Abstract: A mass flow of filter rod sections for assembly with plain cigarettes into filter cigarettes is advanced along a path wherein the filter rod sections move sideways between upper and lower sets of adjustable microwave modules prior to entering a variable-capacity magazine for temporary storage of filter rod sections ahead of a processing machine, such as a filter cigarette maker. The modules serve to rapidly dry a softening agent, such as triacetin, which is sprayed onto the filter material (such as filaments of cellulose acetate) of the filter rod sections. Rapid drying is desirable because this renders it possible to shorten the periods of dwell of filter rod sections in the magazine and allows for a reduction of the size of the magazine.

Abstract: A cigarette testing apparatus wherein a rotary drum-shaped conveyor has axially parallel peripheral flutes for cigarettes and is flanked by two swash plates which rotate therewith and carry annuli of elastically deformable sealing elements for the respective ends of cigarettes on the conveyor. Each sealing element has a socket facing the adjacent end of the cigarette in the corresponding flutes of the conveyor when the cigarette is inserted into the flutes. The swash plates thereupon move the sealing elements nearer to the ends of the cigarettes therebetween whereby the ends of the cigarettes enter the corresponding sockets and displace transversely extending partitions of the sealing elements with attendant radial contraction of those tubular sections of the sealing elements which surround the respective sockets.

Abstract: A running tow of spread-out filamentary filter material in a filter rod making machine is sprayed with plasticizer by two ultrasonic atomizing devices which are disposed at the opposite sides of the path of the tow and each of which has a flexural resonator connected to one or more piezoelectric elements which, in turn, are connected to a source of a-c potential in order to expand and contract when the atomizing devices are in use. Each flexural resonator has an atomizing surface which extends transversely of the path for the tow, and the system which supplies plasticizer to such surfaces has pipes discharging plasticizer in the region of some or all oscillation nodes which develop when the atomizing devices are in use.

Abstract: A running tow of spread-out filamentary filter material in a filter rod making machine is sprayed with plasticizer by two ultrasonic atomizing devices which are disposed at the opposite sides of the path of the tow and each of which has a flexural resonator connected to one or more piezoelectric elements which, in turn, are connected to a source of a-c potential in order to expand and contract when the atomizing devices are in use. Each flexural resonator has an atomizing surface which extends transversely of the path for the tow, and the system which supplies plasticizer to such surfaces has pipes discharging plasticizer in the region of some or all oscillation nodes which develop when the atomizing devices are in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in a running web of wrapping material in a filter tipping machine has a housing which defines an elongated passage for the running web and contains rows of first and second electrodes which are disposed at the opposite sides of the passage and define spark gaps forming part of the passage. When the web is drawn through the passage and the electrodes receive high voltage impulses from the secondary winding of a transformer, sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps burn holes in the running web with attendant heating of the electrodes as well as development of dust and ozone. The intake end of a conduit is connected to the housing to draw through the passage a stream of cool atmospheric air when a blower which is connected to the discharge end of the conduit is in operation. The air stream cools the electrodes to thereby prolong their useful life and to reduce the likelihood of charring of the web.

Abstract: A running web of wrapping material which is about to be converted into adhesive-coated uniting bands for joining plain cigarettes with filter plugs in filter tipping machines is transported through the passage of a housing wherein the web travels through a series of spark gaps between pairs of spaced-apart electrodes. The sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps perforate the web with attendant development of ozone and particles of dust. The passage of the housing forms part of an endless path for the circulation of Argon which reduces the rate of development of ozone, which is cooled to cool the electrodes, and which is caused to pass through a filter serving to intercept the particles of dust which are removed from the spark gaps. The making of holes in a noble-gas atmosphere prolongs the useful life of the electrodes.

Abstract: A web of cigarette paper, imitation cork or similar sheet-like material which is used as a tubular wrapper for rod-like fillers of tobacco or filter material or which is subdivided into discrete uniting bands for plain cigarettes and filter plugs is coated with one or more layers of an aqueous dispersion of hotmelt. The layer or layers are thereupon heated to expel water therefrom before the web is draped around one or more rod-shaped smokers' products. The layer or layers are thereupon heated to a temperature at which the dried hotmelt melts, either before or during and/or subsequent to draping, to activate the hotmelt.

Abstract: A solenoid operated shutoff valve for compressed air has a tubular ferromagnetic core which is surrounded by an excitable coil and confines a reciprocable ferromagnetic plunger movable into and from sealing engagement with a fixedly mounted valve seat. The seat is installed in one of two coaxial tubular sections of the core and the other section has an axial opening for admission of compressed air to one end face of the plunger so that the other end face of the plunger normally bears against and seals the fluid evacuating opening in the seat. The periphery of the plunger is formed with straight and/or helical grooves defining discrete paths for the flow of compressed gas from the other section of the core into the opening of the seat when the coil is energized to propel the plunger away from the seat. The plunger may be formed with an axial bore which establishes a further path for the flow of compressed air into the opening of the seat.