An apparatus and process for making a cigarette tow comprising: means for
spinning a dope comprising a solution of
cellulose acetate and
solvent; means for taking-up the as-spun
cellulose acetate filaments; means for lubricating the
cellulose acetate filaments; means for forming a tow from the
cellulose acetate filaments; means for crimping the tow, the means for crimping comprising a stuffer box crimper comprising a pair of nip rollers adapted to engage the tow, a pair of
cheek plates juxtaposed to the pair of nip rollers adapted to keep the tow between the pair of nip rollers, a pair of doctor blades adjacent to an exit end of said pair of nip rollers, and a stuffer box having a stuffer channel adjacent the pair of doctor blades adapted to receive the tow into the channel from the pair of nip rollers, a
flapper located at a distal end of the channel adapted to bearingly engage the tow; means for
drying the crimped tow; and means for baling the dried crimped tow. The apparatus and process further comprises at least two of the following: A. wherein the means for crimping further comprising one roller of the pair of nip rollers being adapted to induce
crimp into the tow; B. wherein the means for crimping further comprising one roller of the pair of nip rollers being made of a
solid ceramic material; C. wherein the means for crimping further comprising a pair of tow edge lubricators adapted to lubricate lateral edges of the tow immediately prior to contact with the pair of nip rollers and being ahead of and in contact with the pair of
cheek plates; D. wherein the means for crimping further comprising a steam
injector being in communication with the channel; E. further comprising a means for plasticizing the tow being located after means for forming the tow and before the means for crimping the tow; F. wherein means for lubricating the filaments further comprises a finish comprising an
emulsion of 62.0 to 65.0 weight percent of
mineral oil; 27.0 to 28.0 weight percent of emulsifiers, the emulsifiers being a mixture of 50.0 to 52.0 weight percent
sorbitan monolaurate, and 48.0 to 50.0 weight percent POE (20)
sorbitan monolaurate; and the balance being water.