Patent Publication Number: US-8114002-B2

Title: Vertical filter filling machine and process

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Division of Application Ser. No. 12/341,051 filed on Dec. 22, 2008, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,184 on May 11, 2010, which is a Division of Application Ser. No. 11/268,291 filed on Nov. 4, 2005, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,099, on Jan. 20, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/625,747 filed on Nov. 5, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,517,480 and 3,603,058 illustrate and describe machines for the production of composite cigarette filters by directly flowing granular filter material from a storage hopper into a vertically oriented filter tube made of paper. Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0119874A1 describes another machine for producing compound cigarette filters that includes a series of rotating plates with cavities therein into which the granular filter material is deposited. The cavities ultimately are aligned with an open paper ended filter tube to facilitate deposit of the granular material into the tube. These machines have the disadvantage of often destroying the integrity of the paper filter tubes into which filter materials are deposited. They also deposit imprecise amounts of granular material and produce undesired amounts of fine dust and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is a vertical filter filling machine and process for producing multiple cavity cigarette filters in a highly efficient and economical manner at high rates of production. 
     Another object of the present invention is a vertical filter filling machine and process having the ability to assemble very small filter components less than three millimeters in length. 
     Another object of the present invention is a vertical filter filling machine and process for producing multiple cavity cigarette filters which includes precise dosing of reduced smoking constituent materials and/or flavoring materials. 
     Still another object of the present invention is a vertical filter filling machine and process for producing compound cigarette filters with minimal or no cross contamination of filter material whereby extremely clean filters are produced. 
     Another object of the present invention is a vertical filter filling machine and process for producing compound cigarette filters with precise dosing of granular material while eliminating granular material scatter on the filters being produced at extremely high production rates. 
     Another important object of the present invention is maintaining the integrity of the paper filter tubes when filling the tubes with granular materials and discrete solid filter segments. 
     In accordance with the present invention a preformed filter tube of paper with hollow ends and a solid center of cellulose acetate or similar material is formed into two multiple cavity cigarette filters. The filter tube is vertically oriented and moves along a generally circular path where metered amounts of granular filter material are precisely deposited in the tubes after which a plug of cellulose acetate or similar material is placed in the tube to thereby seal the granular material. A second deposit of different granular material may also be placed in the tube as well as a second plug to seal that material. Subsequently, the tube is inverted and the remaining half is filled with granular material and sealed in the same manner. Cutting the tube midway through the solid center thereof produces two individual multiple cavity cigarette filters. 
     Specifically, the process of producing compound cigarette filters according to the present invention comprises the steps of placing a filter tube with hollow ends and a solid filter center in a substantially vertical position. A predetermined amount of granular material is withdrawn by suction from a source of such material, and the predetermined amount of material is deposited into an upper open end of the filter tube directly against the solid center. Next, a solid filter segment is placed into the upper open end of the filter tube directly against the granular material to thereby seal the material in place. 
     Throughout the entire filling process, the integrity of filter tube, usually made of thin easily crumpled paper, is maintained by initially depositing the filter materials into an internal alignment tube placed within the filter tube and then pushing the filter materials directly into the filter tube without any significant relative movement between the filter materials and the interior walls of the filter tube. Moreover, as the solid filter segment exits the internal alignment tube into the filter tube, the filter tube moves in a downward direction at a speed that matches the downward speed of the segment. This coordinated movement prevents sliding of the segment against the inside surface of the filter tube which might otherwise cause the filter tube to wrinkle or buckle. 
     Additionally, a predetermined amount of a second granular material may be deposited into the upper open end of the filter tube directly against the solid filter segment already in place. A second solid filter segment may then be placed into the upper open end of the filter tube directly against the second granular material to thereby seal the second material in place. 
     The process of the present invention also includes inverting the filter tube and filling the other end of the tube with granular material and solid filter segments in the same manner as the first end. 
     Moreover, the solid filter segments placed against the granular material may be produced from an extended solid filter segment which is sliced into two pieces during the process to thereby produce each of the two solid filter segments. Both the solid filter center and solid filter segments may comprise cellulose acetate tow. 
     In accordance with the present invention, apparatus for producing compound cigarette filters comprises a rotating tube flute plate for holding and transporting a plurality of filter tubes along a circular path. Each filter tube has opposite hollow ends and a solid filter center, and the tubes are held by suction in vertically orientation flutes on the tube flute plate. A plurality of vertically orientated fill tubes with suction applied thereto withdraw predetermined amounts of granular material from a rotating bin of such material and deposit one predetermined amount into the upper open end of each filter tube directly against the solid filter center upon termination of the suction on the fill tubes. A rotating segment plate holds a plurality of solid filter segments, and a plurality of rotating plungers vertically push the solid filter segments out of the plate into the upper open ends of the filter tubes directly against the granular material in each filter tube to thereby seal the material in the tube. 
     The integrity of the filter tube is maintained throughout the filling process by initially placing the filter materials into an internal alignment tube and then pushing those materials out of the alignment tube after the filter tube is placed over the alignment tube, and in doing so using the aforementioned coordinated movement to avoid relative motion between the materials being pushed and the paper tube which receives the pushed material. 
     Preferably, a second plurality of vertically oriented fill tubes with suction applied thereto withdraw predetermined amounts of a second granular material from the rotating bin. One predetermined amount of the second granular material is deposited into the open upper end of each filter tube directly against the solid filter segment already in place upon termination of the suction on the second fill tubes. A rotating second segment filter plate holds a plurality of second solid filter segments and the plurality of plungers vertically push the second solid filter segments out of the second filter segment plate into the upper open ends of the filter tubes directly against the second granular material in each filter tube to thereby seal the second material in the tubes. 
     The rotating bin of granular material preferably includes several compartments with each compartment containing a different granular material. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating tube flute plate, the rotating bin of granular material, the plurality of vertically orientated fill tubes and second fill tubes, the rotating filter segment plate and second filter segment plate, and the plurality of rotating plungers collectively comprise an upper wheel assembly rotating about a central vertical axis. A substantially identical lower wheel assembly also rotates about the same central vertical axis. A conveyor system removes half filled filter tubes from the upper wheel assembly, inverts the tubes and places them on the rotating tube flute plate of the lower wheel assembly. The other ends of the filter tubes are then filled with granular material and solid filter segments on the lower wheel assembly. 
     In the apparatus of the present invention a segment flute plate holds a plurality of extended length solid filter segments. A rotating cutter moveable between the solid filter segment plate and the second solid filter segment plate cuts the extended length solid filter segment after positioning thereof in the solid segment plate and the second solid segment plate to thereby form the solid filter segments and the second solid filter segments. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the multiple cavity dual filters may be removed and directly delivered to a tipping machine where wrapped tobacco rods at both ends of the filter are attached with tipping paper. Cutting the filter in half produces two cigarettes. This arrangement eliminates the need to store and deliver the dual filters to a distant tipping machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those noted above will be become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic top plan view of a vertical filter filling machine illustrating the various angular locations of sequential filter filling process planes  1 - 17  as the machine rotates one full revolution or cycle, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic general cross sectional view illustrating the various machine components as well as the direction of movement of each component; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic sectional view along the initial process plane  1  of  FIG. 1  where fill tubes are moving down into a rotating bin of granular material and wherein filter tubes are loaded into position on a tube flute plate and filter segments are loaded into position on a segment flute plate; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  2  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes have moved down into the granular material and vacuum has drawn the granular material into the tubes; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  3  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes loaded with granular material have moved up, the tube flute plate is moving upwardly to position the filter tubes in an alignment plate and the tube flute plate and alignment plate are moving radially out; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  4  of  FIG. 1  where the tube flute plate has moved up to its stop position and completely inserted the filter tube into the alignment plate and over an internal alignment tube; the tube flute plate, filler tube and alignment plate have moved radially out to a stop position which positions the filter tube in vertical alignment with the inner fill tube; and the plunger has pushed the filter segment through the second segment plate into the first segment plate and into contact with the surface of the alignment plate; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  5  of  FIG. 1  where the internal vacuum on the segment flute plate is turned off, the plunger is moving up out of contact with the filter segment, and the rotating off-center granular bin is out beyond the vertical path of the fill tubes and fill tube support; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  6  of  FIG. 1  where the filter segment is cut into two pieces; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  7  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes have moved axially down and the inner tube is inside the filter tube for deposit of the granular material into the filter tube, and the second segment plate with the upper cut portion of the filter segment moves radially out until the inner hole thereof is in alignment with the plunger and the lower cut portion of the filter segment in the first segment plate; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  8  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes move up until they clear the upper surface of the alignment plate; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  9  of  FIG. 1  where the filter tube, alignment plate and tube flute plate have moved radially to a stop position where the filter tube is in alignment with the plunger and lower cut filter segment portion in the first segment plate; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  10  of  FIG. 1  where the plunger moves down to thereby push the lower portion of the cut filter segment into the filter tube against the granular material therein; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  11  of  FIG. 1  where the plunger moves axially up to clear the second segment plate; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  12  of  FIG. 1  where the filter tube, tube flute plate and alignment plate have moved radially out to a position where the filler tube is in alignment with the outer fill tube, and the second segment plate with the upper cut portion of the filter segment moves radially in until the cut filter segment is in alignment with the plunger; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  13  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes have moved axially down to thereby position the outer fill tube inside the filter tube for deposit of the granular material into the filter tube; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  14  of  FIG. 1  where the fill tubes move up and return to their home positions; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  15  of  FIG. 1  where the filter tube, alignment plate and tube flute plate move radially to a position to thereby position the filter tube in alignment with the plunger and the upper cut filter segment portion in the second segment plate; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  16  of  FIG. 1  where the plunger moves down to thereby push the upper portion of the cut filter segment through the first segment plate and into the filter tube against the granular material therein; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  17  of  FIG. 1  where the tube flute plate and filter tube move axially down to their home position while the plunger retracts to its home position; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along process plane  17  of  FIG. 1  where the filter tube is inverted by a series of bevel and cylindrical transfer drums and transported to a second wheel assembly that repeats the process steps shown in  FIGS. 3 through 19  to thereby complete filter tube assembly of the second half of the filter tube; 
         FIG. 21  is a simple diagrammatic view illustrating the concept of cigarette assembly immediately downstream from the vertical filing machine without the need for storing the filters; 
         FIG. 22  is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to  FIG. 11 , but illustrating a modified plunger with a compression spring; 
         FIG. 23  is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to  FIG. 23  illustrating initial downward movement of the modified plunger; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagrammatic view similar to  FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrating the lowermost downward position of the plunger support plate but with a gap between the initial deposit of granular material and the first filter segment as it emerges from the alignment tube; 
         FIG. 25  is a diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 24  but with the compression spring of the plunger extended and thereby pushing the first filter segment firmly against the initial deposit of granular material; and 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view similar to  FIG. 17  but illustrating the modified plunger with the compression spring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring in more particularity to the drawings,  FIG. 1  diagrammatically represents a top view of a vertical filter filling machine  10 . Referring now also to  FIG. 20 , the vertical filter filling machine  10  includes an upper wheel assembly  12  and a lower wheel assembly  14 . Essentially the upper wheel assembly functions to fill the upper half of a filter tube with granular material and solid filter segments while the lower wheel assembly  14  fills the lower half of the filter tube with granular material and solid filter segments. The upper and lower wheel assemblies  12 ,  14  of the vertical filter filling machine  10  of the present invention are substantially identical in design and function and each includes a number of key components. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , one of the key components of the machine  10  comprises a tube flute plate  16  that rotates about a central axis  18  of each wheel assemblies  12 ,  14 . The flutes receive an detain filter tubes  20 , each of which comprises a hollow cylindrical paper tube  22  with a central solid filter  24  such as a plug of cellulose acetate tow, or filter paper or other material including non-fibrous materials such as plastics. The filter tube when both ends are filled with granular material and solid filter segments forms a two-up dual filter which when combined with wrapped tobacco rods at each end thereof ultimately produces two complete cigarettes. When cut through the middle of the central solid filter, the cigarette filter has a length of approximately 30 mm, but can be shorter or longer, if desired. As explained more fully below, the tube flute plate with the filter tubes secured thereto by vacuum moves in both axial and radial directions during the production of the filter. 
     Another key component of the vertical filter filling machine  10  comprises a rotating bin  26  of granular material having inner and outer troughs  28 ,  30  of different granular material  32 ,  34 . The granular bin rotates off center during filter formation so that the bin is outside of several fill tubes  36 ,  38  which allows these tubes to move axially down for deposit of granular material into the filter tubes  20 . 
     All machine elements that are shown in  FIG. 2 , except for the granular bin  26 , rotate about the axis  18  and are common to each of a plurality of assembly wheel stations. There are fifteen assembly wheel stations in the preferred embodiment. The material bin  26  rotates at a slightly different speed as the other elements, and about a different axis  19  that is off-set from axis  18  so that the material bin  26  and the feed tubes  36  and  38  come into vertical alignment for a portion of their rotation as they rotate during a cycle. 
     The rotational speeds of the material bin  26  and the feed tubes  36 ,  38  differ to ensure that the feed tubes  36 ,  38  pick up material from the material bin  26  at different locations along the material bin  26  from cycle-to-cycle. 
     The fill tubes  36 ,  38  together with a vacuum wheel  40  and a fill tube support  42  cooperate with the granular bin  26  for withdrawing and depositing granular material  32 ,  34  into the upper open end of the vertical filter tubes  20 . The vacuum wheel  40  rotates about central axis  18  and functions to supply vacuum to the inner and outer fill tubes  36 ,  38 . The fill tubes  36 ,  38  rotate with the vacuum wheel  40  about the axis  18 , and the fill tubes are attached to the fill tube support  42  for axial movement with the tube support. The internal volume of the fill tubes controls the volume of granular material withdrawn into the tube. Each tube may include an adjustable internal stop for varying the volume by moving the stop closer to or further away from the open end of the tube. The stop is constructed to allow vacuum to pass therethrough, but does not allow the granular material to pass. The stop may comprise an internal, adjustable rod having slight clearance between it and the inner diameter of the fill tube. 
     An additional key element of the vertical filter filling machine  10  includes a segment flute plate  44  that rotates about the central axis  18 . The segment flute plate functions to hold extended length solid filter segments  46  before these segments are cut into two pieces and deposited into the filter tube  20  to seal the granular material in the tubes, as explained more fully below. 
     Another key element is a first segment plate  48  which also rotates about central axis  18 . The first segment plate has a single opening  50  for receiving a first filter segment  51 , explained more fully below. 
     The first segment plate  48  cooperates with a second segment plate  52  which also rotates about the central axis  18 . The second segment plate  52  has inner and outer openings  54 ,  56 , and this segment plate moves in a radial direction during filling of the filter tube  20 . The outer opening  56  holds a second filter segment  57  while the inner opening allows a plunger  58  to pass there-through when inserting the first filter segment  51  into the filter tube  20 . The plunger  58  also rotates about the vertical axis  18  and moves in an axial direction for pushing the solid filter segments  51 ,  57  into the filter tube  20 . 
     The vertical filter filling machine  10  further includes an alignment plate  60  which also rotates about the vertical central axis  18 . The function of the alignment plate is to receive the upper end of the filter tube  20  and thereby align the tube with the segment receiving openings in the first and second segment plates  48 ,  52 . Within the alignment plate is an internal alignment tube or horn  70  which protects the inner walls of the filter tube  20  and maintains the integrity of the tube which is usually made of thin rather flimsy paper. The alignment tube or horn  70  prevents the filter tube  20  from wrinkling and/or buckling during the filling operation. 
     Preferably, the upper and lower wheel assemblies  12 ,  14  each include 15 subassemblies and each subassembly includes 12 filter tubes  20  thereby producing 180 half filled filters upon each revolution of the upper wheel assembly. The half-filled filters then transfer to the lower wheel assembly which functions to fill the other half of the filter tube. At production speeds of 30 revolutions per minute approximately 5,400 filters are produced each minute by the machine  10 . 
     As noted above,  FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates the various process steps in the formation of a filter tube utilizing the vertical filter filling machine  10 . The sequence of operation is broken down into 20 process planes specifically illustrated in  FIGS. 2-20 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates process plane  1  where the empty filter tubes  20  each comprising a hollow paper tube  22  with a central solid filter  24  of cellulose acetate are loaded onto the outside flutes of the tube flute plate  16  of machine  10 . Suction applied to the flutes of plate  16  hold the filter tubes  20  in vertical position on the outer circumference of the tube flute plate. Additionally, at this particular location, the extended length solid filter segments  46  are transferred onto the segment flute plate  44 . The transfer of the filter tubes  20  and filter segments  46  onto the tube flute plate  16  and segment flute plate  44  may be accomplished by external transfer drums (not shown) using known drum technologies. 
     At the next plane of operation shown in  FIG. 4  the fill tubes  36 ,  38  are moved downwardly into the granular materials  32 ,  34  within the troughs  28 ,  30  of the rotating off-center granular material bin  26 . Vacuum from the vacuum wheel  40  withdraws a predetermined amount of material  32  into inner fill tube  36  while a predetermined amount of material  34  is drawn into the outer fill tube  38 . As an alternative to granular material, gels may be placed in one or both of the troughs  28 ,  30 , and the fill tubes may be arranged to withdraw predetermined amounts of such gels. Also, premeasured capsules of gels and other material may be individually positioned in the fill tube for subsequent deposit into the filter tube. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the next sequence in the operation of the vertical filter filling machine  10 . Here, the fill tubes  36 ,  38 , with loaded granular materials therein have moved in an upward direction so that both tubes clear the top of the bin  26 . At the same time the tube flute plate  16  is moving in an upward direction so that the filter tube  20  enters and is aligned by the alignment plate  60  and the internal alignment tube  70 . Simultaneous with the upward movement of the filter tube into the alignment plate, both the alignment plate and the tube flute plate move outwardly in a radial direction. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the next step in the sequence of operation of the vertical filter filling machine  10 . At this position the tube flute plate  16  has moved up to its uppermost stop position and the filter tube  20  is completely inserted into the filter tube opening in the alignment plate  60  and around the internal alignment tube or horn  70 . The tube flute plate  16 , filter tube  20  and alignment plate  60  have now moved radially out to a stop position which places the open end of the filter tube  20  in vertical alignment with the inner fill tube  36 . Simultaneous with such movement the plunger  58  pushes the extended length filter segment  46  into and through the outer opening  56  in the second segment plate  52  and into the opening  50  in the first segment plate  48  until the filter segment engages the surface of the alignment plate  60 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the next step in the sequence where the internal vacuum on the segment flute plate  44  is terminated and the plunger  58  moves up and out of contact with the filter segment  46 . Also, due to the off-center axis of the rotating bin  26 , the cross-section of the bin at this location is out beyond the vertical path of the fill tubes  36 ,  38  and the fill tube support  42 . At the next step in the sequence shown in  FIG. 8  the extended length filter segment  46  is cut into two pieces by a rotary knife  66  which enters between the first and second segment plates  48 ,  52 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the next process step at plane  7  of  FIG. 1 . Here the fill tubes  36 ,  38  have moved axially down and the inner fill tube  36  is inside the upper hollow end of the filter tube  20 . Vacuum wheel  40  which holds the granular material  32  in the inner fill tube has been turned off and the granular material  32  flows into the filter tube. Positive air pressure can be used to increase granular flow from the inner fill tube  36 . Also, the second segment plate  52  with the upper cut portion of the filter segment  46  moves radially out until the inner opening  54  of the second segment plate  52  is in line with the plunger  58  and the lower cut portion of the filter segment  51  in opening  50  of the first segment plate  48 . 
     In the next sequence of operation shown in  FIG. 10 , the fill tubes  36 ,  38  move in an upward direction until both tubes clear the upper surface of the alignment plate  60 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the next step in the sequence where the filter tube  20 , alignment plate  60 , and tube flute plate  16  move radially in to a stop position where the filter tube  20  is in line with the plunger  58  and the lower cut filter segment portion  51  in the first segment plate  48 . 
     In the next sequence shown in  FIG. 12  the plunger  58  moves in a downward direction and pushes the first filter segment  51  into the filter tube  20  against the granular material  32 . The filter segment  51  is slightly compressed as it moves through the internal alignment tube  70 , and when it exits the alignment tube it expands slightly into engagement with the side walls of the filter tube. At this point, the tube flute plate  16  may move in a downward direction at the same speed as the first filter segment. This operation maintains the integrity of the filler tube by eliminating any significant relative frictional movement between the filter segment  51  and the interior side walls of the filter tube  20 . The plunger  58  then moves axially up to clear the second segment plate  52  as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the filter tube  20 , tube flute plate  16  and alignment plate  60  have moved radially out to a stop position where the filter tube  20  is in line with the outer fill tube  38 . The second segment plate  52  with the second filter segment  57  then moves radially in until the second filter segment  57  is in line with the plunger  58 . 
     At the next location illustrated in  FIG. 15  the fill tubes  36 ,  38  have moved axially down and the outer fill tube  38  is inside the upper hollow end of the filter tube  20 . Vacuum from vacuum wheel  40  holding the granular material  34  in the outer fill tube  38  is then turned off and the granular material  34  flows into the filter tube  20 . Here again, positive air pressure may be used to increase the flow of granular material from the outer fill tube  38  into the upper hollow end of the filter tube. Next, the fill tubes  36 ,  38  move up and return to their home position as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 17  shows the next step in the sequence of operation where the filter tube  20 , alignment plate  60  and tube flute plate  16  move radially in to a stop position where the filter tube is in alignment with the plunger  58  and the second filter segment  57  in the second segment plate  52 . The plunger  58  then moves down and pushes the second filter segment  57  through the opening  50  in first segment plate  48  and into the filter tube  20  against the granular material  34 . This particular step is shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     The filling of the upper half of the filter tube is now complete and at the next station the tube flute plate  16  and filter tube move axially down to the home position of the tube flute plate. Simultaneous therewith the plunger  58  retracts to its home position and internal vacuum on the tube flute plate is turned off which allows the filter tube to be removed from the upper wheel assembly  12  and transferred to the lower wheel assembly  14  for filling of the other end of the filter tube. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates plane  17  of  FIG. 1  where the filter tube  20  has been filled on one end and the filter tube has returned to its home position. In order to fill the opposite end of the filter tube a series of cylindrical and bevel transfer drums  62 ,  64  can be used to remove the filter tube from the upper (first) wheel assembly  12 , flip it end for end and deposit the filter tube on the lower (or second) wheel assembly  14  which simply repeats the above steps shown in  FIGS. 3-19 . After traveling around second wheel assembly  14  the finished filter tube with both ends filled is removed from the vertical filter filling machine  10  for testing and storage. The second wheel assembly could be arranged to the side of the first wheel assembly  12 , instead of below it, if desired. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each complete assembly wheel  12 ,  14  comprises 15 wheel assembly stations each with an arcuate extent of 24 degrees and centered about axis  18 . Other embodiments may be constructed with different numbers of assembly wheel stations and different numbers of fill tubes, flutes and holes at each wheel assembly station. 
     Preferably, each wheel assembly  12 ,  14  includes a tube flute plate  16  which in the preferred embodiment has twelve (12) flutes along its arcuate perimeter. A same number of flutes are provided along the arcuate perimeter of the segment flute plate  44 . Each wheel assembly further includes twelve (12) alignment tubes  70 , twelve (12) fill tubes  38 , twelve (12) fill tubes  36  and twelve (12) plungers  58 . Holes in first and second segment plates  48  and  52 , through which the filling materials pass, are through which the filling materials pass are also twelve (12)-count each for each assembly wheel station. 
     Each wheel assembly station includes twelve fill tubes  36  and  38 , which for a given wheel assembly station are all supported by an independent slide system that is driven by an internal cam and lever system which imparts a predescribed axial (up and down) motion of the full tubes  36  and  38  as the wheel assembly is rotated through a complete cycle. Preferably, the fill tubes  36  and  38  do not move radially during a cycle. 
     Likewise, each wheel assembly station includes 12 plungers  58  that are similarly supported and controlled to execute their prescribed up and down motion per cycle. 
     Each wheel assembly station  12 ,  14  includes a second segment plate  52  which has an independent slide system that is driven by an internal cam which imparts a predescribed radial motion (in and out) as the respective wheel assembly is rotated through a complete cycle. 
     Preferably, the first segment plate  48  rotates about axis  18  without either radial or axial motion. 
     The tube flute plate  16  of each wheel assembly station is on an independent slide system and driven by a cam and lever to impart the prescribed axial motion (up and down) for the tube plate  16  as the respective assembly wheel station rotates through a complete cycle. The axial motion slide of the tube flute plate  16  and the alignment plate  60  are mounted on an independent slide system that is driven by an internal cam which imparts a predescribed concurrent radial motion (in and out) of tube flute plate  16  and the alignment plate  60  as the wheel assembly is rotated through a complete cycle. 
     As an alternative to filter storage, a tipping machine may be positioned to receive the finished filters as they are removed from the vertical fill machine  10 . Wrapped tobacco rods are positioned at both ends of the finished filter and tipping paper is used to secure the rods to the filter. Cutting the filter in half produces two complete cigarettes.  FIG. 21  illustrates an arrangement that includes a vertical fill machine  10  for producing multiple cavity dual filters, as explained above, and reference character  100  identifies a conventional tipping machine well known in the tobacco industry for taking dual filters and securing wrapped tobacco rods at the opposite ends of the filter with tipping paper. The thus formed tobacco/filter assembly is then cut in half at the central solid filter  24  at station  102  to produce two cigarettes each having a multiple cavity filter and a wrapped tobacco rod. U.S Pat. No. 5,135,008 and published applications U.S. 2003/0131856 A1 and U.S. 2005/094014 A1 illustrate and describe tipping machines and these documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all useful purposes. 
       FIGS. 22-26  illustrate another vertical filter filling machine  10 A similar in many respects to machine  10  except for a modified plunger  58 A. Otherwise, machines  10  and  10 A are similar and both function to produce multiple cavity dual filters. 
     As described above,  FIGS. 1-19  show the various movements that take place at each assembly station during rotation of the upper and lower assembly wheels  12 ,  14  and the filling of the filter tubes  20 . As the assembly starts rotating from the position of  FIG. 11  to the position of  FIG. 12 , the plungers  58  force the first solid filter segments  51  against the first granular materials  32 .  FIGS. 22-25  are similar sectional views showing the various movements of the modified plunger  58 A of machine  10 A and the operation of a compression spring  200  associated with each plunger. 
     The upper end of plunger  58 A is secured to a plunger support plate  202  between an upper plunger stop bracket  204  and a lower plunger guide bracket  206 . The plunger  58 A includes a collar  208  secured thereto, and the compression spring  200  extends between the plunger stop bracket  204  and the collar  206  urging the plunger in a downward direction. The arrangement is such that the vertical movement of the plunger  58 A relative to the plunger support plate  202  is limited to the distance  210 . 
     In order for a multiple filled cavity filter to function properly, it is important that each granular dose be packed tightly, and that each solid filter segment be tight against the granular dose. The compression spring  200  of each plunger  58 A functions to ensure that the solid filter segments  51 ,  57  and the granular materials  32 ,  34  are tightly packed. 
     After the filter tube  20  has received the first granular material  32  and the second segment plate  52  has moved the second segment  57  to the left, the plunger  58 A is ready to force the first filter segment  51  into the filter tube. These positions are shown in  FIG. 22 , and its should be noted that the compression spring  200  has forced the plunger collar into contact with the plunger guide bracket  206  and that a gap  210  exists between the upper end of the plunger  58 A and the plunger stop bracket  204 . As the plunger support plate  202  moves in a downward direction as shown in  FIG. 23 , the plunger  58 A forces the first solid filter segment  51  out of the first segment plate  48  and into the alignment tube or horn  70 . Since the first solid filter segment  51  is forced through the alignment tube, the compression spring  200  contracts until the top surface of the plunger contacts the plunger stop bracket  204 . A gap  210 A now exists between the collar  208  and the plunger guide bracket  206 . 
     As the plunger support plate  202  continues its downward movement shown in  FIG. 24 , the solid contact between the upper end of the plunger  58 A and the plunger stop bracket  204  forces the first solid filter segment  51  to slide down the inner surface of the alignment tube  70 . Moreover, as the leading edge of the segment  51  reaches the top of the granular material  32 , the tube flute plate  16  and the filter tube  20  thereon move down at a speed that matches the downward speed of the solid filter segment  51 . This matched motion is shown in  FIG. 24  and it prevents excessive sliding of the segment  51  inside the filter tube  20 . The possibility of wrinkling and/or buckling of the filter tube is substantially reduced thereby maintaining the integrity of the tube. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the filter segment  51  is partially out of the alignment tube  70  and is beginning to expand inside the filter tube  20 . The gap  210 A still exists because high force is still required to push the segment  51  through the alignment tube  70 . Also, due to the accuracy of the amount of granular material  32  and the cut length of the filter segment  51 , a possible gap could exist between the granular material and the solid filter segment  51 . As the upper end of the segment  51  reaches the end of the alignment tube  70 , the friction between the segment and the side walls of the alignment tube decreases and the compression spring begins to extend thereby forcing the segment  51  to pack tightly against the granular material  32 , as shown in  FIG. 25 , so as to create a fully filled condition within the filter tube. Once the segment  51  is packed tightly against the granular material  32 , a small gap may exist between the plunger collar  208  and the plunger guide bracket  206 , depending upon the accuracy of the amount of granular material and the cut length of the filter segment  51 . 
     A similar sequence of movement occurs when the second granular material  34  and the second solid filter segment  57  are deposited in the filter tube  20 .  FIG. 26  shows the second filter segment  57  ready for insertion into the filter tube. Also, the same sequences occur after the filter tube is inverted and the other half is filled with granular materials  32 ,  34  and solid filter segments  51 ,  57 . 
     It should be understood that the above detailed description while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. For example, an alternative embodiment may comprise a linear and/or endless belt configuration that is arranged to execute assembly steps that are equivalent to those of the rotary configuration of the preferred embodiment.