Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting and eliminating cigarettes having loose filter tips whereby the tobacco rod end of a filter cigarette is held in place and a pre-set separating force is exerted on the filter to see if the filter is secured properly to the tobacco rod; and, if not, the filter and tobacco rod are rejected. A rotatable, splitable drum assembly is provided with a first and second vacuum source and the rotatable, splitable drum assembly is splitable into first and second segments. The drum is provided with longitudinally extending grooves therein which continually extend onto the first and second segments. Each groove is sized to receive a filter tip cigarette therein and each groove is also in vacuum communication with the first and second vacuum source. The first segment of the drum is coupled with the tobacco rod end of a filter tip cigarette by the first vacuum and the second segment of the drum is coupled with the filter of the filter tip cigarette by the second vacuum.