Equipment for insertion of objects into smoking articles

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material. The object insertion unit comprises a rotatable insertion wheel having a peripheral face, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual objects therein; and a vacuum system disposed in operable communication with the insertion wheel and configured to apply a vacuum to at least a portion of the pockets to maintain the individual objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel. The upper hopper has an upper region that is adapted to contain and permit passage of objects and has a relatively high cross-sectional area relative to a lower region of the upper hopper. The lower hopper is adapted to contain objects so that those objects are arranged in a vertical plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof, the apparatus comprising:
 a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects;   a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper; and   an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material,   wherein the object insertion unit comprises a rotatable insertion wheel having a peripheral face, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual objects therein; and a vacuum system disposed in operable communication with the insertion wheel and configured to apply a vacuum to at least a portion of the pockets to maintain the individual objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel,   wherein the upper hopper has an upper region that is adapted to contain and permit passage of objects and has a relatively high cross-sectional area relative to a lower region of the upper hopper, and   wherein the lower hopper is adapted to contain objects so that those objects are arranged in a vertical plane.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hopper is an upper hopper and the second hopper is a lower hopper, and wherein the upper hopper is adapted to feed objects to the lower hopper by way of gravity feed. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper hopper has a generally wedge-shaped portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom of lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with the rotatable insertion wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a positive air supply in communication with the rotatable insertion wheel and configured to aid ejection of the objects from the pockets and into the continuous supply of filter material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein those objects are aligned into a single vertically arranged layer in the lower hopper. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each individual pocket is adapted to retain a single object during delivery of the objects to the location where the objects are to be introduced into the filter material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each individual pocket is connected at its bottom to a channel extending radially inwardly to the vacuum system for applying vacuum to the individual pockets. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each individual pocket is chamfered at a transition to the peripheral face of the rotatable insertion wheel.