Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed process and apparatus suitable for the preparation of cigarette filter rods having high tow utilization in terms of pressure drop per unit rod weight without producing substantial tow density variations. In accordance with this invention, it has been discovered that in a process for manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow, wherein said tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet positioned adjacent a compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, that filter rod pressure drop and weight variations are reduced by aspirating at low pressures and more specifically, at fluid pressures of not more than about 3 pounds per square inch gauge and by causing the aspirating fluid, at its point of contact with the continuous filament tow, to flow substantially in a direction axial to that of the tow.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlled application of a liquid to a variable width filamentary band such as a cigarette tow band. Liquid is fed at a constant rate by one or more positive displacement pumps to an applicator device which may be a disc type or a brush type applicator device. Any liquid which is not picked up from the applicator device by the tow band is returned by means of channels located in a housing member directly to the applicator device whereby variations in the width of the tow band do not substantially change tow liquid pick-up from a preselected weight level.