Abstract: Relatively fragile components for cigarette-like smoking articles are wrapped with an overwrap by bringing an exposed axial surface portion of the component into resilient contact with the overwrap, and by then rolling the component about its longidudinal axis, again by resiliently contacting the component. Smoking articles including the foregoing components as the distal component and at least one other proximal component are made by supplying a pair of distal components with their distal ends facing one another and pushed up against an interposed stop. The overwrap is slit parallel to the stop just prior to application to the distal components. After overwrapping, the distal components are reoriented so that their distal ends face away from one another. A pair of proximal components is then placed between the distal components, and each proximal component is joined to the adjacent distal component by a tipping overwrap.

Abstract: A device for feeding cigarettes to a packeting machine. Cigarettes are placed in the lower part of a hopper in stacks mobile stepwise along respective outgoing channels from the hopper. A device is provided for checking the cigarettes descending stepwise along the channels, and another device which ejects faulty cigarettes is controlled by the checking device and includes, for each channel, a pneumatic extractor connectable to a suction source and a withdrawal element able to gain access to the respective channel to extract the faulty cigarettes from the interior of the hopper.

Abstract: Cigarette rods having fragments of metal therein can be efficiently and effectively separated from cigarette rods free of detectable metal particulates. A moving continuous rod exiting a rod-forming unit passes through a ring-like metal sensing device. The continuous rod is subdivided into individual rods of the desired length. A reject valve operates to isolate any rods determined to contain metal fragments. The process is performed to provide high quality control in the manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an inspection method, apparatus and system for identifying cigarettes having insufficient tobacco at their lighting end in which cigarettes are conveyed serially through a beam of infrared radiation. The amount of infrared radiation passing perpendicularly through the end portion of each cigarette is compared to a predetermined value to determine whether or not the cigarette is defective. The method, apparatus and inspection system of the invention is both accurate and reliable and can be employed in combination with cigarette manufacturing systems operating at speeds in excess of 7,000-8,000 cigarettes per minute.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for wrapping cigarette packages in transparent film, in which the transparent film is expanded as a result of heating before being wound around the cigarette package and bonded to itself. A tear-open strip is mated with and subsequently bonded to the film during the heating thereof.

Abstract: The density of successive increments of a cigarette rod is measured by an apparatus which employs one or more photocells operating with ultraviolet, infrared or visible light. The radiation source of each photocell emits a beam of ultraviolet, infrared or visible light which penetrates through the wrapper and the filler of the rod and thereupon impinges upon one or more transducers which transmit signals denoting the density of the monitored portion of the rod to an evaluating circuit. The beams which are emitted by two or more discrete radiation sources are or can be angularly offset with reference to each other, and the evaluating circuit processes the signals from the photocells to generate a single signal which is indicative of the density of the monitored increment of the rod and is used to adjust the trimming device and/or the ejector for defective cigarettes.

Abstract: For the checking of cigarettes for their correct formation in terms of a sufficient tobacco content, electrooptical test processes have been employed for a relatively long time. The use of these processes has hitherto made it necessary to employ high-performance sensitive sensors in order to obtain definite test results. The new process and the corresponding apparatus are intended to make it possible to check cigarettes by the reflection process, especially in a cigarette conveyor (cigarette turret), in which accurate results can be obtained in short test times by means of a simple test device. By means of a special arrangement of the electrooptical sensors for the checking of the cigarettes in test units moved relative to the cigarettes to be checked, it is possible for the cigarettes to be checked for a correct tobacco content, by contactless sensing, either during stationary phases or during rotational movement of the cigarette conveyor (cigarette turret).

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that for a rod-like article, a cigarette for example, having a plurality of ventilation gas flows, the flows can be equated to a single equivalent flow nominally occurring at an "equivalent ventilation point". By establishing one or more flow regimes in a rod-like article and measuring gas pressures, the articles can be monitored for displacement of the equivalent ventilation point, such displacement being indicative of the position of out-of-specification gas flows.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting open longitudinal seams in the continuous wrapper of cigarette or cigarette filter rod produced by a continuous rod-making machine relies on detection by a microphone (54) of disturbance caused by the defective seam to an air stream. The air stream is generated from a narrow slot (44) and normally follows a fixed, preferably flat, surface (40) closely adjacent to the longitudinal path of a rod (12). The surface (40) is part of a body (22) which contains the microphone (54) and connecting leads (56, 58), together with a passage (36) allowing sound to reach the microphone. Air is bled through a small bore (52) and through a further bore (30) containing a sound-insulating filter (66) to provide a purging air flow in the passage (36).

Abstract: A cigarette ends tester includes a conveyor for conveying cigarettes sideways past a source of light arranged to direct light substantially axially into the ends of successive cigarettes in such a way that the paper wrapper around the end of each cigarette is illuminated if there is insufficient tobacco in the end, and a detecting device for monitoring the consequent external illumination of the end of the cigarette. The test signal for each cigarette is evaluated against a reference signal derived from satisfactory cigarettes tested previously during a predetermined time interval, thus compensating for variable factors affecting the test signal, such as ageing or dirt on the light emitting or detecting devices.

Abstract: A rod cut-off in a cigarette making machine includes a cutting device 32 having a first drive 34, a ledger 10 for supporting the rod during cutting and having a second drive 22, separate from the first drive, a device for synchronizing (prefereably electronically) the first and second drives during normal operation, and a device 40 for mechanically displacing the ledger or cutting device (preferably the former) from the normal position in which it co-operates with the other member to perform rod cutting, the displacement being arranged to occur while the machine is being accelerated from start; that is, during the time while the two drives are being brough into synchronization.

Abstract: A continuous filter tow is advanced through a combined wrapping and condensing station by an endless belt, and the thickness of the belt decreases as a result of wear. The resistance which the condensed tow offers to the flow of air is measured by a pneumatic detector at the aforementioned station, and the accuracy of such measurement is affected by decreasing thickness of the belt as a result of increasing rate of escape of testing fluid along the belt. Therefore, the thickness of the belt is monitored and signals which are generated to denote the thickness of the belt are used to correct signals which are generated to denote the resistance to the flow of air. The correction involves modifying the signals denoting the resistance to the flow of air to denote a more pronounced resistance proportionally with decreasing thickness of the belt.

Abstract: For testing cigarettes, a test head confronts end faces of the cigarettes. Light beams emitted by a light transmitter are transmitted through those cigarettes having a tobacco deficiency. The transmitted light exits from sides of the defective cigarettes and is received by a transversely arranged receiver responsive to light transmitted through the cigarette paper.

Abstract: The leader of a web of cigarette paper in a cigarette rod making machine is threaded through the nip or nips one or more advancing rollers, a web bronzing device and one or more imprinting mechanisms by an apparatus employing an endless toothed belt conveyor or a chain conveyor having a stretch which is adjacent to the path of movement of the web. The conveyor carries a pin, a tongs or another suitable entraining member which is connected to the leader of the web before the conveyor is set in motion to advance the web along the path. One roller of each pair of advancing rollers is automatically retracted to allow for the passage of the leader of the web as well as of the entraining member through the nip or nips. The obstructions in the imprinting mechanism(s) and in the bronzing device are treated in the same way, i.e., one component of the pair of components which define a obstruction is retracted to permit passage of the entraining member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for forming a composite member for use in making a smoking article. The apparatus comprises a forming device that comprises (a) an elongate structure having a curved inner surface that tapers from a larger proximal end to a smaller distal end, the proximal end of the structure being adapted to receive a support member and a layer of material which are fed simultaneously into the device, the tapering inward curved inner surface causing the edges of the fibrous layer to bend around the inner support member, and (b) a curved forming surface that causes a first edge of the material to fold over the support member while permitting the second edge to pass by the forming surface, the curved inner surface of the device further tapering to the distal end causing the second edge of the material to fold over the support member proximate to the first edge.

Abstract: A transport system for rod-shaped objects, according to the present invention, comprises a feeder unit for delivering the rod-shaped objects, one by one, a transport pipe connected at one end to the feeder unit, and adapted to transport the objects, a receiving unit connected to the other end of the transport pipe, a blower unit for circulating compressed air in the transport pipe, from the feeder unit toward the receiving unit, so that the objects therein are transported through the pipe, from the feeder unit to the receiving unit, by the current of compressed air; a detecting switch for detecting any jamming of the objects in a transport path, extending from the feeder unit into the receiving unit, and a pressure relief unit mounted on a part of the transport pipe near the receiving unit, whereby the compressed air is released from the transport pipe into the atmosphere, the pressure relief unit being adapted to be actuated when jamming of the objects is detected by the detecting switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous determination of two physical properties of the constituents of a smokable article from the mechanical properties of a rod of tobacco or filter fibres during the production of said rod employs a format finger for compacting the rod of tobacco or filter fibres to a predetermined diameter; the format finger made from hard metal comprises at a first point, at which the diameter of the rod corresponds substantially to the diameter of the finished rod, at least one opening for subjecting the rod to a gas stream; the one or each opening is connected via a critically traversed nozzle in a supply conduit to a gas source; a measuring-value transducer determines the pressure drop of the gas stream with constant volume occurring at the rod and thus the draw resistance.

Abstract: One or more streams of tobacco in a rod making machine are tested by several density monitoring units one of which employs a source of nuclear radiation and at least one other of which employs a source of optical radiation. The resulting density signals are evaluated and converted into signals which are devoid of the influence of changes of color and/or blend of fibrous material in the stream or streams and are used for segregation of defective rod-shaped articles and/or for controlled removal of surplus from the stream or streams.

Abstract: The density of a stream of tobacco particles at the underside of a foraminous belt conveyor is monitored by an array of X-ray detectors to generate signals each denoting the density of a different thin layer in successive increments of the stream. Such signals are processed into signals denoting the density of the entire stream, the filling power of tobacco, and the quantity of the surplus in the stream. The processed signals are used to adjust the trimmer which removes the surplus, to adjust the distributor which feeds the particles to the stream, to regulate the hardness of cigarettes and to adjust the quantity of the surplus.

Abstract: A device for controlling the content of tobacco in a cigarette machine, for feeding the tobacco content along an air-permeable conveyor band, trimming the tobacco content thereon, wrapping them in paper, thereby continuously producing stick-like cigarettes. The device comprises a first radiometric density detector, arranged in front of a trimming position, for detecting the density of the tobacco content; and a second radiometric density detector, for continuously detecting the densities of the stick-like cigarettes, wherein the sum signal representing an integrated value of outputs from the second radiometric density detector and an output from the first radiometric density detector is used to control the trimming and hence the tobacco content in the cigarette manufacturing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the direction of transport of cigarettes and analogous rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry has a horizontal guide rail which guides parallel first and second moving files of coaxial articles into the range of a first conveyor having a series of arms which orbit about a fixed axis and simultaneously rotate about discrete axes. Each arm has first and second flute-like conveying elements each serving to remove a discrete article from the respective file and to hold the received article against a change of orientation during orbital movement toward a transfer station where the articles are transferred from the first and second conveying elements of successive arms into the peripheral flutes of first and second rotary drum-shaped conveyors serve to transport two rows of articles at right angles to the axes of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous measurement of the draw resistance of a cigarette, comprising transducer which detects the pressure drop of a gas stream with constant volume, said gas stream being introduced at a format finger of a rod-producing machine into a rod of tobacco fibres. The measured value depending on the flow resistance of said rod is continuously determined and correlates very well with the usual static measurement of the draw resistance of cigarettes, i.e. of the tobacco rod of a cigarette, so that this continous draw resistance measurement during the cigarette production replaces not only the conventional random check but can also be used for controlling the production operation.

Abstract: The density of successive increments of a cigarette rod is measured by an apparatus which employs one or more photocells operating with ultraviolet, infrared or visible light. The radiation source of each photocell emits a beam of ultraviolet, infrared or visible light which penetrates through the wrapper and the filler of the rod and thereupon impinges upon one or more transducers which transmit signals denoting the density of the monitored portion of the rod to an evaluating circuit. The beams which are emitted by two or more discrete radiation sources are or can be angularly offset with reference to each other, and the evaluating circuit processes the signals from the photocells to generate a single signal which is indicative of the density of the monitored increment of the rod and is used to adjust the trimming device and/or the ejector for defective cigarettes.

Abstract: For monitoring the end dropout of cigarettes in the course of the cigarette production beneath a point at which the cigarettes rotate about their longitudinal axis a mass transducer for the dropping tobacco particles is disposed; an evaluating device determines from the mass of the tobacco particles on the one hand and the number of cigarettes passing through on the other the average end dropout. The mass transducer includes a vertically movably resiliently mounted pushrod which is held in its desired position by an electromagnetic return system. The magnitude of the current supplied to an electromagnetic return system represents a measure of the mass of the collected tobacco particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring wear associated with a particular cyclically moving part in a machine, the machine comprising a plurality of moving parts and operating in a succession of cycles. Apparatus is provided for generating a first signal at a predetermined position and direction of movement of the moving part, for generating a second signal at a predetermined cyclic position in each machine cycle, for producing a third signal indicative of the interval of time between the first signal and the second signal, and for forming a comparison with a reference signal to determine the extent of wear associated with the particular moving part.

Abstract: A system for monitoring each of multiplicity of variables in the operation of a filter rod making machine includes sensors located at various points on the machine. These sensors measure the value of such variable parameters as the width of the tow, the alignment of the wrapping paper, the speed of the rollers and the level of plasticizer. Each measured value is compared against preset limit values in a microprocessor. If a variable is detected to be outside a range of acceptable values, an indication of this fact is displayed on a monitor. In response to this indication, an operator can decide whether to override the limit value or take corrective action. If corrective action is to be taken, the microprocessor causes a diagnostic chart to be displayed. This chart provides the operator with a sequence of troubleshooting steps that can be taken to isolate the source of a possible problem and perhaps correct it before there is a need to arrest the operation of the machine.

Abstract: Cigarette rod or cigarette filter rod comprising an outer, longitudinally seamed wrapper is monitored, to detect defects in the longitudinal seam, by directing, from a nozzle, a stream of air tangentially of the rod, whereby the air flows in Coanda effect contact with the rod, and audio detecting the presence or absence of air, at a location spaced from the nozzle, in accordance with the presence or absence of a seam defect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette paper of eventual cigarette bar unit, which permit further improvement of the precision of inspection, is provided. According to the method and the apparatus, the mean, variance and standard deviation are obtained statistically through a detected pressure signal, then transformation of their normal distribution into a standard normal distribution of N(0,1) where the mean with respect to the probability density function .PHI.(t) is 0 and variance with respect to thereto is 1, is obtained. And the estimation of population standard deviation with setting of a significance level is done with the value of t with respect to the probability determined solely by determining the probability in the normal distribution, thereby effecting a decision as to whether the inspected product is non-defective or defective.

Abstract: A tobacco manufacturing machine including a cover which covers the whole of the machine, a plurality of openable doors disposed in positions corresponding to various portions of the machine which require a manual correction by an operator, power sources for opening and closing those doors, a plurality of sensors attached to various portions of the machine for detecting states which require such a correction and a door opening and producing signals, and control means for logically processing the signals provided from those sensors and producing an operating signal for operating the power source corresponding to the door to be opened. Since the whole of the machine is covered, it is possible to greatly reduce noise during high-speed operation. Because the doors corresponding to various portions of the machine are opened automatically, the troublesome work involved in manual operation is eliminated.

Abstract: In a manual apparatus for tamping cigarette tubes with tobacco, comprising a casing having a tobacco compressing chamber disposed in the longitudinal direction thereof, a cover-type press bar associated with this tobacco compressing chamber and located in a cover that covers the casing and being swingable about an axis, as well as an ejector slide, which is connected with a spoon 25 that carries a plug of tobacco, for introducing the pressed tobacco plug into a cigarette tube intermittently clampingly held against a short socket, a clamping element embodied such as to separate the clamping operation from the filling operation is provided. The clamping element (14) for a cigarette tube (4) mounted on the short socket (3) is independent of the cover (6) and is controlled by the ejector slide (7). It is spring loaded and disposed laterally beside the short socket (3).

Abstract: In a cigarette production machine, a device for feeding at least one paper web along one or other of two paths, the first of which extends through a station for loading a continuous stream of shredded tobacco onto said web, and the second of which is a discard path; that portion of the web extending along said second path being cut and removed by a selectively operable removal device.

Abstract: A tobacco content control device for cigarette machine, including a radiometric density detector for irradiating tobacco being transferred along a predetermined path on a cigarette machine with a radiant ray and converting the intensity of radiation transmitted through the tobacco into an electric signal, controlling tobacco contents to a predetermined value according to the output signal of the radiometric density detector, characterized in that the control device comprises: voltage generating means for producing two voltage signals indicative of upper and lower limits of a predetermined range; comparison means adapted to compare the output signal of the radiometric density detector with the voltage signals and to produce an output signal when the predetermined range is outrun; and means for informating abnormality of the radiometric density detector upon receipt of the output signal of the comparison means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying foamed material to tobacco, particularly in connection with the making of cigarettes. The foamed material may be added to the tobacco, for example, in the paper guide section of a cigarette maker at the garniture mouth (21) or through the short tongue (30) or through both, or at the chimney (10). Addition of a foamed material to the tobacco, during the cigarette making process, results in a cigarette in which the material added is more uniformly distributed.

Abstract: A device for determining continuously the hardness of a smokable article, more particularly a cigarette, from the mechanical properties of a rod of tobacco fibres during the manufacture of this smokable article, which ascertains the temperature of the former finger which compacts the rod of tobacco fibres to a predetermined diameter dependent on the diameter of the finished smokable article. This temperature measurement, which can be carried out by a thermocouple element, a resistance thermometer or a semiconductor temperature sensor, represents an exact reproducible measure of the hardness of the smokable article which is produced with this rod of tobacco fibres.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring cigarette manufacturing machinery in order to provide the machine minder with automatically displayed messages relating to process fault or deterioration conditions before these have led to out-of-specification product or machine stoppage. Other messages relate to machine stoppage causes. The messages result from a comparison routine between the profiles of sets of sampled process condition variables and predetermined profiles of the sets.

Abstract: A control system for a cigarette making machine to provide improved cigarette rod weight control by continual adjustment of a servo-positioned ecreteur knife at the tobacco supply vacuum belt of the cigarette maker. The servo is positioned by a dual mode control system wherein one mode is based on long term feedback of cigarette rod density, measured by a .beta. ray gauge and a second mode based on a high speed adaptive feed-forward control based on tobacco density on the supply vacuum belt measured by a pneumatic gauge.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a succession of filter rod sections, cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles which are transported at right angles to their respective axes and advance through a severing station has a drum-shaped conveyor which transports the articles, a rotary disc-shaped knife which is disposed at the severing station and whose peripheral cutting edge extends into a circumferential groove of the conveyor to sever successive articles at the severing station, and a stationary guide member formed with a slot for reception of those increments of the knife which are about to enter the severing station. The guide member stabilizes the knife by reducing the extent of or by eliminating vibration, fluttering and/or other stray lateral movements of those portions of the cutting edge which are about to penetrate into the oncoming articles at the severing station.

Abstract: A cutting edge is provided of the type which are rotated about an axis perpendicular to the endless cigarette roll to be cut, at a tangential speed equal to the travelling speed of the tobacco roll, and which are constantly maintained parallel to each other.They each comprise a fork in which is engaged a roller rotated at the same speed as it about an axis parallel to its own axis, the plane formed by the axes of rotation about themselves of the roller and of the cutting guide remaining constantly parallel to the fixed plane containing the axes about which they rotate respectively.

Abstract: A tobacco rod firmness sensor arrangement wherein the tongue of a continuous rod type cigarette making machine is divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion is independently mounted from the downstream portion and is associated with a sensor to measure the force exerted by the tobacco rod compressed between the upstream portion and the garniture. Calibration of the sensor is unaffected by adjustment of the downstream portion of the divided tongue.

Abstract: The opening and closing of a sealing arrangement for the connection of a cylindrical body with an inside flange elastically deformed during opening, is controlled by a magnetic operating device, the axially opposite parts of which are disposed on a holding body attached to the sealing arrangement and along a control path past which the sealing arrangement moves.

Abstract: Plain or filter cigarettes are tested at a first station by two or more testing devices each of which monitors the cigarettes for the presence or absence of a particular defect. The testing devices generate defect signals which are delayed by shift registers so as to ensure that the delayed defect signals are transmitted to a segregating mechanism which removes defective cigarettes from a path that is common to the satisfactory and defective cigarettes and delivers defective cigarettes to selected receptacles which are installed at a second station and each of which gathers only cigarettes exhibiting a particular defect. Actuation of a switch entails the removal of a selected number of samples from the common path for satisfactory and defective cigarettes, and such samples are gathered in an additional receptacle at the second station.

Abstract: A cigarette or filter making machine has a cut-off device (19) which is driven directly by its own motor (21), pick-up device (22) for monitoring the rotational speed and timing of the cut-off device, and at least one other independent motor (especially a motor 24 driving the garniture tape 15 and/or a motor driving the filter attachment machine) which is driven in synchronization with the cut-off device under the control of the monitoring pick-up device.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes which are produced in a filter tipping machine are conveyed past several successive testing devices, each of which monitors different characteristics of the cigarettes, thereupon past a cigarette removing device, past a segregating device and on to a conveyor for transport of satisfactory cigarettes to a packing machine or into storage. When any one of the testing devices detects a defective or presumably defective cigarette, it generates a defect signal which is transported to the segregating device for expulsion of the respective cigarette from the path which leads to the conveyor. If the operator wishes, the defective or presumably defective cigarettes which are detected by a selected testing device can be conveyed only to and expelled by the removing device in response to the corresponding defect signals so that the removed cigarettes can be examined for the purpose of ascertaining the quality of testing operation which is carried out by the selected testing device.

Abstract: Discrete uniting bands which are used in a filter tipping machine to connect filter plugs with plain cigarettes consist of foraminous material, and the permeability of such material is varied, when necessary, by changing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to the uniting bands prior to convolution around the respective plain cigarettes and filter plugs. This ensures that each convoluted uniting band admits a preselected quantity of cool atmospheric air into the column of tobacco smoke when the respective filter cigarette is lighted. The paster which applies adhesive to a continuous web which is about to be subdivided into uniting bands is adjusted in response to signals which are generated by a testing device for the wrappers of successive filter cigarettes. If the permeability is too high, the paster is adjusted by reducing or increasing the quantity of adhesive which is applied to successive unit areas or unit lengths of the running web.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and cutting tobacco leaves for cigar wrappers in wh each leaf is conveyed to a scanner which scans discrete areas in parallel lines to produce sequences of digital signals, each sequence representing a line and each signal indicating the presence or absence of a hole. The signals of each line, after a delay, are superimposed and the composite signal checked to ascertain if one or more hole free parallelograms of at least one given size can be cut from the leaf. After scanning the leaf is conveyed to another location and cut.

Abstract: A cigarette holder body terminates at one end in a hollow mouthpiece which opens to a pair of cylindrical passages one of which holds the unlit end of the cigarette while the other holds a smoke catcher cartridge. One way flap valves are interposed between the unlit end of the cigarette and the mouthpiece and downstream of the smoke catcher cartridge which automatically open and close oppositely such that during inhaling smoke passes through the first passage to the smoker while, during exhaling smoke is forced to pass through the other passage bearing the smoke catcher cartridge. The body may comprise a hinged two-part plasting molding snap latched to closed position and bearing integral opening tabs on respective body halves.

Abstract: There is provided a method, system and apparatus for cutting a profile, such as a cigar wrapper, from a natural leaf, such as a tobacco leaf, wherein the leaf is spread and supported on a support surface in a random position. Thereafter, a leaf facsimile or image, including the leaf outline and surface imperfections, is developed and at least one cut position for the wrapper is located in an area excluding the leaf outline and surface imperfections. This cut position is recorded and converted to digital data. The wrapper is then cut from the leaf at an actual cut position corresponding to the located cut position determined by the digital data. Also, the facsimile is created by a back lighting arrangement which illuminates color variations and surface imperfections, as well as the leaf outline, so that leaf color variations can be included in the facsimile or image.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement in an apparatus for cutting a profile of a selected shape from a natural sheet material at a given location, which apparatus comprises a cutting platen having an upper generally flat cutting surface and a lower generally flat support surface. The platen is movable to the desired position relative to a cutter which moves along an axis downwardly against the cutting surface to cut the preselected shape from the natural material. In accordance with the improvement, there is provided a fixed anvil having a flat force reaction surface parallel to and facing the supporting surface of the platen so that the cutting action is against the anvil. The anvil can also form the structure for supporting the platen as it is moved into the cutting position.

Abstract: A practice for controlling cigarette rod firmness in a cigarette maker wherein a detected cigarette rod firmness signal is corrected for firmness variations resulting from changes in rod moisture relative to a preselected or target moisture via a suitably processed detected moisture signal and the corrected firmness signal is compared with a preselected or target firmness to derive an error signal for tobacco content control.

Abstract: A process for the layout of wrappers for cigars in a half-leaf of tobacco, of the type in which the layout plan of the wrappers is set up by disposing them one by one on the half-leaf taking into account the real contour of said leaf and its possible blemishes, the wrappers being placed tangentially with respect to one another and/or to the contour of the half-leaf and/or to the possible blemishes.