초록 ▼

A method is disclosed according to which a cylindrical object, such as a rod of smoke filter material, is pressed against a heated former element to form a permanent impression in one portion of the object as the former element and the object are simultaneously moved along a predetermined path. The

A method is disclosed according to which a cylindrical object, such as a rod of smoke filter material, is pressed against a heated former element to form a permanent impression in one portion of the object as the former element and the object are simultaneously moved along a predetermined path. The object is then disengaged from the first former element, and pressed against a second heated former element to form a permanent impression in another portion thereof as the second former element and the object are moved along a second predetermined path, which may be an extension of the first, or not. Apparatus is disclosed, in one preferred embodiment of which the first and second former elements are disposed on the periphery of respective drums in such a manner that as the drums rotate in opposite directions, the object is transferred from the first to the second former element as the two former elements pass each other. In another embodiment, the first and second former elements are disposed on the periphery of a single drum, and a roller block adjacent the drum disengages the object from the first former element and rolls it along the drum periphery to the second. In a third embodiment, the object is rolled continuously but slowly along the periphery of a rotating drum on whose surface the former elements are disposed.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for shaping a cylindrical object, comprising: transport means for transporting a cylindrical object along a first predetermined path; a plurality of heated former means disposed on said transport means, for thermally deforming a portion of the cylindrical object to impart a predetermine

An apparatus for shaping a cylindrical object, comprising: transport means for transporting a cylindrical object along a first predetermined path; a plurality of heated former means disposed on said transport means, for thermally deforming a portion of the cylindrical object to impart a predetermined desired shape thereto; and means moving adjacent to and independent of said transport means for maintaining the cylindrical object in operative contact with at least one of said former means for a sufficient length of time to cause said predetermined shape to be imparted to the cylindrical object while said transport means is transporting the cylindrical object along said first predetermined path.