Abstract: A process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.

Abstract: A composition useful for treating the substrate of a tobacco smoke filter. A tobacco smoke filter comprising one or more than one free porphyrin or one or more than one free metal phthalocyanine. A seamless tobacco smoke filter (80, 90) comprising a first segment and a second segment. A device (110) for making a tobacco smoke filter from tobacco smoke filter substrate comprising a rod maker machine (112) and an applicator (120) for applying one or more than one additive intermittently to the substrate in a plurality of spaced bands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming filter tubes comprises delivering a filter element to a flute on a first drum having vacuum for securing the filter element thereto. First and second tube forming rollers axially engage opposite ends of the filter element. A second drum accepts and cuts a continuous paper web with a glue pattern thereon into paper pieces, and a cut paper piece is delivered to the filter element. The paper piece is then rolled around the filter element and the tube forming rollers to form a cylindrical shape. The tube forming rollers are axially disengaged to thereby produce a filter tube with hollow ends and a control positioned filter element.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.

Abstract: Machinery and process for continuously making a compound filter rod include a tow transport for continuously delivering an expanded fiber tow while compressing the tow as it travels in a downstream direction. At least one rotating pocket wheel has a plurality of spaced apart pockets therein, and a filter media supply delivers media to the pockets. A vacuum source applied to the pockets of the rotating wheel operates to draw filter media into the pockets from the filter media supply. An air transport tube in alignment with the pockets of the rotating pocket wheel discharges the filter media from the pockets as they rotate past the transport tube. The discharged filter media is delivered to the tow transport into interior portions of the fiber tow. Subsequently, the rod is wrapped with filter paper.

Abstract: Filters for tobacco products are manufactured by a device comprising a conveyor drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and furnished with peripheral grooves, each holding a leaf of paper material preassembled with a first filter element. The single groove is flanked by two tubular elements arranged symmetrically on either side of the drum, slidable axially between a first position located externally of the groove and a second position located internally of the groove, also by pushers slidable within the respective tubular elements and serving to direct second and third filter elements into contact with the end faces of the first filter element in such a way that the second filter element, which consists in a measure of powder or granular material deposited in each tubular element by way of a spool valve, remains interposed between the first and the third filter element.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering predetermined amounts of particulate material and/or plasticizer to a location remote from the particulate material, and a cigarette filter and a cigarette made according to the method and apparatus.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.

Abstract: A cigarette filter having a reagent which chemically reacts with and removes a gaseous component of a smoke stream. The reagent contains functional groups covalently bonded to a non-volatile inorganic substrate which is incorporated in the filter. The filter can remove gaseous components such as aldehydes from tobacco smoke. Preferred functional groups are 3-aminopropylsilyl groups covalently bonded to silica gel (APS silica gel). The reagent can be contained in a space in the filter or incorporated in one or more filter elements such as tipping paper, shaped paper insert, mouthpiece plug, solid filter element, or free-flow filter element. The reagent can be part of or coated on paper such as tipping or filter paper or incorporated in non-paper filter elements formed from fibrous materials such as cellulose acetate or polypropylene fibers. Other preferred reagents include aminoethylaminopropylsilyl (AEAPS) silica gel and aminoethylaminoethylaminopropylsilyl (AEAEAPS) silica gel.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing composite filter stock is provided that includes several steps. In a first step, a paper carrier strip feeds along a conveyor. Along one edge of the carrier strip, the paper is folded back against itself. Fibrous filter segments are then deposited on the carrying strip in spaced apart intervals. The spacing defines cavities between adjacent filter segments. The carrier strip with the deposited filter segments is fed along a path of travel into an elongated guide or support chamber that substantially surrounds the circumference of the paper-enveloped segments and which leaves a narrow fill opening opposite an elongated particulate filling opening that is elongated in the direction of motion of the carrying strip. Suction or a vacuum is concurrently applied adjacent the narrow opening, the suction increasing a downward momentum of a gravity feed stream of particulate matter and concurrently vacuums away loose particulate matter.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: An automatic filter tip attaching machine includes a mechanical structure moved by a computer program to automatically attach three filter tip stages a, b, c to cigarettes, with a chemical powder filled in the filter tip b to absorb nicotine and tar completely from cigarette smoke.

Abstract: A filter-tipped cigarette includes a tobacco portion having a tobacco material wrapped by a cigarette paper, and a filter portion which is connected to the tobacco portion. The filter portion has a filter body composed of a plurality of individual filter plug sections, a plurality of individual filter plug wrappers individually wrapping the filter plug sections and an integral filter wrapper integrally wrapping the filter plug sections wrapped by the filter plug wrappers. The tobacco filter portions are integrally connected by a tip paper. The tip paper has a plurality of ventilation holes. The individual filter plug wrapper corresponding to the ventilation holes has an air permeability lower than the integral filter wrapper.

Abstract: A grading device includes an assembly drum with feeding grooves, and a grading drum arranged adjacent to the assembly drum and rotating in the opposite direction from that of the assembly drum at twice the peripheral speed. The grading drum has a pair of groove arrays which have grading grooves with a pitch twice that of feeding grooves on the assembly drum. The grading grooves of adjacent arrays are shifted from each other by a half pitch. The grading device further includes a pair of fork claws for holding a pair of charcoal plugs received in the feeding groove in cooperation with the outer peripheral surface of the grading drum when the paired charcoal plugs on the assembly drum pass by the grading drum. The paired charcoal plugs are put into the corresponding grading groove while rolling on the grading drum.

Abstract: A filter material comprises a cellulose acetate fiber tow containing 5-50% by weight of a water soluble material and/or a water dispersible material which are soluble in a solvent which dissolves cellulose acetate and which are not compatible with cellulose acetate. Due to the inclusion of the above-mentioned water soluble material and/or water dispersible material in the cellulose acetate fiber, in the presence of moisture, the fiber surface becomes porous by the elution of this water soluble material and/or water dispersible material from the fiber, and the surface area of the fiber is increased. Consequently, the shape of the cellulose acetate fiber tow is easily broken down, and the decomposability of the fiber by microorganisms and the like is increased. When a cigarette filter is made using this type of filter material, a cigarette filter is obtained which has easy decomposability in the natural environment and particularly in water, in atmospheres which contain large amounts of moisture, and the like.

Abstract: A filter plug feeding apparatus comprises a pair of hoppers in which charcoal and plain filter rods are stored, a pair of hopper drums for delivering charcoal and plain filter rods from the hoppers, respectively, the hoppers being able to discharge the filter rods in a manner such that the axial centers of the filter rods are situated individually on feeding lines for their corresponding hopper drums and the delivered filter rods being cut into a pair of filter half rods on the hopper drums, a separation drum for separate a pair of charcoal half rods received from one hopper drum, an assembly drum for receive the pair of charcoal half rods the from the separation drum and a pair of plain half rods from the other hopper drum, and rotary knives detachably attached to the assembly drum and capable of cutting each of the charcoal half rod into a pair of charcoal plugs.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided in which a replaceable tobacco flavor unit containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of permanent reusable heaters to evolve flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. Each heater heats only a portion of the available tobacco flavor material so that a plurality of individual puffs of tobacco flavor substance can be delivered sequentially to the smoker. The replaceable tobacco flavor unit can also include a filter to reduce the effect of residual aerosol which settles or condenses on the permanent portions of the article and which can result in off-tastes when reheated. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the replaceable tobacco flavor unit is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method includes rapidly feeding a free-flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free-flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance. Vacuum is used to hold the free-flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance and is used to transfer the free-flowing material to the second conveyance and to hold it there. The free-flowing material is next transferred onto receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance. The transfer of the free-flowing material to the receiving spaces and retention is also facilitated by application of vacuum.

Abstract: A continuous tow of filamentary filter material is advanced past a rotary applicator which delivers metered but variable quantities of a second filter material (such as granulated or pulverulent charcoal) into successive increments of the tow. The tow and the delivered second filter material are thereupon draped into a web of wrapping material to form a filter rod which is sub-divided into sections of desired length. The density and/or the mass of the filter rod or of successive filter rod sections is monitored and the results of such monitoring operation are utilized to regulate the rate of delivery of second filter material so that the mass or density of the rod remains constant. The draw resistance of the filter rod or of filter rod sections can be monitored to generate signals which are used to regulate the rate of advancement of the tow toward the draping station and to thus maintain the draw resistance at least substantially constant.

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: This invention relates to a laminated belt for use in a machine which delivers free flowing material into receiving spaces in between filter plugs. The belt of this invention is a lamination of a metal band and a composition strap perforated with a plurality of apertures. This belt travels in part parallel with and adjacent to a garniture tape carrying filter plugs separated by receiving spaces. The composition strap is shaped to conform to the round shape of the filter plugs, and it contacts the filter plugs, urging them against the garniture tape. The belt and the garniture tape are synchronized so that the receiving spaces precisely register with the apertures in the belt, while an independent device delivers free flowing material through the apertures into the receiving spaces. By urging the filter plugs against the garniture tape, the belt holds the filter plugs in this registered position on the garniture tape.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter comprising a rod of tobacco smoke filtering material incorporating particulate additive, wherein at least some of the particulate additive is concentrated on one or a restricted number of threads and/or strips incorporated within the remaining body of filtering material, the additive adhering to said thread(s) and/or strip(s).

Abstract: A cigarette filter has a substantially cylindrical inner member of filter material surrounded by an outer member of filter material and a plugwrap. The density of the inner and outer members are typically different, and a flavorant is added to at least one of the members. Methods and apparatus for making the filter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for improving selective filter retention and pass through properties of cigarette filter elements by treating with polyethyleneimine modified to a predetermined pH range with one or more indicated water soluble organic acids, as a filter modifier composition, and the corresponding filter element and cigarette.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rods having individual pellets positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by cutting a strand of plasticized material into pellets which are then inserted into a web of filter tow. A wheel having a series of grooves is rotated within a rim-like housing, and introduction of a plasticized flavor-containing strand into each groove results in a cutting of the strand into pellets of the desired size. Each pellet is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the pellets positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-making unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the strand, the rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the grooved wheel and the rate of pellet formation are controlled relative to one another such that pellets of well controlled size are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

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: A smoke filter and a method for manufacturing the filter from a continuous multifilament filter tow are described in which a portion of the filter tow is treated with a dye to impart color to a discrete elongated zone of dye-treated filaments that is in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the smoke filter.

Abstract: Method for reducing normal concentrations of hydrogen cyanide and/or nitrogen oxide by-products in cigarette smoke, by using, as garniture feed for a cigarette filter rod-making apparatus, one or more substrates, one or more surfaces thereof being treated by applying thereto an effective amount of at least one of(A) a solution, emulsion or dispersion of at least one of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide in a nonionic spin solution;(B) glycerol triacetate;and corresponding filter element and cigarette utilizing a filter formed of such substrate(s).

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 process for producing cigarette filters comprising a compound containing L-ascorbic acid and having the compound added to an adsorptional filter material in a quantity of 5-200% of the amount of said adsorptional filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a filter rod having a hollow tube extending longitudinally through the filter rod. The apparatus includes a supply reel of hollow tubing, a supply of filter material web, and a garniture funnel into which the filter material web and hollow tubing are continuously, concurrently fed for wrapping the filter material web into a cylindrical configuration enclosing the hollow tube longitudinally therein. The apparatus also includes a plasticizer or adhesive applicator for coating the outside wall surface of the tube with a plasticizer or adhesive before it is fed into the garniture funnel, and a tube guide nozzle located at the inlet to the garniture funnel for positioning and guiding the hollow tube into the garniture funnel.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter includes a corrugated tape-like wrapping which, together with an outer perforated or otherwise air-permeable paper, defines a set of longitudinal grooves. Each of the grooves includes a blocking member, so as to inhibit direct smoke flow through the grooves and promote a ventilation effect. The blocking members in each groove are longitudinally staggered from one groove to the next to simplify the production of the device.

Abstract: Composite filters for attachment to cigarettes and containing particulate filtering material are produced by directly accelerating the particulate material, e.g. by means of a rotary impeller (62), to form a continuous stream which converges with a stream of spaced filter portions (6), both streams having approximately the same speed. The stream of particulate material is slightly laterally offset relative to the stream of filter portions, so that particulate material introduced into the spaces between filter portions has a tangential component and follows a helical motion within the space. Excess particulate material is removed by suction assisted scrapers or brushes (80-90). Delivery of particulate material may be regulated by an adjustable screen (65) or by varying the speed of the impeller (62).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing tobacco smoke filters wherein a continuous tube of smoke filtration material is ensheathed in a smoke-pervious layer of fibrous material. The ensheathed tube is cut into discrete lengths and in each of the lengths a cross section of the ensheathed material is rendered impervious to the passage of tobacco smoke and the tube is closed at a distance spaced longitudinally from the cross section.

Abstract: This invention provides a cigarette filter comprising a filter core (2), a plugwrap (4) around the core, a profiled spacer wrap (6) around the plugwrap, and tipping material (8) around the spacer wrap, the profiled spacer wrap providing between the plugwrap and tipping material passages (14,16) which are in lateral air flow communication and extend longitudinally of the filter to open at an end thereof, the tipping material providing in use of the filter for the drawing of external air therethrough directly into at least some of the said passages, and the plugwrap beneath the passages being smoke-impermeable. The spacer wrap may be longitudinally corrugated to provide adjacent longitudinal passages (14,16) which are in air flow communication via apertures (15) through the side walls of the corrugations.

Abstract: The charcoal wheel is provided with pnuematic means for forcing the pistons outwardly to dispense charcoal and a second pneumatic means for the retraction of the pistons. The pneumatic ejection of the pistons permits a high speed output, for example 6000 inserts per minute i.e. more than twice the output of current state of the art machines. Each piston is made in one piece with an integral stop to limit the outward movement and the inward movement of the piston.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a cutter having pairs or rotary knives for cutting a filter rod into plural filter plugs and a pin wheel for positively ejecting the filter plugs in spaced array onto a conveyor. The apparatus also has a rotary feed means for the granular filter material which employs an independently rotatable cam wheel with pins for pushing out the plungers of the feed wheel to expel the charges of granular filter material. The garniture also laterally compresses the filter plugs to form a restricted pocket between two filter plugs to receive the granular filter material.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter is disclosed, which provides tobacco flavor enrichment of smoke passing therethrough. The filter comprises a reconstituted tobacco member formed from a coherent sheet of reconstituted tobacco which has been uniformly embossed with a series of parallel grooves, and then compacted and bonded into a self-sustaining dimensionally stable axially elongated body whose longitudinal axis extends parallel to the embossed grooves. The embossed grooves provide the reconstituted tobacco member with flow passages having a high surface area for contact with smoke passing therethrough, so as to enable the smoke to become tobacco flavor-enriched by extracting tobacco flavor from the reconstituted tobacco.

Abstract: The sensory effect of cigarette smoke is improved by using a disc (24) to shape the flow of smoke (32) leaving smoking article (10) into a divergent pattern, thus increasing the perceived flavor of the cigarette. The effect is most useful with cigarettes having relatively low delivery of particulate matter.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter is disclosed, which provides tobacco flavor enrichment of smoke passing therethrough. The filter comprises a reconstituted tobacco member formed from a coherent sheet of reconstituted tobacco which has been uniformly embossed with a series of parallel grooves, and then compacted and bonded into a self-sustaining dimensionally stable axially elongated body whose longitudinal axis extends parallel to the embossed grooves. The embossed grooves provide the reconstituted tobacco member with flow passages having a high surface area for contact with smoke passing therethrough, so as to enable the smoke to become tobacco flavor-enriched by extracing tobacco flavor from the reconstituted tobacco.

Abstract: Improvements relating to composite filter rods, for producing composite filters for attachment to cigarettes, are obtained by partially enclosing a stream of spaced filter portions in a continuous wrapper so that pockets between the filter portions for receiving granular filter material are particularly well-defined. The material is introduced into the pockets through a relatively narrow opening defined on one side by the free edge of one side of the wrapper and on the other side by a longitudinal fold line in the wrapper. After filling, the part of the wrapper beyond the fold line is sealed over to complete the rod.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of cigarette filters containing particulate material. Filter material composed of cellulose acetate tow is fed in the axial direction through a gap defined between a first pair of rolls so that the transverse cross-section of the filter material is changed to a substantially oval shape. The filter material is then fed through another gap defined between a second pair of rolls so that the transverse cross-section of the filter material is further changed to a substantially heart shape and at the same time providing pockets at axially spaced positions. Particulate material is deposited in said pockets. The filter material is closed so that the deposited particulate material is positioned in the interior of the filter material and wrapped with wrapping sheets.

Abstract: Successive groups of axially aligned component filter portions are separately united by one or more wrapper portions while moving axially. The composite filter rods formed from the groups are separate, so that there is no need for a continuous rod cut-off. Composite filters, for attachment to cigarette lengths, are subsequently obtained from the rods by cutting at appropriate positions.

Abstract: A filter is formed by placing increments of glue in spaced apart relation on a moving stream of plug wrap paper and thereafter depositing alternating fibrous filter sections on the glue increments. Particulate material is then deposited between the fibrous filter sections and the plug wrap paper wrapped about the filter sections to form an endless rod. Two-filter filter plugs are severed from the rod by cutting through the unglued fibrous filter section and thereafter the charges of particulate filter material are compacted by moving the unglued outer filter sections of each plug inwardly. Each plug is then joined to two tobacco columns and cut in half. The resultant filters each have a fibrous filter section at the exposed end glued to the plug wrap paper, a compacted particulate section and an unglued fibrous filter section at the tobacco end.

Abstract: A continuous filter rod wherein dissimilar filter rod sections alternate with each other is monitored by a photosensitive detector which detects changes in the degree to which different sections absorb and/or reflect radiation. A pulse generator transmits signals for each unit length of the rod and such signals are multiplied and transmitted to several counters one of which ascertains whether or not the number of signals between two successive changes of the intensity of radiation is too low (this denotes that the length of filter rod sections of a certain type is insufficient), another of which ascertains whether or not the number of signals between two successive changes of the intensity of radiation is excessive (this denotes that the length of filter rod sections of a certain type is excessive), and a third of which ascertains whether or not the cutoff severs the filter rod at desired locations, e.g., midway across successive filter rod sections of a given type.