Compaction system for particles in particle filled cavities of an article

A system for compacting particles or granules in spaced cavities along an article being moved along a manufacturing line, the system comprising:

• a support rail having a surface shaped for conforming to at least part of an outer periphery of the article;
• a first filling station at which particles are introduced into at least one of said cavities;
• a first pressure applicator positioned in proximity to said support rail, said first pressure applicator compacting the particles that have been introduced at the first filling station into said at least one of said cavities, said compaction by said first pressure applicator being synchronized with movement of the article along the support rail;
• a second filling station at which additional particles are introduced into said at least one of said cavities containing compacted particles;
• and
• a second pressure applicator positioned in proximity to said support rail, said second pressure applicator compacting the particles that have been introduced at the second filling station into said at least one of said cavities, said compaction by said second pressure applicator being synchronized with movement of the article along said support rail.

A method for manufacturing an article having cavities filled with loose particles or granules, the cavities being spaced from each other by intermediate components, said method comprising:

• moving said article along a path;
• adding particles to at least one of said cavities at a first station so that said at least one cavity is at least partially filled with said particles;
• compacting the particles in said at least one cavity;
• and
• filling said at least one cavity in which particles have been compacted with additional particles at a second station.

A system for compacting particles or granules in spaced cavities along an article being moved along a manufacturing line, the system comprising:

• a support rail having a surface shaped for conforming to at least part of an outer periphery of the article;
• a first filling station at which particles are introduced into at least one of said cavities;
• a first pressure applicator positioned in proximity to said support rail, said first pressure applicant compacting the particles that have been introduced at the first filling station into said at least one of said cavities, said compaction by said first pressure applicator being synchronized with movement of the article along the support rail;
• and
• a second filling station at which additional particles are introduced into said at least one of said cavities containing compacted particles.