Apparatus for stretching plasticizing and gathering a tow of filter material for tobacco smoke

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 along 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.