Patent ID: 8408215

Claim:
A filter making apparatus comprising: a filter material converging device; a flavor element positioning device including a passage element, the passage element having a passageway, a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, the first inlet and second inlet being in fluid communication with the passageway, wherein the first inlet is adapted to pass a continuous strand of material into the passage element, wherein the second inlet is adapted to pass fluid into the passage element, and wherein the outlet is positioned at a point downstream from at least a portion of the filter material converging device; wherein the passage element is adapted to pass through the second inlet and into the filter material either the continuous strand of material from the first inlet, or fluid from the second inlet, or the continuous strand of material from the first inlet together with fluid from the second inlet; wherein the flavor element positioning device further includes a needle attached to the outlet of the passage element; wherein the apparatus includes a pneumatic piston for longitudinally positioning the passage element in a longitudinal direction, such that the needle is movable in and out of the filter material; and wherein the apparatus includes a vertical positioning apparatus adapted to move the passage element in a vertical direction into and out of the vicinity of the filter material converging device, as well as to a maintenance position.