Continuous filter rod making machines

A method of forming a filler for a continuous cigarette filter rod comprising the steps of feeding a wide band of filaments of filter material on to a moving surface to which suction is applied, the suction surface moving in the direction of movement of the band but at a lower speed than the speed at which the band is fed so that the band is axially shrunk to crimp the filaments and the axially shrunken band is held to the suction surface, and then narrowing the band to form a filler while retaining the crimp in the filaments produced by the axial shrinking, the band being narrowed by collecting it on a conveyor disposed diagonally across, and travelling generally in the direction of, the suction surface and also having suction applied thereto, and oscillating the conveyor transversely to its direction of travel so that the band is laid alternatively from one side to the other of the conveyor.

A method of forming a filler for a continuous cigarette filter rod comprising the steps of feeding a wide band of filaments of filter material onto a moving surface to which suction is applied, the suction surface moving at a lower speed than the speed at which the band is fed so that the band is axially shrunk to crimp the filaments and the axially shrunken band is held to the suction surface, and then narrowing the band to form a filler while retaining the crimp in the filaments produced by the axial shrinking by directing it against a deflector disposed diagonally across the suction surface to roll the band and form a progressively advancing helical filler, and feeding the filler along the deflector.

Apparatus for forming a filler for a continuous cigarette filter rod comprising a first movable surface having means for applying suction thereto, a second movable surface having means for applying suction thereto, the second surface being closely spaced from the first surface to produce therebetween a wide shallow gap, means for feeding a wide band of filaments of filter material into said gap at a speed greater than the speed of movement of the surfaces, so that the band is axially shrunk to crimp the filaments, and means to narrow the band to the desired width of the filler while retaining the crimp in the filaments produced by the axial shrinking.

Apparatus for forming a filler for a continuous cigarette filter rod comprising a first movable surface in the form of a conveyor, means for applying suction to said conveyor, means for feeding a wide band of filaments of filter material onto the surface of said conveyor at a speed greater than the speed of movement of the surface, so that the band is axially shrunk to crimp the filaments, a deflector disposed diagonally across the width of the conveyor close to the surface thereof to intercept the band and roll it to form a progressively advancing helical filler, and means to narrow the band to the desired width of the filler while retaining the crimp in the filaments produced by the axial shrinking.

Apparatus for forming a filler for a continuous cigarette filter rod, comprising a first conveyor having means for applying suction thereto, means for feeding a wide band of filaments of filter material on to the first conveyor at a speed greater than the speed of movement of the first conveyor so that the band is axially shrunk to crimp the filaments, and means to narrow the band to the desired width of the filler while retaining the crimp in the filaments produced by the axial shrinking, said means to narrow the band including a second conveyor disposed diagonally across the first conveyor to collect and narrow the band, the second conveyor travelling generally in the direction of the first conveyor and also having means for applying suction thereto, and means for oscillating the second conveyor transversely to it direction of travel so that the band is laid alternatively from one side to the other of the second conveyor.