Abstract: A paster which serves to apply a film of adhesive material to the underside of a running web of flexible material, such as tipping paper in a filter cigarette maker, has a roller which supplies successive increments of the film to the underside of the running web and cooperates with a biasing device which rides on the web and urges certain portions of the underside of the web against the roller. The length of the area of contact between the biasing device and the upper side of the running web is less than the width of the web. This renders it possible to prevent or to minimize undesirable flow of adhesive laterally beyond the marginal zones of the web as well as into perforations which are customarily provided in webs of tipping paper.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the end portions of cigarettes to detect end portions containing insufficient quantities of tobacco has a conveyor which transports the cigarettes sideways past at least two testing stations each of which accommodates a discrete capacitive and/or photoelectronic testing unit. Repeated monitoring of the end portions of successive cigarettes reduces the likelihood that unsatisfactory cigarettes, particularly cigarettes with end portions which are empty or contain insufficient quantities of tobacco particles, would reach the consumers. Signals which are generated by the testing units can be used to segregate cigarettes having defective end portions.

Abstract: The diameters of successive rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are ascertained while the articles advance in the flutes of a conveyor, first along a rolling unit which turns successive articles at random through different angles and thereupon past a photoelectronic detector wherein a radiation source emits a narrow beam of radiation which impinges upon successive articles for intervals of time which are dependent upon the diameters of the articles. The transducer of the detector generates signals which are indicative of the monitored diameters, and such signals are transmitted to an evaluating circuit which controls an ejector for unsatisfactory articles and/or displays the monitored diameters on a screen. The articles are partially lifted off the conveyor by cushions of compressed air during transport past the rolling unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically scanning a moving cigarette rod for the presence of defects in its external surface has two annularly arranged groups of diodes which emit green light in the wavelength range of between 0.49 and 0.58.mu. and direct such light from the opposite sides of a plane that is normal to the moving rod so that the incident light is reflected by successive annular portions of the external surface of the rod into the aforementioned plane. The reflected light is focused by systems of lenses upon discrete photosensitive transducers through discrete slit diaphragms on the transducers themselves or on a thin metallic ring which is adjustably mounted on the support for the diodes and the systems of lenses.

Abstract: The exterior of successive filter cigarettes, filter rod sections or other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is monitored for the presence of various defects including absence or improper orientation of filter mouthpieces, improperly applied or outwardly projecting uniting bands, absence of roundness and/or others by directing a beam of radiation along successive articles while they move sideways in the flutes of a drum-shaped conveyor. The beams of radiation are influenced by defects and are thereupon monitored for the purposes of generating signals which are indicative of defects, if any. The beam of radiation extends all the way along the full length of each article and can also extend partially or around the entire circumference of each article.