APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A TOW OF FILTER MATERIAL

摘要

An apparatus for processing one or more tows of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke between one or more bales and the inlet of a filter rod making machine defines for each tow an elongated path having a substantially U- shaped or V-shaped part. Successive increments of the tow are stretched at least while advancing downwardly alone one one leg of the U-shaped or V-shaped part of the path, and successive increments of the tow are gathered while advancing upwardly along the other leg of the U-shaped or V-shaped part of the path. A unit which serves to spray a plasticizing agent against the filaments of the tow is adjacent the substantially horizontal portion between the lower ends of the legs of the U-shaped part or is adjacent the lower region of the other leg of the V-shaped part of the path. The length of the one leg of the U-shaped or the V-shaped part of the path need not exceed 1200 mm, and the maximum width of the tow need not exceed 150 mm.