Patent ID: 8142339

Claim:
An apparatus for providing filter rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of smoking articles, each filter rod having objects individually spaced at predetermined intervals along a length thereof, the apparatus comprising: a hopper for receiving a supply of a plurality of objects; a transfer member capable of rotation about a first axis and in communication with the hopper, the transfer member positioned to receive a plurality of objects from the hopper at a radially inward portion of the transfer member, the transfer member defining a plurality of channels extending radially away from the inward portion to a radially outward peripheral portion of the transfer member such that the objects are delivered from the radially inward portion to the radially outward peripheral portion of the transfer member during rotation of the transfer member; and a vacuum-assisted insertion wheel in operable communication with the transfer member and configured to receive objects therefrom, the insertion wheel being capable of rotation about a second axis and having a peripheral face, the peripheral face defining a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual objects therein from the transfer member, the insertion wheel being configured to apply a vacuum to at least a portion of the pockets to maintain the individual objects within the pockets during rotation of the insertion wheel, and the insertion wheel being configured to insert a plurality of objects at predetermined intervals within the continuous supply of filter material.