Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering smokable material to a cigarette maker with reduced degradation of the smokable material. A vertical reservoir tube is provided directly overhead of a plurality of rotatable and longitudinally vibratable rollers having interdigitating pins attached thereto. The rollers serve to meter and open the smokable material. The opened smokable material then falls as a shower from the rotating rollers to a convergent channel formed by two walls oriented at different angles to the horizontal. Air flow channels are provided which feed air along each wall, thereby providing an essentially laminar stream of air downwardly along the walls. An arrangement of multiple hoppers is also provided which permit blending of different types of smokable material prior to forming the smokable material into a braid and feeding the braid to the cigarette maker garniture.

Abstract: A trimming device for trimming a cigarette filler stream in a cigarette making machine comprises two cooperating disc assemblies (2,3) arranged to rotate at equal speeds about laterally spaced axes (4,5) and including discs (11,12) from the respective assemblies which overlap to trim the filler stream at a first trim level and are formed with cut-outs (15) in their peripheries which register during rotation of the disc assemblies so as to allow additional quantities of tobacco to project through them to form cigarette dense end portions of the filler stream, the two disc assemblies including additional discs (16,17) arranged to cooperate so as to trim away, at a set level in relation to the first trim level, excess quantities of tobacco projecting through the cut-outs (15).

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge handling apparatus has a pair of pivotal couplings for three position handling of a ribbon cartridge in a typewriter. The apparatus includes a cartridge receiving receptacle pivotally supported on a first pivot coupling on a rocker. A second pivot coupling on a frame support structure in the typewriter pivotally supports the rocker. A first operative position of the apparatus locates the receptacle in an open position for allowing insertion of the ribbon cartridge into the typewriter. A second operative position of the apparatus locates the receptacle together with the ribbon cartridge in a non-printing position located near a print station in the typewriter. The receptacle is operatively pivoted about the first pivot coupling between the first and second operative positions. A third operative position of the apparatus locates the rocker together with the receptacle carrying the ribbon cartridge in a print position at the print station in the typewriter.

Abstract: A cartridge ribbon lift apparatus is provided in which a pivotally mounted cartridge, containing a ribbon, is pivoted upward to a printing position by a linkage which is operated by a solenoid. When the cartridge reaches the printing position a second linkage latches the cartridge in the printing position for repeat and burst speed printing and the cartridge remains in the printing position as long as the solenoid remains energized. While the cartridge is latched in the printing position the first linkage is restored to its initial operating position.