Abstract: An orderly succession of first tobacco items, each including of a double cigarette portion, is fed along a path, along which the first items are cut into two portions, which are connected by rolling, and by means of an outer band and the interposition of an intermediate double filter, to form an orderly succession of second items, which are cut to form a first and second succession of third items consisting of single, side by side, oppositely-oriented cigarettes; the cigarettes in one of the two successions being turned over 180.degree. in relation to those in the other succession to form at least one stream of equioriented cigarettes for supply to a follow-up machine; and the pitch of the various successions of items undergoing only one change along the entire path.

Abstract: A device for feeding filter portions to a filter assembly machine, wherein an input feedbox, defined by two facing lateral walls arranged parallel and separated by a distance at least equal to the length of the filter portions, is fed with the filter portions along a conduit by which the filter portions are fed axially into an eccentric lateral groove in an elongated body fitted through the feedbox and rotating about its axis perpendicular to the lateral walls of the feedbox.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus of the present invention includes a discharge drum replacing one transportation drum in a drum train of a filter attachment, transportation grooves on a drum shell of the discharge drum, jet holes opening in the bottom of each transportation groove so that the jet holes of each two adjacent transportation grooves open in different positions, a control sleeve fixed in the drum shell, jet grooves formed over a predetermined rotational angle zone on the outer peripheral surface of the control sleeve and connectable to their corresponding jet holes, blow pressure lines for independently introducing a blow pressure into the individual jet grooves, and solenoid valves arranged individually in the middle of the blow pressure lines and used independently to open and close the blow pressure lines.

Abstract: A device for transferring cigarette portions from a dual-rod production machine to a filter assembly machine, wherein a rotary transfer unit presents a number of heads, each having two seats for two respective portions of two continuous cigarette rods, and each rotating in such a manner as to move the respective seats along respective circular paths; the transfer unit being connected to a conveyor having first and second seats traveling along respective paths respectively tangent to the circular paths of the seats on the transfer heads at a loading station, and tangent to each other at a station wherein the cigarette portions are unloaded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the production of a coaxial tobacco or filter rod, a first production machine processing a strip-like first covering material and a stream of filling material to give a preformed rod which is deposited in a special magazine in order to be removed again therefrom in due course and supplied to a second production machine which brings the preformed rod together with a stream of filter or smoking material and a strip-like second covering material and processes it to form the coaxial tobacco or filter rod.

Abstract: This invention relates to two parallel belts with pockets suspended between them. This pockets device is used in a machine which delivers free flowing material into receiving spaces separating filter plugs, as said plugs travel on a garniture tape. The pockets include channels or funnels through which free flowing material can flow. The belts carry the pockets in part parallel with and adjacent to the garniture tape carrying the filter plugs. The belts and the garniture tape are synchronized so that receiving spaces between the plugs precisely register with the funnels in the pockets. Such precise registry insures that the charcoal chute delivers free flowing material through the funnels into the receiving spaces.

Abstract: A "make-your-own" system for making a cigarette, especially a filter-tipped cigarette, includes a dimensionally stable tobacco portion (10) matched with the tobacco receiving volume (16) of the cigarette located within a cigarette paper wrapper. The paper wrapper is in the form of a cigarette tube (11) for closely enveloping the tobacco portion (10). The tobacco portion (10) is formed like a cigarillo including an outer wrapper (13) of tobacco or a tobacco blend which imparts to the smoker of the made tobacco portion and therefor to the cigarette approximately the taste and flavor of a factory-made cigarette or a conventional cigarillo clothed as a cigarette.

Abstract: Annular guide grooves and rotating ratchet wheels are provided, and feed claws formed in said ratchet wheels moves along said annular guide groove in a circumferential direction. Also, first and second supply conveyers are provided, articles are arranged in the same direction and transferred on these supply conveyers, and sent into said annular guide grooves by supply mechanisms. Said first supply conveyer is arranged to be directed in a direction of a contact line of said annular guide grooves and in the same direction as the moving direction of said feed claws. Said second supply conveyer is arranged to be directed in a direction of a contact line of said annular guide grooves and in the opposite direction to the moving direction of said feed claws. The back portions of said articles sent from said first supply conveyer are pressed by said feed claws, and the front portions thereof are moved toward the advancing direction.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes are mass-produced in a machine wherein parallel groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter plugs are moved at right angles to their axes through a first station wherein their components are connected to each other by uniting bands, thereupon through a second station wherein the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are severed midway across their filter plugs to yield pairs of filter cigarettes of unit length which advance in two rows and are mirror images of each other, and through a third station wherein the filter cigarettes of one row are turned end-for-end and placed between successive non-inverted filter cigarettes. The mutual spacing of groups, filter cigarettes of double unit length and/or of filter cigarettes of unit length is reduced at least once, preferably twice, namely the first time between the first and second stations and the second time at the third station.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for inserting a component comprising an elongate cartridge containing an aerosol forming material, at one end of which there is a fuel element, within a jacket component comprising a rod, a sleeve of insulating material, or a combination thereof, the apparatus preferably providing for forming a passage in the jacket component and inserting the elongate cartridge therein. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of movably mounted stations for high speed manufacture of smoking articles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filter-tipped cigarettes, whereby a first and second series of cigarette portions, obtained by transversely cutting two continuous cigarette rods travelling axially at substantially constant speed, are fed by respective transfer members into respective seats on respective first and second receiving rollers arranged side by side and tangent to each other. The portions in the first series are fed on to the first receiving roller in an axially offset position in relation to that in which the portions of the second series are fed on to the second receiving roller, and are fed from the first to the second receiving roller so as to form, inside each seat on the second receiving roller, a pair of coaxial portions the facing ends of which define a gap. A double filter is inserted between the facing ends of the two coaxial portions; is connected to the two coaxial portions to produce a double cigarette; and is subsequently cut to divide the double cigarette into two cigarettes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and forming tubular members useful for positioning heat sources inside a smoking article is disclosed. The tubular members are carried by a plurality of fluted drums from one operation to the next. The tubular members are cut to the desired size by a plurality of rotating circular knives. The ends of the tubular members are then formed by one or more dies that are caused to move into contact with the ends of the tubular members.

Abstract: A method for making a smoking article is described wherein an aerosol generating cartridge is inserted into a sleeve, preferably having a tobacco insulating material.Also described are articles of manufacture having an elongate jacket module with a rod segment and an annular segment. The rod segment has a length of rod of fibrous material. Disposed logitudinally on either side of the rod segment is an annular segment of insulating material.Additionally, articles of manufacture useful for making smoking articles are described having an elongate structure with two or more repeating sections wherein each section preferably has a tobacco-containing spacer segment and mouthend segment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filter-tipped cigarettes whereby series of first and second double cigarette portions, produced by transversely cutting two continuous cigarette rods traveling axially at substantially constant speed, are fed by respective transfer members into respective seats on respective first and second receiving rollers.The first double portions are then fed into respective seats on a third transfer roller and subsequently into alternate seats on a fourth transfer roller, the vacant seats of which receive the second double portions supplied by the second transfer roller. The first and second double portions on the fourth transfer roller are cut transversely to produce, on the fourth roller, successive pairs of aligned single portions, which are parted axially, connected via the interposition of a double filter, and then cut into cigarettes by cutting the double filter.

Abstract: A rotary drum which serves to transport rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry or sheet-like components of such articles has a peripheral surface which is formed with rows of axially parallel suction ports connectable to a suction generating device to attract the articles or their components to the peripheral surface of the drum. If the lengthh of rod-shaped articles is changed, or if the width of web- or strip-shaped components of articles is changed, the effective length of the rows of suction ports is changed accordingly to avoid unnecessary flow of air into non-overlapped suction ports.

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: This invention relates to the machines for manufacturing filter-tip cigarettes by forming successive groups (S+2F+S) each formed by two aligned cigarettes (S) and one interposed double filter (2F), and by wrapping and glueing a covering strip (T) around the double filter (2F) and adjacent ends of the two cigarettes (S). The formation of the groups (S+2F+S) is carried out on a composition drum (1) whereon the double filters (2F) and the pairs of cigarettes (S) are held by suction. The application of the strip (T) may be carried out either on said composition drum (1) or on a successive assembling drum (6), and the strips are fed by a strip-carrying drum (7) whereon they are held by suction. In the absence of a component, e.g. a double filter (2F), in a group (S+2F+S), all the other components of the same group, i.e. the two cigarettes (S) and covering strip (T), are discarded automatically by affecting for this purpose only the suction exerted on the components to be discarded.

Abstract: A unit for sampling cigarettes on a filter assembly machine, which unit is designed to cooperate with a conveyor for feeding the cigarettes through the filter assembly machine, and features a sampling conveyor tangent to the feed conveyor and having an even number of peripheral seats for the cigarettes; the aforementioned seats being arranged along the sampling conveyor, and each having a respective suction device; and a selecting device being provided for selectively activating the suction devices and so withdrawing given cigarettes off the feed conveyor.

Abstract: A filter-manufacturing apparatus comprises a cutting drum, which has transporting grooves and adapted to receive filter rods having a prescribed length. An annular slit is formed in the circumference of the cutting drum. A circular cutting blade extends into the annular slit in a rotatable manner. A rod-shaped stopper is movably arranged in each transporting groove, and the distance between each stopper and the annular slit is adjustable such that it corresponds to the length of a filter plug to be cut from a filter rod. The cutting drum comprises a pushing mechanism for moving the filter rod along the transporting groove against the stopper by jetting air, whereby the filter rod is cut by the cutting blade, with its one and abutting against the stopper. A receiving drum with receiving grooves is in rolling contact with the cutting drum. The receiving drum rotates such that the receiving grooves come into alignment with the transporting grooves of the cutting drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating plain cigarettes between the cutoff of a cigarette making machine and the next-following machine, such as a filter tipping machine, has an elongated guide with a prismatic channel for advancement of successive plain cigarettes along a path which is open from above. In order to prevent the cigarettes from rising in the guide, a stabilizing element in the form of an inverted channel-shaped member is placed in front of the guide at a level above the path of cigarettes and downstream of the last tube of the cutoff.

Abstract: A filter fitting machine, in which an advancement roller conveys into equidistant sucker seats respective groups each consisting of two cigarette portions separated by a double filter; one edge of a gummed band is made to adhere to each group along the double filter and along part of the two cigarette portions, and is kept in contact with the group by a retention element; a roller provided with equidistant sucker seats then withdraws each group from the advancement roller and feeds it to a rolling station, in which each band is wrapped about the relative group.

Abstract: A device for axially displacing cigarettes arranged side by side in two substantially parallel rows traveling routes substantially perpendicularly in relation to the cigarette axes; which device includes an input roller and an output roller arranged parallel with each other and designed to feed the cigarettes along routes which are separated by a given distance in a direction parallel with the axes of the cigarettes and, for at least one of the aformentioned rows, comprises a roller mounted for rotation about an axis inclined in relation to the axes of the input and output rollers; at least one of the rollers being an adapted roller having seats for cigarettes, each of whose seats is formed on a support designed to swing in a radial plane of the adapter roller and about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the adapter roller.

Abstract: A method of making cigarettes in which a continuous strip of air-impervious material is formed into a tube which is then nipped at spaced intervals to form a string of chubs. This string of chubs is then introduced into the chimney of a conventional high speed cigarette making machine wherein a continuous cigarette rod of tobacco will be formed about the hollow chubs. The continuous rod is then severed at the nips between adjoining chubs. Thereafter as desired the sections are joined to filters with the filter tip sections being cut into individual cigarettes having the closed end of a chub adjacent each filter.

Abstract: Plain cigarettes of unit length are fed into successive axially parallel peripheral flutes of a rotary drum-shaped first conveyor in such a way that each cigarette enters a first end portion of the respective flute. The second end portions of the flutes have suction ports which attract the cigarettes in alternate flutes so that such cigarettes move axially and provide room for introduction of additional cigarettes whereby each second flute contains a pair of coaxial cigarettes which define a gap for a filter rod section of double unit length. Pairs of coaxial cigarettes in alternate flutes are released for transfer into the axially parallel peripheral flutes of a second drum-shaped conveyor by a system of valving elements composed of a stationary valving element in the interior of the first conveyor and a rotary valving element which connects at intervals two axially parallel bores of the stationary valving element with a suction generating device.

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 sequentially forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes a hollow rotatable drum having a plurality of filter rod receiving channels formed in its outer peripheral surface for receiving filter rods to be grooved. The device includes filter rod indexing devices which engage the filter rods in the receiving channels. As the drum rotates about its central axis, the filter rod indexing devices are individually and selectively activated to incrementally rotate selected filter rods about their longitudinal axes through an angle corresponding to the angular spacing between adjacent grooves to be formed in the peripheral surface of the filter rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for making smoking articles is described. The preferred apparatus comprises structure to form a passage axially through a jacketed rod of tobacco, at one end of which there is a tubular sleeve of non-combustible material, and to insert an aerosol generating cartridge containing an aerosol forming substance, at one end of which there is a fuel element, into the passage so that the aerosol forming substance is within the passage in the rod of tobacco and the fuel element is within the sleeve of non-combustible material.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in cooling heated filter rods particularly in the manufacture of cigarette filters is in the form a conduit through which the heated filter rod material is passed axially while being subjected to a flow of coolant gas. The conduit is provided with axially spaced rings of gas admission ports through which the coolant gas enters the conduit and adjacent rings of gas discharge ports through which the gas leaves the conduit. The ports in adjacent rings are slightly off-set circumferentially to provide uniform gas distribution through the filter rod material and the respective rings of admission ports are each provided with an admission ring manifold. The manifolds are connected in axial groups to respective headers so that independent sources of coolant gas can be provided to the respective groups whereby the cooling effect can be controlled lengthwise of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing cigarette dual filter plugs according to this invention comprises a first grooved convey drum for receiving a filter rod of a first type from a first hopper and conveying the filter rod, a cutting wheel for cutting the filter rod into halves during conveyence thereof by the first convey drum, and a separation guide for separating the cut rod halves so as to leave a predetermined space therebetween. The apparatus also includes a second grooved convey drum for receiving the rod halves from the first convey drum and a filter rod of a second type from a second hopper between two rod halves, and a plurality or cutting wheels are arranged near the second convey drum to cut the two rod halves and the filter rod of the second type into equal numbers of chips, to form two groups of filter chips of the first type and one group of filter chips of the second type.

Abstract: Filter tipped cigarettes are turned end for end by a narrow flexible belt (10) which is twisted in a figure of eight about pulleys (13, 14). The belt (10) has flutes (8) which engage only the tipped ends (T). A tensioned thin flexible strip (22) covers the open sides of the flutes (8) to retain the cigarettes while being turned, and endwise movement of the cigarettes is prevented by a fixed guide (26).In a modification, a belt (34) has flutes (32) formed in opposite sides and extends between pulleys (36,38), with a single 180 degree twist in the upper run. After being tip-turned, the cigarettes are removed from the inner side of the belt by suction in flutes 50 and moved endwise by a cam (60) away from belt (34) for transfer to a drum 62. Belt (34) may have flutes in only one side, in which case a second 180 degree twist is formed in the lower run.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine on which a feed roller successively feeds groups consisting of two cigarettes separated by a double filter, and respective adhesive-coated connecting strips on to a roller comprising a cylindrical body having a number of equally-spaced peripheral cavities each housing a continuously-rotating roller defining, together with the respective cavity, an arched rolling channel approximately equal in size to the diameter of a group; each roller having two diametrically-opposed suction seats inside one of which a group is fed by the aforementioned feed roller. As the roller turns, the group expelled from the respective seat travels at least once along the rolling channel in such a manner as to be wrapped inside respective strip and, each time it comes out of the rolling channel, is fed into the opposite seat to that from which it was expelled; each group connected by strip subsequently being fed on to a pick-off roller.

Abstract: A mass-producing filter tipping machine wherein two coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length are simultaneously severed to yield pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length which are moved apart to provide spaces for filter mouthpieces of double unit length. The filter mouthpieces are connected with the respective pairs of cigarettes of unit length by adhesive-coated uniting bands, and the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are subdivided into pairs of filter cigarettes of unit length. These filter cigarettes are converted into a single row wherein the filter mouthpieces of all filter cigarettes face in the same direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the vacuum in a succession of suction endless conveyors (1 to 6) connected to a single vacuum generator (17), particularly in the machines and plants of the tobacco industry. According to the invention, upon starting, the successive suction conveyors (1 to 6) are connected to the vacuum generator (17) either individually or in groups, by successive steps and progressively in the advance direction (F) of the flow of articles being conveyed. This is accomplished by use of a suitable distributor (18, 118, 24) controlled by a device (21) responsive to the advance of the leading end of the flow of articles being conveyed.

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: Apparatus for convoluting adhesive-coated uniting bands around groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter rod sections in a filter tipping machine has a drum-shaped conveyor whose peripheral surface has equidistant axially parallel flutes for discrete groups and suction ports to attract uniting bands behind the groups as well as to attract the groups to the respective flutes during certain parts of each revolution of the conveyor. Successive groups are caused to roll about their own axes to thereby convert the adjacent uniting bands into tubes during travel through an arcuate gap which is defined by the peripheral surface of the conveyor and the adjacent concave surface of a stationary rolling member.

Abstract: A mass-producing filter tipping machine wherein two coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length are simultaneously severed to yield pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length which are moved apart to provide spaces for filter mouthpieces of double unit length. This results in the formation of two rows of groups of three coaxial rod-shaped articles each, namely, two plain cigarettes of unit length and a filter mouthpiece of double unit length between them. The filter mouthpieces are connected with the respective pairs of cigarettes of unit length by adhesive-coated uniting bands so that each filter mouthpiece and the respective pair of cigarettes of unit length jointly constitute a filter cigarettes of double unit length. Uniting bands are obtained from two discrete webs of adhesive-coated tipping paper.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a cigarette having a variable smoking characteristic to a preselected level of that characteristic is provided. A cigarette having a rotatable element for controlling a smoking characteristic, and assembled with a first level of that characteristic, is adjusted to a preselected second level by a drum and cooperating belt which engage the rotatable element and which move relatively faster and slower, or slower and faster, respectively, than a drum and belt holding the remainder of the cigarette.

Abstract: A filter cigarette-manufacturing apparatus having a filter-supplying drum with grooves cut in its periphery, extending parallel to its axis, and spaced at equal intervals along the periphery. Two tip-bypassing drums are in rolling contact with the filter-supplying drum, and a tip-bypassing drum is in rolling contact with tip-bypassing drum. Each of these drums has similar grooves spaced along the periphery at the same intervals as those of the filter-supplying drum. Filter tips obtained by cutting a filter rod are supplied into one of the grooves of the filter-supplying drum. The tip-bypassing drums cooperate with the filter-supplying drum to bypass all the tips, except one which is transported forward by the filter-supplying drum.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming annular grooves or slits in rod-shaped articles such as cigarette filter plugs. The apparatus comprises a first endless belt or similar device and, spaced therefrom, a second element defining with the belt a channel of predetermined width. Preferably, the channel size can be adjusted by moving the belt, the second element or both toward or away from each other. The belt is driven to enable it, in cooperation with the second element, to transport a rod-shaped article along the channel. A forming device, preferably a rotating disk knife, has a portion disposed in the channel and cuts any article moved therealong. The second element is preferably contoured to be spaced a constant distance from the profile of the forming device, to insure that the groove formed in the article is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the article.

Abstract: A device for dividing a continuous web of wrapping material into successive single sections of the same length, particularly for dividing a web of wrapping material into successive single bands used in the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes. The device includes a rotary cutting roller with one or more angularly equispaced peripheral radial blades, the cutting edge of which is parallel to the axis of a shaft for driving in rotation the said cutting roller (1). The blade or blades are each secured to a bridge-shaped blade-carrying member which by elastic deformation is elastically yieldable in the radial direction and can be completely or partly made from the skirt of the cutting roller fastened to the roller or from a block added and secured to the skirt.

Abstract: An apparatus for making cigarettes from preformed rods of tobacco and precut sheets of cigarette paper comprises a rotatable fluted drum, a hopper for feeding the preformed rods to flutes in the drum, means for presenting to each rod when each flute reaches a predetermined position a precut sheet of cigarette paper that is provided along an edge with a strip of adhesive, and means for rolling the rod in the flute so that the cigarette paper is thereby wrapped round the rod and adheres to itself by means of the adhesive to form a cigarette.

Abstract: Tobacco is reclaimed from filter cigarettes by applying sufficient pressurized air to the filter end of each cigarette to eject the tobacco from the cigarettes. The method for reclaiming the tobacco involves (a) transporting a succession of filter cigarettes along a predetermined path, in a discontinuous, indexing manner, (b) temporarily engaging the filter end of each cigarette with reciprocating mouthpiece means during the pause between indexed movements and (c) applying pressurized air to each engaged cigarette via the mouthpiece means to force the tobacco from the cigarette and into a suitable collection device. Preferred apparatus is disclosed for accomplishing this method.

Abstract: A method for applying additives to a cigarette filter rod during its formation is disclosed. The additives are applied in the form of a liquid foam, allowing low application rates with uniform distribution. According to the method, it is not necessary to use large amounts of solvents to apply the additives, thereby avoiding overwetting of the filter material.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine having an input roller with spaced peripheral seats for cigarette groups, each group being to coaxial cigarettes with a double filter therebetween; and a rolling unit for said groups; the rolling unit having first and second conveying apparatus for the groups, supply apparatus to supply each group with a connecting strip, and wrapping apparatus to wrap a strip about the double filter and the ends of the two cigarettes, the first conveying apparatus having spaced group supports cooperating with the input roller for successively receiving said groups from said input roller, and for advancing said groups along a first portion of a given route; the second conveying apparatus being a speed-change conveying apparatus which is substantially tangent with said first conveying apparatus, and cooperates with the group supports for successively receiving said groups from the first conveying apparatus, and feeding the groups at reduced speed along a second portion of said route, said second route

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling and forming first and second articles of rod-like configuration into at least one composite rod includes a wheel (14) for alternately axially separating the first articles or tobacco sections (10) which are then transversely shifted in opposite directions by a wheel (16) onto two parallel moving conveyors on which the first articles or tobacco sections are spaced axially forming respective rod lines (11A, 11B). The second articles or filter portions (20) are conveyed towards the respective conveyors and introduced into the spaces between the first articles or tobacco sections on each rod line by means of a further wheel (18). The second articles or filter portions may be initially supplied as a single line and divided into two streams by staggering on the wheel (18).

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter element of porous filtration material having an air permeable surface and equiangularly spaced lengthwise extending peripheral ventilation grooves. The element and the rod are interattached by a first air-impermeable wrapper which can extend into and line the grooves. A second wrapper is wrapped about the element and extends from the downstream end thereof for a distance short of the upstream ends of the grooves. The second wrapper does not line the grooves where it extends thereover. Ventilation air is then able to enter the upstream ends of the grooves not covered by the second wrapper and flow therealong. Ventilation is thereby achieved without the necessity for tipping wrapper perforations. A method of making such cigarettes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter tipping machine wherein a drum-shaped conveyor whose peripheral flutes deliver groups of coaxial rod-shaped components of filter cigarettes and partially applied adhesive-coated uniting bands to a draping station where the uniting bands are rolled around the respective groups of components has a rolling block which is movable toward and away from the peripheral surface of the conveyor so as to roll the oncoming components ahead of the draping station to the extent which is necessary to dislodge the components and the uniting bands from the respective flutes. This enables the dislodged components to leave the conveyor by gravity and/or under the action of centrifugal force when it becomes necessary to clean the peripheral surface of the conveyor and/or other parts of the machine at the draping station.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of operating on a cigarette, which comprises a tobacco rod and a filter element interattached by a thermoplastic tipping wrapper, to allow for the ingress of ventilation air. The filter element also comprises ventilation duct(s) extending therewithin. A heated former is brought into contact with the tipping wrapper in such a way as to form indentations which intersect with a ventilation duct(s) of the filter element and to seal upstream end portions thereof.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for withdrawing rod-like articles (B) from a feeding hopper (1). More particularly, the invention provides a device for withdrawing filter plugs for the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes.A portion of the hopper bottom is formed by a fluted drum (2) for receiving one rod-like article (B) into each one of its flutes (3) at the time of its passing by the feeding hopper (1). A portion of the hopper bottom, which is adjacent to the fluted drum (2), is formed by at least one endless conveyor belt (7) having a width which is sensibly smaller than the length of the rod-like articles (B) and the length of the fluted drum (2). The upper branch of the conveyor belt (7) entrains articles to the drum flutes and gets into and through a respective peripheral annular groove (6) in the fluted drum (2), at least as far as to substantially reach the path of the bottoms of the drum flutes (3) situated at both sides of the groove.

Abstract: Oval or other non-circular cross-section filter tipped cigarettes are assembled by feeding, in axial-orientation controlled manner, tobacco rods and filter rods along first and second feed paths to an intercalation station at which the filter rods are intercalated with the tobacco rods, closing the rods up to provide units each comprising two tobacco rods and an intermediately disposed filter rod, applying a wrapper to each unit to provide a double length cigarette assembly and severing the assembly to provide two cigarettes.