摘要 |
<p>One embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a smoking article. The apparatus comprises a conveyor (60) for a tobacco rod (65). The direction of conveyance is parallel- to a central longitudinal axis of the tobacco rod (65). The apparatus further comprises an applicator (72) for applying a liquid additive to the tobacco rod (65) on the conveyor (60). The applicator (72) is configured such that liquid additive received into the tobacco rod (65) has a distribution in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the tobacco rod (65) that is substantially symmetrical about the central axis. In one embodiment, the applicator (65) comprises a plurality of dispensing heads (75A, 75B) disposed around the tobacco rod (65). In another embodiment, the applicator (72) includes a plough (91) for creating a furrow within the tobacco rod (65) and a dispensing head (92) for dispensing additive into the furrow.</p> |