Abstract: This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method entails rapidly feeding a free flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance means and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance means that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance means. Vacuum is used to hold the free flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance means and is used to transfer the free flowing material to the second conveyance means and to hold it there. The free flowing material is next transferred into receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance means. The transfer of the free flowing material to the receiving spaces may also be accomplished by use of vacuum or gravity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The device has a metering drum for dispensing free-flowing material onto an air permeable transport tape. A vacuum source beneath the transport tape retains the free-flowing material on the transport tape which conveys the free-flowing material beneath a set of pockets mounted on or within a moving belt. Each pocket is divided by a screen permeable to air but not to the free-flowing material. As the transport tape moves beneath the pockets, vacuum applied beneath the tape ceases, and vacuum applied to the pockets draws the free-flowing material up into the pockets, and retains the free-flowing material in the pockets. When the belt transfers the pockets out from under the vacuum hood, and the vacuum is no longer applied, the free-flowing material is released from the pockets.

Abstract: This invention relates to two parallel belts with pockets suspended between them. This pockets device is used in a machine which delivers free flowing material into receiving spaces separating filter plugs, as said plugs travel on a garniture tape. The pockets include channels or funnels through which free flowing material can flow. The belts carry the pockets in part parallel with and adjacent to the garniture tape carrying the filter plugs. The belts and the garniture tape are synchronized so that receiving spaces between the plugs precisely register with the funnels in the pockets. Such precise registry insures that the charcoal chute delivers free flowing material through the funnels into the receiving spaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laminated belt for use in a machine which delivers free flowing material into receiving spaces in between filter plugs. The belt of this invention is a lamination of a metal band and a composition strap perforated with a plurality of apertures. This belt travels in part parallel with and adjacent to a garniture tape carrying filter plugs separated by receiving spaces. The composition strap is shaped to conform to the round shape of the filter plugs, and it contacts the filter plugs, urging them against the garniture tape. The belt and the garniture tape are synchronized so that the receiving spaces precisely register with the apertures in the belt, while an independent device delivers free flowing material through the apertures into the receiving spaces. By urging the filter plugs against the garniture tape, the belt holds the filter plugs in this registered position on the garniture tape.

Abstract: Relatively fragile components for cigarette-like smoking articles are wrapped with an overwrap by bringing an exposed axial surface portion of the component into resilient contact with the overwrap, and by then rolling the component about its longidudinal axis, again by resiliently contacting the component. Smoking articles including the foregoing components as the distal component and at least one other proximal component are made by supplying a pair of distal components with their distal ends facing one another and pushed up against an interposed stop. The overwrap is slit parallel to the stop just prior to application to the distal components. After overwrapping, the distal components are reoriented so that their distal ends face away from one another. A pair of proximal components is then placed between the distal components, and each proximal component is joined to the adjacent distal component by a tipping overwrap.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a cigarette having a variable smoking characteristic to a preselected level of that characteristic is provided. A cigarette having a rotatable element for controlling a smoking characteristic, and assembled with a first level of that characteristic, is adjusted to a preselected second level by a drum and cooperating belt which engage the rotatable element and which move relatively faster and slower, or slower and faster, respectively, than a drum and belt holding the remainder of the cigarette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for wrapping tipping material about an assembly comprising a non-circular tobacco rod and non-circular filter plug, the assembly having a circumference less than that of a standard cigarette, on a standard cigarette tipping machine. The cigarette assembly is rolled along the surface of a rolling drum by an adjacent pressure element that is moved in the same direction as, but with a different speed from that of, the peripheral surface of the drum. The difference in speed causes the cigarette assemby to roll along the drum surface from one of a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart receiving flutes to one of a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart discharge flutes distinct from the receiving flutes. The spacing between adjacent discharge flutes is the same as that between adjacent receiving flutes, but the two sets of flutes are offset one from the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for severing or otherwise cutting cigarette filters, tobacco rods and the like. According to the invention, a slitter knife is maintained in whetting engagement with a whetting mechanism, so that the slitter knife never becomes dull. This is preferably achieved by mounting the slitter knife on a pivotable carriage and providing an automatic control system which pivots the slitter knife to maintain it in the desired engagement with the whetter. A feedback system can be included, to monitor the sharpness of the slitter knife and to indicate when adjustment of the slitter knife position is required.