Abstract: A display and operating unit for a machine in the tobacco-processing industry includes a visual display unit for the display of a graphic user interface consisting of a plurality of screen displays, and a computer which is designed to generate the graphic user interface by means of a computer program, essentially all the screen displays having at least the following regions: an operating region that can be operated by the operator for the display of a plurality of different operating-region displays that can be selected by the operator, with machine- and/or product-related display and operating elements; and a message region for the display of machine- or product-related stop and warning messages. The screen displays have at least one further region which includes machine- and/or product-related display and/or operating elements concerning the production mode, display of the further region being independent of the respectively selected operating-region display of the operating region.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlled removal of surplus material from one or more tows of tobacco particles, filter material for tobacco smoke or the like employs at least one belt conveyor for each stream. The outer side of such belt conveyor is provided with recesses which receive particulate material at the stream forming station or stations. Each stream is equalized by a discrete trimming device which employs a pair of cooperating rotary knives having circular cutting edges and serving to remove the surplus prior to compacting and wrapping of the thus obtained rod-like filler or fillers into web(s) of cigarette paper of the like. The material which has entered the recesses of the belt conveyor(s) contributes to greater density of the corresponding portions of the fillers or fillers, and such densified portions are severed by a cutoff to be located at the ends of plain cigarettes or at the tobacco-containing ends of filter cigarettes.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlled removal of surplus material from one or more tows of tobacco particles, filter material for tobacco smoke or the like employs at least one belt conveyor for each stream. The outer side of such belt conveyor is provided with recesses which receive particulate material at the stream forming station or stations. Each stream is equalized by a discrete trimming device which employs a pair of cooperating rotary knives having circular cutting edges and serving to remove the surplus prior to compacting and wrapping of the thus obtained rod-like filler or fillers into web(s) of cigarette paper of the like. The material which has entered the recesses of the belt conveyor(s) contributes to greater density of the corresponding portions of the fillers or fillers, and such densified portions are severed by a cutoff to be located at the ends of plain cigarettes or at the tobacco-containing ends of filter cigarettes.

Abstract: The distributor of a cigarette rod maker has a chamber bounded at least in part by a concave guide for a flow of fragments of smokable material in a stream of transporting fluid, such as air. The stream contains a surplus which is withdrawn from a centrally located zone of the chamber by a stationary apparatus having at its underside an inlet for the entry of surplus fluid and containing a nozzle which conveys the surplus fluid to a suction pipe serving to convey the surplus from the chamber.