Abstract: Groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces, particularly cigarettes and mouthpieces having elliptical cross-sectional outlines, carry adhesive-coated uniting bands at the time of entry into a channel between the peripheral rolling surface of a rotary drum and the complementary rolling surface of a stationary rolling member. The uniting bands are convoluted around portions of or the entire mouthpieces and around the neighboring portions of the respective cigarette or cigarettes. The inlet of the channel is defined or preceded by a transversely extending stationary group-contacting device having a raised first portion which cooperates with the drum to set the mouthpieces and the cigarettes of successive oncoming groups into simultaneous rolling motion, and such first portion is followed by a second portion having a concave guide surface which ensures predictable entry of successive groups into the rolling channel downstream of the first portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the seam consisting of an adhesive layer between the longitudinally extending overlapping marginal portions of a running tubular wrapper for tobacco or tobacco filter material has an adjustable elongated infrared heater disposed at a level above and extending in parallel with the path for the wrapper, and a heatable heat transfer member which contacts the seam of the running wrapper. A mirror surrounds the infrared heater and reflects radiant energy toward the heat transfer member. The heater is adjustable in dependency upon the temperature of the seam and/or in dependency upon the speed of the wrapper.