Apparatus, components thereof and method for handling rods of aerosol-generating material

Abstract

An apparatus for handling rods of aerosol-generating material. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of elongate flutes provided around an outer surface of the drum and extending in an axial direction of the drum. The rotatable drum comprises a circumferential groove in the outer surface and intersecting the flutes and a guide member comprising a longitudinal arm having a guide surface at a first end thereof. An airflow is outlet located at the guide surface and an airflow passage in fluid communication with the airflow outlet. The airflow passage is connected to a supply of pressurised gas to supply pressurised gas to the airflow outlet. The guide member is disposed with the guide surface at least partially received within the groove and configured to expel gas from the airflow outlet onto rods carried in the flutes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.