Patent ID: 8303474

Claim:
An apparatus for insertion of capsules into cigarette filter tows, comprising: a tow processing unit coupled to a capsule insertion unit and a filter rod making unit coupled to the capsule insertion unit, the tow processing unit further comprising a tow bale, a plurality of rollers, a plurality of banding jets and a plasticizer chamber; the capsule insertion unit further comprising a hopper, an inlet pipe, a capsule feeder wheel rotating about a first axis of rotation, said feeder wheel further comprising an inner cavity in communication with said inlet pipe, a capsule insertion wheel in operative communication with said feeder wheel and rotating about a second axis of rotation, and a tow gathering funnel configured to receive an edge of said insertion wheel, wherein a circumferential edge of said capsule feeder wheel is parallel to a circumferential edge of said capsule insertion wheel at an interface locus between said capsule feeder wheel and said capsule insertion wheel, wherein said interface locus is at an oblique angle to said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation; and the rod making unit further comprising a garniture bed, a sensor and a knife carrier.