Abstract: An apparatus for making a continuous cut tobacco braid in a cigarette making machine. A transfer duct transfers the cut tobacco in an air stream from the cut tobacco feeder to an endless braid-forming suction tape, and a pneumatic collecting duct which receives the greater and heavier tobacco particles and conveys them into a collecting box. A second pneumatic collecting duct receives the excess tobacco trimmed from the tobacco braid being formed and conveys it into a feeding hopper. A deflector valve between the two pneumatic ducts is switchable between two positions, in one of which the tobacco ribs are conveyed through the first-mentioned duct into the collecting box and the trimmed excess tobacco is conveyed through the second duct to the feeding hopper. In the second position, the deflector valve causes the cut tobacco, including the tobacco ribs, to be returned into the feeding hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cut tobacco braid in a cigarette maker including a duct of T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a rectangular inlet and outlet disposed orthogonal to each other; the arms of the T-shape being symmetrically tapered from the inlet to the outlet and the leg of the T-shape being tapered from the outlet to the inlet.