Equipment for insertion of objects into smoking articles

摘要

An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material.

主权项

1. A system for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article, comprising:
an object insertion unit configured to insert a plurality of capsules within a substantially continuous filter material; an object inspection unit configured to detect the capsules in the substantially continuous filter material and output a signal with respect to a position of the capsules; a control system configured to receive the signal with respect to the position of the capsules and compare the position of the capsules to a desired position of the capsules; and a rejection unit configured to reject a portion of the substantially continuous filter material in response to the control system outputting an error signal when the position of the capsules differs from the desired position of the capsules.