摘要 |
The present invention provides a method of forming a filter rod (R) of separated fibres and/or randomly oriented filter material fibres (F) for the tobacco processing industry, the method comprising: supplying separated filter material fibres (F) to an inlet (I) of a conveyor device (2), conveying the separated filter material fibres (F) along a process path (P) in a conveying direction (D) from the inlet (I) to an outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2), whereby a strand (4) of the filter material fibres (F) is formed along the process path (P), introducing at least one additive (A), especially a binder, to the strand (4) of filter material fibres (F) on the process path (P) in the conveyor device (2) at a position that is closer to the outlet (O) than the inlet (I), and consolidating the filter material fibres (F) into a filter rod (R) by wrapping the strand (4) of filter material fibres (F) with a wrapper material (6) after the strand (4) exits the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2) in the conveying direction (D). Desirably, the at least one additive (A) is introduced or applied to the strand (4) of filter material fibres (F) proximate or adjacent to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2). The invention also provides an apparatus (1) for forming such a filter rod (R) of separated and/or randomly oriented filter material fibres (F). |