Apparatus and method for insertion of capsules into filter tows

1. 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the capsule feeder wheel further comprises:

a plurality of radial grooves in communication with said inner cavity, each of said radial grooves configured to receive a plurality of capsules and terminating at an aperture at a circumferential edge of said feeder wheel;

a plurality of pins, each of said plurality of pins corresponding to each of said plurality of radial grooves, and disposed such that a tip of each of said plurality of pins is received within a corresponding radial groove; and

a stationary cam wheel, said cam wheel configured to actuate said plurality of pins at desired points along the circumference of said cam wheel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the capsule insertion wheel further comprises:

a plurality of recesses defined along a circumferential edge of said insertion wheel, each of said recesses configured to receive a capsule;

a plurality of pins, each of said plurality of pins corresponding to each of said plurality of recesses, and disposed such that a tip of each of said plurality of pins is received within a corresponding recess; and

a stationary cam wheel, said cam wheel configured to actuate said plurality of pins at desired points along the circumference of said cam wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said recesses are supplied with a vacuum.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation are orthogonal to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said insertion wheel and said feeder wheel are configured to transfer said capsules such that the velocity vector of said capsules remains constant during transfer.

7. An apparatus for inserting capsules into filter tows, 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 plurality of radial grooves in communication with said inner cavity, each of said radial grooves configured to receive a plurality of capsules and terminating at an aperture at a circumferential edge of said feeder wheel,

a capsule insertion wheel in operative communication with said feeder wheel and rotating about a second axis of rotation, said insertion wheel further comprising a plurality of recesses defined along a circumferential edge of said insertion wheel, each of said recesses configured to receive a capsule;

wherein said circumferential edge of said capsule feeder wheel is parallel to said 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

a tow gathering funnel configured to receive a circumferential edge of said insertion wheel.