Abstract: A device for concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod includes at least one pair of groove forming rollers located in a common plane, with their axes of rotation generally parallel and with their peripheries spaced apart. A plurality of elongated, generally arcuately shaped groove forming projections are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of each of the rollers. Each groove forming projections of one roller is in opposed facing, coextensive, aligned relationship with a different one of the groove forming projections of the other roller across the space separating the peripheries of the rollers. As a filter rod to be grooved passes through the space between the peripheries of the rollers, the rollers are rotated and the groove forming projections embed into the peripheral surface of the filter rod thusly forming grooves into the peripheral filter rod surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for, in one advantageous embodiment, concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod, and in another advantageous embodiment, for making small apertures in the grooves as the grooves are being formed in the filter rod. The apparatus includes a reciprocating die having an upper and lower die block. Each die block includes protruding, elongated projections which are adapted to be embedded into the filter rod upon closing of the die to impress grooves in the filter rod located in the die. In the embodiment wherein apertures are to be formed in the grooves, aperture forming punches are associated with each of the groove forming projections for punching apertures in the grooves as they are being formed. The apparatus further includes a filter rod conveying device located between the upper and lower die blocks for guiding the filter rods through the die and for positioning the filter rods to be grooved in the reciprocating die.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes an endless conveyor device having a generally horizontal top conveyor flight which intermittently moves the filter rods through the apparatus. The endless conveyor device has a plurality of filter rod receiving pockets at spaced apart intervals along its length. The pockets in the horizontal top conveyor flight hold cigarette filters to be grooved at predetermined spaced apart intervals as the endless conveyor device moves the filter rods through the apparatus. A plurality of pairs of articulated grooving fingers are located generally below the horizontal top conveyor flight at predetermined spaced intervals along the top flight, and a plurality of pairs of articulated grooving fingers are located generally above the horizontal top flight at predetermined spaced intervals along the top flight. A groove forming blade is attached to the tip of each finger of each pair of fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes two endless conveyor devices located such that one conveyor flight of a first one of the endless conveyor devices is generally parallel to and spaced from one conveyor flight of the second one of the endless conveyor devices. The first and second conveyor devices each have a plurality of filter rod receiving pockets at spaced apart intervals along their lengths. The pockets in the first and second conveyor devices cooperate across the space between their facing flights to hold cigarette filters to be grooved at predetermined spaced apart intervals as the endless conveyor devices move the filter rods through the apparatus. A grooving roller is located between the ends of each of first and second endless conveyor devices.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of strip comprising a casing in which is disposed a roll of strip. Pivotally connected to the casing is a cover. At the strip exit opening is a passage through which advances the free end of the roll of strip. Disposed in the passage for the advancing free end of the roll of strip is an upwardly extending indexing member. The indexing member is formed with a curved tip and tapered side walls that are directed outwardly and downwardly. The roll of strip is formed with curved slits. The curved slits are alternately convex and concave. The indexing member penetrates each slit successively. The convex slit forms a convex opening upon entering the ticket exit passage which is penetrated by the indexing member. The convex slit forms a concave opening upon entering the ticket exit passage which is penetrated by the indexing member. The convex slit, when opened, forms a tongue contacting the penetrating tip of the indexing member.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of strip comprising an open top casing. A cover is pivotally mounted on the casing for closing the top thereof. Disposed within the casing is a roll of strip having transverse slits formed therein at predetermined distances along the strip. The free end of the strip to be removed from the roll of strip exits from an opening located between the casing and the cover. Extending from the casing are transversely spaced tracks that project outwardly and downwardly from the casing, and over which advances the free end of the roll of strip. Extending from the cover are outwardly and downwardly transversely spaced guides, which overlie, respectively, the transverse tracks to form passages therebetween. The free end of the strip travels through these passages. The tracks and guides are correspondingly curved to bow the free end of the roll of strip at the transverse slit advancing through the passages to open the slit.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of strip comprising a casing in which is disposed a roll of strip. Pivotally connected to the casing is a cover. At the strip exit opening is a passage through which advances the free end of the roll of strip. Disposed in the passage for the advancing free end of the roll of strip is an upwardly extending indexing member. The indexing member is formed with a tip having oppositely sloping sections. The roll of strip is formed with diagonal slits. The diagonal slits are alternately, oppositely directed. The indexing member penetrates each slit successively through the alternately penetrable sections of the top of the indexing member. An operator applying a downward force to the free end of the roll of strip severs the free end thereof successively along each successive slit by means of sharp edges at the base of the indexing member.