Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the contactless cleaning of a conveying element which is designed to receive rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry, including at least one ionising element for removing electrostatic charges on the surfaces of the conveying element to be cleaned, at least one rotating compressed-air nozzle for loosening and removing contaminants located on surfaces of the conveying element, and a suction device for extracting the contaminated outgoing air, characterized in that associated with the apparatus is a housing for forming a cleaning chamber at least partially shielded from the environment, whereby the cleaning chamber has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the conveying element to be cleaned, such that upper side and lower side of the conveying element are surrounded. Furthermore, the invention concerns an arrangement for transporting and/or storing rod-shaped articles with an apparatus for contactless cleaning with the above-mentioned characteristics.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the contactless cleaning of a conveying element which is designed to receive rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry, including at least one ionising element for removing electrostatic charges on the surfaces of the conveying element to be cleaned, at least one rotating compressed-air nozzle for loosening and removing contaminants located on surfaces of the conveying element, and a suction device for extracting the contaminated outgoing air, characterized in that associated with the apparatus is a housing for forming a cleaning chamber at least partially shielded from the environment, whereby the cleaning chamber has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the conveying element to be cleaned, such that upper side and lower side of the conveying element are surrounded. Furthermore, the invention concerns an arrangement for transporting and/or storing rod-shaped articles with an apparatus for contactless cleaning with the above-mentioned characteristics.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for producing compound filters for products in the tobacco-processing industry. A filter tube, having a filter element in a central region of the filter tube, is supplied to a predetermined position. Predetermined portions of filtering material are then inserted into the filter tube from at least a first end of the filter tube so that filter segments form in at least a first part of the filter tube.

Abstract: A method of transporting rod-shaped tobacco smoke filters, which carry solid particles, along an elongated path from a sender to a receiving station, includes transporting the filters from the sender to the receiving station through the predetermined portion of the path. A plurality of jets of a pressurized gaseous fluid is directed across a predetermined portion of the path to expel from the portion of the path solid particles which are separated or separable from the filters. The expelled particles are collected in a chamber outwardly adjacent the predetermined portion of the path. The collected particles are evacuated from the chamber.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for producing compound filters for products in the tobacco-processing industry. A filter tube, having a filter element in a central region of the filter tube, is supplied to a predetermined position. Predetermined portions of filtering material are then inserted into the filter tube from at least a first end of the filter tube so that filter segments form in at least a first part of the filter tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped tobacco smoke filters, which contain and/or carry particles of charcoal and/or other particulate tobacco smoke filtering and/or flavoring material, wherein a sender directs a series of successive filters lengthwise into a pneumatic conduit extending toward or into a receiving station. A section of the conduit ahead of the receiving station is provided with openings communicating with a collecting chamber. A duct which extends along the section of the conduit is provided with orifices serving to direct jets of a pressurized gaseous fluid into the openings to thus expel loose particles and/or particles adhering to the external surfaces of filters into the collecting chamber. The latter discharges collected particles by gravity flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped tobacco smoke filters, which contain and/or carry particles of charcoal and/or other particulate tobacco smoke filtering and/or flavoring material, wherein a sender directs a series of successive filters lengthwise into a pneumatic conduit extending toward or into a receiving station. A section of the conduit ahead of the receiving station is provided with openings communicating with a collecting chamber. A duct which extends along the section of the conduit is provided with orifices serving to direct jets of a pressurized gaseous fluid into the openings to thus expel loose particles and/or particles adhering to the external surfaces of filters into the collecting chamber. The latter discharges collected particles by gravity flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped tobacco smoke filters which contain and/or carry particles of charcoal and/or other solid particulate tobacco smoke filtering and/or flavoring material. A sender directs a series of successive filters lengthwise into a pneumatic conduit wherein the filters advance toward a receiving station. A section of the conduit has an arcuate shape and advances successive filters from a lower level to a higher level. The underside of the section has an elongated arcuate opening which is overlapped by a cover in such a way that any solid particles which became separated from the filters can be expelled into a neighboring chamber due to fluid pressure in the section as well as under the action of gravity and/or centrifugal force.

Abstract: Filter rod sections are transported sideways from a magazine containing a pile of parallel sections toward positions of alignment with the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor and are propelled into the conveyor at a transfer station where they continue to move sideways. In order to avoid damage to sections during propulsion into the conveyor, the duration of complete transfer of successive sections into the inlet is monitored in order to generate signals denoting the intervals of axial advancement of successive sections all the way into the conveyor. Such signals are compared with signals denoting those intervals of sidewise movement of sections past the transfer station during which the sections can move axially without being damaged by the stationary inlet of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring rod-shaped articles from the outlet of a magazine for parallel articles into the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor wherein the articles are moved in the direction of their longitudinal axes comprises a rotary drum-shaped conveyor having a peripheral surface provided with axially parallel flutes. When the rotary conveyor is driven, its flutes advance seriatim past the outlet of the magazine to accept discrete articles which are thereupon moved sideways toward alignment with the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor. A pneumatic ejector system is utilized to propel successive articles from their flutes into the pneumatic conveyor. The apparatus employs a hood having a concave surface which is complementary to a portion of the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor.