Apparatus for making fillers for rod-shaped smokers' products having dense ends

摘要

Apparatus is provided for removing the surplus of tobacco fibrous material from one side of a continuous stream. The apparatus comprises conveyer means for moving the stream lengthwise so that one side of the stream remains exposed. Compressing means are further provided for compacting spaced-apart portions of the moving stream. The apparatus further includes filler segregating means including at least one rotary disc having a marginal portion extending into the moving stream wherein the marginal portion includes at least one pocket having an open side facing the exposed side of the stream with the surplus of fibrous material extending beyond the marginal portion. Means are further provided for rotating the disc at a peripheral speed which at least closely approximates the speed of the lengthwise movement of the stream. At least one pocket is arranged to receive and temporarily confine parts of the compacted portions of the stream. Means are further provided for separating the material which extends beyond the marginal portion and is not confined in the pocket so that the thus treated stream is converted into a filler having portions which correspond to the spaced-apart portions of the stream and each of which contains a larger quantity of fibrous material and the remaining portions of the filler as a result of the compacting action of the compressing means and the temporary confinement of the spaced-apart portions of the pocket.