Patent ID: 7380552

Claim:
A unit for forming a continuous mat ( 3 ) of tobacco with denser portions ( 41 ), the unit ( 2 ) comprising: a conveyor belt ( 6 ) extending along a given path (P); first feed means ( 20 ) located along said path (P) and for feeding a first continuous stream ( 22 ) of shredded tobacco onto said conveyor belt ( 6 ); first suction means ( 16 , 17 ) located on the opposite side of said conveyor belt ( 6 ) to said first feed means ( 20 ), and cooperating with said first feed means ( 20 ) to retain a continuous mat ( 3 ) of shredded tobacco on said conveyor belt ( 6 ); second feed means ( 35 ) for feeding a second continuous stream ( 37 ) of shredded tobacco onto said conveyor belt ( 6 ); and second suction means ( 10 , 26 ) located on the opposite side of said conveyor belt ( 6 ) to said second feed means ( 35 ), comprising a return suction pulley ( 10 ) for returning said conveyor belt ( 6 ) along said path (P) and cooperating with said second feed means ( 35 ) to retain on said conveyor belt ( 6 ) a succession of localized quantities ( 40 ) of shredded tobacco spaced along said conveyor belt ( 6 ) with the same spacing as said denser portions ( 41 ).