Abstract: A film wrapper (99) comprises a tear tape (30) and at least one weakening line (10, 12) next to the tear tape (30), the longitudinal axis of the at least one weakening line (10, 12) being substantially perpendicular to the tear tape (30) (perpendicular weakening lines (10, 12)). An article is wrapped into the film wrapper. A multi-bladed knife (100) used for producing the film wrapper comprises a U-shaped or V-shaped first blade (110) and a second linear blade (112) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first blade (110) and a third linear blade (111) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first blade (110).

Abstract: A separator for pneumatically transported particulate material comprises a separation surface through which, in use, a vacuum is drawn, for separating the particulate material from a gaseous medium in which it is transported and an inlet (30) for feeding a stream of the pneumatically transported io particulate material to the separation surface. The inlet (30) is moveable to sweep the particulate material over the separation surface, which may be a cylindrical sieve drum (2) mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A rotary airlock (18) for pneumatically transported particulate material is comprises a plurality of radial vanes (32) mounted for rotation about a central axis.

Abstract: A method for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes, which finds particular application in the manufacture of a pack with rounded or beveled vertical edges having retention means to facilitate consistent lid closure, comprises: positioning an inner frame on a bundle of cigarettes; folding a first end of a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack over one end of the bundle of cigarettes to at least partially form the lid of the pack; and moving the inner frame relative to the blank in the direction of the at least partially formed lid. Apparatus for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes by folding a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack about a bundle of cigarettes having an inner frame thereon, includes means for forming a portion of the blank into the lid of the pack, the apparatus further comprises means for moving the inner frame relative to the blank towards the at least partially formed lid.

Abstract: A wrapping is formed around at least one pack by wrapping film, and the pack has a receiving face against which a coupon is placed. The coupon is also positioned against an inner surface of the film between the pack and the film. Opening of the wrapping film is achieved by a tear strip which separates the film into two portions and which is situated, before tearing, disposed between the coupon and the film. The wrapping is characterized in that the coupon is fixed locally against the inner face of the film in such a way that, after opening of the film by the tear strip, the coupon remains attached to a single one of the first portion of the film, the second portion of film and the tear strip of the film.

Abstract: A separator for pneumatically transported particulate material comprises a separation surface through which, in use, a vacuum is drawn, for separating the particulate material from a gaseous medium in which it is transported and an inlet (30) for feeding a stream of the pneumatically transported io particulate material to the separation surface. The inlet (30) is moveable to sweep the particulate material over the separation surface, which may be a cylindrical sieve drum (2) mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A rotary airlock (18) for pneumatically transported particulate material is comprises a plurality of radial vanes (32) mounted for rotation about a central axis.

Abstract: A film wrapper (99) comprises a tear tape (30) and at least one weakening line (10, 12) next to the tear tape (30), the longitudinal axis of the at least one weakening line (10, 12) being substantially perpendicular to the tear tape (30) (perpendicular weakening lines (10, 12)). An article is wrapped into the film wrapper. A multi-bladed knife (100) used for producing the film wrapper comprises a U-shaped or V-shaped first blade (110) and a second linear blade (112) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first blade (110) and a third linear blade (111) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first blade (110).

Abstract: A method for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes, which finds particular application in the manufacture of a pack with rounded or beveled vertical edges having retention means to facilitate consistent lid closure, comprises: positioning an inner frame on a bundle of cigarettes; folding a first end of a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack over one end of the bundle of cigarettes to at least partially form the lid of the pack; and moving the inner frame relative to the blank in the direction of the at least partially formed lid. Apparatus for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes by folding a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack about a bundle of cigarettes having an inner frame thereon, includes means for forming a portion of the blank into the lid of the pack, the apparatus further comprises means for moving the inner frame relative to the blank towards the at least partially formed lid.

Abstract: Wrapping is formed around at least one pack (1) by wrapping film (2). The pack (1) has at least receiving face (10) against which a coupon (3) is placed having two external opposite faces (30, 31). First external face (30) is placed against the receiving face (10) of the pack (1), and second external face (31) is attached against a surface of the film (2) which, referred to as inner surface (20), is itself situated turned toward the pack (1). Opening of the wrapping film (2) is achieved by a tear strip (21) which separates the film (2) into two portions and which is situated, before tearing, disposed between the coupon (3) and the film (2). The wrapping is characterised in that the coupon (3) is fixed locally against the inner face (20) of the film (2) in such a way that, after opening of the film (2) by the tear strip (21), the coupon (3) remains attached to a single one of first portion (200) of the film (2), and second portion (201) of film (2) and tear strip (21) of the film (2).

Abstract: A wrapping for an object includes an opening line made up of a tear tape by which the user opens the wrapping in order to gain access to its contents. A coupon bearing markings for publicity or other reasons is attached to a face of the wrapped object. The coupon also includes an opening line allowing access to information contained on inner pages of a coupon. The opening line of the wrapping and the opening line of the coupon are juxtaposed so that the user simultaneously opens the coupon and the wrapping.

Abstract: A hopper is connected with a machine for manufacture of tobacco industry products including a tangential separator sequentially feeding an entry stock of the hopper. The distribution between portions of tobacco streams including a large proportion of short tobacco fibers and portions including a large proportion of long tobacco fibers of the tobacco stream set apart in advance in the entry stock is essentially longitudinal when the stream arrives on a transfer belt of the hopper. By imposing a change of direction on the tobacco stream as well as a reduction of speed of displacement of this stream, this longitudinal distribution is transformed into a transverse distribution. A spiked or barbed roller, placed at a right angle to this latter stream, homogenizes the distribution, making it possible for the distribution to be regular between short fibers and long fibers in the tobacco stream arriving through the chimney for the manufacture of the tobacco rod.

Abstract: A cam is provided having one or more end blades, each having a respective support surface to compress a corresponding end region of a tobacco rod, and one or more interposed blades, each having a respective support surface to comprise a corresponding intermediate region(s) between the end region(s) as the cam rotates. The lengths of the blades are varied to proportionately vary the density of the regions and the widths and thicknesses of the support surfaces are varied to proportionately vary the width and length of the regions. A tobacco rod, and ultimately a cigarette, is produced having intermediate compressed regions between compressed end regions.

Abstract: A cam is provided having one or more end blades, each having a respective support surface to compress a corresponding end region of a tobacco rod, and one or more interposed blades, each having a respective support surface to comprise a corresponding intermediate region(s) between the end region(s) as the cam rotates. The lengths of the blades are varied to proportionately vary the density of the regions and the widths and thicknesses of the support surfaces are varied to proportionately vary the width and length of the regions. A tobacco rod, and ultimately a cigarette, is produced having intermediate compressed regions between compressed end regions.

Abstract: A strip of paper (42) in which the rod of tobacco (31) is to be wrapped runs parallel for a certain distance to a porous band (21) carrying the rod. By applying a certain degree of compression to the rod before it enters a guide groove disposed under a guide finger (45), a round shape can be imparted to the rod of tobacco while reducing the friction of the tobacco against the walls of the groove, thus lessening heating of the tobacco and wear and tear on the groove.

Abstract: A roll (30) of adhesive worked between two rollers (10, 12) of the gumming device is supplied by feed nozzles (34a, 34b) projecting fine streams of adhesive (35a, 35b) with monitored flow. In case of an increase in the measured viscosity of the adhesive or stopping of the machine on which the gumming device is used, a water-atomizing device (40) allows the viscosity to be reduced and prevents the adhesive from drying out. A dimension of the adhesive roll is monitored and controls regulation of the output of the adhesive-feeding nozzles. The gumming device thereby ensures proper gumming of a strip of paper (2).

Abstract: A layer of tobacco (5) is accumulated against a conveyor belt (2) by a flow of air (6). A trimmer (7) eliminates the superfluous tobacco and forms the final layer (10) which is to be wrapped in paper to form the cigarette rod. One measuring unit (13) measures the thickness of the layer by means of the attenuation of a ray, while another measuring unit (14) measures the degree of porosity of the layer by means of the drop in air pressure between the bottom and the top of the layer. These two data are transmitted to an arithmetic unit (19) which forms a parameter (F), transmitted to a central processing unit (17) which supplies to a transducer (16) the pulses actuating an encoder (15) of a motor (11) governing the thickness of the final layer.

Abstract: Combined in a very compact unit (1) are means for trimming and for compressing tobacco during the cycle of formation of a cigarette rod. Dense-end disks (3, 4) are made up of beveled circular cutters in contact (at 21) at their peripheries. The trimmed tobacco drops by the force of gravity into a discharge container without being subjected to buffeting by extraction brushes. The cyclic compression of the cigarette rod at locations corresponding to the tips of cigarettes is carried out by a rotary cam (7) placed slightly upstream and below the dense-end disks.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (P) and a time-measurement component actuate a gate (15) for clearing out a duct (7) as a function of a predetermined program. When the gate is open, the feed of the machine is interrrupted. When the gate is closed, suction air carries along tobacco particles from a bed (5), and negative pressure having a critical threshold exists at the level of the sensor. If, when the gate is closed, a plug of tobacco forms in the bottom opening of a sleeve (23), this sleeve is drawn upward by suction and butts against bolts (19), which dislodges the plug of tobacco. If the pressure continues to drop, the gate is opened, the sleeve falls back, and the plug is definitely dispelled.

Abstract: In apparatus for feeding tobacco to cigarette-making machines, the tobacco (9) is conveyed by suction from a feed receptacle (1). One end (14) of a duct (3) facing the receptacle above the level (19) of the tobacco is provided with a device (16) for regulating the rate of tobacco delivery in order to allow continuous feeding of the cigarette-making machine. The regulating device comprises a movable sleeve (17) slidable on the end portion (14) of the duct so that the bottom rim (18) of the sleeve is always at a required distance H from the level of the tobacco, this distance being continuously detected by a sensor (25), and the quantity of tobacco drawn into the duct to be adapted to the rate of production being a function of H. The other end (15) of the duct opens out into a tangential separator (12). The regulating device combined with the tangential separator makes it possible to reduce damage to the particles of tobacco.