Patent ID: 6059706
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: A24D

Abstract:
A method of treating an elongated tow of fibrous filter material for tobacco smoke, comprising the steps of:advancing the tow lengthwise in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path;reducing the cross-sectional area of the tow along the length of a section of said path;introducing a first pressurized fluid into the tow in a first portion of said section, said introducing step including the sub-step of maintaining said first pressurized fluid at a first pressure;evacuating at least a portion of the introduced fluid from the tow in a second portion of the said section of said path, said second portion being located downstream of said first portion, as defined by said predetermined direction;introducing a second pressurized fluid, which is the same as or different from said first pressurized fluid, into the tow in a third portion of said section, said third portion being located downstream of said second portion, said step of introducing a second pressurized fluid including the sub-step of maintaining the second pressurized fluid at a second pressure less than said first pressure; andevacuating at least a portion of fluid from the tow in a fourth portion of said section, said fourth portion being located downstream of said third portion,wherein each of said steps of introducing a pressurized fluid introduces the respective pressurized fluid into the tow at an angle of 90 degrees or less with respect to said predetermined direction.