Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the individual distribution of small stick-shaped objects (7), this device (1) making use of: a conveyor (2) comprising an endless conveyor belt (3) circulating around at least two pulleys or rollers (4, 4?), the outer side of this belt (3) being provided with transversal separators (5) which delimit a succession of compartments (6); a hopper (9) wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) contained in compartments (6) are successively dumped; an individual distributor (10) arranged in the base of hopper (9) and wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) become engaged via gravity, and comprising: a support and guide casing (8) comprising a semi-cylindrical form, substantially coaxial to the downstream pulley (4?), this casing (8) being oriented in such a way that it maintains the small stick-shaped objects (7) inside their respective compartments (6) during the passing of the belt (3) on said pulley (4?); a flexible vertical partition (11) separating the internal s

Abstract: A method for analyzing the filling of a cigarette by using a sinusoidal mathematical model representing the density of tobacco along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette and by conducting experimental measurements of density and of moisture at a plurality of points along this longitudinal axis, calculating a regression determination coefficient from the measured values, calculating the position of the strengthened tip from the phase ? and the parameters of the model and from experimentally determined constants, calculating the shift of the strengthened tip relatively to the cut and calculating the strengthening index from the values of these constants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the individual distribution of small stick-shaped objects (7), this device (1) making use of: a conveyor (2) comprising an endless conveyor belt (3) circulating around at least two pulleys or rollers (4, 4?), the outer side of this belt (3) being provided with transversal separators (5) which delimit a succession of compartments (6); a hopper (9) wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) contained in compartments (6) are successively dumped; an individual distributor (10) arranged in the base of hopper (9) and wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) become engaged via gravity, and comprising: a support and guide casing (8) comprising a semi-cylindrical form, substantially coaxial to the downstream pulley (4?), this casing (8) being oriented in such a way that it maintains the small stick-shaped objects (7) inside their respective compartments (6) during the passing of the belt (3) on said pulley (4?); a flexible vertical partition (11) separating the internal spac

Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises elaborating a sinusoidal mathematical model representing the density y versus the axial position x, conducting experimental measurements of density and of moisture at a plurality of points along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette, calculating a regression determination coefficient from the measured values, calculating the position of the strengthened tip from the phase ? and the parameters of the model and from experimentally determined constants, calculating the shift of the strengthened tip relatively to the cut and calculating the strengthening index from the values of said constants.