Feeder system for rod components of tobacco products, and associated method

摘要

A feeder system and associated method are provided for feeding rod components of a tobacco product, particularly a rod-shaped, cylindrical, or stick-type tobacco product, wherein such a tobacco product may be intended to be used in a smokeless manner. A hopper is configured to receive a plurality of rod components therein. A separator device is operably engaged with the hopper and is configured to receive one of the plurality of rod components at a time therefrom. An orienting device is operably engaged with the separator device. The orienting device is configured to receive the one of the plurality of rod components in a first orientation and to direct the one of the plurality of rod components into a second orientation, different from the first orientation, and toward a subsequent process.

主权项

1. A method for feeding rod components of a tobacco product, said method comprising:
receiving a plurality of rod components in a hopper; receiving one of the plurality of rod components at a time, from the hopper, with a separator device operably engaged therewith, the separator device being substantially cylindrical and rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined thereby, and comprising a separator member defining at least one groove extending parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, the separator member further defining at least one channel extending circumferentially thereabout so as to intersect the at least one groove, wherein the separator device further comprises a removal member, and wherein receiving the one of the plurality of rod components at a time further comprises:
receiving one of the rod components from the hopper in the at least one groove defined by the separator member, upon registration thereof with the hopper, at a first angular position of the separator member;dispensing the one rod component to an orienting device at a second angular position of the separator member, the second angular position being spaced apart from the first angular position in a rotational direction of the separator member; andextending the removal member, disposed about the second angular position of the separator member, into the at least one channel upon rotation of the separator member to the second angular position so as to facilitate dispensation of the one rod component from the at least one groove to the orienting device; and receiving the one of the plurality of rod components in a first orientation, from the separator device, with the orienting device, and directing the one of the plurality of rod components into a second orientation, different from the first orientation, with the orienting device, before directing the one of the plurality of rod components toward a subsequent process.