CZ302197B6 - Method of and apparatus for producing of cigarette filters - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for repetitively introducing an exactly metered amount of particulate material during high-speed manufacture of objects containing these particles, further to a method of placing a predetermined amount of particles and/or a plasticizer in individual locations of a continuously moving strand of a filling mass, and further to a method of producing a filter using the apparatus (10).

Description

Method and apparatus for producing filters

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for producing filters, in particular to re-inserting precisely metered doses of particles in high-speed production of particle-containing articles, more specifically to re-inserting granular particles such as charcoal, silica gel or other substances into individual points of continuous motion. a filler band containing acetylcellulose or other fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some products, such as particulate cigarette filters, powdered food products or spice bags, some pharmaceutical products, ammunition, etc., require the production of a precisely metered amount of powdered material at a predetermined location. The difficulty stems from the need for massive scale production of these articles and the need to preserve product quality without endangering the environment of production, especially where the high speed of production lines is accompanied by shocks and vibrations.

The prior art machinery typically suffers from inaccurate metering of batch material and other undesirable pulverization at higher speeds, especially where slow moving or stationary mass of particles is to be processed by machine parts moving at high speeds. speed. E.g. some of the prior art measuring units include a particle feed from a hopper where the measuring wheel rotates through relatively stationary particles. Such treatment promotes particle pulverization, which is further increased as speed increases.

Excessive pulverization of the particles can unacceptably affect the quality of the finished product, the quality of the products is further deteriorated by vibrations and particle leakage in prior art machinery, e.g., contaminated products or underfilling, and the process is slowed by disrupting line operation for cleaning.

It is also known from the prior art that for the manufacture of cigarette filters, especially filters containing acetyl cellulose fiber, a number of problems are associated with the processing of the fiber, which is, for example, very little resistant to tensile stress and therefore has to be avoided in a variety of ways. Further, by shifting the pulp web by the rollers, the fibers farther from the roll surface are stretched more than the fibers directly on the roll surface. After passing through the rollers, this uneven tension causes the fiber web to twist.

For the manufacture of filter rollers, a plasticizer is commonly applied to fibrous acetylcellulose. It is known in the art that applying a plasticizer to the mass of particles in cigarette filters may result in partial deactivation if the plasticizer penetrates into the particles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus capable of accurately measuring discrete quantities of particulate matter at high operating speeds.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus capable of delivering a measured mass of particles without pulverizing them, even at high operating speeds.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device for delivering metered doses of a mass of particles wherein shear exposure to the particles is minimized.

-1 CZ 302197 B6

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus wherein minimizing shear exposure is minimized by maintaining relatively small velocities between the mass of particles and the parts of the apparatus that comes into contact with the mass of particles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus capable of transferring a mass of particles using a vacuum, so as to minimize their dispersion and maintain their coherence, even at high operating speeds.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus capable of delivering high-velocity particulate matter with minimal loss.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus capable of correspondingly delivering precisely metered doses of particulate matter at high speed. in a method for producing particulate articles, more specifically, re-feeding granular particles, such as silica gel and other substances, to individual locations of a continuous moving lane of filler material containing acetyle cellulose and / or other fiber.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus which allows processing of low tensile materials such as acetyl cellulose pulp with minimum tensile stress.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and a production apparatus that allows processing of low tensile materials such as acetyl cellulose pulp by machinery equipped with rollers around which the pulp is unwound without causing excessive pulping of the pulp. to minimize the tendency of the fibers to twist.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and apparatus for manufacturing cigarette filters with precisely metered doses of particulate matter embedded and retained in a continuous filter and cylinder and with a plasticizer applied to locations remote from the particulate matter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The deficiencies of the prior art and the stated objects are achieved by the filter manufacturing apparatus according to the invention, which comprises a system for forming a continuous strand of fibrous material and moving it along a process path, a delivery device for repeatedly taking a measured amount of particulate material at first release at the transfer point, which is a point in the fiber sliver route, the assembly arranged in front of the transfer point includes a guide horn with a tongue for at least partially opening the continuous sliver to insert the loose material particle at the point of forward to the at least partially open continuous sliver wherein the position of the particulate material is defined along a strand of fibrous material, the apparatus further comprising a folding horseshoe unit for closing an at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material located downstream of the transfer point to retain a measured and loose material particle in a closed continuous strand of fibrous material at a given position and further comprising a first vacuum formed drum adjacent the transfer point and vacuumed around its circumference transferring the apertures / pouches i to form depressions spaced along a continuous strand of fibrous material, the drum-vacuum wheel being located below the continuous strand of fibrous material at the particle transfer point, for at least partially storing it in one of the depressions at the transfer point.

It is also essential that after the unit formed by the folding shoe for closing the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material there is a cutter for cutting a continuous, fibrous rod with deposited material particle into separate filter inserts, or that

The closure unit formed by the folding shoe for closing the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material is disposed adjacent to the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel such that closing begins with the introduction of vacuum to the holes / pockets as well as the apparatus further comprising a plasticizer application station disposed between the folding shoe and the condition to form a continuous strand of fibrous material, to apply the plasticizer to the continuous strand of fibrous material at a location away from the released particulate material, or that the plasticizer application station is arranged in front of the particulate feed device; the plasticizer is arranged downstream of the material particle delivery device, or that the plasticizer application station comprises an application drum displaceably disposed along at least a portion of the second path and a continuous the fiber material passing through the plasticizer application station.

It is also an object of the invention that the application drum of the application station includes openings extending into its radial surface that are in fluid communication with the source of the liquid plasticizer and further comprising a vacuum drum with holes extending into its radial surface and fluidly in communication with the vacuum source. wherein the two drums are mutually arranged such that when a continuous strand of fibrous material passes through the application station along a second path, a contact point on the second path is defined between the two drums and one of the corresponding holes of the vacuum drum is positioned also located at the contact point on the opposite side of the sliver, and that the plasticizer application station comprises an application drum and a secondary application drum, a plasticizer vacuum drum and an upper drum are opposite to each other. m standing along a strand path, wherein the at least one drum comprises transmission portions formed by an aperture, a porous metal strip spaced around its periphery, or that the secondary application drum and the third drum comprise transmission portions formed by a porous metal strip, or The application drum fits into the porous metal strip of the upper drum at the contact point defined between the two drums. It is furthermore the object of the device that the second of the secondary lower application drum and the upper drum comprises vacuum interconnecting portions formed by meshed recesses spaced apart from the circumference of rotation that engage the porous metal strip at the contact point delimited between the drums and at least one the drums include vacuum retaining holes, or that the delivery device comprises a transfer wheel with spaced apart pouches that are opposed to the vacuum pouches of the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel at the delivery point, or the delivery device further comprises a metering wheel arranged to recharge the dose into the pouches and that the metering wheel has an adjacent slide connected to the container, or that the metering wheel is provided with a skirt in which radially inwardly directed pockets are formed at a circumferential circumference thereof, and The method according to claim 1, characterized in that channels are formed in the rim to connect the pouches to the inside of the metering wheel through the mesh, the pouches following a first rotational path as the metering wheel is rotated.

The apparatus also provides that the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel and the closure unit formed by the folding shoe are mutually arranged to begin closing the continuous strand of fibrous material when the vacuum is applied at the time of passing the continuous strand of fibrous material through the vacuum interconnected retention pockets. that the closure unit comprises at least a pair of shaping rollers adjacent to the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel, or that the first drum and the rollers are mutually arranged to begin to pack a portion of the continuous strand of fibrous material around the loose material particle by the rollers while retaining it in one of the recessed pockets formed by the vacuum interconnecting apertures and pouches of the first drum.

Further, the object of the invention is achieved by a device for producing particulate filters comprising a system for forming a continuous strand of fibrous material, a device for producing a fibrous rod, located downstream of the assembly, for collapsing a filter insert wrapper around a continuous strand and a sealing device, a delivery device disposed between the device and the assembly, for inserting a predetermined, measured amount of particles at separate locations along a continuous strand of fibrous material, wherein the delivery device is arranged with a metering wheel for collecting a measured amount of particles. at the collection point, a transfer wheel for transferring the particles through the pouches of the metering wheel pockets to a transfer point on a continuous strand of fibrous material passing between the transfer wheel and the vacuum a wheel having circumferential retention pockets and apertures for forming a cup for storing the particle at spatially separated locations in a continuous strand of fibrous material and crimping it in front of the transfer point and closing it around the particle therein, the direction of rotation of adjacent wheels and metering the wheels and the vacuum wheels are opposite, as well as that behind the filter rod manufacturing device there is a fiber rod cutter comprising particles to separate filters, or that the fibrous material processing apparatus 10 is arranged to produce a continuous strand of fibrous material.

In said apparatus it is further essential that it further comprises a plasticizer application station for its application to a continuous strand of fibrous material at locations away from the particle dose located between the fiber rod manufacturing apparatus and the fibrous material processing apparatus, or that the plasticizer application station is located upstream or that the plasticizer application station comprises a plasticizer applicator that is movably disposed along at least a portion of a second path that is the path of the passage of a continuous strand of fibrous material through the application plasticiser 20.

The device also comprises a plasticizer applicator comprising a first wheel formed by an application drum in which apertures extending into its radial surface are formed and which are in fluid communication with the plasticizer source and a second wheel formed by a plasticizer vacuum drum with apertures opening in their radial and in fluid communication with the vacuum source, the two wheels being arranged so that when the continuous strand of fibrous material passes through the plasticizer application station through the second route, the contact point between the first and second wheels defines a location on the second route and when one of the holes of the first The corresponding opening of the second wheel is also situated at the contact point on the opposite side of the continuous strand of fibrous material.

The drawbacks of the prior art are also overcome by the method of manufacturing a filter according to the invention comprising spaced apart doses of plasticizer, which is to form a continuous strand of fibrous material that moves along the plasticizer transfer point, the plasticizer is applied intermittently to the continuous strand of fibrous material on their movement along the transfer point, in front of which a continuous strand of fibrous material is opened at least partially, onto which a plasticizer is applied at the transfer point and at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material is closed behind the plasticizer application point; or by measuring a dose of the particle in a continuous strand of fibrous material between and from the application site of the plasticizer.

Further, the principle of the method is that when measuring a particle of material in a continuous strand of fibrous material, the strand moves along a second path and repeatedly withdraws a metered dose of particulate at a first location and releases the withdrawn dose at the transfer point that is on the strand path to at least a partially undulating open strand of fibrous material, wherein the particle is delimited along the length of a continuous strand of fibrous material, or that a particulate material flow is formed in a first path that at least partially coincides with an endless path of movement of the first pouch; approaching the flow of particulate material, the entrained dose of particulate moves from the first pouch to the second pouch as it moves along a second endless path that coincides with the second strand path at the transfer point and the particulate dose is it releases from the second pouch into the at least partially undulating open strand of fibrous material at the transfer point.

-4GB 302197 B6

It is also based on the fact that depressions are formed along the length of the strand by means of a vacuum in which the particulate material is retained by the vacuum at a part of the sliver path adjacent the particle transfer point, or that the vacuum retains at least partially with the strand closing or the open continuous strand comprises folding, or that closing is performed by first folding on one side of the strand and then on the other side, that the continuous strand is folded by its progress through the forming rollers, and that the plasticizer is applied to the continuous strand of fibrous material before the particle transfer point .

The drawbacks of the prior art are also eliminated by the filter manufacturing apparatus according to the invention, which consists of a system for producing a continuous strand of fibrous material, downstream of the arrangement there is an apparatus for wrapping a filter insert wrapper around the continuous strand of fibrous material; gluing, wherein a plasticizer application station for intermittent application to a continuous strand of fibrous material is placed between the assembly and the device in separate locations separated from each other, wherein a tongue and a guide corner for at least partial opening of the continuous strand of fibrous material are arranged before the plasticizer application station; in which a plasticizer is applied and behind the plasticizer application station there is a shut-off station for closing at least partially bent open strand of fibrous material formed by folding horseshoe and shaped or that the applicator is disposed movably along at least a portion of a second path of a continuous strand of fibrous material passing through the application station.

Furthermore, it is essential that the plasticizer applicator comprises an application drum with openings extending into its radial surface in fluid communication with a source of fluid plasticizer and further comprising a vacuum drum with openings opening in its radial surface that are in fluid communication with the vacuum the two drums being arranged to each other such that when the continuous strand of fibrous material moves along the second path through the plasticizer application station, the contact point between the first and second drums defines a location on the second path, and the same contact point corresponding to one of the openings of the second drum on the opposite side of the continuous strand of fibrous material, or that a delivery device is provided between the filter-producing device and the strand-forming system predetermined metered doses of particulate material at separate discrete locations along a continuous strand of fibrous material.

The delivery device also comprises metering rollers for moving the at least partially folded open continuous strand of fibrous material along the sliver path and arranging the transfer of the particle for repeatedly withdrawing the metered dose of particulate material at the first location and releasing it at the transfer location at the sliver path, such that it is released into the at least partially folded open continuous strand of fibrous material, wherein the particle location is delimited on the continuous strand, or that the delivery device is arranged to create a flow of particulate material along the first path with which an endless path and to draw a dose of particulate material into the pouch as it approaches the flow of particulate material, and move the dose of particulate into the second pouch at moving along a second endless path that coincides with the second path at the particle transfer point and releasing the extracted portion of particulate material from the second pouch to the at least partially folded open continuous strand of fibrous material at the transfer point.

Last but not least, the device further comprises a vacuum wheel adjacent to the particle transfer point, wherein at the periphery of the drum vacuum depressions formed by apertures and retention pockets are formed to form cups at separate locations along the length of a continuous strand of fibrous material, which is the particulate material is left at least partially in one cup at the particle transfer point, or that the plasticizer application station is located upstream of the device, or that the device further comprises a cutter to cut the continuous fiber rod into separate filters downstream of the closure unit.

-5GB 302197 B6

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic side view of a filter cylinder manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a preferred particle transfer device of the filter cylinder manufacturing apparatus of FIG. Fig. 3A is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the measuring wheel of the particle transfer device of Fig. 2, Fig. 3B a detail view according to arrow B of Fig. 2, Fig. FIG. 4 is a further schematic side view of a portion of the system of the filter cylinder manufacturing apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 shows the overall appearance of an optional transfer nozzle that can be used in the systems of FIG. 1 and 5, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a four-dose particulate filter cartridge manufactured under load FIGS. 1 and 5, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the filter insert of FIG. 7 in line 7-7; FIG. 9 a cigarette filter made according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a four-dose filter cartridge of a four-dose cigarette manufactured in the apparatus of Fig. 10, Fig. 12 schematically in partial cross-sectional side view of a plasticizer application unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13B schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of a plasticizer application unit according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 schematically shows the overall appearance of a portion of a plasticizer application unit according to an embodiment of the invention; 16 schematically bo Figure 17A schematically shows a side view of a portion of a plasticizer application unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17B schematically shows a side view of a rotating portion of a slotted drum according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 18B is a plan view of folding rolls according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a filter making apparatus 10 capable of producing filter rollers containing particles at a high rate of about 300 m filter rollers per minute. The plant 10 includes a pulp processing system 20 producing a continuous stream of fibrous material 22 - a non-limiting example of a similar filler is, for example, acetylcellulose pulp, the filter roll manufacturing apparatus 30 downstream of the pulp processing assembly 20 for wrapping the front parts. a continuous filter cartridge wrapper 32 with a continuous stream of fibrous material 22, a cutter 40 to cut a continuous filter cylinder fed from the filter cylinder manufacturing device 30 into individual filter cartridges 41 of a certain length, typically multiple times the length of the cigarette filter, which is operatively disposed between the pulp processing system 20 and the filter cylinder manufacturing apparatus 30 and which continuously delivers preselected doses of matter, preferably containing animal charcoal or silica gel particles or other suitable materials to separate sites 52, e.g., sites 52a, 52b, and 52c in FIG. 1 along a continuous stream of fibrous material 22 from the pulp processing system 20.

The system 20 is mostly of the type known to those skilled in the art. Typically, these devices include a feed arm 24 to direct a continuous web of pulley to the tension roller assembly 25, the threaded transfer roller assembly 26, the plasticizer applicator, the plurality of transfer rollers 29, and finally the transport gland nozzle 31. A continuous web of fibrous material 22 is formed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material from the exit of the pulp processing system 20 is fed under a certain pressure to the feed device 50, preferably by means of a metering roller assembly 53. The plasticizer from the plasticizer dispenser is preferably a softening agent added in the plasticizer. in small portions of acetylcellulose pulp to join the fiber crossing. In addition, the plug nozzle 31 may be modified, preferably as described in Fig. 6, to provide a continuous web of fibrous material 22 in the form of a flat web,

Suitable plasticizers include, but are not limited to, triacetin also known as glycerin triacetate or PZ, trimethylene glycol diacetate - TEGDA, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the delivery device 50 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a particle magazine 100 for retaining the particle reserve 110. furthermore a metering wheel 200 with a plurality of separated preferably conical pouches 210 along the skirt 204 to collect and release set doses of particles with the cartridge 100 operably. a coupled slide 300 into which the peripheral portion of the metering wheel 200 to direct the flow of particles from the cartridge 100 to the first collection point 201 of the metering wheel 200 reaches a rotatable transmission wheel 400 along which flange 404 is a plurality of discrete and preferably conical pockets 410 particles from the metering wheel 200 and their release at the transfer point 7 of the destination, defined within a certain angular range relative to the transfer wheel 400, a vacuum wheel 600 with a vacuum manifold 500 above the transfer point 7 to facilitate complete and neat transfer of particles from the transfer wheel 400 to an adjacent portion of the continuous stream of fibrous material 22 at the transfer point 7, and preferably a folding horseshoe 700 or assembly that is located immediately behind the wheels 400 and 600 and adapted to close the edge portions 702 and 704 around the batches particle 706.

The flange 204 of the metering wheel 200 is shown in Figs. 3A and 3C with a plurality of spaced pockets 210 equidistant from each other, given by the radially directed conical bores 212 and the meshes 214 to terminate them. The conical bore 212 is converging radially inwardly. A radially directed channel 216 in the skirt 204 connects the back of the mesh 214 to the interior of the metering wheel 200. Practice is that when applying vacuum from the vacuum space 220 along the inner portion of the metering wheel 200 through the channel 216 and mesh 214 all particles are near the pocket 210 they are drawn into the conical bore 212 until the pocket 210 is filled. The space defined by the mesh 214 and the conical bore 212 gives the volume capacity of each pocket 210.

The mesh 214 is optionally seated on the threaded ring so that the radial fit of each mesh 214 can be adjusted to receive any volume of particles.

The slide 300 is connected to a granular particle reservoir 100 which, due to gravity, may slide from the reservoir 00 over the chute 300. In the internal passage 310 of the chute 300, there is a vent 320 through which ambient air is admitted to the passage 310. under pressure 300 from the chute 300 into the pockets 210 of the metering wheel 200. A rectifier 330 is located below the vent 320 in the passageway 320, which deflects the flow of exhaust particles toward the adjacent first collection point 201 of the metering wheel 200. leaving the chute space 300, the chute 300 at the end of the passage 310 is preferably provided with a scraper 370 to remove excess granular particles from the space behind the pouches 210. This arrangement ensures clean and continuous filling of the pockets 210 passing through the chute space 300. passage 310, such that particles that have not been removed by the metering wheel 200 are discharged by the collecting nozzle 380 and the respective discharge device 390 to return the undamaged particles to the container 100.

A shut-off valve 112 is provided between the reservoir 100 and the inlet of the chute 300, which can optionally be set to function as a metering valve or the like.

The metering wheel 200 includes a first vacuum chamber 220 that is operable within the angular range of the metering wheel 200 and which begins at the point of collection of the particles from the chute 300 and ends with a particle transfer point 205 from the metering wheel 200 to the transfer wheel 400. vacuum tubes and preferably occupies a space approximately from the angle of the hour hand at 10 o'clock along the bead 204, i.e. before entering the pocket 210 into the chute space 300, to the approximately angular position of the hour hand at 5 o'clock where The flange 204 of the metering wheel 200 converges with the flange 404 of the transmission wheel 400. During the passage of each pouch 210 along the vacuum space 220, the vacuum is applied through the channel 216 of the pouch 210 so that the particle is drawn into and retained. Subsequently, as the pouch 210 passes along the vacuum chamber 220, the pouch 210 is subjected to a vacuum that tends to draw in the grained particle and retain the particle until the pouch 210 passes through the angular transfer point 205 - clockwise position at 5 o'clock where vacuum is interrupted. During further rotation of the skirt 204, the pouch 210 enters the area of application of the second vacuum space 230, by which all the remaining mass in the pouch 210 is maintained until the pouch 210 reaches the cleaning point 240 - roughly the hour hand position at 2 o'clock, wherein the channel 216 is subjected to an overpressure such that the pouch 210 is free of any residue before returning to the chute 300. All matter collected at the cleaning point is removed to prevent contamination of the product and the device 10.

As the pouches 210 move outside the first and second vacuum spaces 220 and 230, the construction of the wheel interior 295 interrupts the connection of the channels 216 and the vacuum spaces 220 and 230. Similarly, the internal arrangement 495 of the transmission wheel 400 outside the vacuum space 420 is adapted to the pouches 410. .

As the filled pockets 210 rotate beyond the end of the vacuum space 220 - clockwise position at 5 o'clock, the vacuum is interrupted so that the particle in the pocket 210 can easily be transferred to some pocket 410 in the rim 404 of the transmission wheel 400. relative to the metering wheel 200 in the opposite direction and its flange 404 passes the flange 204 with a clearance of about 4 mm in the angular position of the transmission wheel 400 at about 11 o'clock.

The rim 404 of the transmission wheel 400 is provided with a plurality of spaced pockets 410 that are formed in a manner similar to the pockets 210 of the metering wheel 200. Referring in particular to FIG. 3C - the last two numerals of corresponding elements are identical - Each pocket 410 has a radially directed conical bore 412 and a mesh 414 at its end. The conical bore 412 is radially inwardly converging and has a slightly larger diameter than the conical bore 212 of the metering wheel 200. A radially directed channel 416 in the flange 404 connects the back of the mesh 414 with inside the transmission wheel 400.

Further design and functional details of the chute 300, the metering wheel 200, and the transmission wheel 400 are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,875,824.

In Figure 3B, just above the 6-hour angular position on the transmission wheel 400, the flange 404 of the transmission wheel 400 comes into contact with a continuous stream of fibrous material 22. Preferably, the transmission wheel 400 and the vacuum wheel 600 have matching mesh 900 so that When passing through the contact point between the transfer wheel 400 and the vacuum wheel 600 near the transfer point 7, the fibrous material 22 has the form of a generally U-shaped pocket. Capture, retain the doses of particles 706 at the transfer point 7 The web of fibrous material 22 is further assisted by the vacuum applied to the underside of the curved portion 22 '. Thus, the dispersion of the particles along the web of fibrous material 22 is controlled. The distance between the pouches 410 and the speed of the transfer wheel 400 is selected so as to provide the desired distance between the delivered batches of particles 706 or to suit a given adjustment.

Also, the distance of the pockets 210 on the rim 204 of the metering wheel 200 and the synchronization of the movement of the two wheels is selected such that each pockets 210 reach the angular transfer location 205 of the metering wheel 200 to get one pocket 410 of the transfer wheel 400 into the 11 hour angular position on the transfer wheel 400. , so that the two pockets 210 and 410 are positioned opposite each other at the angular transfer point 7.

-8EN 302197 B6

When the empty pouch 410 reaches the 11 o'clock position on the transfer wheel 400, the pouch 410 is connected to the vacuum space 420 and consequently displaces the particle from the opposite pouch 210 and engages it on the mesh 414,

The filled pouch 410 remains exposed to vacuum from the vacuum chamber 420 so that the particle remains retained during rotational transmission from the 1 hour position to the 5 hour angular position of the transmission wheel 400.

By further rotating the transmission wheel 400, the filled pouch 410 approaches the transfer point 7 and comes under the influence of the adjacent surrounding area 430 to equalize the pressure in the pouch 410. In this way, it is possible to remove particles from the pouches 410 with little or no dispersion.

After passing the pouch 410 at an angular position of 7 o'clock and releasing its contents at the transfer point 7, the pouch 410 comes under the influence of a second vacuum space 440. This retains any remaining particulate matter until the pouch 410 is moved to the cleaning unit 450. the remaining mass particles are blown out by the air stream from the pouch 410 before the pouch 410 reaches the 11 o'clock position to receive the next dose of particulate from the measuring wheel 200. Particle transfers at appropriate locations of the device 10 including removal and transfer of the wheel 200 and 400 are preferably taken from U.S. Patent 5,339,871.

The rectangular pockets 210 and 410 are preferably positioned at respective locations along the flanges of the metering wheel 200 and the transmission wheel 400.

Downstream of the folding shoe 700 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the belt 34 transports the fibrous material stream 22c along with the wrap of the filter cartridge 32 beyond the tongue 802 of the continuous cylinder treatment device 30.

The vacuum grip wheel 600 of FIG. 3B is also provided with separate discrete retaining pockets 604 that are connected to a vacuum manifold 500 in the region of the transfer point 7 adjacent to the touch point of wheels 400 and 600. These retaining pockets 604 grip slightly tow the tow into individual containment pockets 604, thereby forming small depressions in the tow. Vacuum is maintained on the capture vacuum wheel 600 within the vacuum arc range from the 3 o'clock position to the 11 o'clock position, thereby minimizing the dispersion of the particles and enhancing the accuracy of the desired positioning of the particles at spaced locations 22c. fibrous material.

The vacuum grip wheel 600 in FIG. 2 recesses vertically relative to the transmission wheel

400, resulting in a slight inclination of the continuous stream 22c of the fibrous material 22 upwardly toward the transfer wheel 400 as the fibrous material 22 approaches the transfer point 7 and then downstream of the transfer point 7 in the opposite direction along the vacuum capture wheel 600. facilitating the step of closing the fiber edge portions 702 and 704 around the individual batches of particles 706.

In another preferred embodiment, the vacuum grip wheel 600 is positioned vertically directly below the transmission wheel 400 and the fiber is guided tangentially through the contact point between the two wheels 400 and 600.

FIG. 5 illustrates another aspect of the present invention which consists in targeting the exit of the fibrous material 22 through the gland nozzle 31 and using measuring rollers 33 to facilitate feeding the flow of fibrous material 22 to the contact point between the vacuum capture wheel 600 and the transfer wheel 400. the vacuum wheel 600 and the transmission wheel 400 are a pair of opposed flat guide rails which form a flat form of a web of fibrous material 22.

-9EN 302197 B6

Another aspect of the present invention is in Fig. 6 a guide horn 950 in or near the gland nozzle 31 which divides the fibrous material 22 as it passes through the gland 31 generally into a U-shape. Guide rails or cylinders 33 functionally between the gland nozzle 31 and metal vacuum 5 the grip wheel 600 then unfolds separate portions of the fibrous material web 22 so that the fibrous material web 22 becomes flat when approaching the vacuum grinding wheel 600.

The filter roll adjusting device 30 of FIGS. 1 and 7 packs the particle bearing, the continuous mass 22c and the liner shell 32 and seals the liner shell 32 along the seams 35 with adhesive that is applied along the glue cartridge 32 with an applicator 37. the cutter 40 is cut into individual filter cartridges 41 of a predetermined length, such as the four filter cartridges in FIG. 7, or other desired multiple or simple form. Preferably, the operation of the cutter 40 is recorded and synchronized with the operation of the delivery device 50 so that the end portions of the filter cartridges 41 are fibrous and the batches of particles 706 are within each filter cartridge 4Ί. It will be seen from FIG. 8 that each filter element 41 comprises edge portions 702 and 704 which enclose a respective portion of particles 706.

Fig. 9 shows a cigarette 990 made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

It comprises a packed tobacco roll 992 secured by the overlapping paper 994 to the individual filter 996 with preferably one metered dose of particles 706 that is within the folded edge portions 702 and 704 of the fibrous mass. The free end 998 of the filter 996 is optionally equipped with a filter mouthpiece.

In another embodiment, the operation of the plasticizer application station 28 may be intermittent and synchronized with the delivery device 50 for applying the plasticizer elsewhere along the continuous web of fibrous material 22 than the sites 52a, b, c, etc. in which particles are inserted into the web. In this case, contact of the plasticizer with the batches of particles is minimized or completely prevented so as to maintain the original state of the particles, such as activated activated carbon, silica gel or other absorbent or other agents. Alternatively, the plasticizer application station 28 may be used behind the folding shoe 700, and the plasticizer is thus applied to the outer portion of the closed fibrous stream 22c of the particulate-bearing fibrous material.

FIG. 10 illustrates a filter cylinder manufacturing apparatus 10a that has been adapted to apply the desired doses of plasticizer at precisely defined locations along a continuous web of fibrous material 22. This apparatus 10a allows the production of filter cylinders, such as a filter cartridge assembly 41 of four filter inserts. Fig. 11 with metered doses of particulate matter 706 stored at precise intervals, as well as a plasticizer at 28p, placed at precise intervals alternating with doses of Particle 706. Both substances are separated to prevent inactivation

4o particles due to contact with plasticizer. The plasticizer was applied to the outer surface of the filter cylinder after closing the cylinder around the mass of particles 706, for example by spraying or conventional rolling.

The filter cylinder manufacturing apparatus 10a of FIG. 10 differs from the similar apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 mainly by the addition of a plasticizer applicator and / or applicator unit 280 (as in Figure 12) equipped with a plasticizer application station 281 including an application drum 283 and a vacuum drum. 285 plasticizer. These parts together define a plasticizer contact point 287 at which the plasticizer is preferably applied to a continuous web of fibrous material 22. Application station 280 in Fig. 10 is preferably located before the particle deposition point 706, but may be positioned after this point if necessary. . In addition, the application station 280 may preferably be located behind the projection, rake, tongue 289 or other component suitable for opening the continuous web of fibrous material 22 and keeping it in this flat form before delivering the mass of particles 706. Likewise, the application station 280 may be placed in front of the tongue 289 or a similar component, or behind the component to close a continuous web of fibrous material 22 before applying the liner package 32 around a continuous stream of fibrous material

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22, unless these procedures are performed simultaneously. The tongue 289 includes a guide horn 950 as shown in FIG. 6.

A continuous stream of fibrous material 22 is passed through the application station 280. The application drum

283 in FIG. 12 is provided with a plurality of holes 291 that are led to the radial surface 293 of the application drum 283 and which are in fluid communication with the source 296 of the liquid plasticizer. The plasticizer vacuum drum 285 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 297 which are led to the drum radial surface 299 and are in fluid communication with the vacuum source 301. The interaction of the application drum 283 and the plasticizer vacuum drum 285 is adjusted as follows. As the continuous web of fibrous material 22 moves through the application station 280, the touch point 287 defines a point in the web of the fibrous web 22 between the two wheels. When any of the plurality of apertures 291 of the application drum 283 is approaching touch point 287. a continuous stream of fibrous material 22 as well as a corresponding aperture of a plurality of apertures 297 of the plasticizer vacuum drum 285.

The source 296 of the liquid plasticizer is preferably exposed to ambient or slightly higher pressure, so that the plasticizer usually flows out of the holes 291 very slowly or not at all. If necessary, the connectivity of the orifices 291 to the fluid plasticizer source 296 can only be adjusted if the orifices are directly at or near the contact point 287. Regardless of the technique used to slow down the flow of plasticizer to apertures 291, if apertures 291 are opposite apertures 297 of plasticizer vacuum drum 285 at contact point 287, the plasticizer is aspirated into apertures 297 and into a continuous stream of fibrous material 22. In this way, accurately applying the plasticizer to separate portions of the continuous stream of fibrous material 22 at a distance from the mass of particles 706. At least the surfaces 293 and 297 of drums 283 and 285 are preferably substantially broad as a continuous web of fibrous material 22 so that the plasticizer is applied substantially uniformly over the continuous web Of course, the application station 280 may, if desired, be used independently of the delivery device 50.

The application drum 283 of FIGS. 12 and 13A preferably includes a fixed faceplate 501, fixed guide rings 503 and 505, and a rotating portion of the cylinder 506 of the application drum 283 interposed between the fixed guide rings 503 and 505.

The rotating cylinder 506 is preferably provided with a plurality of discrete porous metal strips 507 which are spaced circumferentially by the rotating portion of the cylinder 506. at a distance corresponding to the distance of the particles in the finished filter cylinder. For clarity, for many cigarette embodiments, this distance preferably 27 mm. The porous strips 507 preferably have a width of about 3 to 8 mm, more preferably about 4 mm.

The preferred embodiment is provided with 40 µm pores for other plasticizers or other pore sizes can be selected for different operating speeds.

The plasticizer is preferably fed from the source 296 to the application drum 283 via the inlet 509 and the port 511 on the fixed faceplate 501. Optionally, the device may include a drainage 513 to drain the plasticizer from the application drum 283 back to the source 296 or alternatively to the waste tank 45.

In this embodiment, each metal porous strip 507 of the cylinder 506 is supplied with a plasticizer through the respective aperture 291 - see Figure 10, as the rotating strip 507 passes through the contact point between the application drum 283 and the vacuum drum 285,

The vacuum drum 285 preferably includes a plurality of vacuum openings in the rotatable portion 521 which are alternately positioned between the vacuum mesh recesses 523. The mesh recesses 523 preferably have the form of a slit having a transverse length of about 4 to 8 mm and more preferably 5 mm, the mesh 527 being about 2 mm below the outer periphery of the drum 285. Mesh recesses 523

Preferably, the porous metal strips 507 of the application drum 283 meet at a contact point 287 between the drums 283 and 285.

The negative pressure is supplied to the mesh recesses 523 from inside the drum 285. preferably within the angular range 529 of applying vacuum around the drum 285 - see Fig. 13A, from a location near the contact point between drums 285 and 283 and the contact point between drum 285 and wheel. 600. Each reticulated depression 523 is thus subjected to a negative pressure at the application site of the plasticizer by the application drum 285. such that the plasticizer is drawn into the fibrous material 22 and remains at or around the application site.

Each vacuum port 521 has a width of about 95 mm at the periphery of the vacuum drum 285 and is preferably tapered inwardly. The vacuum openings 521 are preferably subjected to negative pressure in an angular extension space in which a continuous stream of fibrous material 22 contacts the vacuum drum 285, i.e. approximately between the angular positions 2 and 11 on the periphery of the drum 285. In this embodiment, portions of the fibrous material web 22 are partially drawn into the apertures 521 so as to increase safe uninterrupted adhesion to the fibrous material web 22 on the vacuum drum 285. Since the vacuum apertures 521 and the mesh recesses 523 are actuated along different angular extensions, the vacuum to the apertures 521 fed from another source, for example, an exhaust fan separate from the vacuum source 301 for the meshed recesses 523. This arrangement also reduces the risk of contamination when the plasticizer is drawn through the meshed recesses 523.

The vacuum drum 600 of FIG. 13B is generally a flat circuit 531 with a plurality of discrete apertures or depressions 533 that are preferably similar in shape and size to the vacuum apertures 521 of the vacuum drum 528 into which they fit. The openings 521 of the vacuum drum 285 and the openings 533 of the vacuum drum 600 are preferably provided with recessed meshes 535 in the convergent portions of the tapered openings 521 and 533. The vacuum applied through the openings 533 forces the fibrous material 22 to conform to the shape of the openings and recessed meshes 535. recessed pockets 534 that are able to at least partially retain the individual metered doses of particles 706. The vacuum applied to the holes 533 of the vacuum wheel 600 further facilitates the capture of the particles 706. The vacuum preferably acts beyond the contact point between transmission wheel 400 and vacuum wheel 600 and at least partially closed The two rows of apertures 521 and 523 assist in effective engagement of the web of fibrous material 22 so that the boundaries of the sites for the particles, the plasticizer and for cutting by the cutter 40 are fixed.

As it passes through the contact point between the transmission wheel 400 and the vacuum wheel 600, the web of fibrous material 22 is in a generally unbent condition. Immediately after the contact point of both rolls, the web of fibrous material 22 is folded over a batch of particles 706 to prevent them from being dispersed. The deflection is preferably initiated prior to discontinuing the application of vacuum in the respective depression and is further described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B.

Another preferred embodiment of Fig. 14 is a different placement of the application drum 283 'and the vacuum drum 285', omitting the holes between the porous strips 507 of the vacuum drum 295 'and optionally adding vacuum holes 538 to the application drum 283'. the holes 538 are similar to the vacuum holes 533 'of the vacuum wheel 600' and converge. In this embodiment, the porous strips 507 'may be connected to the plasticizer feed in the angular range 541 of the plasticizer feed in which the web of fibrous material 22 is held on or in the drum 283'. In this embodiment, the plasticizer is preferably also applied to the inner surface of the web of fibrous material 22.

In another embodiment of Fig. 15, the vacuum drum of the embodiment of Fig. 14 is replaced by a secondary lower application drum 283A. so that the porous strips 507A of the lower drum 283A and the porous strips 507B of the upper drum 283B converge at the contact point so that the plasticizer can be applied to both sides of the web of fibrous material 22.

- 12GB 302197 B6

It will be appreciated that the vacuum ports 533 on the vacuum wheel 600 have the function of the retention pockets 604 described above with reference to FIG. 3B.

The apparatus of FIG. 16 may include a plurality of conical rollers 541A, 541B, and 541C downstream of the gland nozzle 31 to allow lateral spreading of the web of fibrous material 22. Other means known in the art may be used for the same purpose.

The plasticizer application drum 283 of FIGS. 17A and 17B includes a rotatable portion 551 of the drum with slits 552, wherein the spacing between slits 552 corresponds to a preferred distance between plasticizer applications, e.g., 27 mm. Inside the applicator drum 283 is a rotatable brush applicator 553 that collects the plasticizer from the cartridge 555 and directs it to the contact point between the rotary drum portion 551 and the opposing vacuum drum 285.

Alternatively, a rotatable disc with slits or an endless belt with holes or slits may be inserted between the applicator brush or nozzle and the continuous web of fibrous material 22 to allow repeated discontinuous application of the plasticizer. Alternative treatments may further be provided with a plurality of application nozzles operating in sequence or with a brush with separate tufts of bristles.

To facilitate the advancement of the continuous flow of fibrous material 22 after it has been formed in the gland nozzle 31, a second belt drive 303 may be provided as shown in FIG. 10. The continuous flow of fibrous material 22 preferably advances with minimal tensile stress and therefore preferably the major part of the transfer path from the nozzle 31 to the packing location in the form of a pad carried on the belt or roller.

In addition, the continuous web of fibrous material 22 is preferably supported by different vacuum drums 285 and vacuum wheels 600. Vacuum-assisted deposition on these drums, wheels 285 and 600 helps maintain the interface between the particle, the applied plasticizer and the cutting lines. The tensile stress thus exerted on the continuous web of fiber is minimized, thereby minimizing the problem of flexing the continuous web of fibrous material due to the passage of the bend of the apparatus using tension. Conventional accessories may also be replaced by lock-off wheels 701 that allow the continuous web of fibrous material 22 to be closed at minimum tension.

Immediately downstream of the vacuum cylinder 600 is preferably a plurality of shaping rollers 561 to begin and complete the closure of the fibrous material web 22 around separate portions of particles 706. The rollers 561 include a first pair of laterally deflected guide rollers 563 so that bending begins on one side 565 a web of fibrous material 22 and then on the other side. Preferably, one or more pairs of opposing concave rollers 567a and 567b are positioned downstream of the first pair of transversely deflected guide rollers 563. which are driven by a drive belt 569 or other suitable drive device. The concave rollers 567a and 567b complete bending portions of the web of fibrous material 22 around separate discrete batches of particles 706.

In the holes 533 of the vacuum wheel 600, a vacuum is preferably used in the angular range 571, see FIG. 18A, from the point where the fibrous material web 22 first contacts the vacuum wheel 600, preferably at an angular adjustment of about 4 hours until there. wherein the web of fibrous material 22 has been at least partially folded around the respective portions of particles 706 by the operation of the rollers 563. That is, it is preferable to maintain the vacuum in the holes 533 of the vacuum wheel 600 to about 1 hour position on the vacuum wheel 600. the web of fibrous material 22 as it is bent.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be used in a manner different from the described embodiments, which are provided for convenience of illustration only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

- 13 GB 302197 Β6

These devices and processes can be adapted to apply various types of particulate and / or particulate material and can be used for other purposes, not only for filling cigarette filters. The device can be easily adapted for use in the pharmaceutical industry or for re-filling powdered food or other powdered products into separate sachets or packages. In the manufacture of cigarettes, the particles may contain or be substituted or replaced by a plasticizer.

Claims (20)

A device (10) for producing a filter (41), comprising a system (20) for forming a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) and moving it along a process path, a delivery device (50) for repeatedly withdrawing a measured amount of particulate material (706). a first location (201) and its release at the transfer point (7), which is a point in the fiber sliver path (22), the assembly (20) arranged in front of the transfer point (7) comprises a guide horn (950) with tongue ( 289) for at least partially opening the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) to receive the released material particle (706) at the transfer point (7) into the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material (22), wherein the particle position (52a, b, c) 706) of the material is defined along a strand of fibrous material (22), the device (10) further comprising a folding horseshoe unit (700) for closing the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material (22) located downstream of the transfer point (7) to retain a measured and released material particle (706) in the closed continuous strand of fibrous material (22) at position (52a, b, c), and further comprising a first drum formed by a vacuum wheel (600) adjacent the transfer point (7) and having circumferentially (531) provided with vacuum transfer holes / pockets (533) / (604) to form depressions (534) spaced along a continuous strand of fibrous material (22), wherein said drum-vacuum wheel (600) is located along the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) at the particle transfer point (7) (7), for at least partially receiving in one of the depressions (534) at the transfer point (7). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that after the unit formed by the folding shoe (700) for closing the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material (22) there is a cutter (40) for cutting the continuous, fibrous rod (22d) with stored particle. (706) material for separate filter inserts (41). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing unit formed by the folding shoe (700) for closing the at least partially open continuous strand of fibrous material (22) is arranged adjacent to the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel (600) such that closing starting with a vacuum supply to the apertures / pockets (533) / (604). The apparatus of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a plasticizer application station (28, 280) disposed between the folding shoe (700) and the assembly (20) to form a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) for applying the plasticizer to a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) at a location away from the released particle (706) of the material. 5 (706) into the second pouch (410) as it moves along a second endless path that coincides with the second path at the particle transfer point (706) and release the extracted portion of particulate material from the second pouch (410) into the at least partially folded open continuous strand the fibrous material (22) at the transfer point. Apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising a vacuum wheel (600) adjacent to the particle transfer point (706), wherein vacuum-coupled depressions formed by apertures (533) and retention elements are formed at the periphery of the vacuum wheel (600). pouches (604) for forming the cups at separate locations along the length of a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) by which the particulate material is left at least partially in one cup at a location Method according to claim 37, characterized in that the closing is carried out first by folding on one side of the strand and then on the other side. Method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the continuous strand is folded by a process over the shaping rollers (561). Method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, characterized in that the plasticizer is applied to a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) before the particle transfer point (7) (7). 5 a plasticizer application station (28,280). Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the plasticizer applicator comprises a first wheel formed by an application drum (283) in which apertures (291) are formed extending into its radial surface (293), which are in fluid communication with the source (296) and a second wheel, formed by a plasticizer vacuum drum (285) with holes (297) opening in their radial surface (299) in fluid communication with the vacuum source (301), the two wheels being arranged so that as the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) passes through the plasticizer application station (28, 280) through the second route, it defines a contact point (287) between the first and second wheels instead of on the second route, and when one of the holes (291) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (280) is arranged upstream of the material delivery device (50). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (280) is arranged downstream of the feed device (50) of the material particles (706). - 14GB 302197 B6 Apparatus according to claims 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (28, 280) comprises an application drum (283) displaceably disposed along at least a portion of a second path of a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) passing through the application station (28). 280) a plasticizer. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the application drum (283) of the application station (28, 280) comprises openings (291) extending into its radial surface (293) which are in fluid communication with the source (296) of the liquid plasticizer. and further comprising a vacuum drum (285) with apertures (297) extending into its radial surface (299) that are in fluid communication with the vacuum source (301), wherein the two drums (283, 285) are mutually aligned such that when a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) passes through the application station (28, 280) along a second path, a contact point (287) is defined between the two drums (283, 285) on the second path and when one of the holes (291) is positioned of the application drum (283) at the touch point (287), one of the corresponding apertures (297) of the vacuum drum (285) is also located in the touch Apparatus according to claims 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (28, 280) comprises an application drum (283) and a secondary application drum (283A), a plasticizer vacuum drum (285) and a top drum (283B). that are in opposite positions with each other 20 along a strand path, wherein the drum (283, 283A, 283B, 285) comprises transmission portions formed by an aperture (291), a porous metal strip (507, 507A, 507B) spaced around its periphery. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the secondary application drum 25 (283A) and the third drum (283B) include transmission portions formed by a porous metal band (507A), 5O7B). Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the porous metal strip (507A) of the secondary lower application drum (283A) fits into the porous metal strip (507B). 3o of the upper drum (283B) at the contact point (287) defined between the two drums (283A, 283B). The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second of the secondary lower application drum (283A) and the upper drum (283B) comprises vacuum interconnecting portions formed by meshed recesses (523) spaced apart from each other around the perimeter of rotation that engage with a 35-inch metal plate. a strip at the point of contact (287) defined between the drums (283A, 283B). The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the drums (283A, 283B) includes vacuum retaining holes (521). 40 Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the delivery device (50) comprises a transmission wheel (400) with spaced apart pouches (410) that are opposed to the vacuum pouches (604) of the first vacuum drum. around (600) at the transfer point (7). The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the delivery device (50) further comprises a metering wheel (200) configured to repeatedly load the dose into the pouches (410) of the transmission wheel (400). 15 transferring the particle (706). Device according to any one of claims 41 to 47, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (28, 280) is located upstream of the device (50). A device for producing filters, characterized in that it consists of a system (20) for producing a continuous sliver of fibrous material (22), arranged downstream of said system (20) is a device (30) for packaging the package (32) a filter insert around the continuous strand of fiber material (22) and its bonding, wherein a plasticizer application station (28, 280) is disposed between the assembly (20) and the device (30) for its intermittent application to the continuous strand of fiber material (22) in separate separated from each other, wherein a tongue (289) and a guide corner (950) are arranged in front of the plasticizer application station (28, 280) to at least partially open a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) to which the plasticizer is applied and 28, 280) of the plasticizer is a sealing station for closing the at least partially bent open strand of fibrous material (22) formed by a folding shoe (700) and a shaped roller (561), The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the applicator of the plasticizer application station (28, 280) is movable along at least a portion of a second path of a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) passing through the application station (28, 280). The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the plasticizer applicator comprises an application drum (283) with openings (291) extending into its radial surface (293) in fluid communication with the source (296) of the liquid plasticizer, and further comprising a vacuum drum (285) with openings (297) opening in its radial surface (299) which are in fluid communication 35 with a vacuum source (301), wherein the two drums (283, 285) are arranged so that, when moving a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) along a second path of the plasticizer application station (28, 280), a contact point (287) between and the second drum defines a location on the second path, and when one of the openings (291) of the first drum (283) is located at this contact point (287), at the same contact point (287), one of the openings (297) of the second drum (285) 40 to the opposite side of the continuous strand of fibrous material (22). An apparatus according to claim 41, 42 or 43, characterized in that a delivery device (50) for receiving a predetermined metered dose is provided between the filter manufacturing device (30) and the fiber forming system (20). Particles (706) 45 material in separate discrete locations along the length of the continuous strand of fibrous material (22). The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the delivery device (50) comprises metering rollers (53) for moving the at least partially folded open continuous strand. 50 of the fibrous material (22) along the sliver path and arranging the particle transfer (706) for repeatedly withdrawing the metered dose of particulate material at a first location and releasing it at the sliver transfer point (7) so that it is released into the at least partially folded open a continuous strand of fibrous material (22), wherein the particle (706) is defined on a continuous strand. 15 of the first wheel situated at this contact point (287), the corresponding second wheel aperture (297) is also situated at the contact point (287) on the opposite side of the continuous strand of fibrous material (22). 30. A method of producing a filter comprising spaced apart doses of plasticizer, characterized by: By forming a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) that moves along the transfer point of the plasticizer, the plasticizer is applied intermittently to the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) at application points (28p) as they move along the transfer point, before opening at least partially a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) onto which a plasticizer is applied at the transfer point and closing at least partially open a continuous strand after the plasticizer application point (28p) 25 fibrous material (22), The method of claim 30, wherein the plasticizer is applied to a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) via a vacuum source (301). A method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that a dose of the particle (706) is measured in a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) between and from the plasticizer application sites (28p). Method according to claim 32, characterized in that, when measuring the particle (706) 35 of the material in the continuous strand of fibrous material (22), the strand moves along a second path and repeatedly withdraws a metered dose of particle (706) at a first location (201) and releases the withdrawn dose at the transfer point (7) that is on the strand route. into at least partially undulating open strand of fibrous material (22), wherein the particle (706) is defined along the length of a continuous strand of fibrous material (22). The method of claim 33, wherein a particulate material flow is formed in the first path that coincides at least partially with the infinite path of movement of the first pouch (210), drawing a dose of the particle (706) into the pouch (210) as its approaching the flow of particulate material, the entrained dose of particle (706) being moved from the first pouch (210) to 45 of the second pouch (410) as it moves along a second endless path that coincides with the second strand path at the transfer point and the dose of particulate material is released from the second pouch (410) to the at least partially undulated open strand of fibrous material (22) at the transfer point (7). Method according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that depressions are created along the length of the strand by means of a vacuum, in which the released particulate material is retained by the strand at a portion of the strand path adjacent to the particle transfer point (706). 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the vacuum retention is at least partially increased as the strand is closed. - 17GB 302197 B6 The method of any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein closing the at least partially open continuous strand comprises folding it. - 15 GB 302197 B6 15 point (287) on the opposite side of the sliver of fibrous material (22). Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the metering wheel (200) is 50 an adjacent slide (300) connected to the cartridge (100). Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the metering wheel (200) is provided with a rim (204) in which radially inwardly facing pockets (210) are formed at a circumferential circumference. - 18 GB 302197 B6 The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the delivery device (50) is configured to provide a flow of particulate material along a first path with which the movement of the first pouch (210) along the endless path is at least partially covered and to draw a dose of particulate material into the a pocket (210) as it approaches the flow of particulate material, and shifting the dose of particle Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that channels (216) are formed in the skirt (204) for connecting the pouches (210) to the interior (295) of the metering shoe (200) through the nets (214), wherein the pouches (210) follow the first rotation path as the metering wheel (200) is rotated. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel (600) and the closing unit formed by the folding shoe (700) are mutually arranged to begin closing the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) when vacuum is applied in the vacuum. the passage of a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) through vacuum interconnected retention pockets (604). The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the closure unit comprises at least a pair of shaping rollers (561) adjacent to the first drum formed by the vacuum wheel (600). The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first drum and the rollers (561) are mutually arranged to begin folding a portion of the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) around the released material particle (706) by the rollers (561) while retaining it in one of recessed pouches (534) formed by vacuum connecting apertures (533) and pouches 20 (604) of the first drum. Apparatus for producing filters comprising particles (706), comprising an assembly (20) for forming a continuous strand of fibrous material (22), a fiber rod manufacturing apparatus (30) located downstream of the assembly (20). 20), for packing 25 a filter cartridge wrapper (32) around a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) and its closure, a delivery device (50) disposed between the device (30) and the assembly (20) for inserting a predetermined metered amount of particles (706) at separate specific locations along a continuous strand of fibrous material (22), the delivery device (50) being arranged with a metering wheel (200) for taking a measured amount of particles (706) at the collection point (201), a transfer yoke (400) for transferring the particles (706) pockets (410) of pockets (210) of the metering wheel (200) to a transfer point (7) on a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) passing between the transfer wheel (400) and the vacuum wheel (600) which is provided with retention pockets (604) and apertures (533) for forming a cup to accommodate the particle (706) at spatially spaced locations in a continuous strand of fiber material (22) and for its 35 of the corrugation in front of the transfer point (7) and its closing around the particles (706) therein, the direction of rotation of the adjacent wheels (200, 400) and the wheels (200, 600) being opposite. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that a fiber rod cutter (40) comprising particles 10 (706) into separate filters (41) is located downstream of the filter rod manufacturing device (30). Device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the device (20) for processing the fibrous material (22) is configured to produce a continuous strand of fibrous material (22). The apparatus of claims 22, 23 or 24, further comprising a plasticizer application station (28, 280) for its application to a continuous strand of fibrous material (22) at locations (28p) away from the particle dose (706) located between a fiber rod manufacturing device (30) and a fiber material processing device (20) (22). Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (28, 280) is located upstream of the delivery device (50). Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the application station (28, 280) 55 of the plasticizer is located downstream of the delivery device (50). - 16GB 302197 B6 Apparatus according to claim 25, 26 or 27, characterized in that the plasticizer application station (28, 280) comprises a plasticizer applicator that is movably disposed along at least a portion of the second path that is the path of the continuous strand of fibrous material (22) through. The apparatus of any one of claims 41 to 48, further comprising a cutter (40) for cutting the continuous fiber rod into separate filters downstream of the closure unit.