economically.

Abstract: A method is described for processing waste materials in the form of filter rods, filter cigarettes and the like comprising filter material with inner hollow volumes accessible from the outside and at least one other material component, in particular paper and tobacco, wherein the following process steps are carried out: the waste material is distributed in a liquid in a pressure vessel. By increasing the pressure or decreasing the temperature an inert gas is dissolved in the liquid. Subsequently the temperature is increased or the pressure decreased so that fine gas bubbles develop within the filter material which permits the latter to float whereby a separation from the further material components to be separated is possible. With this method a separation of the waste material into its individual component parts is possible so that for example valuable filter material in the form of cellulose acetate is obtained in highly pure form and can be used again for the production of filter materials.

Abstract: A spinning pump (1) connected to a spinning pump block (2) by means of fastening screws (3) comprises a base plate (4) in contact with the connection face (11) of the spinning pump block (2), one or more gear plate (5), a cover plate (6), a drive shaft (7), an inlet channel (8) as well as outlet channels (9) for the spinning fluid, the channels (8, 9) are aligned with corresponding channels of the spinning pump block (2). The fastening screws (3) traverse through passage bores (12) an adapter part (15) connected with the cover plate (6) as well as plates (6,5,4) and are screwed into threaded bores (13) in the spinning pump block (2).

Abstract: A gearing with two axis-parallel output shafts (2, 3) rotating in the same direction, for operation of a double screw extruder, has two pinions (4, 7) of equal size which are arranged in the annular space between an internally toothed ring gear (6) and an intermediate gear (5) in the spacing of the screws of the double screw extruder and mesh with the intermediate gear (5) and with the ring gear (6). The first of the two pinions (4) is arranged on the driving shaft (1), which is extended as output shaft (2). The second pinion (7) is arranged on the second output shaft (3). The gearing permits torque division of the torque from the driving shaft (1) to the two output shafts (2, 3).

Abstract: A method of producing a warp beam, and the warp beam produced by this method are described.