Device and method for the treatment of filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles

Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for treating filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes in the strand method wherein a Towentnahmeeinrichtung (14) for removing a Towstreifens (4) of a Towvorrat (6) is provided. In a downstream from the Towentnahmeeinrichtung (14) arranged Towaufbereitungszone (8), processing means (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) for processing the Towstreifens (4). Downstream of the Towaufbereitungszone (8) is a separating device (16) for dividing the processed Towstreifens (30) in at least two Teiltowstreifen (30a, 30b) disposed each having a relative to the pre-determined cross-sectional area and / or use width reduced partial use cross-sectional area or use width. Further, by the separation means (16) is provided downstream of at least two Towfuhrungsstrecken having Substitutzufuhrungseinrichtung (10) for feeding the substitute (34) which consists of a from Towmaterial of Towstreifens (4; 30) or the Teiltowstreifen (30a, 30b) of different material is and is suitable to supplement or Teiltowstreifen (30a, 30b) so as to fill that it usable for the preparation of the filter tow filter (40, 42) are formed with only a partial amount of Towmaterial.