Abstract: In a drying process for increasing the filling power of tobacco material, the cut and moistened tobacco material is conveyed in a drying gas flow, dried within a tubular drying section and subsequently separated from the drying gas. The drying gas has at a feed point into the drying section a temperature of at least 200.degree. C. and a flow velocity of at least 30 m/sec. The flow velocity of the drying gas is reduced in the drying section. The flow velocity of the drying gas at the charge point into the drying section is at the most 100 m/sec. Within the drying section, to reduce the local heat transfer coefficient and the local mass transfer coefficient between the surface of the tobacco material and the surrounding drying gas, along with the reduction of the flow velocity of the drying gas, the flow velocity of the tobacco material is also reduced. At the end of the drying section the drying gas has a flow velocity of at the most 15 m/sec and a temperature of at the most 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A device, for detecting a sufficient glue coating on a first surface of a paper strip to be adhesively bonded in a cigarette machine, includes a sliding plate having a plate surface engaging a second surface of the paper strip, opposite to the first surface, and over which the paper strip runs in a first direction. A plurality of capacitive sensors, for detecting presence of moisture in the glue coating, on the first surface of the paper strip, are directed toward the second surface of the paper strip, are mounted in recesses in the sliding plate and are arranged in a row extending transversely to the first direction. A control is coupled to the sensors for evaluating signals emitted from the sensors and for emitting a fault signal for controlling the cigarette machine when the moisture sensed in the glue coating is insufficient.