Method and apparatus for producing micro bead bearing filter rod
AssigneeAltria Client Services LLC
InventorDwight David Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for manufacturing a filter includes a filamentary material delivery apparatus, a support structure for supporting a continuous stream of filamentary material, and a particle distribution apparatus. The particle distribution apparatus includes an apertured distribution belt positioned above the support structure and in communication with an outlet of a particle storing hopper. The belt defines a plurality of spaced openings through which particles are distributed onto the continuous stream of filamentary material to form a particle-bearing stream of filamentary material.
Claims23
A system for manufacturing a filter comprising:
- a filamentary material delivery apparatus configured to distribute filamentary material;
- a support structure configured to support a continuous stream of filamentary material supplied by the filamentary material delivery apparatus, the support structure being a solid, planar support structure;
- and
- a particle distribution apparatus configured to distribute particles, the particle distribution apparatus disposed downstream of the filamentary material delivery apparatus, the particle distribution apparatus including,
- a hopper configured to store particle material having an outlet;
- and
- an apertured distribution belt positioned above the support structure and in communication with the outlet of the hopper, the apertured distribution belt defining a plurality of spaced openings through which particle material is distributed onto the continuous stream of filamentary material to form a particle-bearing stream of filamentary material.
A method for manufacturing a filter comprising:
- advancing a continuous stream of filamentary material along a solid, planar support structure located beneath a particle distribution apparatus;
- and
- distributing particle material through spaced openings in an aperture distribution belt of the particle distribution apparatus onto the continuous stream of filamentary material, to form a particle-bearing stream of filamentary material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.