Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a filtered large cigar which includes the steps of simultaneously introducing onto the rolling table of a cigar rolling machine preformed cigar filters and a charge of tobacco filler material for spiral wrapping within a sheet of cigar binder material which has simultaneously been introduced onto the rolling table. A reinforcement strip including layers of reinforcing tape and a nonflammable foil is also introduced onto the rolling table. In this manner, during the subsequent rolling operation, the reinforcement strip becomes circumferentially wrapped about and bonded to the binder over the interface between the filter and filter material. Depending on the relative placement on the table of the reinforcement strip and binder, the reinforcement strip will be positioned either over or under the binder.

Abstract: A filter cigar is provided having outer layers of cigar wrapper and binder material each spirally wrapped about a preformed cigar filter and tobacco filler charge. A reinforcement strip including layers of high wet strength reinforcing tape and bonded to the binder is circumferentially wrapped over the interface between the filter and the filler charge.