APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING OBJECTS INTO A FLOW OF FILTER MATERIAL

The apparatus for introducing objects (1) into a flow of filter material comprises a reservoir for providing objects to be introduced into the flow of filter material, and a feeding wheel (3) for receiving the objects discharged from the reservoir at a central portion (15) of the feeding wheel. The feeding wheel is for transporting the objects through rotation of the feeding wheel from the central portion to a peripheral portion of the feeding wheel, where the objects are transferable for introducing them into the flow of filter material. The feeding wheel is arranged vertically and comprises a plurality of transport channels (4) for transporting the objects. Each transport channel extends from a channel inlet arranged at the central portion of the feeding wheel to a channel outlet (14) arranged at the peripheral portion of the feeding wheel. Several transport channels of the plurality of transport channels are non-radially extending channels. Also disclosed is a unit and method for introducing different kind of objects into a flow of filter material.