Apparatus and method for manufacturing inhaler articles
AssigneePhilip Morris Products S.A.
InventorsIvan PRESTIA, Elena MALAFRONTE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a filling-and-closing rotating drum for an apparatus for manufacturing inhaler articles. The filling-and-closing rotating drum comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged grooves. Neighbouring grooves are separated by protruding edges. Each groove comprises a first flute configured for receiving an inhaler article precursor and a second flute configured for receiving an inhaler article precursor. The first and second flutes are arranged between two neighbouring protruding edges. The invention further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing inhaler articles. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing inhaler articles.
Claims15
A filling-and-closing rotating drum for an apparatus for manufacturing inhaler articles, the filling-and-closing rotating drum comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged grooves,
- wherein neighbouring grooves are separated by protruding edges, and
- wherein each groove comprises a first flute configured for receiving an inhaler article precursor and a second flute configured for receiving an inhaler article precursor, the first and second flutes being arranged between two neighbouring protruding edges.
An apparatus for manufacturing inhaler articles, the apparatus comprising a filling-and-closing station, the filling-and-closing station comprising a filling-and-closing rotating drum configured for receiving a plurality of inhaler article precursors, each inhaler article precursor comprising at least one open tubular end,
- wherein the filling-and-closing station is configured for both filling and closing the at least one open tubular end of the inhaler article precursors while the inhaler article precursors are being received by the filling-and-closing rotating drum.
A method for manufacturing inhaler articles, the method comprising
- providing a filling-and-closing rotating drum comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged flutes, each flute being configured for receiving an inhaler article precursor;
- receiving, in a first flute, an at least partly filled first inhaler article precursor comprising an open tubular end into which an object has been inserted;
- receiving, in a second flute, an empty second inhaler article precursor comprising an open tubular end;
- inserting an object into the open tubular end of the empty second inhaler precursor article to receive an at least partly filled second inhaler article precursor whilst the second inhaler article precursor is being received in the second flute;
- and
- at least partly closing the open tubular end of the first inhaler article precursor into which the object has been inserted to receive an at least partly closed first inhaler article precursor whilst the first inhaler article precursor is being received in the first flute.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.