Abstract: A device for the electrostatic perforation of webs made of paper or other materials, particularly of the webs used in the manufacture of ventilated cigarettes to constitute the cigarette envelope or the junction band of a cigarette with the respective filter, includes two opposite electrode-carrying heads between which the web passes at least one of the heads is provided with a plurality of individual needle-shaped electrodes arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the web. The individual needle-shaped electrodes are mounted so as to be axially slidable in the respective electrode-carrying head and can be pushed toward the opposite by a pushing force and against the action of an opposing force, until their front ends engage a gauged shim placed between the two to establish the right spacing.

Abstract: The rod-breaking device comprises a deflecting guide movable alternately across the normal straight path of a cigarette rod issuing from a rod-forming mechanism and entering the inlet of a rod-processing unit. The movement of the deflecting guide into active position serves to break the rod by cooperating with a fixed abutment, whereafter the deflecting guide stops in said active position to deflect the following rod out of the normal path. The movement of the deflecting guide into the opposite inactive position serves to break the rod and to bring the said deflecting guide to an inactive position out of the normal path of the rod. A transverse blade is secured on the deflecting guide in such a manner as to move, across the normal path of the cigarette rod, close to the inlet of the processing unit.

Abstract: Means for elevating cigarette packs from an endless conveyor and transferring such elevated packs to radial pockets of a star wheel rotated step where such packs are cellowrapped.