Abstract: An apparatus for, in one advantageous embodiment, concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod, and in another advantageous embodiment, for making small apertures in the grooves as the grooves are being formed in the filter rod. The apparatus includes a reciprocating die having an upper die block and a lower die block. Each die block includes protruding, elongated projections which are adapted to be imbedded into the filter rod upon closing of the die to impress grooves in the filter rod located in the die. In the embodiment wherein apertures are to be formed in the grooves, aperture forming punches are associated with each of the groove forming projections for punching apertures in the grooves as they are being formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for, in one advantageous embodiment, concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod, and in another advantageous embodiment, for making small apertures in the grooves as the grooves are being formed in the filter rod. The apparatus includes a reciprocating die having an upper die block and a lower die block. Each die block includes protruding, elongated projections which are adapted to be imbedded into the filter rod upon closing of the die to impress grooves in the filter rod located in the die. In the embodiment wherein apertures are to be formed in the grooves, aperture forming punches are associated with each of the groove forming projections for punching apertures in the grooves as they are being formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a coupon, or the like, on a package as the package moves through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon web advance drum for pulling the coupon web from the supply source, a scissors device for cutting the coupon web into individual coupons, and a coupon conveyor device for moving individual coupons from the scissors device to the package and depositing the coupon on the package as it continuously moves past.

Abstract: An apparatus for collating cartons received from a plurality of sources in a tightly packed together relationship or randomly spaced apart relationship, and transferring these cartons in a substantially uniformly spaced apart relationship into a single stream of cartons for transport to another location.

Abstract: Cigarette filters having grooves therein are prepared by subjecting cigarette filters to a groove-making device which includes heated groove-making elements therein, the grooves being formed by the use of heat and pressure as the cigarette filters come in contact with the groove-making elements.

Abstract: Cigarette filters having grooves therein are prepared by subjecting cigarette filters to a groove-making device which includes heated groove-making elements therein, the grooves being formed by the use of heat and pressure as the cigarette filters come in contact with the groove-making elements.

Abstract: An apparatus having a rotating material transport member with a plurality of openings through a rim on the transport member that divides particulate material supplied to the interior of the member into a plurality of metered amounts by placing the material within the openings. The particulate material flows into the openings from a material supply within the transport member for a limited rotational arc that determines the amount of material within the openings. The metered particulate material is prevented from flowing out of the openings by an external member covering the openings on a limited exterior portion of the transport member. The openings eventually rotate past the extremities of the external member and the material within the openings then falls out of the openings in spaced deposits of controlled metered amounts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming filter rods containing particulate material. The method is characterized by providing a filter rod of filtering material having a longitudinal axis and cutting that rod in the direction of the axis, exposing the interior of the rod, providing pockets at axially spaced intervals in the interior of the rod, depositing particulate material therein and closing and sealing the rod. The apparatus disclosed includes means for transporting a filter rod, a cutting wheel for severing the rod in the direction of its longitudinal axis, hot die means for impressing pockets within the interior of the split rod, means for depositing particulate material in the formed pockets and means for closing the rod about the particulate material and sealing the split rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the handling of tow in the manufacture of filter rods containing particulate material. The process is characterized by feeding a continuous web of filter material, folding the edges of the web beneath the center portion of the web, and forming the shaped web into a longitudinally extending channel with the edges of the web beneath the base of the channel. The web so formed is then processed into a filter rod by depositing particulate material into the channel at axially spaced positions and gathering the web and particulate material into a filter rod with the particulate material forming a center core. The apparatus disclosed includes means for feeding a continuous web of filter material, aperture defining means in the path of the web for receiving the web through said aperture and folding the web edges beneath the center portion of the web, means in the path of the web feed for forming the folded web into a channel.