Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes are mass-produced in a machine wherein parallel groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter plugs are moved at right angles to their axes through a first station wherein their components are connected to each other by uniting bands, thereupon through a second station wherein the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are severed midway across their filter plugs to yield pairs of filter cigarettes of unit length which advance in two rows and are mirror images of each other, and through a third station wherein the filter cigarettes of one row are turned end-for-end and placed between successive non-inverted filter cigarettes. The mutual spacing of groups, filter cigarettes of double unit length and/or of filter cigarettes of unit length is reduced at least once, preferably twice, namely the first time between the first and second stations and the second time at the third station.

Abstract: An apparatus for making smoking articles is described. The preferred apparatus comprises structure to form a passage axially through a jacketed rod of tobacco, at one end of which there is a tubular sleeve of non-combustible material, and to insert an aerosol generating cartridge containing an aerosol forming substance, at one end of which there is a fuel element, into the passage so that the aerosol forming substance is within the passage in the rod of tobacco and the fuel element is within the sleeve of non-combustible material.

Abstract: A mass-producing filter tipping machine wherein two coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length are simultaneously severed to yield pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length which are moved apart to provide spaces for filter mouthpieces of double unit length. The filter mouthpieces are connected with the respective pairs of cigarettes of unit length by adhesive-coated uniting bands, and the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are subdivided into pairs of filter cigarettes of unit length. These filter cigarettes are converted into a single row wherein the filter mouthpieces of all filter cigarettes face in the same direction.

Abstract: A mass-producing filter tipping machine wherein two coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length are simultaneously severed to yield pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length which are moved apart to provide spaces for filter mouthpieces of double unit length. This results in the formation of two rows of groups of three coaxial rod-shaped articles each, namely, two plain cigarettes of unit length and a filter mouthpiece of double unit length between them. The filter mouthpieces are connected with the respective pairs of cigarettes of unit length by adhesive-coated uniting bands so that each filter mouthpiece and the respective pair of cigarettes of unit length jointly constitute a filter cigarettes of double unit length. Uniting bands are obtained from two discrete webs of adhesive-coated tipping paper.

Abstract: Filter plugs of double unit length are fed sideways into successive flutes of a rotating drum which moves successive plugs past a rotary knife so that each plug yields two coaxial sections of unit length. Each flute contains two spaced apart mechanical stops at the opposite sides of the cutting plane and each flute has two suction ports which are overlapped by the corresponding stops. The ports draw streams of air which attract the respective sections immediately upon completion of the cutting step so that the sections move away from each other and against the respective stops. Plugs of a different second type are thereupon inserted into the gaps between successive coaxial sections. The cutting station is overlapped by a stationary shroud having an opening through which the knife extends with sufficient clearance to allow streams of atmospheric air to flow into that flute which is located at the cutting station and into the respective suction ports.

Abstract: A filter tipping machine for the production of filter cigarettes has an apparatus which convolutes adhesive-coated uniting bands around groups of coaxial filter plugs and plain cigarettes while the groups move sideways through a gap which is defined by the convex peripheral surface of a drum-shaped first rolling device and the concave surface of a normally stationary second rolling device. If the surfaces of the rolling devices are contaminated or are likely to be contaminated by adhesive which is removed from the uniting bands during their conversion into tubes while the respective groups advance through the gap, the second rolling device is moved away from the first rolling device and a brush is caused to sweep along the two surfaces to remove the accumulations of adhesive.

Abstract: A web which is converted into wrappers of plain or filter cigarettes, or the wrapper or each cigarette is perforated by needles, teeth, punching tools, sparks or laser beams prior to arrival of corresponding cigarettes at a pneumatic testing station. The testing device at such station transmits signals which denote the permeability of successive wrappers, and the signals are compared with a reference signal denoting the desired permeability of wrappers. If the monitored permeability deviates from the desired permeability, the device which makes holes in the web or in the wrappers is automatically adjusted to change the combined area of holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections in a filter cigarette making machine has a magazine for filter rod sections of six times unit length and a drum-shaped first conveyor which is formed with axially parallel flutes receiving filter rod sections from the magazine and serving to transport the removed sections past two rotary cutters which subdivide each section into three coaxial filter plugs of two times unit length. The filter plugs are introduced into discrete flutes of three coaxial disks which form a staggering conveyor and wherein the flutes of each disk are staggered circumferentially with respect to the flutes of the other disks. The groups of filter plugs are removed from successive flutes of the first conveyor by the inclined edge faces of arcuate shrouds which extend along the path of movement of filter plugs in the flutes of the disks and are located downstream of the transfer station between the two conveyors.