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.

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.

Cigarette filter rods having individual objects positioned at predetermined intervals therein are prepared by transferring the individual objects from a rotating horizontal pan to a rotating vertical wheel and then depositing the object into a web of filter tow. Each object is positioned within the moving web of tow. The web filter material and the objects positioned within the web are introduced into a rod-forming unit wherein the rod is formed. The rate of feed of the filter tow, the rate of rotation of the horizontal pan and the vertical wheel are controlled relative to one another such that objects are positioned at predetermined intervals along the rod. Cigarette filter elements having well controlled amounts of flavorant contained therein can be made from the rods.

An apparatus for providing rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof, comprises means for providing a continuous supply of rod filter material, a first hopper means for providing a reservoir for objects, and a second hopper means for providing a plurality of individual objects. The second hopper means is positioned to receive objects from the first hopper means. The apparatus also comprises a reciprocating screen means between the first hopper means and the second hopper means, means for positioning individual objects from the second hopper to within the supply of filter material at pre-determined spaced intervals, means for forming the filter material into a continuous rod having individual objects positioned at pre-determined spaced intervals within that rod, and means for subdividing the continuous rod at pre-determined intervals.