A device and method for preparing a fully granular cigarette/filter rod, and a prepared fully granular cigarette/filter rod are disclosed. In certain embodiments, negative pressure is used to adhere granular material onto a mesh-type conveyor belt. The granular material is preliminarily formed into fully granular cigarette/filter rod material by means of a pre-forming apparatus; the fully granular cigarette/filter rod material, traveling with the mesh-type conveyor belt, enters into a forming cavity, and undergoes heating and humidifying treatment, and a continuous solid porous substance is formed; the continuous solid porous substance is moved into the cooling/drying cavity, drying and cooling treatment are performed under the action of negative pressure, and a fully granular cigarette/filter rod with strong adhesion, porosity, permeability, and appropriate moisture is obtained.

A method for manufacturing cigarette filter rods comprises providing a continuous supply of filter material in a direction of travel; forming the filter material into a continuous rod; and rotating a wheel in a vertical plane, in operable communication with the filter material such that a portion of the wheel contacts the filter material at a predetermined location, and such that general direction of travel of the rotating wheel and the filter material, when in contact, are in generally the same direction. The method also comprises providing a lower hopper in operable communication with the rotatable wheel; providing an upper hopper in operable communication with the lower hopper; and wrapping an overwrap material around the filter material. The method further comprises controlling speed of rotation of the wheel relative to feedback from an inspection system; and subdividing the continuous rod at pre-determined intervals.

An apparatus and method for forming a rod member used to manufacture cigarette filter elements, involve an insertion device for inserting objects into and along the rod member formed from a continuous filter material supply. The insertion device includes an insertion member adjacent to the filter material supply and defining a series of receptacles about a periphery thereof. The insertion member rotates in a first rotational direction to receive the objects in the receptacles at a first rotational position and to insert the objects from the receptacles into the rod member at a second rotational position. A cleaning element is adjacent to the insertion member between the second and first rotational positions in the first rotational direction, and engages each of the receptacles upon rotation of the insertion member between the second and first rotational positions to remove residual material from the receptacles prior to the first rotational position.

A method of, and equipment for gathering fibres (12) entrained a gas stream, for example by melt blowing, comprises an enclosure (50) having an inlet (57), through which a gas stream carrying entrained fibres (12) may be directed into the enclosure (50), a fibre outlet (58) from which an assembly of gathered fibres (12) may be withdrawn from the enclosure (50) and an exhaust outlet (41) through which gas may pass out of the enclosure (50). The enclosure (50) is constructed to provide a pathway for the fibres (12) from the inlet (57) to the fibre outlet (58) in which surplus gas in the gas stream is separated from the entrained fibres (12) and directed to the exhaust outlet (41), thereby reducing turbulence in the fibres (12) in the enclosure (50) which may affect the quality of the finished assembly.

The present invention relates to a filter comprising a nonwoven substrate having a low density and comprising natural fibers and a binder. The filter can be used as a filter for a smoking or vaping article.

The present invention relates to a filter comprising a nonwoven substrate having a low density and comprising natural fibers and a binder. The filter can be used as a filter for a smoking or vaping article.

A system, apparatus and method for forming a smoke filter including a forming nozzle through which a fibrous bundle material passes. The forming nozzle includes a converging passage, at least one first internal cavity in fluid connection with a first working fluid source, and a plurality of first holes fluidly connecting the at least one first internal cavity with a working surface of the forming nozzle. The plurality of first holes are further positioned and directed such that in passing through the plurality of first holes, the first working fluid conveys the fibrous bundle material through the forming nozzle in a transport direction. A guide pin is disposed along a central axis of the converging passage, the guide pin including an elongated body which tapers in the transport direction. A bobbin disposed downstream of the forming nozzle.

A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

The invention discloses a starch-based multi-channel airflow unit and a preparation method and an application thereof. The preparation method of the present invention comprises the following steps: melting a polylactic acid, wherein a temperature of a first temperature control zone is 135° C. to 145° C., a temperature of a second temperature control zone is 175° C. to 185° C., a temperature of a third temperature control zone is 190° C. to 200° C., and a temperature of a fourth temperature control zone is 175° C. to 185° C.; gelatinizing a starch-based material, adding the starch-based material in the third temperature control zone and fully mixing the mixture; adding a polyol in the third temperature control zone, and fully mixing the mixture; and extruding out the mixed material through twin screws, sizing in vacuum, cooling and sizing, and winding and cutting to obtain the starch-based multi-channel airflow unit.

A system and method for manufacturing a filter includes a filamentary material delivery apparatus, a support structure for supporting a continuous stream of filamentary material, and a particle distribution apparatus. The particle distribution apparatus includes an apertured distribution belt positioned above the support structure and in communication with an outlet of a particle storing hopper. The belt defines a plurality of spaced openings through which particles are distributed onto the continuous stream of filamentary material to form a particle-bearing stream of filamentary material.