摘要 |
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel (18), an assembly wheel (20), a take-off wheel (22), and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes (10) are loaded from the feed wheel (18) to the assembly wheel (20) where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubesiO' are then transferred to take-off wheel (22) and then to a flipping wheel (24) where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes (10'') are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be ~ filled. The filled tube (10''') is transferred to a take-off wheel (22), where it is then removed from the take off wheel (22) using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing. |