Patent ID: 6532966
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A24C,B23K

Abstract:
Apparatus for increasing the permeabilities of tubular envelopes forming part of rod-shaped commodities and being perforatable in response to exposure to high-energy radiation, comprising:means for rolling a series of successive commodities sideways along a given path, including an at least partially hollow conveyor having an external surface bounding a portion of said path; a source of high-energy radiation; and means for directing at least some of the radiation issuing from said source through said at least partially hollow conveyor and against the envelopes of commodities rolling along said portion of said path for perforating said envelopes, wherein said means for directing includes at least one radiation reflecting element which is movable from a given starting position while directing radiation upon the envelope of a commodity along said portion of said path and back to said starting position.