High speed object inserter and related methods
US9055768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA24D3/0216
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus for inserting one or more objects into a filter component of a tobacco rod includes at least one storage apparatus that stores a plurality of the objects, each object having a predetermined volume. At least one inserter wheel receives the objects stored in the storage apparatus, and inserts the objects into at least one band of filter material. Each of the at least one inserter wheels has an outer periphery with a plurality of pockets and distributed about the outer periphery. Each pocket has a shape configured to support one of the objects with between about one quarter and about one half of the volume of the object received in the pocket. The remainder of the object protrudes from the pocket above the outer periphery of the inserter wheel. A method of inserting one or more objects into a filter component of a tobacco rod is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.