Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters
AssigneeR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorPhilip A. Deal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.
Claims20
A method for providing filter rods for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, each filter rod having objects individually spaced at predetermined intervals along a length thereof, the method comprising:
- supplying a continuous web of filter material from a source of filter material;
- rotating a vacuum-assisted insertion wheel having a peripheral face, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets;
- introducing individual spherical objects into the plurality of spaced pockets along the peripheral face of the insertion wheel, at least one of the pockets having a seat comprising a hollow tube having a cylindrical-shaped side wall with a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly from the side wall that define gaps therebetween to permit flow of air past the individual spherical object supported on the seat, said plurality of protrusions defining a support surface to position one individual spherical object centrally within the hollow tube, and wherein only one individual spherical object is held within a pocket, and a vacuum is applied to at least a portion of the pockets through the gaps to maintain the individual spherical objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel;
- separating the continuous web of filter material;
- inserting at predetermined intervals the individual spherical objects from within the pockets to within cavities formed where the web of filter material is separated;
- and
- compressing the continuous web of filter material to form a continuous rod of filter material having the individual spherical objects positioned at the predetermined intervals within the rod.
A method for providing filter rods for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, each filter rod having objects individually spaced at predetermined intervals along a length thereof, the method comprising:
- supplying a continuous web of filter material from a source of filter material;
- rotating a transfer member about a first axis, the transfer member having a radially outward peripheral portion and comprising a plurality of holes spaced around the radially outward peripheral portion of the transfer member, the plurality of holes positioned to receive a supply of a plurality of individual objects during rotation of the transfer member;
- rotating a vacuum-assisted insertion wheel having a peripheral face about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation of the transfer member, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets;
- introducing the individual objects from the transfer member into the plurality of spaced pockets along the peripheral face of the insertion wheel, at least one of the pockets having a seat comprising a hollow tube having a cylindrical-shaped side wall with a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly from the side wall that define gaps therebetween to permit flow of air past the individual spherical object supported on the seat, said plurality of protrusions defining a support surface to position one individual spherical object centrally within the hollow tube, and wherein each object is held within a pocket, and a vacuum is applied to at least a portion of the pockets through the gaps to maintain the individual objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel;
- separating the continuous web of filter material;
- inserting at predetermined intervals the individual objects from within the pockets to within cavities formed where the web of filter material is separated;
- and
- compressing the continuous web of filter material to form a continuous rod of filter material having the individual objects positioned at the predetermined intervals within the rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.