# US 12,178,240 B2 · Apparatus for inserting microcapsule objects into a filter element of a smoking article, and associated method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,240 B2 - Document ID: US12178240B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/346,651 - Filed: 2023-07-03 - Published: 2023-11-02 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-29 - Assignees: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Applicants: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Inventors: Charles Jacob Novak, III; Vernon Brent Barnes; Robert William Benford; Margarette Elisa Lovette; Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.; Jerry Wayne Pipes; William Robert Collett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178240B2 ## CPC - A24D 3/0216: {the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like} - A24D: CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES ## Abstract An apparatus is provided for forming a cigarette filter rod member defining a longitudinal axis. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit configured to insert a carrier carrying a plurality of frangible microcapsule objects into the rod member. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for forming a cigarette filter rod member defining a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member; an insert forming unit configured to engage a plurality of frangible microcapsule objects with a carrier; and an insertion unit configured to insert the carrier carrying the plurality of frangible microcapsule objects into the rod member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rod-dividing unit configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions along the longitudinal axis thereof such that each rod portion includes at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects carried by the carrier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is further configured to engage a discrete group of the microcapsule objects with a respective discrete unit of the carrier. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is further configured to engage discrete groups of the microcapsule objects with a continuous supply of the carrier such that the groups are regularly spaced apart therealong. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises one of a pouch member, a capsule member, a cartridge member, a strand, a tubular member, a continuous elongate member, a carrier matrix, a continuous strip member, a continuous corrugated member, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion unit is further configured to insert a continuous supply of the carrier carrying the microcapsule objects into the continuous supply of a filter material such that the continuous rod member includes the carrier and associated microcapsule objects therein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a releasing unit configured to release the microcapsule objects from the carrier, once the carrier and associated microcapsule objects are disposed within the rod member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the releasing unit is further configured to one of dissolve, disintegrate, and degrade the carrier to release the microcapsule objects therefrom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to form a plurality of discrete pouches at regularly spaced intervals along a continuous tubular member comprised of a pouch material, the insert forming unit being further configured to deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects in each pouch during formation thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to form a plurality of discrete compartments at regularly spaced intervals along a continuous tubular member comprised of a sheet material, the insert forming unit being further configured to deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects in each compartment during formation thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects into regularly-spaced troughs along a continuous corrugated member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to continuously deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects along a continuous sheet member, the sheet member having an adhesive material associated therewith, such that the at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects adhere thereto. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to continuously deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects into interaction with a continuous web member such that the at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects is dispersed therein, the insert forming unit being further configured to wrap the continuous web member having the at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects dispersed therein about a continuous elongate rod member providing a support structure therefor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to continuously deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects along a continuous elongate strand member, the elongate strand member having an adhesive material associated therewith, such that the at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects adhere thereto. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert forming unit is configured to deposit at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects into each of a plurality of container members, each container member comprising one of a capsule member and a cartridge member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the insertion unit further comprises an insertion facilitation device configured to interact with the container member to direct the container member having the at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsule objects therein into the rod member using a force greater than a gravitational force. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the insertion unit and the insert forming unit is further configured to associate a rupture-facilitating device with the microcapsule objects, the rupture-facilitating device being configured to facilitate rupture of at least a portion of the microcapsule objects upon interaction therebetween. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inspection unit arranged to inspect the rod member having the carrier and microcapsule objects therein, the inspection unit being configured to determine whether the frangible microcapsule objects have remained intact upon insertion into the rod member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the inspection unit comprises a moisture sensor.