Abstract: In the manufacture of a fiber tow, particularly cellulose acetate tow, a stuffer box crimper has a steam injector in communication with the stuffer channel of the crimper. The steam injector consists of a single pair of injectors vertically aligned with one another above and below the stuffer channel of the crimper.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a cigarette tow comprising: means for spinning a dope comprising a solution of cellulose acetate and solvent; means for taking-up the as-spun cellulose acetate filaments; means for lubricating the cellulose acetate filaments; means for forming a tow from the cellulose acetate filaments; means for crimping the tow, the means for crimping comprising a stuffer box crimper comprising a pair of nip rollers adapted to engage the tow, a pair of cheek plates juxtaposed to the pair of nip rollers adapted to keep the tow between the pair of nip rollers, a pair of doctor blades adjacent to an exit end of said pair of nip rollers, and a stuffer box having a stuffer channel adjacent the pair of doctor blades adapted to receive the tow into the channel from the pair of nip rollers, a flapper located at a distal end of the channel adapted to bearingly engage the tow; means for drying the crimped tow; and means for baling the dried crimped tow.