Abstract: A method for separating a one-piece connecting rod into a cap and a rod includes forming diametrically opposed notches in the connecting rod bore to define a fracture plane that is substantially parallel to the bore central axis. One portion of the connecting rod is clamped to hold it substantially fixed with respect to the other portion of the connecting rod. An oscillatory load is applied to the other of the portions in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the fracture plane to develop fatigue cracks in the vicinity of the notches. The fatigue cracks are propagated through the connecting rod by the oscillatory load until the connecting rod is separated into the cap and the rod. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual tire assembly including a first tire defining a first interior space; a second tire defining a second interior space; and a tire pressurization assembly including a manifold having a first inlet, a first chamber communicable with the first inlet and the first interior space, a second inlet, a second chamber communicable with the second inlet and the second interior space, a by-pass passage communicating between the first and second chambers, and a flow regulator housed by the by-pass passage.

Abstract: The operation of a driving system for a cigarette packing machine, wherein the driving system has a rotary main drive and several slave drives electrically connected to the main drive, is controlled in such a way that any selected slave drive can be disconnected from, decelerated to zero speed, accelerated from zero speed to normal speed and reconnected into the drive system in predetermined angular positions of the main drive. Each slave drive transmits motion to one or more movable parts or units of the packing machine in such a way that the movable parts do not clash even though they are movable and do move relative to each other.

Abstract: The making of cigarette packs is started by transferring arrays of cigarettes into successive pockets of a transporting unit while the pockets are at a standstill, and by inserting blanks into discrete pouches which are adjacent the front sides of the pockets. The pouches and the pockets are then accelerated, and the blanks are partially folded to overlie the arrays of cigarettes in the adjacent pockets prior to joint transfer of arrays and blanks into the receptacles of a continuously driven endless chain conveyor. The arms are then decelerated whereby the chain conveyor extracts the trailing portions of the blanks from their pouches and the blanks are converted stepwise into inner envelopes. The making of second envelopes around the inner envelopes can begin prior to or after completion of inner envelopes.

Abstract: The lower ends of several ducts which dispense layers of parallel cigarettes are located at different levels adjacent the path of movement of a stepwise advancing chain with receptacles for multi-layer arrays of cigarettes which are to be draped into blanks for conversion into cigarette packs. A discrete endless conveyor is installed between the lower end of each duct and the receptacle which registers with such duct, and each conveyor has one or more pushers serving to transfer layers of cigarettes into the registering receptacles. Each conveyor is driven by a discrete motor, and the conveyors can be started and arrested in a predetermined sequence to ensure that each receptacle which registers with a duct is empty when the apparatus is idle, and that each receptacle which advances beyond the last duct contains a full array of cigarettes.

Abstract: A continuous rod-like filler is formed in a cigarette rod making machine on an endless foraminous belt conveyor by depositing a row of spaced-apart batches consisting of a first type of tobacco at one side of the conveyor, holding the batches by suction, and showering tobacco particles of a second type onto and/or into the spaces between the batches. The density of successive increments of the filler is monitored by a pneumatic and/or radiation type detector, and the thus obtained density signals are used to generate control signals which regulate the density of the filler as well as control signals which are used to influence the batches, if and when necessary. For this purpose, the density signals can be processed to single out those which are attributable to monitoring of the density of successive batches, and the singled out density signals are then analyzed and used to vary one or more parameters of the batches.

Abstract: The density of the trimmed tobacco stream in a cigarette rod making machine is monitored and the distance between the trimming plane and the conveyor for the tobacco stream is varied in dependency on deviations of the monitored density from an optimum density. The variations in the distance between the trimming plane and the conveyor are monitored and the signals denoting such variations are used to adjust the rate of tobacco feed into the stream building zone of the machine. The rate of feed is reduced when the distance between the trimming plane and the conveyor is reduced and vice versa. The quantity of removed surplus is monitored and the rate of tobacco fed is or can be regulated in response to signals denoting changes in the quantity of removed surplus. Alternatively, monitoring of the surplus can be used solely to generate signals which denote that the quantity of surplus tobacco is outside of a preselected range.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling multi-layer blocks of parallel cigarettes has a magazine with several outlets having narrow elongated horizontal openings for the discharge of successive layers of cigarettes. An endless conveyor transports a succession of variable-volume receptacles stepwise along a path a horizontal portion of which extends along the outlets so that the opening of each outlet registers with a receptacle when the conveyor is arrested. The volumes of the receptacles are varied by a system of cams, which act upon movable top walls of the receptacles, in such a way that the volumes of the receptacles exceed the space requirements of the layer or layers therein only while the conveyor is idle, i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tobacco stream in cigarette making machines or the like to production of rod-shaped smokers' articles comprising a tobacco channel with an air-permeable channel bottom which extends substantially horizontally from a stream building section to a stream discharging location and above which the lower reach of an air-permeable tobacco band is guided. The tobacco channel cooperates with a suction chamber to generate suction which holds the built-up tobacco stream. In order to maintain the structure of the stream, even at high transporting speeds, there are provided means for reducing suction through the bottom of the channel outside of the stream building section.