Patent ID: 7578777

Claim:
Equipment for manufacturing composite filters, comprising: a first conveyor by which filter elements are directed in succession along a first predetermined path and in a first feed direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the single filter element; a garniture section on which the filter elements are formed into at least one continuous rod, extending along a second predetermined path and in a third feed direction followed longitudinally by the filter elements; a unit comprising a rotary conveyor rotatable about a first axis transverse to the third direction, by which the filter elements are transferred from the first conveyor to the garniture section; the rotary conveyor comprising a drum having a plurality of angularly equispaced peripheral carriers for transferring the filter elements, each able to rock on a respective second axis parallel to the first axis, and including at least one slot for accommodating at least one filter element; and at least one first actuator mechanism having a cam and a cam follower mechanism cooperative with the cam for pivoting each carrier about the second axis, the cam follower mechanism comprising a first rocker having a centrally positioned pivot and two arms extending therefrom, each arm including a roller mounted thereon spaced outwardly from the centrally positioned pivot, each roller engaging a cam profile of the cam to pivot the first rocker and the carrier during relative movement between the rollers and the cam.