Abstract: A system and method for reclaiming tobacco from rejected products and byproducts of a cigarette manufacturing operation are disclosed. The tobacco that is reclaimed from rejected cigarettes, long ends and defective packs of cigarettes is screened to separate a fraction of larger tobacco particles that can be returned directly to the cigarette manufacturing machines. The fraction of smaller tobacco particles and fines produced by the screening treatment is combined with stem material and tobacco dust recovered from the manufacturing operation to produce strands of reconstituted tobacco which are incorporated into the cut tobacco that is supplied to the cigarette manufacturing machines.

Abstract: The process is carried out using an apparatus including two pressurized roller systems, each roller system having two rollers in roll contact. A series of generally "V" shaped grooves extends about the periphery of one roller of the first roller system, while the other roller thereof has a smooth surface. The two rollers of the second roller system are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.002 inch to about 0.020 inch.

Abstract: Tobacco extender material is provided in sheet-like form by contacting tobacco material and/or carbonized material in substantially dry form with a binding agent in substantially dry form, and then subjecting the mixture to a high rate of shear agitation in the presence of a relatively low moisture content. The level of moisture is sufficient to provide activation of the binding agent. The material so processed is further processed using dry forming techniques in order to provide sheets of reconstituted tobacco material and sheets of carbonized material. The sheets of tobacco extender can be cut to the desired size and is useful in the manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: A cigarette pack accumulator assembly utilizes a rotating pack accumulating drum having a plurality of cigarette pack accumulating columns equally spaced about its periphery. Each such column guides a pack support pedestal for movement either downwardly during pack accumulation, or upwardly during pack discharge. A lead screw is rotatably supported within the accumulator drum and can be driven at varying speeds and directions to either raise or lower the pack support pedestals. Packs of cigarettes may be removed from a production line and accumulated, they may be stored, or they may be removed from the accumulating columns and returned to the production line.

Abstract: A smoking article in the form of a filter cigarette can have adjustable air dilution capabilities. The filter element is movable toward and away from the tobacco rod along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. Perforations in the tipping material of the cigarette expose the inner region of the cigarette and provide air dilution capabilities when the filter element and tobacco rod are in a spaced apart relationship. When the filter element and the tobacco rod are in a substantially abutting relationship, the perforations in the tipping material overlie a substantially air impermeable region of the tobacco rod thereby providing a low or non air diluted cigarette.

Abstract: A smoking article in the form of a filter cigarette can have adjustable air dilution provided by alignment of perforations in the paper wrap of the tobacco rod, a band circumscribing the rod, and the tipping paper. The band is attached to the rod and the tipping is movable relative thereto. Perforations extending about a portion of the circumferential distance around the smoking article allow the user to adjust the setting to low or high air dilution.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming tobacco comprises providing tobacco material including relatively large fibrous forming tobacco leaf stem material, passing the tobacco through a pressurized roller system, and forming a reclaimed tobacco material under pressure. Tobacco stems, fines, dust and waste can be reconstituted in strand form or sheet-like form using a process which utilizes relatively low amounts of moisture.

Abstract: A flexible sheet feeding mechanism with a hopper for receiving parallel sheets and a suction pickup which has a simultaneous linear and angular reciprocating motion. The pickup separates the outside sheet of the hopper stack by applying suction near one edge. The linear and angular motion of the suction device then peels that sheet off of and away from the stack, feeding it into a set of friction rollers. The plane formed by the outside flexible sheet intersects the plane generated by the path of linear reciprocal movement.