Process and apparatus for high-speed filling of composite cigarette filters

Abstract

A process of manufacturing composite filter stock is provided that includes several steps. In a first step, a paper carrier strip feeds along a conveyor. Along one edge of the carrier strip, the paper is folded back against itself. Fibrous filter segments are then deposited on the carrying strip in spaced apart intervals. The spacing defines cavities between adjacent filter segments. The carrier strip with the deposited filter segments is fed along a path of travel into an elongated guide or support chamber that substantially surrounds the circumference of the paper-enveloped segments and which leaves a narrow fill opening opposite an elongated particulate filling opening that is elongated in the direction of motion of the carrying strip. Suction or a vacuum is concurrently applied adjacent the narrow opening, the suction increasing a downward momentum of a gravity feed stream of particulate matter and concurrently vacuums away loose particulate matter. The cavities are concurrently filled with the particulate matter over a length corresponding to a predetermined path of travel of the carrying strip. The folded over edge is then unfolded and adhered to seal the fill opening. The filter stock is then cut to length, the cutting being registered to create discrete composite filter segments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.