Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters
AssigneeR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorPhilip Andrew Deal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.
Claims13
An apparatus for providing rods for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, each rod having objects individually spaced at predetermined intervals along the length thereof, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) means for providing a continuous supply of rod filler material;
- (b) means for continuously supplying individual objects, such means including a first rotatable member having a horizontal pan for supporting a plurality of individual objects and a plurality of stems located at predetermined intervals around the periphery of the pan, said horizontal pan being substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first rotatable member, the stems having an object seat at an upper end of the stem and coupled with an actuator to rise and lower the seat from a position below the pan to a position above the pan as the horizontal pan rotates about a central axis, said horizontal pan including means for delivering said object from a radially inward portion of the pan to a radially outward peripheral portion of the pan proximate the object seat at the upper end of the stem;
- (c) means for positioning the individual objects within the supply of filler material at predetermined intervals;
- (d) means for forming a continuous rod having the individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals in the rod;
- and
- (e) means for subdividing the continuous rod at predetermined intervals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.