Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the permeabilities of central portions of tubular wrappers which form part of successive filter cigarettes of double unit length being turned out by a tipping machine. The central portions of the wrappers include adhesive-coated uniting bands which are convoluted around filter mouthpieces in a first portion of a rolling channel for successive filter cigarettes. A perforating unit which employs laser beams is set up to simultaneously perforate the central portions of the wrappers of several successive cigarettes in a second portion which immediately follows or partially overlaps the first portion of the channel. Each wrapper can be provided with two or more annular arrays of perforations.

Abstract: A device for executing an inspection method of a filter rod for cigarettes includes an inspection drum (6), and the inspection drum (6) has plural pickup grooves (8) for receiving one filter rod (F) each in its outer periphery. The filter rod (F) in each pickup groove (8) is provided with rolling force by a rolling guide (10), and passes through an illuminated region (B) of light while the inspection drum (6) rotates. At this time, when the filter rod (F) rolls, the shielded portion of the illuminated region (B) due to the filter rod (F) varies. This variation means that the filter rod (F) is normal, and is hence used for determination of the inspection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a perforating apparatus for producing openings in a peripheral surface of a substantially elongate, cylindrical object, in particular a cigarette, comprising a light source for producing at least one high-energy light beam, by means of which the openings can be produced in the object, an operative zone which can be produced by a guidance tracking means for guided tracking of the light beam and within which the light beam acts on an object moving through the operative zone, to produce the openings, rolling means for producing a rotary movement of the objects about their longitudinal axis while the objects are moving through the operative zone in order to expose the peripheral surface to the light beam, and transport means for conveying the object through the operative zone.

Abstract: An elongated strip of tipping paper is advanced in a tipping machine for the making of filter cigarettes. The strip advances past a perforating unit and thereupon past a cutting unit which subdivides the perforated strip into a series of uniting bands ready to be convoluted around abutting ends of plain cigarettes and filter rod sections. One side of the strip is coated with a film of an adhesive which can be inactivated by exposing it to coherent radiation. The perforating and cutting steps are carried out by one or two beams of coherent radiation which can further serve to inactivate the adhesive around each perforation and along the edges which extend across the strip to thus reduce the likelihood of penetration of active adhesive into the perforations and/or a contamination of the products by active adhesive being expelled beyond the marginal portions of the uniting bands.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes of unit or multiple unit length are produced in a tipping machine wherein successive groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter rod sections are caused to roll within a channel bounded by surfaces at least one of which moves relative to the other(s). This results in the conversion of uniting bands, which are carried by successive groups into the inlet of the channel, into tubular sleeves connecting the tubular wrapper(s) of the filter rod section(s) to the plain cigarette(s) of the respective group. The wrappers, and normally also the uniting bands, are perforated in the channel subsequent to, or in part simultaneously with, the conversion of uniting bands into the respective sleeves. Each filter cigarette can be provided with one or more arrays, such as annuli, of perforations, e.g., by mutually inclined laser beams.

Abstract: A perforating device for web material comprises a plurality of laser heads for emitting pulse laser beams toward the web traveling at constant speed and a plurality of linear actuators for individually supporting the laser heads, moving the laser heads independently in the width direction of the web, and determining positions for the application of the pulse laser beams.

Abstract: A conveyor for stabilizing packets of cigarettes coming off a packing machine, whereby each packet is fed along a stabilizing path and through a marking station by a pair of opposite facing conveyor belts partly engaging respective opposite minor lateral surfaces of the packet; and a laser marking unit is mounted at the marking station to impress a progressive code on a portion, left exposed by the respective conveyor belt, of one of the minor lateral surfaces of the packet.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine for producing ventilated tobacco products; the machine having a conveying drum in turn having a number of peripheral seats for successively feeding the products along a given path extending about an axis of the drum; the products being housed inside the respective seats with respective longitudinal axes parallel to the axis of the drum, and being rotated at least 360.degree. about their respective axes as they are fed along the path; the machine also having a perforating device associated with the drum to form a number of perforations in each product; and an extracting device and an optical device for controlling the products being provided along the path and mounted along the outer periphery of the drum.

Abstract: A running web of tipping paper (one side of which is coated with a film of adhesive) in a filter cigarette making machine is subdivided into discrete uniting bands and/or is perforated by resorting to a single source or to two discrete sources of coherent radiation. Each source is associated with a control unit which initiates the emission of short-lasting flashes of coherent radiation. Such radiation is caused to impinge upon a diffractive focusing lens which focuses coherent radiation upon one or more masks having openings for coherent radiation which is to sever the web along transversely extending linear zones and/or to provide the web with desired arrays of perforations. The perforations permit atmospheric air to enter the column of tobacco smoke in a filter cigarette wherein the tobacco-containing portion and the filter mouthpiece are united by a perforated adhesive-coated uniting band.

Abstract: A piercing apparatus includes a laser oscillation head for irradiating a pulsed laser beam onto a tip paper which travels at a prescribed speed along a traveling path to form minute holes at spacial intervals in the tip paper, a camera for picking up a picture image of a minute hole formed in the tip paper, and a controller for feedback-controlling the drive of the laser oscillation head in accordance with the size of and the spacing between minute holes obtained by analyzing one or more picture images of minute holes, so that minute holes of a desired size are formed in the tip paper with a desired spacing, to provide the tip paper with a desired air permeability.

Abstract: A unit for forming groups of cigarettes, wherein a transfer device transfers the cigarettes from a fixed withdrawal station, defined by an open bottom end of a hopper for cigarettes, on to a release surface traveling continuously along a given first path; the transfer device having an extracting device associated with the bottom end of the hopper to successively extract layers of cigarettes from the bottom end and feed the layers along a second path extending crosswise to the first path, and a rotary-platform device in turn having a number of suction type gripping heads movable between the first and second paths to feed the layers of cigarettes on to the release surface.

Abstract: A cigar piercing device which includes an outer housing and a moveable top receiving and indexing station for positioning the tip of a cigar. The indexing station is adapted to automatically activate a rotating piercing tool in response to the downward movement of the indexing station by downward pressure being placed against the station by the tip of the cigar.

Abstract: A scanning device for a cigarette making machine comprises a low energy X-ray beam emitter (110) for passing an X-ray beam through the cigarette rod (116), and an X-ray detector (126;202) arranged to receive the beam after it has passed through the cigarette rod and to produce an output signal which can be amplified and fed to a control circuit (130) for the cigarette making machine.

Abstract: The unit for forming groups of cigarettes has at least one substantially U-shaped pocket designed to receive in succession at least two layers of cigarettes, in which the cigarettes are parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pocket, the two layers being arranged one above the other to define a respective group; the unit having at least one holding element and, if the group has at least one gap, the unit having at least one dummy positioned parallel with the axis, both being mobile, under the thrust of an actuator, between a home position and an operating position, in which the element and the dummy are positioned respectively outside and inside the pocket, to respectively lock the group of cigarettes within the pocket, and to compensate the gap.

Abstract: The density of a wrapped rod-like filler of tobacco or filter material for tobacco smoke is ascertained by causing successive increments of the filler to traverse beams of X-rays which, after having penetrated through small portions of the filler, impinge upon detectors forming a linear array and serving to generate (first) signals denoting the intensities of the respective beams. Such intensities are affected by the densities of the respective portions of the filler. The first signals are processed in a circuit together with one or more additional signals denoting the intensity or intensities of one or more beams which bypass the filler, and with one or more further signals furnished by one or more detectors which are shielded from the source of X-rays. The thus obtained (second) signal denotes the densities of successive increments of the filler and is used to correct the density of the filler, if and when necessary.

Abstract: A perforating unit for producing ventilated cigarettes, wherein a laser beam, emitted by a laser source along an axis, is reflected and focused by a movable reflecting and focusing assembly and a reflecting element, both rotating about the axis, to produce a focused beam directed on to given points of a succession of cigarettes traveling about both the axis of the beam and about their own axis; the movable assembly presenting at least one diffracting optical element for dividing the focused beam into a given number of identical further beams to form, on each cigarette, a number of rings of ventilation holes equal to the aforementioned given number.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a tobacco shred filling quality includes a rotational position detector for detecting the rotational position of a driving drum of a cigarette manufacturing apparatus, a density detector for continuously detecting a tobacco shred filling density of a continuous cigarette rod, and a controller which receives the outputs of both detectors. The controller samples a density signal from the density detector every time it receives a pulse signal from the rotational position detector during a period corresponding to a distance from the beginning of the rear end portion of each double cigarette rod to the end of the front end portion of a succeeding double cigarette rod, and integrates the sampled density signal over a period corresponding to each end portion of each double cigarette rod.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of filter tip bands for ventilated cigarettes, according to which a continuous strip is advanced along a pre-set feed path, an adhesive substance is applied to the strip using a gumming device, defining on the strip itself a periodic succession of gummed areas alternated with non-gummed areas and the strip is cut using a cutting device according to transversal lines at pre-set intervals defined by the gummed areas to produce the bands. A control device controls the timing between the gumming device and the cutting device. The timing is compared with a pre-set value and is corrected, using a correction device in order to eliminate any variation of the pre-set value.

Abstract: Successive block-shaped arrays of cigarettes are advanced by one or more pushers on an endless conveyor through an elongated channel, defined by a stationary guide, on their way into a receptacle of a wrapping unit for the arrays. The pusher or pushers are decelerated during advancement through the discharge end of the channel, and the arrays are braked during such deceleration to maintain them in uninterrupted contact with the pusher or with the respective pushers until the arrays complete their movement into a predetermined portion of the receptacle. For example, the arrays can be braked by one or more mechanical devices and/or by one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for imparting rotary and sidewise movements to receptacles for cigarettes has a rotary conveyor carrying pairs of levers pivotable about discrete axes which are parallel to and surround the axis of the conveyor. One lever of each pair is pivotable about the respective discrete axis relative to the conveyor under the action of a stationary cam which is tracked by a follower on the lever, and each pair of levers carries two shafts for a receptacle. The shafts are caused to turn the respective receptacles through at least 360.degree.

Abstract: A cigarette punching device comprises a first housing member, a second housing member fitted into the first housing member, a punching device, a receiving cylinder, and an elastic element. The first housing member is provided with a through hole. The second housing member is provided with a front receiving compartment, a rear receiving compartment, and a partition located between the from and the rear receiving compartments. The punching device is received in the rear receiving compartment of the second housing member such that the punching needle of the punching device is located in the front receiving compartment. The receiving cylinder is located in the first housing member via the through hole of the first housing member for holding a cigarette to be punched. The elastic element is located between the first and the second housing members to provide the second housing member with an elastic force enabling the second housing member to bounce back to its original position.

Abstract: The web of tipping paper which is being advanced in a filter tipping machine from a source to the station where the web is subdivided into uniting bands ready for draping around groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter rod sections is provided with projecting portions which are at least partially removed by a rotary grinding tool to provide the web with a pattern of perforations which determine the degree of ventilation of the filter cigarettes. The position of the running web relative to the tool and/or vice versa is adjustable in dependency upon one or more parameters of the finished filter cigarettes to thus vary the permeability of the uniting bands when the one or more monitored parameters of the filter cigarettes depart from the desired values.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing ventilated cigarettes comprises forming a succession of double cigarettes, each comprising two cigarette portions and an intermediate double filter joined by an intermediate connecting band. The double cigarettes are translated to respective double cigarette supporting means on a rotary conveyor having an axis. The supporting means includes a rotatable gondola normally facing outward in relation to the conveyor and rotatable about the axis and rest means fixed in relation to the conveyor. Each double cigarette is arranged in engagement with the respective supporting means so that a first end portion of the double cigarette laterally engages the rotatable gondola. A second end portion of the double cigarette laterally engages the rest means. An intermediate portion of the double cigarette including the intermediate double filter is free. The conveyor is advanced to feed the double cigarettes through a perforating station.

Abstract: A device for perforating cigarette wrapping material by means of at least one-laser beam, whereby the wrapping material, in the form of a strip, is fed past a focusing head which is supplied with a pulsed laser beam by a laser source and focuses it on to the strip by moving the focused beam in a plane slanting in relation to the traveling direction of the strip; a shutter element, made of material impervious to the laser beam, being used for intercepting and restricting the focused beam to a sector of given shape and size, and so preventing the beam from impinging on given portions of the strip.

Abstract: In cigarette conveying apparatus cigarettes are conveyed along a path so that they are intercepted in sequence by beams directed at different portions of the path to produce a complete circumferential row of perforations on each cigarette after it has traversed the path. An incident laser beam (14) is time-shared to produce pulses for making perforations by mutually inclined rotatable discs (20, 28). A temperature sensor (150) is provided to detect build-up of contaminants on a lens or mirror (146) for a laser beam (32B). A stream of air containing small quantities of water is supplied by tubes (380,388) terminating in the region in which the cigarettes are perforated so as to assist removal of contaminants resulting from laser perforation.

Abstract: The perforation of tipping paper on a high-speed perforation line is monitored and controlled by an electro-optic detection and data processing system which produces a signal related in value to an expected pressure drop through the paper based on calculations relating the inverse square of average perforation area to pressure drop. In one embodiment, a strobe light and camera are arranged on opposite sides of the tipping paper strip and provide an image signal to a vision processor. In another embodiment, a CCD line sensor located across the width of the strip is scanned to provide a signal related to a profile of light transmitted through the tipping paper.

Abstract: A statistical ventilation control device for ventilated cigarettes, wherein an annular conveyor presents a number of seats, each receiving a respective ventilated cigarette arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction of the conveyor; one of the aforementioned seats being a movable seat supported on a slide fitted to the conveyor so as to move the movable seat axially in relation to the conveyor and to and from an operating position wherein a ventilated portion of the cigarette engages a ventilation control unit fitted to and moving with the conveyor.

Abstract: A running web or discrete tubular wrappers of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are perforated with a variable-intensity high-energy pulsed laser beam which is controlled in such a way that the intensity of radiation and/or the length of pulses is altered in response to variations in the speed of advancement of the web or discrete wrappers past the perforating station. This ensures that the permeability of the thus obtained ventilation zones is not influenced by the speed of advancement of the material to be perforated past the perforating station. The intensity of radiation and/or the length of pulses can also be influenced by one or more monitored characteristics of the articles, such as the permeability of their wrappers.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine wherein one laser source emits a beam through a dividing device which divides the beam into two secondary beams directed respectively towards a cutting head for cutting a continuous strip into bands connecting double filters to cigarette portions, and towards a piercing device for forming ventilating holes in the bands.

Abstract: A device for perforating packaged cigarettes, or the like, including a first housing member provided for defining a receiving area having an opening for receiving a package of cigarettes. A plurality of piercing needles are provided which are moveable relative to the first housing member to pierce the cigarettes. A safety plate member is provided covering the opening of the receiving area. The safety plate member is effective at a first position to block the movement of the piercing needles into the receiving area and at a second position to allow the package of cigarettes into the receiving area. The safety plate member is supported by at least two spring members for biasing the safety plate member towards the first position. The spring members are positioned on a central longitudinal axis of the safety plate member and have spring properties effective to allow steady and smooth movement of the safety plate member.

Abstract: A continuously emitted convergent laser beam is deflected by means of a rotating polygon mirror, to be directed to a reflector mirror having a pair of reflective surfaces, which adjoin each other at the vertex portion thereof. As the reflective surfaces of the reflector mirror are scanned with the laser beam, the beam is split and alternately directed to one mirror pair and the other mirror pair. The laser beam directed to each mirror pair is further divided into segment beams, which are reflected in opposite directions and condensed on a tipping paper sheet by means of condensing lenses. Thus, two alternate pairs of rows of perforations, four rows in total, are bored through the sheet.

Abstract: Cigarette perforating apparatus comprises a rotary stepped reflector (5) for directing an incident laser beam (2) along a reflected path (2R) to produce axially spaced perforations on a cigarette. The size of the perforations is controlled by varying the duration of the reflected beam by means of a mask (8) which is rotatable with the reflector and effective to intercept the beam for varying periods dependent on the radial distance at which the beam is incident on the reflector. The reflected beam (2R) may be further divided to provide separate beam paths (e.g. leading to the separate cigarette tracks in a filter attachment machine) by means of a further reflective disk (12) synchronized with the stepped reflector.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting micro-holes of a cigarette having a filtered section, cigarettes are successively carried to a support section which is rotated and each of the cigarettes is supported between pads 14a and 14b. The supported cigarette is moved to a pre-pressuring stage in which one end face of the cigarette is closed and a pre-pressure is applied to other end face of the cigarette from a pre-pressure source. Therefore, the cigarette is reached to a measuring stage in which a measuring pressure is applied to the other end face of the cigarette so that air flows through micro-holes of the filter section and a reduced pressure is appeared in the one end of the cigarette. The measuring and reduces pressures are detected by pressure transducers and electrical signals from the transducers are proceed so that dilution value of the cigarette is calculated.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming micro-holes on a cigarette, a laser beam is divided into first and second laser beams by a two-dividing mirror. Parts of the laser beams are detected by photo detectors, respectively and the other parts of the laser beams are guided to polyhedron mirrors through first and second optical paths and divided into segment beams by the mirrors, respectively. The segments beams are focused on the corresponding cigarette so that micro-holes are formed on the cigarette. The cigarette is transferred to a dilution detection stage and the dilution is detected in mode, detection signals from the photodetector are processed and a first driving signal is generated. Thus, the two-dividing mirror is driver by a driving mechanism in accordance with the first driving signal so that the intensity of the laser beams guided in the first and second optical paths are maintained in substantially equal level.

Abstract: A filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and filter portion comprising a fluted tubular extrusion. The flutes are blocked intermediate the rod end and mouth end of the extrusion. The tobacco rod is circumferentially wrapped with a porous wrapper comprising a longitudinal band of perforations. The fluted tubular extrusion is attached with tipping paper to the tobacco rod. A mouthband and a rodband of perforations circumscribes the tipping paper. A rod of charcoal-impregnated filter material may abut the tubular extrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating at least two strips of strip material and forming the laminate into lightweight, thin-walled tubular members that may be used in the construction of non-combustion smoking articles.

Abstract: Laser perforation apparatus for filter cigarettes includes a drum (10) for conveying cigarettes (11), bands (33, 34) for slowly rotating each cigarette as it is conveyed by the drum, and a laser beam deflector (21, 22) carried by a tubular member (19) coaxially and rotatably mounted relative to the drum, the tubular member being rotated at relatively high speed and the laser being pulsed so that successive pulses are directed by the deflector towards successive cigarettes and each cigarette thus has a number of perforations formed in its wrapper as it is conveyed between the drum and the bands.

Abstract: A perforating device for forming holes in cigarettes or similar items, whereby a laser beam, emitted by a laser source, is directed on to the cigarettes, engaged inside respective seats, by means of a mobile reflecting and focusing unit mounted for rotation about an axis, and a rotary reflecting element located on the aforementioned axis; the cigarettes turning about their axis and being conveyed transversely in relation to the same on a drum turning about the axis of the beam at the same speed as the rotary reflector; the drum having a speed different from the speed of the mobile unit and the ratio of the mobile unit speed and the drum speed is substantially, but not exactly, a multiple of said first speed; the mobile unit receiving the beam coaxially with the beam axis and deflecting it first outwards and then towards the beam axis; the focused beam being again deflected outwards towards the cigarettes by a ring of mirrors carried on the rotary reflecting element and equal in number to the seats on the drum

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention, which is used to form a large number of fine pores in the peripheral surface of each of cylindrical articles, such as cigarettes, by means of a laser beam, comprises first and second perforating disks. A plurality of retaining arms are arranged on the respective peripheral edges of these perforating disks. The cylindrical articles are held by means of these arms, and are caused to move around the disks and rotate around their own axes. The cylindrical articles are alternately supplied half and half to the two perforating disks by means of two intermediate supply rollers. Beamsplitters are located individually in the respective central portions of the perforating disks. The laser beam emitted from a laser source is split into two beam halves by means of a pre-beamsplitter, and these beam halves are delivered individually to the beamsplitters. The beam halves delivered to these beamsplitters are radially split over a range of about 180.degree.

Abstract: Cigarette tipping paper is perforated by a laser 31 emitting a beam which is directed onto the tipping paper via an acousto-optical beam deflector 33 and a beam splitter 34 producing two parallel perforation tracks 24 along the tipping paper. Each track may include a number of rows of perforations, the laser beam being deflected for that purpose by the acousto-optical device. The porosity of the tipping paper and/or the dilution of the completed cigarettes can be controlled in various ways, particularly by the use of an acousto-optical device; the latter may be used to vary the perforation pattern, the laser beam being directed onto a heat sink 52 when it is not required to perforate the tipping paper. Control of the perforation pattern, as well as allowing different patterns to be applied, is used to control the dilution factor of the finished cigarettes.

Abstract: A device for the production of at least two adjacent perforation rows in cigarettes and/or filter-lining paper or filter-wrapping paper comprises a pulsed laser light source with mirrors as well as an optical element which serves for both beam splitting and focusing of the produced partial beams. This optical element with two foci is preferably ground out of a collecting-lens blank or is formed from two parts of a collecting lens, which are combined to form the optical element. In one embodiment this optical element consists of the two equal havles of a collecting lens cut perpendicularly to the center plane thereof, which halves were displaced relative to each other and then combined again. As an alternative thereto, a central area of the output collecting lens running in the direction of the center plane can be cut out and the remaining peripheral portions can be combined, by means of which an optical element with two foci also results.

Abstract: Various arrangements are disclosed for perforation by laser of cigarettes carried on a fluted drum without rolling. In one arrangement (FIGS. 1-3) rings of reflectors (8, 14) movable with the drum (12) intercept and direct a continuous laser beam (18). In another arrangement (FIGS. 4,5) cigarettes (28) are perforated while being conveyed past a fixed focus pulsed beam (32) which has a selected profile and is redirected between passing cigarettes to perforate cigarette at other positions. Other arrangements include using a rotating disc (FIGS. 6-8) or rotary stepped reflector (FIGS. 9, 13, 14) to share a beam between different cigarettes or produce two rows of perforations on a cigarette, using a continuous reflective surface (FIGS. 10, 11) to reflect a rotating beam at passing cigarettes, and causing a beam to partially track a moving cigarette (FIG. 12).

Abstract: A device for forming perforations in rod shaped items, particularly cigaretts, comprising a transfer roller for transferring the items from a loading position to an unloading position on the periphery of the roller, the items being arranged parallel to the axis of the roller and housed in rotary bodies on the same; rotary means coaxial with the roller and designed to emit a radial coherent light (laser) beam on to a portion of the items; and an electronic control circuit for regulating the speed of the rotary means in relation to that of the transfer roller and so regulate the number of perforations formed in the aforementioned portions of the items.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating a running web of wrapping material, such as a web of tipping paper in a filter tipping machine for the making of filter cigarettes, is advanced through two successive electric perforating units one of which is active while the other is idle, and vice versa. This renders it possible to clean the perforating electrodes of the idle unit while the electrodes of the active unit produce sparks which remove fragments of material from the web to form one or more rows of perforations and to thus influence the permeability of the web. The apparatus can be installed in a filter tipping machine between a reel for a supply of convoluted web of tipping paper and a severing device which subdivides the leader of the perforated web into uniting bands serving to connect pairs of plain cigarettes with filter mouthpieces of double unit length.

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: A perforating apparatus comprises a pair of guide drums for guiding a web so that the web is wound so as to cover part of the mark members of the guide drums, respectively, each guide drum having a ring-shaped mask member, and a plurality of slits formed in the mask member, the mask members of the guide drums being situated in different axial positions with respect to the axial direction of the guide drums.

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: Apparatus for making perforations in a running web of wrapping material for tobacco or filter rods or in the wrappers of discrete cigarettes has a carbon dioxide laser with two parallel resonators which are mechanically coupled to each other to define a U-shaped resonance chamber and the free ends of which carry partially transmitting mirrors for the passage of discrete active beams of coherent radiation. The two active beams are thereupon split into pairs of split beams and the split beams are focused upon the running web of wrapping material or upon the wrappers of successive rod-shaped articles to simultaneously form four rows of perforations.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus according to the invention has a hollow shaft having two open ends, a disc mounted on the hollow shaft and rotated together therewith, a shaft, a plurality of holding arms, a rotating mechanism for rotating each holding arm about the axis of a filter cigarette, a laser generating source, and an optical system. The holding arms are arranged on the periphery of the disc, in the circumferential direction thereof, and hold filter cigarettes such that the filters project from the holding arm. The laser generating source emits a laser beam into the hollow shaft, toward one of its open ends and at a predetermined pulse separation. The optical system has a reflecting mirror which rotates together with the hollow shaft. The reflecting mirror has reflecting surfaces which correspond to the holding arms and reflect the laser beam toward the outer periphery filter. The optical system additionally has a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam on the outer periphery of the filter.

Abstract: Successive filter cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length are transported sidways on a first drum-shaped conveyor which cooperates in a filter tipping machine with a second drum-shaped conveyor to rotate successive cigarettes about their respective axes so that the rotating cigarettes come to a temporary halt in a predetermined portion of their path. Such cigarettes are acted upon the two or more laser beams or light beams which are equidistant from and angularly offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the cigarette which rotates about its axis so that a circumferentially complete portion of the rotating cigarette is acted upon by radiation while the cigarette completes a fraction of one revolution, namely an angle of 360 degrees divided by the number of beams.