U.S. patent application number 13/263033 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-05 for introducing objects into elongate smoking articles.
Invention is credited to Karl Kaljura, Rene Naenen.
Application Number | 20120080043 13/263033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40750389 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120080043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naenen; Rene ; et
al. |
April 5, 2012 |
Introducing Objects Into Elongate Smoking Articles
Abstract
An apparatus for making an object assembly for use in the
manufacture of smoking articles comprises a conveyance path for
conveying an elongate member and a delivery mechanism configured to
deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed along the path
such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along the
length thereof.
Inventors: |
Naenen; Rene; (Brussels,
BE) ; Kaljura; Karl; (London, GB) |
Family ID: |
40750389 |
Appl. No.: |
13/263033 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
March 31, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/054374 |
371 Date: |
November 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/341 ;
131/335; 493/39; 493/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 3/0216 20130101;
A24D 3/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/341 ;
131/335; 493/39; 493/42 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/06 20060101
A24D003/06; A24D 3/02 20060101 A24D003/02; A24C 5/52 20060101
A24C005/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2009 |
GB |
0906192.0 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for making filter rods for use in the manufacture
of smoking articles, the apparatus comprising: a conveyance path
for conveying an elongate member; a delivery mechanism configured
to deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed along the path
such that first and second rows of objects are formed along the
length thereof; and a filter rod forming mechanism configured to
receive the elongate member with the rows of objects thereon and to
form filter rods each including objects from both of the rows.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shaping
mechanism configured to shape the elongate member after the objects
are delivered thereon.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shaping
mechanism is configured to shape the elongate member such that the
objects in one row are brought towards the objects in another
row.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shaping
mechanism is configured to shape the elongate member into a
trough.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shaping
mechanism is configured to shape the elongate member into a
tube.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the objects comprise
objects of a first type and objects of a second type and wherein
the delivery mechanism is configured to deliver objects such that a
plurality of objects of the first type and a plurality of objects
of the second type are disposed in each of the filter rods.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the arrangement of
each type of objects in each filter rod is generally symmetric with
respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: the first type of
objects are frangible fluid-containing capsules containing a first
fluid; and the second type of objects are frangible
fluid-containing capsules containing a second fluid.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter rod
forming mechanism is configured to form the filter rods from filter
rod material, and further comprises a filter rod material diverting
mechanism arranged to divert filter rod material around the
delivery mechanism.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter rod
forming mechanism comprises: a splitter configured to split filter
material into two paths; and a combining member configured to
receive filter material from each of the two paths and to receive
the elongate member with the rows of objects thereon.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the elongate
member with the rows of objects thereon follows a generally
straight path into the combining member and through the filter rod
forming mechanism.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the combining
member is a stuffer jet.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery
mechanism is configured to: deliver objects of a first type into
the first of said rows; and deliver objects of a second type into
the second of said rows.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the delivery
mechanism comprises: a first transport member configured to
transport the objects of the first type from a first storage area
to the first row, thereby delivering the objects of the first type
into the first row; and a second transport member configured to
transport the objects of the second type from a second storage area
to the second row, thereby delivering the objects of the second
type into the second row.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the delivery
mechanism is further configured to: deliver objects of a third type
onto a third row such that each object of said third type in said
third row is adjacent to an object of the second type in the second
row.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the delivery
mechanism further comprises: a first transport member configured to
transport the objects of the first type from a first storage area
to the first row, thereby delivering the objects of the first type
into the first row; a second transport member configured to
transport the objects of the second type from a second storage area
to the second row, thereby delivering the objects of the second
type into the second row; and a third transport member configured
to transport objects of the third type from a third storage area to
the third row, thereby delivering the objects of the third type
into the third row.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the objects are
frangible fluid-containing capsules, the different types of objects
being frangible fluid-containing capsules containing different
flavorants.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the transport
members have cavities for receiving objects therein, and wherein
the transport members are configured to rotate and thereby
transport objects received in the cavities to the plurality of rows
of objects, thereby delivering the objects into the rows.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the transport
members are configured to rotate around a common axis; and wherein
the cavities of the transport members are not aligned with one
another in the direction of said axis.
20. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the delivery
mechanism is configured such that each object of the first type in
the first row is adjacent to an object of the second type in the
second row.
21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter rod
forming mechanism has a stuffer jet mechanism and wherein the
elongate member with the rows of objects thereon is received into
the stuffer jet mechanism.
22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member
with the rows of objects thereon comprises a
fluid-encapsulation.
23. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the objects are
disposed centrally within the elongate member.
24. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
adhesive applicator mechanism configured to apply a plurality of
rows of adhesive to material drawn along said path, wherein the
delivery mechanism is configured to deliver the objects into
contact with adhesive applied by the adhesive applicator
mechanism.
25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the objects are
fluid-containing capsules.
26. An apparatus for an object assembly for use in the manufacture
of smoking articles, the apparatus comprising: a conveyance path
for conveying an elongate member; and a delivery mechanism
configured to deliver objects onto the elongate member conveyed
along the path such that first and second rows of objects are
formed along the length thereof, wherein the objects are
fluid-containing capsules.
27. A method for making filter rods for use in the manufacture of
smoking articles, the method comprising: conveying an elongate
member along a path; delivering objects onto material drawn along
said path such that a plurality of rows of objects are formed along
the length thereof; and feeding the elongate member with the rows
of objects thereon to a filter rod forming mechanism and thereby
form filter rods each including objects from the plurality of
rows.
28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising shaping
the elongate member after the objects are delivered thereon.
29. (canceled)
30. An apparatus for forming filter rods comprising: a filter maker
to form a length of filter rod from filter rod material; an object
assembly station to assemble an elongate assembly of objects to be
fed to the filter maker to be included in the length of filter rod
to make filter rods having one or more of the objects therein; and
a filter material diverting mechanism configured to divert filter
material around the object assembly station on its passage to the
filter maker past the object assembly station.
31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the filter
material diverting mechanism comprises: a splitter configured to
split filter material into two paths; and a combining member
configured to receive filter material from each of the two paths
and to receive the object assembly.
32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the object
assembly follows a straight path into the combining member and
through a filter rod forming mechanism.
33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the object
assembly is received from an assembly station for making an object
assembly.
34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the assembly
station comprises: a conveyance path for conveying an elongate
member; and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver objects onto
the elongate member drawn along the path such that a plurality of
rows of objects are formed along the length thereof.
35. A method of forming filter rods from filter rod material,
comprising: using a filter maker to form a length of filter rod
from filter rod material; assembling an elongate assembly of
objects at an assembly station; feeding the assembly to the filter
maker to be included in the length of filter rod to make filter
rods having one or more of the objects therein; and diverting the
filter material around the object assembly station on its passage
to the filter maker past the object assembly station.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein diverting filter rod
material comprises: splitting filter rod material into two paths;
receiving filter material from each of the two paths at a combining
member; wherein the object assembly is also received at the
combining member.
37. A maker for making filter rods, comprising an insert mechanism
for inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter rods such
that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first
type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such that the
objects of each type are arranged with mirror symmetry with respect
to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
38. The maker according to claim 37, wherein: the first type of
objects are frangible fluid-containing members containing a first
flavorant; and the second type of objects are frangible
fluid-containing members containing a second flavorant.
39. A method of making filter rods, comprising inserting a
plurality of types of objects into filter rods such that each
filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of a first type and a
plurality of objects of a second type and such that the objects of
each type are arranged with mirror symmetry with respect to a plane
bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at right angles to the
longitudinal axis of the rod.
40. A filter rod having a plurality of objects of a first type and
a plurality of objects of a second type, wherein the objects of
each type are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane
bisecting the filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the rod.
41. A filter rod according to claim 40, wherein: the first type of
objects are frangible fluid-containing members containing a first
flavorant; and the second type of objects are frangible
fluid-containing members containing a second flavorant.
42. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the transport
members have cavities for receiving objects therein, and wherein
the transport members are configured to rotate and thereby
transport objects received in the cavities to the plurality of rows
of objects, thereby delivering objects into the rows.
43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the transport
members are configured to rotate around a common axis; and wherein
the cavities of the transport members are not aligned with one
another in the direction of said axis.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for making an object
assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles having a
filter element, for example filtered cigarettes. The apparatus may
form part of a filter rod maker.
[0002] It is known to provide a frangible capsule containing a
flavourant, for example menthol, inside the filter of a smoking
article.
[0003] By applying pressure to the outside of the filter, the
smoker may break the capsule therein and release the flavourant.
Thus, a smoker wishing to add flavour to the inhaled gaseous flow
from the cigarette may do so by simply squeezing the filter.
[0004] Filters for individual smoking articles such as cigarettes
are usually cut from a filter rod made using a filter rod making
machine. In known filter rod making machines, capsules are
incorporated into cigarette filter rods by dispensing individual
capsules one by one into a flow of stretched tow during filter rod
manufacture.
[0005] One difficulty with this approach is that any relaxation of
the stretched tow causes the capsules to move away from the
position in which they are dropped, making it difficult to obtain
precise positioning of the capsules within the eventual filter
rod.
[0006] A further difficulty with this approach is that it is
incompatible with the use of a stuffer jet, which is a device used
in cigarette filter making machines to compress the filter tow
before it is paper wrapped and cut. This is because passing a flow
of tow having capsules individually dropped thereon through a
stuffer jet would cause the positions of the individual capsules to
become disarranged in the tow.
[0007] The present invention provides an alternative approach for
providing objects such as frangible capsules in filter rods.
[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus for making an
object assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the
apparatus comprising a conveyance path for conveying an elongate
member and a delivery mechanism configured to deliver objects onto
the elongate member conveyed along the path such that a plurality
of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof.
[0009] The apparatus may further comprise a shaping mechanism
configured to shape the elongate member after the objects are
delivered thereon.
[0010] The shaping mechanism may be configured to shape the
elongate member into a trough, for example a trough having a
U-shaped profile. Alternatively, the shaping mechanism may shape
the elongate member into a tube.
[0011] The apparatus may further comprise a filter rod forming
mechanism. In use, the filter rod forming mechanism may receive the
object assembly and form filter rods, each filter rod comprising
one or more of said objects.
[0012] The delivery mechanism may be configured to deliver a first
object type such as fluid-containing members containing a first
flavourant into a first of said rows and to deliver a second object
type, such as second fluid-containing members containing a second
flavourant into a second of said rows such that each object in the
first row is adjacent to an object in the second row.
[0013] The delivery mechanism may have a first transport member
configured to transport the objects of a first type from a first
storage area to the first row, thereby delivering the objects of a
first type into the first row, and a second transport member
configured to transport the objects of the second type from a
second storage area to the second row, thereby delivering the
objects of the second type into the second row.
[0014] The first and second transport members may each comprise
rotatable wheels. Alternatively, the first and second transport
members may respectively comprise first and second
circumferentially extending regions of a single rotatable
wheel.
[0015] That is, the first transport member may comprise a first
circumferentially extending region of the wheel and the second
transport member may comprise a second circumferentially extending
region of the wheel.
[0016] The invention also provides a method for making an object
assembly for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, the method
comprising conveying an elongate member along a path and delivering
objects onto material drawn along said path such that a plurality
of rows of objects are formed along the length thereof;
[0017] The invention also provides an apparatus for forming filter
rods from filter rod material and configured to receive an object
assembly from an object assembly source and to make filter rods
having one or more objects therein, comprising a filter material
diverting mechanism configured to divert filter material around the
object assembly source,
[0018] The filter rod material diverting mechanism may comprise a
splitter configured to split filter material into two paths and a
combining member configured to receive filter material from each of
the two paths and to receive the object assembly.
[0019] The invention also provides a maker for making filter rods,
comprising an insert mechanism for inserting a plurality of types
of objects into filter rods such that each filter rod comprises a
plurality of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of
a second type and such that the objects of each type are arranged
symmetrically with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the
plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
[0020] The invention also provides a method of making filter rods,
comprising inserting a plurality of types of objects into filter
rods such that each filter rod comprises a plurality of objects of
a first type and a plurality of objects of a second type and such
that the objects of each type are arranged symmetrically with
respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being at
right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
[0021] The invention also provides a filter rod having a plurality
of objects of a first type and a plurality of objects of a second
type, wherein the objects of each type are symmetrically arranged
with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod, the plane being
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
[0022] The first type of objects may be frangible fluid-containing
members containing a first flavourant and the second type of
objects may be frangible fluid-containing members containing a
second flavourant.
[0023] In order that the invention may be more fully understood,
embodiments thereof will now be described by way of illustrative
example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a part of a filter rod making machine.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a capsule delivery mechanism.
[0026] FIG. 3(a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of
capsules thereon.
[0027] FIG. 3(b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
[0028] FIG. 3(c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of
capsules.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a filter having a tube therein, the tube
containing two capsules.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a filtered cigarette comprising the filter of
FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 6(a) shows a ribbon of paper having three rows of
capsules thereon.
[0032] FIG. 6(b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
[0033] FIG. 6(c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of
capsules.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows another delivery mechanism
[0035] FIG. 8(a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of
capsules thereon.
[0036] FIG. 8(b) shows a partially wrapped ribbon of paper.
[0037] FIG. 8(c) shows a paper tube containing a plurality of
capsules.
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates a cigarette assembly process.
[0039] FIG. 10 shows a part of another filter rod making
machine.
[0040] FIG. 11 illustrates the tow path through the filter rod
making machine.
[0041] FIG. 12 shows a splitter.
[0042] FIG. 13 shows a stuffer jet
[0043] FIG. 14 shows a capsule.
[0044] FIG. 15 shows a part of yet another filter rod manufacturing
machine.
[0045] FIG. 16(a) shows a ribbon of paper having two rows of
capsule thereon.
[0046] FIG. 16(b) shows the ribbon of paper having capsules thereon
folded so as to have a U-shaped cross section.
[0047] FIG. 16(c) shows a front cross-sectional view of one of the
capsules partially wrapped by the ribbon of paper.
[0048] FIG. 17 shows a feed unit for feeding capsules to the
capsule delivery mechanism.
[0049] FIG. 1 shows part of a filter rod making machine 1. During
operation of machine 1, filter tow 2 is drawn from a source of tow
(not shown), stretched through a set of stretching rollers (not
shown), compressed through stuffer jet 3 and through the tongue 4
of garniture 5, where it is paper wrapped with a plugwrap (not
shown) and subsequently cut into segments by a cutter (not shown)
to form filter rods.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, machine 1 has an assembly station 6
configured to assemble an object assembly in the form of a fluid
encapsulation having a plurality of fluid-containing capsules 7 and
a connecting member in the form of an elongate paper tube 8, which
couples the capsules 7 to one another. As shown, during operation
of the assembly station 6, fluid-containing capsules are delivered
in two parallel rows onto a ribbon of glue-lined paper which is
drawn along a path and wrapped to form the tube 8 of capsules
7.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, when machine 1 is in use, the elongate
tube 8 of capsules 7 is assembled by the assembly station 6 and
received into stuffer jet 3 and into the moving tow 2 so as to be
incorporated into the eventual filter rods.
[0052] In this way, capsules can be precisely and stably positioned
within the rod, since the positioning and spacing of the capsules
is determined by their spacing within the paper tube 8, which does
not undergo significant stretching when inserted into the tow 2 by
the stuffer jet 3.
[0053] In the garniture 5, the tow 2 and the tube 8 enclosed
therein are wrapped in a plug wrap drawn from a reel (not shown)
via a roller (not shown), so as to form an elongate filter rod. An
endless garniture tape (not shown) travels along the garniture bed
and drags the plug wrap, the tow 2, and the tube 8 of capsules 7
into and through the garniture 5. In this way, the tube 8 of
capsules 7 is pulled through the stuffer jet 3 together with the
tow 2 and is thereby received into the tow 2.
[0054] The stuffer jet (also known as a transport jet) is a venturi
device which acts to compact the tow. The linear speed at which the
stuffer jet 3 receives tow is faster than the speed of the
garniture tape and in this way a desired weight and therefore
density of tow is incorporated into each eventual filter rod so
that a desired resistance to flow, or pressure drop, can be
achieved in the eventual filters.
[0055] The garniture tape curves inwardly as it travels through the
garniture, thereby shaping the plug wrap such that the tow 2 and
tube 8 of capsules 7 therein are cylindrically paper wrapped. A set
of glue guns (not shown) apply an adhesive such as hot melt glue or
polyvinyl acetate (PVA) to the plug wrap. A sealing unit (not
shown), which has a heating or a cooling element, seals the
plugwrap around the filter tow. PVA or glue may also be used to lay
down an anchorage line on the plug wrap prior to combining it with
the tow so that the tow and plug wrap stick together in the
garniture 5.
[0056] The separation (also referred to herein as the pitch)
between the capsules in the elongate filter rod is determined by
the separation (or pitch) between the capsules in the elongate tube
and may for example be 9 to 32 mm.
[0057] The machine 1 also includes a microwave detector (not shown)
for detecting the presence or location of capsules 7, and a cutter
with a knife for cutting the elongate filter rod and the tube 8,
thereby forming filter rod segments.
[0058] On start up, the position of a capsule is determined by the
microwave detector and the cut-off position of the cutter knife is
adjusted to position the capsule relative to the knife so that the
tube 8 is cut at a point between the capsules 7. Furthermore, the
detected capsule position may be used to determine the time that
the cutter should begin cutting. Alternatively, however, on start
up the knife may be fixed in position and the tube may be drawn
through the garniture to position the tube at an appropriate
position relative to the knife so that the tube is cut at a desired
point between the capsules 7.
[0059] In use, the cutter periodically cuts the elongate rod at a
predetermined frequency so that the eventual filter rod segments
are of a desired length containing a desired number of capsules 7.
The desired number of capsules per rod segment is preferably 2 or 4
capsules, although alternatively it may be 1 capsule, 3 capsules or
more than 4 capsules.
[0060] The microwave detector also acts as a quality detection
device. The microwave detector detects defects in the fluid
encapsulation 1, such as damaged or missing capsules in the rod.
The machine has a shift register (not shown) which is configured to
discard a detected defective element at a later stage in the
assembly process. For example, if the microwave detector determines
that a capsule is defective, the shift register may be configured
such that the assembled filter rod containing that capsule is
discarded.
[0061] Turning now to a more detailed description of the assembly
of the tube 8 of capsules 7, referring to FIG. 1 assembly station 6
comprises a holder (not shown) for holding a paper reel 9, a glue
gun 10 having two nozzles 10a, 10b, a capsule delivery mechanism
11, a feed unit comprising a pair of hoppers 12a, 12b for feeding
the capsule delivery mechanism 11 with capsules, and a shaping
mechanism comprising a forming block 13. The hopper 12a contains
capsules 7a containing a first liquid flavourant and the second
hopper 12b contains capsules 7b containing a second liquid
flavourant, different to the first liquid flavourant. That is, the
capsules 7a are of a different variety to the capsules 7b.
[0062] Suitable liquid flavourants include, for example menthol,
spearmint, orange essence, mint, liquorice, eucalyptus, one or more
of a variety of fruit flavours or any mixture of flavourants.
However, the contents of the capsules 7a, 7b are not intended to be
limited to flavourants and alternatively or in addition a humectant
could be used, for example, or liquids such as water or Vitamin A
solution for filtering certain elements from the cigarette smoke,
or for other purposes
[0063] FIG. 14 shows a capsule 7 in more detail. As shown, the
capsule 7 comprises an outer wall of gelatin 100 and an inner space
filled with a liquid 101 such as a liquid flavourant.
[0064] In use, an elongate member in the form of a ribbon R shown
in FIG. 1 of paper such as porous plugwrap paper is drawn from the
reel 9 and is lined by the glue guns 10 with two parallel lines of
glue 14a, 14b as it moves along a conveying path in the assembly
station 6. The glue may, for example be hot melt glue or hot melt
re-activated glue. Although the elongate connecting member is
preferably a ribbon of paper such as a porous or non-porous
plugwrap paper or a standard cigarette paper, alternatively the
ribbon could, for example be made from a cellulose web, carbon
paper, impregnated charcoal paper, a plastic, cellophane or any
other suitable material.
[0065] Along the path, the ribbon R passes under capsule delivery
mechanism 11, which delivers capsules sequentially onto the paper
and into contact with the glue lines 14a, 14b so as to form two
rows 15a, 15b of capsules 7 adhered to the glue lines 14a, 14b.
Next, the ribbon R is fed around the forming block 13 so that it
forms into a tube 8 with the capsules 7 disposed longitudinally
inside. The tube 8 is then drawn into the stuffer jet 3 by the
action of the garniture 5, as described in more detail above.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, capsule delivery mechanism 11 comprises
two vertically oriented rotatable delivery wheels 16a, 16b having a
common axis 17, the wheels being joined at a central point by a
shaft 18 and thereby fixed relative to one another. As shown in
FIG. 2, which shows a close-up view of the capsule delivery
mechanism 11, each wheel 16a, 16b has a plurality of cavities 19a,
19b for receiving capsules evenly spaced around its
circumference.
[0067] In use, the shaft 18 and the wheels 16a, 16b are rotated by
a motor (not shown). As will be understood by those skilled in the
art, the speed of the motor may be timed relative to the speed of
the garniture and/or cutter, preferably using one or more encoders.
The wheels 16a, 16b may be rotated at a faster or a slower speed,
relative to the garniture speed and in this way the separation (or
pitch) between neighbouring capsules may be controlled. Thus, the
capsules may be delivered onto the moving ribbon R at a suitable
rate so that a desired separation is achieved between capsules in
each eventual filter rod and so that a desired number of capsules,
for example 1, 2 or 4 capsules, are incorporated into each eventual
rod.
[0068] As the wheels 16a, 16b rotate capsules 7a from hopper 12a
fall under gravity into cavities 19a in the top part of the wheel
16a. Similarly, capsules 7b from hopper 12b fall into cavities 19b
in the top part of the wheel 16b. Thus, the capsules are collected
radially into the wheels 16a, 16b. As shown, the outlet of the
hoppers 12a, 12b extend over a segment of the wheels 16a, 16b so
that a plurality of cavities 19a, 19b are filled at the same time
as the wheels 16a, 16b rotate.
[0069] The capsules 7a in the cavities 19a, are rotated around the
axis 17 until they drop under gravity onto the glue lines 14a and
adhere to the surface of the ribbon R of paper to form a row 15a of
evenly spaced capsules fixed thereon.
[0070] In the same way, the capsules 7b in the cavities 19b, are
rotated and subsequently dropped onto the glue line 14b to form a
row 15b of evenly spaced capsules 7b fixed to the ribbon R, the row
15b of capsules 7b being parallel to the row 15a of capsules
7a.
[0071] Alternatively, or in addition the capsules 7 may be
positively displaced from the wheels 16a, 16b onto the ribbon R.
For example the capsule delivery mechanism 11 may comprise a
propulsion mechanism such as one or more compressed air manifolds
configured to propel the capsules out from the cavities 19a, 19b in
the wheels 16a, 16b and onto the ribbon R, for example with jets of
compressed air.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 2, the cavities 19a are evenly spaced
around the circumference of the wheel 16a and the cavities 19b are
evenly spaced around the circumference of the other wheel 16b.
However, the cavities 19a of wheel 16a are not aligned with the
cavities 19b of wheel 16b along the direction of the axis 17.
Instead, the cavities 19a are arranged in an alternate fashion in
relation to the cavities 19b. As shown, the angular position of
each cavity 19a on wheel 16a is half way between the angular
positions of two neighbouring cavities 19b on the wheel 16b.
[0073] As the glue lined paper ribbon R moves under the capsule
delivery mechanism 11 and the wheels 16a, 16b rotate, the capsules
7a and capsules 7b alternately fall from their respective cavities
19a, 19b onto the ribbon R. That is, during operation of the
machine 1, a capsule 7a drops from a cavity 19a onto the glue line
14a, then a capsule 7b drops from a cavity 19b onto the glue line
14b, then a capsule 7a drops onto the glue line 14a and so on. In
this way two parallel rows of evenly spaced capsules are formed
longitudinally along the ribbon R in the manner shown in FIG. 3a.
As shown, the longitudinal separation L between capsules in row 15a
is the same as the longitudinal separation between capsules in row
15b and the row 15a and the row 15b are laterally separated by a
gap of width W. Capsules 7a in the row 15a are arranged alternately
with respect to the capsules 7b in the row 15b, each capsule 7b in
row 15b being arranged half way between two capsules 7a in row 15a.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal spacing between a
capsule 7a and the neighbouring capsule 7b is L/2.
[0074] FIG. 3 (b) shows in more detail the step of shaping the
ribbon R around the forming block 13 to form a tube 8. As shown,
shaping the ribbon comprises bringing the capsules 7a and the
capsules 7b towards the center of the eventual tube 8. In this way,
the capsules 7a and 7b become longitudinally evenly spaced within
the tube 8, as shown in FIG. 3 (c). Referring to FIG. 3 (c), which
shows the eventual tube 8, the capsules 7a and the capsules 7b are
alternately positioned along the length of the tube 8 and are
adhesively fixed to the inner wall of the tube 8. In the tube 8,
the nearest capsule to each capsule 7a is a capsule 7b and vice
versa. As shown, the separation between neighbouring capsules 7a,
7b in the tube is L/2.
[0075] As is described in more detail above, during operation of
the filter rod making machine 1, the assembled tube 8 of capsules
7a, 7b is brought into contact with the tow 2 and the filter rod
making machine forms cut filter rods.
[0076] The start-up procedure of the machine 1 will now be
described. In a first step, the filter making machine is operated
so that tow 2 is drawn into the stuffer jet, paper wrapped in a
garniture and cut to form filter rods. In a second step, the ribbon
R is manually fed from the holder through the forming block 13 and
into the stuffer jet 3 until it is caught by the tow. Once caught
by the tow, the ribbon R is automatically drawn from the holder,
through the forming block and into the tow by the action of the
garniture 5. Then, the glue gun 10 is engaged so that the glue
lines 14a, 14b are formed on the ribbon R. Next, the capsule
delivery wheels are caused to rotate, thereby guiding the capsules
7a, 7b onto the glue lines.
[0077] In this way, two or more fluid containing capsules 7a, 7b
containing different fluids can be incorporated into each eventual
filter rod manufactured by the machine 1. Furthermore, the machine
1 is capable of running at high speeds, for example in the range of
400 to 500 rod meters per minute or in the range 1000 to 4000
filter rods per minute.
[0078] As described above, the fluid encapsulation is pulled
through the machine 1 by the garniture tape together with the
plugwrap and the tow. Thus, the speed at which the encapsulation is
fed into the machine is automatically synchronised with the
garniture speed.
[0079] The tube 8 protects the capsules 7a, 7b as they pass through
the garniture 5, resulting in gentler handling of the capsules and
thus less waste.
[0080] In addition the tube 8 of capsules 7a, 7b inside the
eventual filter rod improves the filter quality by making the
filter harder.
[0081] Moreover, the assembly station 6 can be operated in
combination with a standard filter rod making machine to make
filter rods having capsules inside, without the need for
significant modification of the standard filter rod making
machine.
[0082] FIG. 4 shows an example of a filter rod 20 manufactured by
the machine 1. The filter rod 20 comprises a plug of cellulose
acetate tow 21 wrapped with a wrapper of porous plugwrap 22. A cut
section 23 of the tube 8 is disposed inside the rod, the cut
section 23 containing two fluid-containing capsules 7a, 7b. The
separation between the capsules in the filter rod 20 is in the
range 4-32 mm. The diameter of the filter is within the range 4-10
mm. The capsule diameter is within the range 2-6 mm.
[0083] These ranges are of course not intended to be limiting and
the skilled person would understand that larger or smaller filter
diameters, capsule diameters or capsule separations could be
employed.
[0084] The filter rod 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be used in the
assembly of a cigarette having two capsules in the filter, each
capsule containing a different flavourant. Such a cigarette 24 is
shown in FIG. 5. The cigarette 24 is assembled by axially aligning
the filter rod 20 and a paper wrapped tobacco rod 25, and wrapping
them with a glue coated segment of tipping paper 26 to join them
together. Assembling stations for assembling cigarettes in this
manner are well known per se and will not be described in detail
herein.
[0085] By applying pressure to the outside of the part of the
filter 20 which surrounds the capsule 7a, the smoker may break the
capsule 7a and release the flavourant therein. Alternatively, or in
addition, the smoker may apply pressure to the outside of the part
of the filter 20 which surrounds the capsule 7b and thereby break
the capsule 7b and release the other flavourant. Then, when the
cigarette is smoked, part of the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker
is flavoured as it passes through the flavourant or flavourants
released by the smoker.
[0086] In this way, the smoker is provided with the option at any
point while smoking the cigarette to: (1) not break either capsule;
(2) break only one of the capsules; or (3) break both the capsules.
Thus, the user of such a cigarette has several taste options.
[0087] The assembly station 6 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two glue
guns, two capsule hoppers and two delivery wheels. However, any
number of glue guns, capsule hoppers and delivery wheels could
alternatively be used. For example, the assembly station may have
three glue guns to line the paper ribbon with three lines of glue
and the capsule delivery mechanism may comprise three delivery
wheels to deliver capsules from three hoppers onto three rows on
the paper ribbon. The ribbon may then be fed around a forming block
to form a tube containing first, second and third capsules having
first, second and third flavourants, all three flavourants being
different to one another.
[0088] Such a ribbon R3 is illustrated in FIG. 6(a). As shown,
ribbon R3 comprises three lines of glue 27a, 27b, 27c and three
parallel rows 28a, 28b, 28c of capsules 29a, 29b and 29c
respectively arranged along the glue lines 27a, 27b, 27c. As shown
the rows 28a and 28c are side rows and the row 28b is a centre row.
The capsules 29a, 29b, 29c of different rows contain different
liquids.
[0089] FIG. 6(b) illustrates the step of wrapping the ribbon R3
into a tube 8. As shown, as the ribbon is formed into a tube, the
capsules 29a of row 28a and the capsules 29c of row 28c are brought
towards the center of the eventual tube 30, while the capsules 29b
remain substantially in position relative to the moving ribbon
R3.
[0090] The eventual tube 30 is illustrated in FIG. 6(c). As shown,
the tube 30 contains first, second and third capsules 29a, 29b, 29c
arranged in sequence longitudinally within the tube, the sequence
of first, second and third capsules 29a, 29b, 29c being repeated
along the length of the tube 30.
[0091] The tube 30 can be incorporated into filter rod segments in
a similar manner to the manner described hereinabove in relation to
the tube 8. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that
cigarettes having a filter containing three or more capsules may be
manufactured in a similar manner to that described above, thus
providing cigarettes having further taste options for the
smoker.
[0092] Although the shaping member is described above as a forming
block configured to form the elongate member having the capsules
attached thereto into a tube, alternatively, the elongate member
may be shaped in different ways, for example into a trough having
for example a U-shape or a V-shape cross-section, before it is
received into the tow. Preferably the shaping member is configured
to shape the elongate member such that the capsules are generally
centrally positioned in the eventual filter rod.
[0093] Forming the elongate member material into a tube may cause
the eventual filter element to have regions of air therein,
enclosed in the tube between neighbouring capsules. These air gaps
may lower the weight of tow in the filter to some extent. However,
if the elongate member material is shaped into a trough, for
example, filter material will fill the spaces between the capsules
during manufacture of the filter rod. In this way, the eventual
filter rod will not contain regions of air between the capsules if
the elongate member has been shaped into a trough.
[0094] The forming block may be arranged such that when the
elongate member having the capsules attached thereto runs over the
forming block, it adopts the particular desired shape.
[0095] For example, the elongate member may run over the forming
block and become shaped so as to have a U-shaped profile and the
shaped elongate member may be received into the tow. Forming the
elongate member in this way advantageously brings the capsules in
the first and second rows towards the centre of curvature of the
shaped elongate member, so that the capsules become approximately
or generally centrally positioned in the elongate member.
[0096] Alternatively, or in addition, the forming member may
comprise one or more ploughs, configured such that when the
elongate member runs over the one or more ploughs, it adopts the
particular desired shape.
[0097] For example, the forming member may comprise a single plough
configured to partially bend or wrap one side of the elongate
member.
[0098] Alternatively, or in addition the shaping member may
comprise a deformation member configured to deform the elongate
member having the capsules attached thereon before it is received
into the tow. For example, the deformation member may crimp, bend,
fold, twist, partially wrap and/or otherwise deform the elongate
member prior to the elongate member being received into the
tow.
[0099] Alternatively, the elongate member material may not be
shaped before it is drawn into the tow.
[0100] Although the filter making machine 1 is described above as
manufacturing "single length" filter rod for use in the manufacture
of individual cigarettes, preferably the filter making machine 1
manufactures "double length" filter rods, each filter rod being
suitable for manufacturing two cigarettes.
[0101] However, alternatively the filters manufactured by the
machine may have any other length and may for example triple or
quadruple length filters. Alternatively, the filters manufactured
by the filter making machine may be filter segments intended to
form part of a multi-segment filter.
[0102] Where the eventual cigarette filter element has a single
section having a single capsule therein, the pitch (or separation)
between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is
preferably in the range 18-32 mm.
[0103] Where the eventual cigarette filter element has a single
section having two capsules therein, the pitch (or separation)
between neighbouring capsules in the fluid encapsulation is
preferably in the range 9-32 mm.
[0104] For multi-section filter segments having a single capsule
therein, the pitch between neighbouring capsules in the fluid
encapsulation is preferably in the range 8-18 mm.
[0105] For multi-section filter segments having two capsules
therein, the pitch is preferably in the range 4-12 mm.
[0106] FIG. 7 shows another capsule delivery mechanism 31 in the
form of a capsule delivery wheel 31a having a shaft 31b fixed
relative to the wheel 31. The capsule delivery mechanism 31 is
preferably used when "double length" filters are to be
manufactured. As shown, wheel 31a has two circumferentially
extending regions 32a, 32b. Rotation of the shaft 31b causes the
regions 32a, 32b to rotate together. The capsule delivery mechanism
31 receives capsules 7a, 7b from a feed unit in a similar manner as
the capsule mechanism 11 described above. That is, capsule delivery
mechanism 31 receives capsules 7a containing a first liquid
flavourant from the first hopper into the first circumferentially
extending region 32a of the wheel and capsules 7b containing a
second liquid flavourant from the second hopper into the second
circumferentially extending region 32b of the wheel, the second
flavourant being different to the first liquid flavourant,
[0107] As shown, each circumferentially extending region 32a, 32b
has a corresponding sequence of cavities 33a, 33b arranged around
the circumference thereof. As shown, the cavities 33a, 33b are
arranged in pairs, the gap between neighbouring pairs in a region
32a, 32b being greater than the gap between the cavities 33a, 33b
in a pair. However, as shown the pairs of cavities 33a of the
region 32a are not aligned with the pairs of cavities 33b of the
region 33b. Instead, pairs of cavities 33a are arranged alternately
with respect to the pairs of cavities 33b.
[0108] As the glue lined ribbon R moves under the capsule delivery
mechanism 11 and the wheel 31a rotates, capsules 7a, 7b fall in
sequence from their respective cavities 32a, 32b onto the ribbon R.
That is, first a capsule drops from a cavity 33a onto a first glue
line on the ribbon R, then another capsule 7a drops from a cavity
33a onto the first glue line, then a capsule 7b drops from a cavity
33b onto a second glue line on the ribbon R, the another capsule 7b
drops from a cavity 33b onto the second glue line, then a capsule
7a drops from a cavity 33a onto the first glue line, and so on.
[0109] In this way two parallel rows 34a, 34b of capsules are
formed longitudinally along the ribbon R in the manner shown in
FIG. 8(a). As shown, capsules 7a,7b are arranged in groups 35a,
35b, each group having two capsules and the groups 35a, 35b being
evenly spaced along each row 34a, 34b. Groups 35a in the row 34a
are arranged alternately with respect the groups 35b in the row
34b, each group 35a in row 34a being arranged half way between two
groups 35b in row 34b.
[0110] FIG. 8(b) illustrates folding the ribbon R into a tube 36.
However, as described above, alternatively the ribbon R could be
shaped into a trough having, for example a U-shaped profile, or
another suitable shape.
[0111] FIG. 8(c) illustrates the eventual tube 36. As shown, pairs
of capsules 7a are arranged alternately with pairs of capsules 7b
along the length of the tube 36.
[0112] The tube 36 is then fed into contact with tow 2 so as to be
incorporated into the eventual filter rods, in the manner described
above with reference to the tube 8.
[0113] The action of the cutter of the filter making machine 1 is
timed so that each eventual filter rod 37 comprises two capsules 7a
arranged towards the end regions of the rod 37 and two capsules 7b
in a central region of the rod. Such a filter rod 37 is shown in
FIG. 9 (a). As shown, the arrangement of capsules in the filter rod
37 has mirror symmetry with respect to a plane 37a bisecting the
filter rod, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the rod.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 9, which shows a process of manufacturing
cigarettes, filter rod 37 is longitudinally aligned with a pair of
paper wrapped tobacco rods 38, 39 and cylindrically wrapped with a
tipping paper 40 to join the rod 37 to the rods 38,39. The rod 37
is then cut generally centrally, thereby forming two cigarettes 41,
42, each having a filter element 43, 44. As shown, each filter 43,
44 comprises a first capsule 7a and a second capsule 7b. In each
filter 43, 44, the capsule 7b is arranged closer to the mouth-end
of the filter than the capsule 7a.
[0115] In this way, capsule delivery mechanism 31 delivers a
pattern of capsules onto the ribbon R such that cigarette
manufacture by the process illustrated in FIG. 9, the arrangement
of capsules within the filter element of each eventual cigarette is
the same.
[0116] This is achieved by selecting the arrangement of the
cavities on the capsule delivery mechanism and the timing of the
cutter of the filter maker such that each double length filter rod
formed by the filter rod machine has a symmetric pattern of
capsules therein. The arrangement of capsules in the filter rod has
mirror symmetry with respect to a plane bisecting the filter rod,
the plane being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the
rod.
[0117] Many other cavity arrangements will be evident to those
skilled in the art in order to achieve any desired arrangement of
capsules within the filter elements of each eventual cigarette.
[0118] For example, as described above a capsule delivery mechanism
having three or more delivery wheels could be used to make double
length filter rods having three or more different varieties of
capsules therein. In this case, cavity arrangements on the delivery
wheels will be evident to those skilled in the art in order to
obtain a symmetric arrangement of three or more varieties of
capsules in each double length rod. Each filter rod so produced may
be used to make two cigarettes by the method shown in FIG. 9. Each
cigarette manufactured in this way will have the same desired
arrangement of three or more capsules therein because of the
symmetric arrangement of capsules in the double length filter
rods.
[0119] FIG. 10 shows part of a machine 45, which is yet another
variation of the machine 1. As shown in FIG. 11, in the machine 45,
tow 46 is divided into two paths 47, 48 by a splitter 49 and
subsequently re-combined in stuffer jet 50.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 10, the machine 45 has an assembly station
51 for assembling a fluid encapsulation. The assembly station 51 is
similar to the assembly station 6, but is positioned in the space
between the two tow paths 47, 48. The tow 46 is guided along the
tow paths 47, 48, around the assembly station 6 by guides (not
shown) on each side of the assembly station 6. As is the case for
assembly station 6, assembly station 51 has a capsule delivery
mechanism 11 configured to deliver capsules onto a ribbon R of glue
lined paper, which is subsequently shaped into for example a tube
or trough and then received into the stuffer jet 50.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 12 shows the splitter 49 in more detail.
As shown, the splitter has a tow receiving part 49a and a blade 52
which is configured to enter partially into the tow receiving part
49a through a slit therein. In use, tow 46 is received into the tow
receiving part 49a and the blade 52 rotates, thereby splitting the
tow 46 into two parts. As shown in FIG. 11, the first part of the
tow takes the path 47 and the second part of the tow takes a
different path 48.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 11, tow 46 is conveyed along the paths 47,
48 by the guides (not shown) on each side of the assembly station
51, and the fluid encapsulation 8 made by the assembly station 51
is drawn along another path 56 into the stuffer jet 50. In this
way, the fluid encapsulation 8 follows a generally straight path 56
through assembly station 51 to the stuffer jet 50 and through the
garniture (not shown) until is cut by the cutter. This is
advantageous since the elongate connecting member may be weakened
or may break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds.
[0123] FIG. 13 shows the stuffer jet 50 in more detail. As shown
stuffer jet 50 has a trumpet shaped inlet 53 which receives tow
from the paths 47, 48 and which receives the fluid encapsulation
from the assembly station 51. As described above in relation to the
machine 1, the tow 46 having the fluid encapsulation 8 therein is
received from the stuffer jet 50 into a garniture, where it is
paper wrapped with a plugwrap and subsequently cut to form filter
rods.
[0124] FIG. 15 shows part of another filter rod making machine 54,
which is yet another variation of the machine 1. As shown, the
machine 54 comprises an assembly station 55, which is a variation
of the assembly station 6 and has a capsule delivery mechanism 56,
31 comprising a delivery wheel of the type shown in FIG. 7.
Referring to FIG. 15, machine 54 comprises a set of guides in the
form of bobbins 57a, 57b, 57c and 57d arranged to divert the tow 58
around the wheel of the capsule delivery mechanism 56. The bobbin
57a is aligned with the delivery roller (not shown) of the tow
processor (not shown) of the machine 54 and guides the tow 58 to
the bobbin 57b. The tow is subsequently guided by the bobbins 57c
and 57d and is received into stuffer jet 59.
[0125] Many other variations of the guides 57 will be evident to
those skilled in the art. For example, the bobbins 57b, 57c, 57d
may have a U-shaped profile such as the profile of the bobbin 57a.
Alternatively, the bobbins could have a "V" shaped profile.
[0126] As described above, capsule delivery mechanism 56, 31
delivers capsules onto an elongate member in the form of a ribbon
of paper 60 drawn from a holder (not shown). The ribbon is lined
with glue and subsequently passes under the wheel of the capsule
delivery mechanism 56, 31, for example 5 mm below the capsule
delivery wheel. The bobbin 57d is disposed above the surface of the
plate 61 so that the ribbon of paper 60 passes under and does not
contact the bobbin 57d.
[0127] As shown, the ribbon of paper 60 is drawn along a straight
line path from the holder along plate 61 of machine 54 and into the
stuffer jet 59. As shown the paper 60 enters the stuffer jet at a
lower level than the tow 58.
[0128] As described above, it is advantageous for the ribbon 60 to
follow a straight line path since the ribbon may be weakened or may
break in any region of curvature at high enough speeds.
[0129] Preferably, the plate 61 has a U-shaped channel formed
therein so that the ribbon 60 adopts a U-shaped profile as it
passes through the channel. Preferably, the channel is positioned
so that the ribbon 60 is shaped after it passes under the capsule
delivery mechanism 56, 31.
[0130] FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) illustrates formation of the ribbon 60
having capsules 62 attached into a trough having a U-shaped profile
with the capsules 62 therein. As shown in the front cross sectional
view of FIG. 16(c), the shaped ribbon has a semi-circular cross
section with an inner diameter equal to that of the capsules 62.
That is, the paper ribbon 60 is partially wrapped around the
capsules 62. In this way, the capsules are held securely within the
paper. As shown, the capsules are centrally positioned within the
U-shape and are generally aligned with one another along the
longitudinal axis of the paper ribbon.
[0131] FIG. 17 shows a more detailed view of a capsule feed unit
for feeding capsules into a capsule delivery mechanism 11, 31, 56
having one or more capsule delivery wheels 68.
[0132] As shown, the feed unit comprises two capsule holders in the
form of cylindrical holes 63a, 63b, which may for example be
manually filled with capsules of two different varieties. The feed
unit further comprises a vacuum unit 64 configured to suck capsules
from the holders 63a, 63b through pipes 65a 65b and to deposit
capsules onto respective vibration conveyors 66a, 66b. Vibration
conveyors 66a, 66b convey the capsules into the hoppers (also
referred to herein as magazines) 67a, 67b, from which they fall
under gravity into the cavities of capsule delivery wheel 68.
[0133] As shown in FIG. 17, the outlet of magazine 67a extends over
a front segment of the wheel 68 and is arranged so that capsules
are delivered into the cavities of a first circumferentially
extending region of the wheel 68. The outlet of magazine 67b
extends over a rear segment of the wheel 68 and is arranged so that
capsules are delivered into the cavities of a second
circumferentially extending region of the wheel 68.
[0134] Many other configurations of the magazines 67a, 67b are
possible. For example, the magazines 67a, 67b may be arranged in
side-by-side arrangement at the rear of the wheel of the capsule
delivery mechanism, for example as shown in FIG. 1.
[0135] Alternatively, the magazines 67a, 67b may be arranged in
side-by-side arrangement at the front of the wheel of the capsule
delivery mechanism.
[0136] Many further modifications and variations will be apparent
to those skilled in the art.
[0137] For example, instead of receiving the elongate member into
the stuffer jet, the elongate member having the capsules attached
may be received into the tongue of the garniture. For example, the
tongue may have a hole through which the shaped elongate member may
be fed. The elongate member may be received into the stuffer jet or
tongue via a centering mechanism.
[0138] Alternatively, or in addition, the elongate member having
the capsules attached may be positioned or adhesively fixed onto
the plugwrap paper, prior to or during the step of wrapping the
plugwrap around the tow in the garniture. In one example, the
elongate member may be brought under the stuffer jet and onto the
plugwrap paper.
[0139] Still further, although the objects are described above as
frangible fluid-containing capsules, the objects could
alternatively be pellets, strands, beads or any combination of
pellets, strands, beads and capsules.
[0140] Still further, the objects may be held in place in the
cavities of the delivery wheels 16a, 16b, 31a, by vacuum (ie:
suction) applied to each pocket, so as to assist in ensuring that
the objects are maintained in the cavities during transport.
Capsule delivery wheels configured to apply vacuum to hold capsules
in place until delivery are known per se. An example of a wheel
which applies vacuum to hold capsules in pockets of the wheel until
delivery is described in WO 2007/038053.
[0141] Still further, stationary guides may be provided around the
peripheral regions of the rotatable delivery wheels 16a, 16b, 31a,
to keep the objects in the wheels during transport. Such guides may
be arranged to define an exit region at the bottom of the wheels
16a, 16b, 31a, through which the objects leave the wheel and fall
onto the paper.
[0142] Further alternatively, in another example the elongate
member may be the plugwrap paper which is wrapped around the tow.
That is, the elongate member having the objects attached may be
cylindrically wrapped around the tow in the garniture so as to form
a paper wrapped elongate filter rod, which is subsequently cut by a
cutter in the manner described above.
[0143] Many other modifications and variations will be evident to
those skilled in the art, that fall within the scope of the
following claims:
* * * * *