Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the mass and/or the moisture content of successive increments of a running rod containing tobacco and/or filter material for tobacco smoke has a resonator housing with a cylindrical internal chamber which is disposed between an inlet and an outlet and wherein the rod is exposed to microwaves. The housing is made of a metallic material having a low thermal expansion coefficient, and its internal surface is lined with gold or another corrosion resistant substance. A protective plastic tube establishes a path for the rod from the inlet, across the chamber and into the outlet of the resonator housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing a band of filter material in the tobacco industry. The band is conveyed to a stretching section of a stretching device or to an application section of an application device. A first roller arrangement comprising at least two rollers is disposed on an intake side of the stretching section or the application section, and a second roller arrangement comprising at least two rollers is disposed on an outlet side of the stretching section or the application section. The band is conveyed while looped around at least two rollers of the first or the second roller arrangement so that the band is respectively looped at least partially around the rollers.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacture of continuous tobacco rods. At least one continuous rod conveyor, having at least two suction tapes, that transports continuous tobacco rods constructed from tobacco fleece as continuous double rods, at least one separator associated with each suction tape structured and arranged to separate surplus tobacco from continuous tobacco rods, and at least one garniture tape and at least one garniture structured to shape continuous tobacco rods. At least one device is structured to deliver cigarette paper onto each garniture tape, and at least one gluing device is structured and arranged to glue projecting edges of cigarette papers. At least one rod conveyor is structured and arranged to manufacture at least two continuous double rods, which are arranged in pairs. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Distributor device and method of distributing that includes an input device for the input of a product stream, a preliminary distributor for distributing, measuring out and loosening the product stream, a store for receiving the product stream, an accumulating shaft, and a sifter for separating fractions of the product stream. The distributor device also includes a conveying element for transporting the product stream from the store to the accumulating shaft, and at least one external delivery device for delivery of at least one additional component. The at least one external delivery device is arranged between the store and the sifter relative to a transport direction of the product stream. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of detecting impurities in a mass, such as detecting metallic and/or plastic particles in a stream of tobacco particles or filter material for tobacco smoke, includes the steps of moving the mass relative to a microwave field and/or vice versa, and analyzing the influence of the mass upon the microwave field. The analyzing step involves simultaneously measur- the actual values of a first and a second parameter of the microwave field, ascertaining the presence or absence of those changes of the parameters which are attributable to the presence of impurities in the mass, determining whether or not the changes are within an acceptable range, and generating signals for segregation of impurities-containing portions of the mass from the other portions when the changes are outside of the acceptable range.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: Arrangement and process for assembling at least two tobacco rods in a cigarette rod maker. The arrangement includes at least two flow surfaces and feed devices structured and arranged to convey tobacco on the at least two flow surfaces. Each of the at least two flow surfaces are structured and arranged to guide the tobacco from the feed devices to at least one suction rod conveyor, respectively, and the feed devices include at least two ducts arranged one behind the other crosswise to a conveying direction of the suction rod conveyor. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the mass and/or the moisture content of successive increments of a running rod containing tobacco and/or filter material for tobacco smoke has a resonator housing with a cylindrical internal chamber which is disposed between an inlet and an outlet and wherein the rod is exposed to microwaves. The housing is made of a metallic material having a low thermal expansion coefficient, and its internal surface is lined with gold or another corrosion resistant substance. A protective plastic tube establishes a path for the rod from the inlet, across the chamber and into the outlet of the resonator housing.

Abstract: A resonator device for testing a material quantity in the tobacco-processing industry for existence of at least one foreign substance and/or for detecting at least one of weight, density and humidity level of the material includes a resonator housing having a through opening for the material to pass through and a testing region located inside the resonator housing to which the material can be moved at least in part. The device has at least one element that increases energy density of electromagnetic waves for increasing the energy density in at least a portion of the testing region.

Abstract: A method of detecting impurities in a mass, such as detecting metallic and/or plastic particles in a stream of tobacco particles or filter material for tobacco smoke, includes the steps of moving the mass relative to a microwave field and/or vice versa, and analyzing the influence of the mass upon the microwave field. The analyzing step involves simultaneously measure the actual values of a first and a second parameter of the microwave field, ascertaining the presence or absence of those changes of the parameters which are attributable to the presence of impurities in the mass, determining whether or not the changes are within an acceptable range, and generating signals for segregation of impurities-containing portions of the mass from the other portions when the changes are outside of the acceptable range.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the mass and/or the moisture of succesive increments of a running rod containing tobacco and/or filter material for tobacco smoke having a resonator housing with a cylindrical internal chamber which is disposed between and inlet an outlet and wherein the rod is exposed to microwaves. The horsing is made of a metallic material having a low thermal expansion coefficient, and its internal surface is lined with gold or another corrosion resistant substance. A protective plastic tube establishes a path for the rod from the inlet, across the chamber and into the oulet of the resonator housing.

Abstract: A stray-field sensor for measuring dielectric properties of substances includes generating elements for generating an electrical field and shielding elements for shielding the generated electrical field. The shielding elements have at least two openings for coupling the electrical field out into the outside space so that the electrical field is at least partially located outside of the shielding elements.