Apparatus for combining a tube with a cigarette filter

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The machine produces a filter rod made up of a cylinder of tow and spaced apart hollow plastic tubes within the tow. The machine includes a means for supplying a continuous tow stream to an injection station below a rotatable wheel which delivers the plastic tubes in spaced apart fashion. Plungers on the wheel eject the tubes from the wheel and positively push the ejected tubes into the cylinder of tow at the injection station. The tubes are cut from a continuous tubing by means of a cutter which is timed with respect to the operation of the machine. The cut tubes are initially pushed forward on the wheel by a pushing roll and thereafter slid backwardly by a cover so as to be properly …