Abstract: Leaf tobacco is processed to form cut tobacco suitable for direct formation of cigarettes therefrom. The leaf is cut into shreds dimensioned for direct use in cigarette rod-forming, the shreds are air classified into a heavier stem containing fraction and a lighter stem-free lamina fraction, the heavier fraction is threshed to separate lamina from associated stem, and the separated lamina and lighter fraction are mixed. The procedure results in an improved rod-forming feed quality.

Abstract: An extrusion head is provided in which molten polymeric material is formed into fibres by providing individual air streams for each orifice of a plurality of extrusion orifices formed in a straight line across the width of the head to draw out and convey individual polymeric material fibres from polymeric material extruded from each orifice, the individual fibres being separated from each other by the individual air streams to prevent coalescing of the fibres to form bundles while they are still molten. Each orifice is formed at the line of intersection of two sloping surfaces of a unitary wedge shaped body and preferably has a circular cross section in the elevational view and a part-elliptical cross section in the plan view to allow metering of the extruded molten material into the air streams over a flow path immediately upstream of the line of intersection.

Abstract: Improved winnowing and tobacco feeder techniques are described. Tobacco particles in substantially separated condition are subjected to air flow transverse to the direction of movement thereof to cause separation of usable tobacco particles from heavy stem and debris, collecting the separated particles on the outer foraminous surface of a vacuum drum and gripping the collected particles to the foraminous surface so that the particles assume the speed of the surface, preferably greater than in the stream subjected to air flow, prior to discharging the gripped particles into a chute as a broad stream of vertically-moving particles, particularly downwardly-moving, from which a filler stream for cigarette formation is collected.

Abstract: A tobacco filler rod having an increased filling power or selected areas of increased quantity of tobacco in the cross section of the rod is formed from a broad stream of tobacco particles.

Abstract: A tobacco filler rod having improved filling power, improved uniformity of quality of tobacco along its length and improved distribution of sizes of tobacco particles in the cross section of the filler rod is formed by dividing the tobacco particles of a vertically-moving relatively wide and thin stream of tobacco particles into a plurality of narrow continuous substreams of tobacco each having substantially the same quantity of tobacco therein by the use of suction, conveying the substreams under the influence of suction out of contact with the relatively wide stream and forming the filler rod by gentle intact layering of the substreams one on top of another on a filler rod-forming surface.

Abstract: An extrusion head is provided in which molten polymeric material is formed into fibres by providing individual air streams for each orifice of a plurality of extrusion orifices formed in a straight line across the width of the head to draw out and convey individual polymeric material fibres from polymeric material extruded from each orifice, the individual fibres being separated from each other by the individual air streams to prevent coalescing of the fibres to form bundles while they are still molten. Each orifice is formed at the line of intersection of two sloping surfaces of a unitary wedge shaped body and preferably has a circular cross section in the elevational view and a part-elliptical cross section in the plan view to allow metering of the extruded molten material into the air streams over a flow path immediately upstream of the line of intersection.

Abstract: The tension of tow fed to the nip of a pair of differential stretching rollers is controlled by drag rollers. The inertia of the drag rollers limiting their speed of response to tow density changes is compensated for by maintaining the tension at a constant value during periods of speed up and slow down of the drag rollers by utilization of an inertialess means for applying force to the tow between the drag rollers and the differential stretching rollers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided to package beer bottles in a reusable tray with a sleeve to be used just once. A blank for the sleeve is wrapped around the tray to grip the side and end walls of the tray and close the open top and cooperating parts of the blank are glued together to provide the finished structure.

Abstract: A can structure suitable for packaging beer or the like includes an indicator formed integral with one end wall. The indicator provides visual, tactile and audible indication of the quality of the product in the can. Various specific indicator structures are disclosed.