According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a tube filter production device including a tube filter exterior forming case into which one or more filter tows are introduced and from which a tubular rod formed from the one or more filter tows is discharged, a tube filter forming bar extending in an inner region of the tube filter exterior forming case in order to form a hollow of the tubular rod, and a steam chamber having at least one steam nozzle in communication with the inner region of the tube filter exterior forming case and configured to supply steam to the one or more filter tows through the steam nozzle, wherein the tube filter forming bar has a duct extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube filter forming bar and a flavoring nozzle formed in a downstream end region of the tube filter forming bar to deliver a flavoring liquid or a moisturizing liquid supplied through the duct to the hollow of the tubular rod.

Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.

A device that is in combination with a cigarette filter allowing it to become magnetic, to allow proper retrieval of cigarette filters that are improperly disposed of for simpler and incredible improvements to the time and in which they are obtained. A wide variety of materials and combinations may be used in minimal amounts to allow people to obtain many cigarettes in one motion. A new type of cigarette filter allowing improved clean up procedures be done in a very improved manner. Areas with high traffic, private and public gutters littered often and areas that accumulate large amounts of filters may be quickly remedied often and efficiently in short periods of time.

The present application is directed to an apparatus for inserting objects into a filter rod. The apparatus can include: a first conduit adapted to convey a plurality of the objects in series; a first escapement having a first inlet and a first outlet connected by a first channel, wherein the first inlet is connected to the first conduit; a first singulation drum having an outer periphery defining a first row of first pockets adapted to hold the objects, wherein the first singulation drum is adapted to rotate about a first axis to successively move the first pockets into registry with the first outlet; and at least one first source of air that conveys the objects from the first inlet to the first outlet, and successively into the first pockets of the first singulation drum. Other details and methods of inserting objects into a filter rod are also discussed.

A protective member for rod-like elements, in particular rod sections and/or an endless rod, travelling within a measuring head used in tobacco industry, the measuring head including at least two neighboring sensor units enabling to take measurements of the parameters of the rod-like elements by the radiation emitted and received by the sensor units, the protective member extending through the operation zones of the specific sensor units. The protective member includes compartments defined therein, each compartment corresponding to the operation zone of one sensor unit and each compartment including at least one first opening enabling percolation of the radiation. A measuring head including the protective member is also disclosed.

A method for assessing the acceptability of product filter rods, filters or filter elements which include a longitudinally extending core of filtering material including a longitudinal channel extending from an end of the core.

Smoking article and method of manufacturing a smoking article A smoking article (10), comprises a first part, and a second part movable relative to the first part. An indexing mechanism comprises a first indexing surface (18) on one of the first part or second part; and a second indexing surface (19) on the other of the first and second parts. The second indexing surface (19) is configured to engage with the first indexing surface (18) to control relative movement between the first part and second part.

A method of manufacturing a smoking article including a tube filter includes preparing a smoking material portion, a first tube filter flavored by a first flavoring liquid, and a mouthpiece flavored by a second flavoring liquid; and combining and packaging the smoking material portion, the first tube filter, and the mouthpiece with a wrapper, wherein the preparing comprises applying the first flavoring liquid inside the first tube filter through a hollow of the first tube filter.

A smoking product and method of making thereof for the consumption of a smokable substance. The product has a hollow conical shape that allows for the easy insertion of smokable substances. Additionally, the conical or frustoconical shape of the product provides for larger amounts of smokable substances in the end of the product the consumer lights, resulting in an initial slower prolonged burn. Additionally, the product includes a supporting filter tip with a frangible capsule contained therein and is packaged for sale in packaging in an unfilled state allowing a user to remove the product from the packaging, fill it with the user's selected custom smokable filler and form a custom smoking product.

A method of producing a flavoured tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; the method comprising a step of applying a flavouring agent to a longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. Filters and filter elements are also provided.