Patent ID: 6537186
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A24D

Abstract:
A process of manufacturing composite filter stock comprising the steps of:a). depositing fibrous filter segments on a carrying strip in a spaced apart relationship, thus defining cavities between adjacent filter segments; b). feeding the carrying strip with the deposited filter segments along a path of travel into an elongated support chamber which substantially surrounds the circumference of the filter segment-retaining carrier strip and which leaves a narrow fill opening opposite a particulate filling opening of a filling assembly, the narrow fill opening being elongated along the direction of motion of the carrying strip; c). concurrently applying a vacuum or suction adjacent the narrow opening, the vacuum or suction thus increasing a downward momentum of a gravity feed stream of particulate matter and vacuuming away loose particulate matter; d). concurrently filling the cavities with the particulate matter over a length corresponding to a predetermined path of travel of the carrying strip; and f). applying a sealing portion which encapsulates the filter segments and particulate matter.