Abstract: Process and apparatus for cleaning at least one glue nozzle. The process includes contacting a cleaning organ to the at least one glue nozzle during normal operation of the machine. The apparatus includes a gluing device having at least one glue nozzle and at least one cleaning organ associated with the at least one glue nozzle. The at least one glue nozzle and the at least one cleaning organ are structured and arranged for movement relative to each other, such that the at least one cleaning organ is arranged to clean the at least one glue nozzle during normal operation of the machine. 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 facility for temporary storage of a running web of cigarette paper, tipping paper or the like between a bobbin or another source of web and a web processing or consuming machine employs two polygonal arrays of rollers which can be rotated about their respective axes. Each roller of a first array can be coaxial to and can rotate with a roller of the second array; alternatively, the rollers of the second array can rotate as a unit relative to the rollers of the first array. One or more deflecting rolls are provided to direct the web into and out of the storage facility; alternatively, the deflecting rolls can serve to direct the web from one of the two arrays of rollers to the other array.

Abstract: A web of tipping paper for the making of filter cigarettes or a similar web of flexible wrapping material is advanced by two spaced-apart pairs of driven rolls through a processing station between the two pairs of rolls. The treatment includes flexing successive increments of the running web by a roller which is borne by a lever or an analogous carrier extending radially from the rotary output shaft of a torque motor capable of causing the roller to subject the web to an at least substantially constant stretching force regardless of the selected position of the carrier. To this end, the motor receives signals from a regulator which, in turn, receives signals from a sensor monitoring the web for the presence of splices and/or other weakened portions and/or from a device which monitors the position of the carrier. The apparatus can further comprise a stationary or a mobile curling tool which engages the web adjacent to the locus of contact between the roller and the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a file of successive filter rod sections lengthwise from a sender (such as a filter rod making machine) to a remote receiver (such as the magazine of a filter tipping machine) has an elongated pneumatic conduit with a section-receiving end at the sender and a section-discharging end at the receiver. The speed of lengthwise movement of sections in the conduit is monitored by a sensor which generates signals serving to control the operation of a valve which can influence the speed of the articles by varying the effective size of an outlet for the escape of air from the conduit, and/or to control the operation of a valve serving to admit into the conduit air counter to the direction of advancement of the sections. The purpose of evacuation of appropriate quantities of air from, or of admission of selected quantities of air into, the conduit is to maintain the speed of the sections in the conduit within a desired range regardless of the number of sections in the conduit.