Distributor for cigarette rod making machines or the like

Claim 1

In an apparatus for producing a homogeneous layer of fibrous particles, particularly in a distributor for shredded tobacco, the combination of a source of fibrous particles; a conveyor having means for withdrawing from said source a continuous layer of fibrous particles and for advancing said layer in a predetermined direction and along a predetermined path wherein said layer has an exposed side; and means for homogenizing said layer including a barrier having a continuous uninterrupted first surface adjacent to and in contact with the exposed side of said layer, a second surface adjacent to said first surface, extending substantially transversely of said path and facing counter to said direction so that at least some particles of said layer which extend beyond said first surface are intercepted by and pile up at said second surface to form a supply of particles immediately upstream of said first surface, and a third surface coextensive with and remote from said first surface, said second surface being disposed between said first and third surfaces, means for moving said barrier substantially transversely of said path, said first surface of said barrier having raised and recessed portions which homogenize said layer between said first surface and said conveyor as a result of said movement of said barrier transversely of said path and allow all fibrous particles which advance beyond said second surface to move along and beyond said first surface, and refuser means for moving the surplus of piled-up particles of said supply counter to said direction, said refuser means being adjacent to said third surface so that the height of said supply of particles is at least substantially constant and equals the width of said second surface.