Method of Preparing a Rod for Use in the Preparation of a Smoking Article

Abstract

A method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article is described. The rod has a first end and a second end. The rod has located therein a solid support. The solid support extends in a linear fashion from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod. At least a portion of said solid support is coated and/or impregnated with an additive. The rod is prepared using rod forming means, wherein said rod forming means comprises a channel ending in an open exit, wherein material may pass through at least part of the channel and leave via the open exit in the form of a rod.

1 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . A method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article, the rod having a first end and a second end and the rod having located therein a solid support extending in a linear fashion from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod, wherein at least a portion of said solid support is at least one of coated and impregnated with an additive and wherein said rod is prepared using rod forming means, wherein said rod forming means comprises a channel starting at a channel entrance and ending in an open exit, wherein material may pass through at least part of the channel and leave via the open exit in the form of a rod; wherein said rod is prepared by:
 providing starting material for forming said rod;   providing the solid support for location within said formed rod;   providing an additive for at least one of coating and impregnating at least a portion of said solid support;   allowing said starting material to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means;   allowing said solid support that is at least one of coated and impregnated with said additive to travel through at least part of the channel of said rod forming means;   wherein said method comprises:   contacting a section of said starting material with a section of said solid support; wherein the initial contact of said section of starting material with said section of said solid support occurs in said rod forming means;   allowing the contacted sections of starting material and solid support to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means in the direction of said open exit;   allowing the remainder of the starting material and the remainder of the solid support to contact in the rod forming means;   allowing the contacted remainder of the starting material and the solid support to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means;   forming said rod by said rod forming means, such that on forming said rod said solid support extends within said rod from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod; and   allowing said formed rod to exit from said open exit.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein said open exit is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the channel entrance is an adjustable entrance. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the adjustable entrance adjusts in height relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means. 
     
     
         72 . A method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article, the rod having a first end and a second end and the rod having located therein a solid support extending in a linear fashion from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod, wherein at least a portion of said solid support is at least one of coated and impregnated with an additive and wherein said rod is prepared using rod forming means, wherein said rod forming means comprises a channel starting at a channel entrance and ending in an open exit, wherein material may pass through at least part of the channel and leave via the open exit in the form of a rod; wherein said rod is prepared by:
 providing starting material for forming said rod;   providing the solid support for location within said formed rod;   providing an additive for at least one of coating and impregnating at least a portion of said solid support;   allowing said starting material to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means after at least one of coating and impregnating at least a portion of said solid support with said additive;   allowing said solid support coated and/or impregnated with said additive to travel through at least part of the channel of said rod forming means;   wherein said method comprises:   contacting a section of said starting material with a section of said solid support; wherein the initial contact of said section of starting material with said section of said solid support occurs in said rod forming means;   allowing the contacted sections of starting material and solid support to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means in the direction of said open exit;   allowing the remainder of the starting material and the remainder of the solid support to contact in the rod forming means;   allowing the contacted remainder of the starting material and the solid support to travel through at least part of said channel of said rod forming means;   forming said rod by said rod forming means, such that on forming said rod said solid support extends within said rod from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod; and   allowing said formed rod to exit from said open exit.   
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein said open exit is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the channel entrance is an adjustable entrance. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein the adjustable entrance adjusts in height relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means. 
     
     
         76 . An apparatus for preparing a rod suitable for use in the preparation of a smoking article, the rod having a first end and a second end and the rod having located therein a solid support extending in a linear fashion from the first end of said rod to the second end of said rod, wherein at least a portion of said solid support is at least one of coated and impregnated with an additive;
 wherein said rod forming means comprises:
 a channel starting in a channel entrance and ending in an open exit 
 means for allowing material to pass through at least part of the channel and leave via the open exit in the form of a rod; 
 means for providing starting material for forming said rod; 
 means for providing the solid support for location within said formed rod; 
 means for providing an additive for at least one of coating and impregnating at least a portion of said solid support; 
 means for allowing a section of said starting material to contact a section of said solid support that is at least one of coated and impregnated with said additive; 
 means for allowing said solid support that is at least one of coated and impregnated with said additive to travel through at least part of channel of said rod forming means; 
 means for allowing said formed rod to exit from said open exit. 
   
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein said open exit is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein the channel entrance is an adjustable entrance. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the adjustable entrance adjusts in height relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod forming means.