Apparatus for inserting objects into a filter component of a smoking article and associated method

Abstract

Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A filter rod comprising:
 a plurality of filter material having a cylindrical shape and forming a rod member; and   a chain of objects inserted into the filter material of the rod member, the chain of objects being disposed at predetermined positions within and along the filter material of the rod member.   
     
     
         33 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , further comprising a plug wrap circumscribing a longitudinal periphery of the rod member having the chain of objects disposed therein so as to form the filter rod. 
     
     
         34 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects act as a carrier for a material that can be used to alter a character of smoke drawn through the filter rod. 
     
     
         35 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein each object of the chain of objects is attached to an adjacent object so as to form a continuous chain of objects. 
     
     
         36 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects comprises a longitudinally-extending strand having each of the objects attached thereto so as to form a continuous chain of objects. 
     
     
         37 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects comprises a longitudinally-extending strand. 
     
     
         38 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects is attached or engaged with an elongate member, wherein the elongate member has a laterally-extending width, and the elongate member is width-wise wrapped about the objects attached thereto, such that the elongate member including the width-wise wrapped objects is inserted into the filter material. 
     
     
         39 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects is positioned along a central, longitudinally extending axis of the rod member. 
     
     
         40 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects is coated with a hydrophobic coating. 
     
     
         41 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the filter rod provides a visible indicator to a user. 
     
     
         42 . The filter rod according to  claim 41 , wherein the chain of object extends longitudinally through the filter material of the rod member, such that at least one end of the chain of objects is visible at an end of the rod member to act as the visible indicator. 
     
     
         43 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of filter material comprises a cellulose acetate tow. 
     
     
         44 . The filter rod according to  claim 32 , wherein the chain of objects comprises one or more of capsules, pellets, strands, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The filter rod according to  claim 44 , wherein the one or more capsules carry a payload incorporating a compound that alters a character of smoke drawn through the filter rod.