Abstract: This invention relates to the machines for manufacturing filter-tip cigarettes by forming successive groups (S+2F+S) each formed by two aligned cigarettes (S) and one interposed double filter (2F), and by wrapping and glueing a covering strip (T) around the double filter (2F) and adjacent ends of the two cigarettes (S). The formation of the groups (S+2F+S) is carried out on a composition drum (1) whereon the double filters (2F) and the pairs of cigarettes (S) are held by suction. The application of the strip (T) may be carried out either on said composition drum (1) or on a successive assembling drum (6), and the strips are fed by a strip-carrying drum (7) whereon they are held by suction. In the absence of a component, e.g. a double filter (2F), in a group (S+2F+S), all the other components of the same group, i.e. the two cigarettes (S) and covering strip (T), are discarded automatically by affecting for this purpose only the suction exerted on the components to be discarded.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the vacuum in a succession of suction endless conveyors (1 to 6) connected to a single vacuum generator (17), particularly in the machines and plants of the tobacco industry. According to the invention, upon starting, the successive suction conveyors (1 to 6) are connected to the vacuum generator (17) either individually or in groups, by successive steps and progressively in the advance direction (F) of the flow of articles being conveyed. This is accomplished by use of a suitable distributor (18, 118, 24) controlled by a device (21) responsive to the advance of the leading end of the flow of articles being conveyed.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for dividing a continuous web of material into successive single sections, particularly for dividing a web of covering material into successive single bands used in the manufacturing of filter-tipped cigarettes. Such an apparatus comprises a rotary cutting roller with one or more peripheral radial knives which are angularly spaced apart from each other and have their cutting edge parallel to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller. According to the invention, each knife is secured to a knife holder consisting of a bridge-like member having an inherent elastic compressibility in the radial direction, which in the fashion of a beam with a plurality of supports is supported by the cutting roller on two end supports and on one or more intermediate supports. The supports are preferably adjustable in the radial direction, and particularly consist of wedges.

Abstract: A device for dividing a continuous web of wrapping material into successive single sections of the same length, particularly for dividing a web of wrapping material into successive single bands used in the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes. The device includes a rotary cutting roller with one or more angularly equispaced peripheral radial blades, the cutting edge of which is parallel to the axis of a shaft for driving in rotation the said cutting roller (1). The blade or blades are each secured to a bridge-shaped blade-carrying member which by elastic deformation is elastically yieldable in the radial direction and can be completely or partly made from the skirt of the cutting roller fastened to the roller or from a block added and secured to the skirt.

Abstract: A feeding device for withdrawing from a feeding hopper (1) rod-like articles, particularly filter plugs in the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes, and for singling these articles. The device comprises a rotary fluted drum (2) forming at least part of the bottom of hopper (1), and a repelling roller (13) that is arranged between the wall (9) of the hopper (1) and the drum (2), in the vicinity of the end from which the drum comes out of the hopper, and that is rotated in a controlled manner in the same direction as the drum. The repelling roller (13) is so mounted that its axis is movable substantially parallel to the peripheral surface of drum (2) and, more particularly, it is carried by a lever (10) that is swingable about a shaft (4) which is concentric or close to the shaft (6) for the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for withdrawing rod-like articles (B) from a feeding hopper (1). More particularly, the invention provides a device for withdrawing filter plugs for the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes.A portion of the hopper bottom is formed by a fluted drum (2) for receiving one rod-like article (B) into each one of its flutes (3) at the time of its passing by the feeding hopper (1). A portion of the hopper bottom, which is adjacent to the fluted drum (2), is formed by at least one endless conveyor belt (7) having a width which is sensibly smaller than the length of the rod-like articles (B) and the length of the fluted drum (2). The upper branch of the conveyor belt (7) entrains articles to the drum flutes and gets into and through a respective peripheral annular groove (6) in the fluted drum (2), at least as far as to substantially reach the path of the bottoms of the drum flutes (3) situated at both sides of the groove.

Abstract: The invention refers to the devices for dividing a continuous web of wrapping material into successive single sections of a same length. These devices comprise a rotary cutting roller (1) with one or more angularly equispaced peripheral radial blades (7), the cutting edge of which is parallel to the axis of shaft (6) for driving in rotation the said cutting roller (1), and a rotary counter-roller (19) having one or more peripheral anvils (18) that cooperate each with a blade (7) on the cutting roller (1). According to the invention, the blade or blades (7) are each secured to a projecting blade-carrying member (8) which by elastic deformation is elastically yieldable in the radial direction toward the axis of shaft (6) for driving in rotation the cutting roller (1).

Abstract: A turn around device that is designed for changing two side-by-side parallel rows of filter tipped cigarettes, which are formed by a succession of parallel pairs of co-axial cigarettes (S1, S2) with their filters in facing relation, into only one row of parallel cigarettes (S1, S2') with their filters being oriented in the same direction, comprises two fluted, conical, suction, turn around drums (5, 6), of which one takes the cigarettes (S2) forming one of the two cigarette rows, and lays them in a turned around position, i.e., rotated by 180.degree. about a transverse axis thereof, between the cigarettes (S1) of the other cigarette row.