High speed object inserter and related methods
US9232820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB31C99/00
- 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 a storage apparatus that stores a plurality of the objects, each object having a predetermined volume; an inserter wheel that receives the objects stored in the storage apparatus, and inserts the objects into a band of filter material, the inserter wheel having an outer periphery with a plurality of pockets defined in the outer periphery 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 volume 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.