Method and apparatus for producing tobacco smoke filter rods

A method for producing tobacco smoke filter rods having improved drawing resistance and an improved coefficient of variation from a filter tow of crimped spun fibers and/or filaments, the method comprising spreading, loosening, stretching, and relaxing the filter tow in a preparation zone, then passing the filter tow to a processing zone for gathering together the filter tow in an intake zone, the intake zone having an intake finger means, treating the filter tow with a gas or vapor under elevated pressure in the direction of movement of the filter tow at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the axis of the filter tow with the aid of an intake nozzle for conveying the filter tow preceding the intake finger means, forming a continuous tobacco smoke filter rod and cutting the continuous filter rod into individual tobacco smoke filter rods,

• characterized in that the filter tow is treated a second time, after passing through the intake nozzle, in the intake finger means with a gas or vapor under elevated pressure in the direction of movement of the filter tow at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the axis of the filter tow, and the gas or vapor is permitted to escape from a sidewall of the intake finger means thereafter;
• wherein the drawing resistance of the filter rods is substantially uniform and the coefficient of variation thereof is low.