Method and apparatus for forming cigarette filter rods

In a range extension process of manufacturing filter elements from opened and deregistered crimped continuous filament tow wherein the tow is conducted from a mechanical forwarding means through an aspirating jet into an immediately adjacent compacting means and wherein means are provided for dissipating aspirating fluid, the improvement comprising:

• (a) causing said tow to contact a tow controlling means positioned intermediate said mechanical forwarding means and said aspirating jet, said tow controlling means controlling said width and direction and imparting at least some drag to said tow;
• and (b) dissipating said aspirating fluids by means of a perforated funnel member positioned between said aspirating jet and said compacting means, said perforated funnel member having a depth sufficient to temporarily accumulate tow in a substantially tension free state prior to the tow being drawn into said compacting means whereby pressure drop and weight variations in resultant cigarette filter elements are reduced at extended points in range.