Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations (e.g., aqueous formulations incorporating starch or modified starch), are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation is applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers, and one of those rollers has a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. For example, additive material located in the recessed pockets of a first roller is transferred in a controlled manner to the roll face of a second roller in roll contact with that first roller; and the additive material on the roll face of the second roller is transferred to desired locations on the surface of the paper web.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, a robotic filter weighing system for weighing filters stored in sample holders which includes a sample cabinet which holds a carousel having a plurality of filter samples contained in a like plurality of sample holders and in which a robotic system is used for removing in turn each of the sample holders and sequentially placing each of the sample holders in a filter extraction station for removing the filter from its respective holder. The robot system then moves the extracted filter to a weighing system which calculates the weight of the particulate matter contained on the filter and then replaces the filter in its sample holder and replaces the sample holder back in the sample cabinet.

Abstract: A cigarette density profile measurement system which utilizes a hopper system for storing a large number of cigarette rods whose density is to be measured which hopper system is used to feed one cigarette rod at a time to a fixed cigarette holder which incorporates a beta gauge system which sequentially irradiates a slice of the cigarette rod with beta particles for measurement of the mass of tobacco contained in that slice of the cigarette rod. By measuring the number of beta particles which pass through each slice of the cigarette rod, the cigarette density profile measurement system is able to determine the density of the tobacco contained in the cigarette rod being measured. A programmed microcomputer is utilized to control the cigarette density profile measurement system and is also provided with additional software for analyzing the density data.

Abstract: A method of and a robotic system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time has a plurality of processing stations in different locations. Each station performs a different function of a process for preparing a product sample for later chemical analysis. A robot moves a first container between a container storage area and a prepared sample area for storing in a second container a product sample which has been prepared for analysis and in which the robot moves the first container from the container storage area to each of the processing stations in a predetermined sequence and then removes some of the prepared product sample from the first container and dispenses it into the second container which is located in the prepared sample area. A specific application of such a robotic sample preparation system is disclosed for use in preparing tobacco samples for analysis of nicotine and sugar content.

Abstract: Rods for use in the manufacture of smoking products are provided using a rod-making apparatus. The apparatus includes (a) an unwind unit for continuously supplying a material having a continuous integrity; (b) a rod-forming unit for forming a rod-like composite of the supplied material; (c) a constriction member for constricting the rod-like composite, the constriction member including (i) a material-contacting surface and (ii) a reservoir for supplying an amount of liquid to at least a portion of the material-contacting surface; and (d) a rod-making unit for receiving the rod-like composite and for circumscribing the rod-like composite with wrapping material thereby forming a continuous rod.

Abstract: Cigarette rods are manufactured at high rates of speed using a cigarette making machine having a tongue which is equipped such that water is continuously fed therethrough in order to exit the surface of the tongue which contacts a tobacco filler stream passing through the garniture region of the cigarette making machine. The process of introducing water through the tongue during a cigarette making operation allows the manufacture to produce a continuous cigarette rod of controlled integrity. For example, cigarettes of controlled density and firmness, and having very low amounts of hard spots, soft spots and loose ends, can be manufactured. The process provides for the manufacture of cigarettes at high speeds, and for the manufacture of cigarettes having high filling capacity tobacco blends. For example, cigarettes having blends comprising relatively high levels of volume expanded tobacco can be manufactured efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: Cigarette rods are manufactured at high rates of speed using a cigarette making machine having a tongue which is equipped such that water is continuously fed therethrough in order to exit the surface of the tongue which contacts a tobacco filter stream passing through the garniture region of the cigarette making machine. The process of introducing water through the tongue during a cigarette making operation allows the manufacturer to produce a continuous cigarette rod of controlled integrity. For example, cigarettes of controlled density and firmness, and having very low amounts of hard spots, soft spots and loose ends, can be manufactured. The process provides for the manufacture of cigarettes at high speeds, and for the manufacture of cigarettes having high filling capacity tobacco blends. For example, cigarettes having blends comprising relatively high levels of volume expanded tobacco can be manufactured efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: An adjustable air dilution cigarettte with pressure drop compensation is disclosed. The cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter element disposed within a filter assembly to which the tobacco rod is attached. The filter assembly comprises telescoping inner and outer sleeves, the inner sleeve having a plurality of air dilution passages which may be exposed or covered by telescoping movement of the outer sleeve to adjust the amount of diluent air admitted to the cigarette. As the outer sleeve is telescopically moved to increase the amount of diluent air admitted, it also compresses the filter element to cause an increase in pressure drop of the cigarette and thus compensate for the decrease in pressure drop resulting from the increased admission of diluent air.

Abstract: A variable air dilution cigarette filter is disclosed. The air dilution filter comprises a thin, generally rigid cylindrical sleeve assembly comprising two sleeves frangibly or separably connected together and an overwrapped filter rod received in the sleeves so as to be rotatable with respect to one sleeve and fixed against rotation with respect to the other sleeve. Air dilution openings or perforations are provided in the one sleeve and the underlying filter rod overwrap so that relative rotation between the one sleeve and the filter rod varies the amount of diluting air which is allowed to pass through the sleeve and overwrap and into the filter rod and tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A universal tax stamping assembly for applying tax stamp decals to the bottoms of cigarette packs in cartons utilizes a rotatable drum carton conveyor having carton pocket forming inserts. The cartons are placed within the pockets of the rotatable drum which is indexed past one or more tax stamp applying stations. Each station includes a ribbon roll assembly, having a plurality of individual rolls of tax stamp decal carrying ribbons and position adjusting spacers, if necessary. These ribbons are advanced by feed rollers underneath heater bars which transfer the decals to the cigarette packs. Several of these stations can be placed in a serial manner about the periphery of the rotatable drum with each station applying a different tax stamp decal to each cigarette pack. Variations in carton size and pack configuration are accommodated by the universal tax stamping assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery filter cigarette includes a tobacco rod and a filter element having two layers of circumscribing plug wrap. The layer of plug wrap nearest the filter element is glued to the filter element. The overlying layer of plug wrap forms three bands about the filter element. The central band is rotatable. Tipping material having an air permeable region acts to attach the wrapped plug to the tobacco rod. Rotation of the central band allows for varying degrees of registry between regions of permeability in the two layers of plug wrap.

Abstract: A cigarette pack accumulator assembly utilizes a rotating pack accumulating drum having a plurality of cigarette pack accumulating columns equally spaced about its periphery. Each such column guides a pack support pedestal for movement either downwardly during pack accumulation, or upwardly during pack discharge. A lead screw is rotatably supported within the accumulator drum and can be driven at varying speeds and directions to either raise or lower the pack support pedestals. Packs of cigarettes may be removed from a production line and accumulated, they may be stored, or they may be removed from the accumulating columns and returned to the production line.

Abstract: A carton flap folding assembly, particularly intended for use with single tuck flap cigarette cartons, uses a hinged upper plate provided with vacuum ports to elevate a major carton face. A lower tucker blade raises the flap face of the single carton flap and an upper tucker blade, which is carried at the end of a rotatable upper tucker arm, folds or tucks a flap edge portion of the single flap into the space between the surface of the upper cigarette pack row and the elevated major carton face. The upper tucker blade and arm are rotated out of the space in the carton while the upper hinge plate lowers the major carton face and releases it. The flap edge of the single tuck face is thereby held between the pack surface and the carton wall to close the carton.

Abstract: A variable air dilution cigarette filter is disclosed. A thin, generally rigid cylindrical sleeve having internal retention steps or barbs is provided with one or more air passing slots or perforations. A filter rod having a filter wrap is inserted within the cylindrical tube or sleeve and is held within the tube by the retention steps. Relative rotation between the sleeve and the filter rod varies the amount of smoke diluting air which is allowed to pass through the slots in the sleeve and then through the filter rod. A tobacco rod is joined to the sleeve by tipping paper or the like to thereby produce a cigarette incorporating the variable air dilution cigarette filter assembly.