Equipment for insertion of objects into smoking articles

摘要

Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material. Then, the filter material is formed into a continuous rod having individual objects positioned at predetermined spaced intervals within that rod. The continuous rod then is subdivided at predetermined intervals so as to form a plurality of filter rods (e.g., four-up filter rods containing four spaced objects).

主权项

1. An apparatus for manufacturing cigarette filter rods, the apparatus comprising:
(a) means for providing a continuous supply of filter material; (b) means for forming the filter material into a continuous rod; (c) wheel means rotatable in a vertical plane, possessing pockets positioned in its outermost peripheral face, and in operable communication with the filter material; (d) a lower hopper in operable communication with the rotatable wheel means, the lower hopper comprising a front panel, a back wall, two side walls connecting the front panel and the back wall, and an open bottom defined by the front panel, the back wall and two side walls, the open bottom of the lower hopper shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of the wheel means; (e) an upper hopper in operable communication with the lower hopper, the lower hopper disposed between the wheel means and the upper hopper such that an object may be fed by gravity from the upper hopper through the lower hopper to the rotatable wheel means; (f) means for wrapping an overwrap material around the filter material; (g) means for subdividing the continuous rod at pre-determined intervals.