Abstract: The apparatus and method for delaminating tobacco in the form of slices from a layered parcel (10) comprise conveyor means (16) for delivering a parcel (10) of tobacco to a separating location (20) and a rotatable tine assembly (32) mounted on an axis (24) extending at right angle to the conveyor means (16) and parallel the layering of the parcel (10). The rotatable tine assembly (32) includes a plurality of tines (26) which are pointed and profiled to extend in the direction of rotation of the tine assembly (32) and are driven at a speed greater than that of the conveyor means (10). The tines (26) are adapted to enter the parcel (10) at an entering location (34) in a direction substantially parallel to the layering of the parcel (10) and to accelerate a layer (36) away from the parcel (10) for effecting separation of the layer (36) of tobacco from the parcel (10).

Abstract: The apparatus and method for delaminating tobacco in the form of slices from a layered parcel (10) comprise conveyor means (16) for delivering a parcel (10) of tobacco to a separating location (20) and a rotatable tine assembly (32) mounted on an axis (24) extending at right angle to the conveyor means (16) and parallel the layering of the parcel (10). The rotatable tine assembly (32) includes a plurality of tines (26) which are pointed and profiled to extend in the direction of rotation of the tine assembly (32) and are driven at a speed greater than that of the conveyor means (10). The tines (26) are adapted to enter the parcel (10) at an entering location (34) in a direction substantially parallel to the layering of the parcel (10) and to accelerate a layer (36) away from the parcel (10) for effecting separation of the layer (36) of tobacco from the parcel (10).

Abstract: A strip of paper (42) in which the rod of tobacco (31) is to be wrapped runs parallel for a certain distance to a porous band (21) carrying the rod. By applying a certain degree of compression to the rod before it enters a guide groove disposed under a guide finger (45), a round shape can be imparted to the rod of tobacco while reducing the friction of the tobacco against the walls of the groove, thus lessening heating of the tobacco and wear and tear on the groove.

Abstract: A reel hub (5), an inside rod (70) of which can slide axially when acted upon by a seizing rod (82), forms part of the transfer apparatus (3). By bringing the transfer apparatus opposite the hub of a rotating reel (21, 20), and by withdrawing the inside rod from the hub, the hub is disengaged from a machine (1), the reel continuing to rotate with its hub fixed to the transfer apparatus. This apparatus can then be moved in directions situated in the plane of rotation of the reel and brought opposite another shaft of the machine in order to reattach the hub there by reversing the foregoing procedure. A rotating reel, especially one paying out a strip of cigarette paper, can thus be moved without subjecting the strip of paper to any torsion. Other operations relating to the automatic operation of the machine are also possible with the aid of the transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A layer of tobacco (5) is accumulated against a conveyor belt (2) by a flow of air (6). A trimmer (7) eliminates the superfluous tobacco and forms the final layer (10) which is to be wrapped in paper to form the cigarette rod. One measuring unit (13) measures the thickness of the layer by means of the attenuation of a ray, while another measuring unit (14) measures the degree of porosity of the layer by means of the drop in air pressure between the bottom and the top of the layer. These two data are transmitted to an arithmetic unit (19) which forms a parameter (F), transmitted to a central processing unit (17) which supplies to a transducer (16) the pulses actuating an encoder (15) of a motor (11) governing the thickness of the final layer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (P) and a time-measurement component actuate a gate (15) for clearing out a duct (7) as a function of a predetermined program. When the gate is open, the feed of the machine is interrrupted. When the gate is closed, suction air carries along tobacco particles from a bed (5), and negative pressure having a critical threshold exists at the level of the sensor. If, when the gate is closed, a plug of tobacco forms in the bottom opening of a sleeve (23), this sleeve is drawn upward by suction and butts against bolts (19), which dislodges the plug of tobacco. If the pressure continues to drop, the gate is opened, the sleeve falls back, and the plug is definitely dispelled.

Abstract: An upper conveyor (4) moves full compartments (9) toward an emptying station (2) so that rods contained in the compartments enter a horizontal conduit (15). Empty compartments are taken over by a lift (7). Another conveyor (5) feeds empty compartments to the entrance of a filling station (3) into which the rods flow from the conduit. The full compartments are recovered on the lift or on still another conveyor (6) which can route them via the lift or via another lift (8) toward a storage position on one of the conveyors.

Abstract: In apparatus for feeding tobacco to cigarette-making machines, the tobacco (9) is conveyed by suction from a feed receptacle (1). One end (14) of a duct (3) facing the receptacle above the level (19) of the tobacco is provided with a device (16) for regulating the rate of tobacco delivery in order to allow continuous feeding of the cigarette-making machine. The regulating device comprises a movable sleeve (17) slidable on the end portion (14) of the duct so that the bottom rim (18) of the sleeve is always at a required distance H from the level of the tobacco, this distance being continuously detected by a sensor (25), and the quantity of tobacco drawn into the duct to be adapted to the rate of production being a function of H. The other end (15) of the duct opens out into a tangential separator (12). The regulating device combined with the tangential separator makes it possible to reduce damage to the particles of tobacco.