Method and apparatus for producing a tobacco rod

Claim 3

A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising compacting the filler stream in at least one of said paths upstream of the respective region.

Claim 4

A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising subjecting the filler stream to a pneumatic compacting action in at least one of said paths upstream of the respective region.

Claim 5

A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of subjecting the filler stream in said paths to the action of suction to hold the stream against movement away from said paths.

Claim 6

A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said last-mentioned step comprises conveying a first air current across the filler stream in said first path so that the current enters the stream by way of said one side and conveying a second air current across the filler stream in said second path so that the second currenT enters the stream by way of said other side.

Claim 7

A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said one side of the filler stream is disposed diametrically opposite said other side.

Claim 8

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said removing steps comprises mechanically removing the surplus from the stream.

Claim 9

A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of measuring the amount of particles in successive increments of the rod and regulating the removal of particles, at least from one side of the stream, as a function of the result of said measurement.

Claim 10

Apparatus for producing a rod of fibrous particles, particularly for producing a filler rod of shredded tobacco particles, comprising means for forming an elongated filler stream containing a surplus of fibrous particles and having a longitudinal axis and a polygonal cross sectional form providing a plurality of sides on opposite sides of said axis; conveyor means for advancing the filler stream along a first path with one of said sides being exposed and thereupon along a second path with another of said sides being exposed; a first removing device arranged to remove from said one side some of the surplus in a region adjacent to said first path; and a second removing device arranged to remove from said other side at least some of the remaining surplus in a region adjacent to said second path to thus convert the filler stream into a rod.

Claim 11

Apparatus for producing a rod of fibrous particles, particularly for producing a filler rod of shredded tobacco particles, comprising means for forming an elongated filler stream containing a surplus of fibrous particles and having a longitudinal axis and a polygonal cross sectional form providing a plurality of sides on opposite sides of said axis; conveyor means for advancing the filler stream along a first path with one of said sides being exposed and thereupon along a second path with another of said sides being exposed; a first removing device arranged to remove from said one side some of the surplus in a region adjacent to said first path; and a second removing device arranged to remove from said other side at least some of the remaining surplus in a region adjacent to said second path to thus convert the filler stream into a rod.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said conveyor means comprises a first conveyor which defines said first path and comprises means for conveying across the filler stream a first current of suction air which enters the stream by way of said one side, and a second conveyor which defines said second path and comprises means for conveying across the filler stream a second current of suction air which enters the stream by way of said other side.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said conveyors is an endless conveyor, said means for conveying said first current of suction air comprising a first suction chamber adjacent to said other side of the filler stream and said means for conveying said second current of suction air comprising a second suction chamber adjacent to said one side of the filler stream.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said removing devices is a mechanical removing device.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising compacting means for subjecting the stream to a compacting action in the region of at least one of said removing devices.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said compacting means comprises mechanical compacting means located upstream of at least one of said removing devices.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein at least one of said removing devices is adjustable and further comprising testing means for measuring the amount of particles in successive increments of the rod and adjusting means for adjusting said one regulating device as a function of the result of measurement performed by said testing means.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said adjusting means is arranged to adjust the one removing device in such a way that each increment of the rod contains a predetermined amount of particles.