Method and apparatus for conveying filter tow

In a process for converting a continuous, multifilament filter tow into a filter rod wherein the filter tow is bloomed by a high velocity stream of gaseous fluid in a jet device having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and the resulting cylindrically-shaped, bloomed filter tow is subsequently introduced into a rod-forming device for compacting and shaping the tow into a filter rod, the improvement which comprises (a) withdrawing the cylindrically-shaped, bloomed filter tow from the jet device by at least two rotating, cooperating rolls, each roll comprising a shaft provided with a plurality of discrete tow-contacting members projecting radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft and adapted to engage and to advance the filter tow between the rolls without significantly compressing the filter tow between directly opposed tow-contacting members, (b) passing the bloomed filter tow around each of said cooperating rolls to form a substantially semicircumferential path around each cooperating roll and (c) directing the filter tow to the rod-forming means while substantially preserving the cylindrically-shaped, bloomed configuration of the filter tow.

In a process for converting a continuous, multifilament filter tow into a filter rod wherein the filter tow is bloomed by a high velocity stream of gaseous fluid in a jet device having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and the resulting cylindrically-shaped, bloomed filter tow is subsequently introdued into a rod-forming device for compacting and shaping the tow into a filter rod, the improvement which comprises (a) withdrawing the cylindrically-shaped, bloomed filter tow from the jet device by at least two rotating, cooperating rolls, each roll comprising support means for a plurality of discrete tow-contacting members projecting radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the roll and adapted to engage and to advance the filter tow between the rolls without significantly compressing the filter tow between directly opposed tow-contacting members, the tow-contacting members of at least one of the rolls being provided with recessed areas for engaging the filter tow during its traverse of the cooperating rolls, (b) passing the bloomed filter tow around each of said cooperating rolls to form a substantially semicircumferential path around each cooperating roll and (c) directing the filter tow to the rod-forming means while substantially preserving the cylindrically-shaped, bloomed configuration of the filter tow.