Abstract:
Apparatus for removing filter cigarettes from a mass flow between one or more producing machines and one or more processing machines when the output of the producing machines exceeds the requirements of the processing machines, and for returning filter cigarettes into the mass flow when the requirements of the processing machines exceed the output of the producing machines, has a filling unit which withdraws cigarettes from the mass flow and introduces them into successive empty chargers or trays, and an emptying unit which dumps the contents of filled trays into a receptacle for reintroduction into the mass flow. The emptying unit is located at a level above the filling unit, and each of these units cooperates with two magazines, one for empty trays and the other for filled trays. The four magazines are adjacent and parallel to each other, the magazines for empty trays are disposed at a first level above the respective magazines for filled trays, the magazines for filled trays are disposed at a common second level, and the magazines which supply trays to and receive trays from the filling unit are immediately adjacent such unit. The apparatus further employs two linear conveyors one of which transfers empty trays between the magazines for empty trays and the other of which transfers filled trays between the magazines for filled trays, elevators for filled and empty trays, and a turn-around device for filled trays which are on their way to the emptying unit and for empty trays which are on their way from the emptying unit.
Abstract:
Apparatus for transporting rod-like articles in the form of cigarettes or filter rod sections from one or more makers to a packing or other consuming machine has a pair of superimposed surge bins which receive articles from a first transporting unit when the output of the maker or makers exceeds the requirements of the consuming machine, and a second transporting unit which conveys articles from the surge bins to the consuming machine when the requirements of the consuming machine exceed the output of the maker or makers. A control system is provided to effect the filling of the upper surge bin prior to filling of the lower surge bin and to effect evacuation of the contents of the lower surge bin prior to evacuation of the contents of the upper surge bin. Each transporting unit has one or more pairs of endless belts and/or ducts which convey multi-layer streams of articles.
Abstract:
A multi-layer stream of cigarettes is transported from a making machine to a packing machine by way of a first and a second junction. The first junction diverts some or all of the cigarettes from their path and into a tray filler when the output of the making machine exceeds the requirements of the packing machine, and the second junction receives some or all of the cigarettes from a magazine filler when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the making machine. A trickle of cigarettes can flow into the tray filler and a trickle of cigarettes can flow from the magazine filler even at such times when the requirements of the packing machine match the output of the making machine. This prevents moving cigarettes from rubbing against one and the same group of stagnant cigarettes which fill the location where the first junction can discharge cigarettes into the tray filler and the location where the second junction can receive cigarettes from the magazine filler. Filled trays are transferred from the tray filler to the magazine filler, and empty trays are transferred from the magazine filler to the tray filler.
Abstract:
Groups of coaxial filter rod sections and plain cigarettes are delivered onto the peripheral surface of a rotary drum in such orientation that each group extends in parallelism with the axis of the drum and overlies the adhesive coated outer side of a discrete uniting band which adheres to the surface by suction and is formed on the drum in such a way that its leader overlies a groove in the surface. The cigarettes of each group are attracted to the drum by suction, and the sections of the groups are mechanically urged against the leaders of the respective bands by claws which are retractible into and extendable from the drum by one or more stationary cams, followers which track the cams and gears which receive motion from the followers and rotate discs having eccentric pins coupling them to the respective claws. The claws are disengaged from the respective sections, and the ports in the surface of the drums cease to attract the cigarettes and the bands before the groups reach a rolling gap wherein they rotate about their respective axes and convolute the bands around the respective sections and the adjacent end portions of the cigarettes. The claws prevent misorientation or separation of sections from the drum when the latter is driven at a high peripheral speed so that the sections tend to fly away under the action of gravity and/or centrifugal force.
Abstract:
Apparatus which delivers rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes or filter rod sections, from a producing machine to a consuming machine has a switching unit whose inlet receives articles from the producing machine, one outlet of which can feed articles to a first transporting unit for admission of articles into a surge bin cooperating with a second transporting unit for delivery of articles to one side of the magazine of the consuming machine, and another outlet of which can feed articles to a third transporting unit for direct delivery of articles to another side of the magazine of the consuming machine. The third transporting unit delivers articles to the magazine when the latter is not filled to capacity, and the first transporting unit delivers articles to the surge bin when the magazine is filled to capacity. The third transporting unit transports articles from the surge bin to the magazine when the inlet of the switching unit receives articles at a rate which does not satisfy the requirements of the consuming machine or when the producing machine is idle. An observation station is defined by a conveyor of the third transporting unit or by a conveyor between the inlet of the switching unit and the producing machine to allow for visual inspection of articles. The second and third transporting units deliver multi-layer streams of articles to the respective sides of the magazine.
Abstract:
The lower end portion of a magazine for parallel cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles contains a horizontal grid of parallel rods which divide the outlet opening of the lower end portion into parallel passages wherein the cigarettes descend into an empty tray therebelow. When the tray is filled (such filling takes place while the tray descends, either continuously or stepwise), the passages are blocked by rod-like closing members which are parallel to the rods of the grid and are movable from inoperative positions behind the rods of the grid to intercepting positions in or above the passages. The closing members are oscillated and/or vibrated to prevent jamming of passages and/or bridging of cigarettes above the grid. The mechanism for moving the closing members between inoperative and intercepting positions employs a pneumatic motor or an electromagnet which can shift a common carrier for the closing members. The mechanism is actuated in automatic response to completed filling of a tray.
Abstract:
Apparatus for transporting cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from one or more makers to a packing machine has a transporting system consisting of belt conveyors and one or more ducts which advance the output of the makers into the inlet of an upright channel serving to deliver the cigarettes to the packing machine. When the output of the makers exceeds the requirements of the packing machine, the surplus is diverted from the discharge end of the transporting system into one or more variable-volume surge bins by way of a reservoir wherein the height of the cigarette stream exceeds the height of the stream in the transporting system but is less than the height of the stack or stacks of cigarettes in the surge bin or bins. The reservoir has one or more conveyors which can advance cigarettes from the transporting system into the surge bin(s) or from the surge bin(s) into the channel. The direction of movement of the conveyor or conveyors in the reservoir is determined by a sensor which rests on the topmost layer of cigarettes at the discharge end of the transporting system, and the volume of each surge bin is varied by a sensor which rests on the uppermost layer of cigarettes in the transfer zone between the reservoir and the surge bin or bins.
Abstract:
The mass of successive increments of a wrapped rod-like filler of filamentary filter material is monitored by a beta ray detector and the signals which are generated by the ionization chamber of the dectector are utilized to adjust the ratio of a variable-speed transmission which regulates the rate of delivery of a stretched tow of filamentary material to the gathering horn of a filter rod making machine.
Abstract:
A holder which is turnable about a horizontal axis supports two carriers for filled or empty trays. The holder moves one carrier with a filled tray therein from a first station to a second station where the carrier deposits the filled tray, in inverted position, on top of the magazine of a packing machine, while the other carrier moves back from the second to the first station. The carriers are pivotable relative to the holder so that a carrier with a filled tray therein can descend on top of the magazine during the last stage of movement to the second station and that the carrier with an empty tray therein is lifted above the magazine during the initial stage of its movement from the second station. This is achieved by connecting the carriers to links which are pivoted directly to the holder or to a lever which is rotatable by a shaft eccentrically mounted in the interior of a hollow cylinder serving to turn the holder.
Abstract:
Apparatus for producing composite filter plugs for cigarettes or other smokers' products has two sets of conveyors which feed filter rod sections of different types to the flutes of a rotary assembly conveyor. The latter assembles the sections into groups each having a section of first and second type and moves the groups to an auxiliary conveyor which transports the groups sideways to successive pneumatic holders of a transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor has two carriers which rotate about parallel axes and are coupled to each other by linkages, one for each holder. The linkages cause the holders to rotate relative to that carrier which supports the holders so that the orientation of holders remains unchanged during travel through 90.degree. or 270.degree. when the groups are taken over by successive increments of a web which is moved lengthwise and is draped around the resulting rod-like filler to form therewith a rod. The rod is severed to yield composite filter plugs each having a section of the first type and a section of the second type.