VIBRATIONAL REMOVAL OF EXCESS PARTICULATE MATTER

摘要

An assembly and method enhances particulate matter retention during the filling of a moving cavity (11). The assembly further reduces the tendency of particulate matter (18) to come to rest at a point other than in the moving cavity (11). The assembly for enhancing particulate matter retention comprises a transport (22) for continuously moving a stream of empty cavities (11) in a downstream direction. The assembly further includes a feed (16) for depositing particulate matter (18) from a supply (14) into the empty cavities (11) on the transport (22). A vibrator (30) engages the cavities (11) on the transport (22) thereby vibrating the cavities (11) to enhance particulate matter (18) retention within the cavities (11) and to remove any excess particulate matter (11) from areas adjacent the cavities (11). The assembly and method are particularly suited for efficiently filing cavities (11) in a multiple component cigarette filter preform (12) with carbon or similar type granules.