Method and apparatus for making composite filter rods

A method of producing composite filter rod, comprising conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, partially wrapping the portions in a continuous wrapper, and conveying a substantially continuous stream of particulate filter material along a path which converges with that of said stream of filter portions, so that the spaces between said portions and enclosed by said wrapper receive particulate material direction from said path, including regulating the rate of supply of particulate material on or onto said path by diverting particulate material onto a subsidiary path.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, and means for projecting particulate filter material with a certain velocity in a substantially continuous stream along a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, further including a movable screen provided with apertures corresponding with the spaces between filter portions in said stream and disposed between said path for particulate material and said spaces, whereby material is introduced into the spaces through said apertures and remaining parts of the screen prevent material contacting the sides of the filter portions.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, wherein the means for conveying particulate material along said path comprises a rotary impeller.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, wherein said path and said stream of spaced filter portions are slightly offset, so that the path terminates to one side of the center line of the filter portions and particulate material is directed from the end of said path predominantly to said one side.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, including means for regulating the flow of particulate material on or onto said path, said regulating means including means for diverting material from said path.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, including means for regulating the flow of particulate material on or onto said path and means for sensing flow on said path and for controlling said regulating means accordingly.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, including means for regulating the flow of particulate material on or onto said path, the regulating means including means responsive to the speed of the stream of spaced filter portions.

A method of producing composite filter rod, comprising conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction along a first path, partially wrapping the portions in a continuous wrapper on said first path, and conveying a substantially continuous stream of particulate material along a second path which converges towards said first path, so that the spaces between said portions and partially enclosed by said wrapper receive particulate material directly from said second path, said first and second paths being slightly off-set so that said second path terminates to one side of the center line of the filter portions on said first path and particulate material is directed from the end of said second path predominantly to said one side of said first path.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, a container for particulate filter material, conduit means leading from said container and having wall means extending along a path converging towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper, and means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream along said path so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions.

Apparatus for producing composite filter rod, comprising means for conveying a stream of spaced component filter portions in an endwise direction, means for partially wrapping the stream in a continuous wrapper, means for conveying particulate filter material in a substantially continuous stream on a path which converges towards the stream of partially enclosed filter portions on the wrapper so that particulate filter material is introduced from said path onto said wrapper between said portions, including means to remove excess particulate material and means for returning said excess particulate material to said path.