Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting cigarettes between a making machine and a packing machine includes a mass flow conveyor (204) for transporting cigarettes directly and a reservoir system (212) in which successive batches of cigarettes comprising portions of the stream on an input conveyor (204) are diverted when required into compartmented containers (224). Transfer to the containers is made by way of a plunger (232) and shuttle (234) arrangement which allows the stream to move continuously during transfer of a batch. Unloading containers to reform a continuous stream may involve use of a similar plunger and shuttle arrangement so that the reformed stream can move continuously on an output conveyor (218). The input and output conveyors (204, 218) may be provided with retractable spaced partitions to bound the ends of batches of cigarettes transferred from or to the respective conveyor.

Abstract: A reservoir system for rod-like articles such as cigarettes has a first-in, first out buffer conveyor with a variable capacity. The capacity of the reservoir is varied by moving a pair of guidestoward or away from each other. The guides support the conveyor belt in a spiral fashion from a lower input level to a higher output level to compensate for temporary fiddefences in flow rates.

Abstract: A reservoir system for rod-like articles such as cigarettes includes a control system which operates to monitor the maximum time any articles can have remained in the reservoir, and initiates a reservoir emptying cycle when necessary so as to avoid occupation in the reservoir by any articles in excess of a predetermined maximum time. The reservoir may take the form of a reversible conveyor for a stream of articles in multi-layer stack formation, or a module for storing articles in containers including a container loading, unloading and transporting unit. A first-in first-out buffer reservoir may be associated with the main reservoir, and may be provided by a variable length portion of a delivery conveyor leading to the reservoir.

Abstract: The state of fill of a reversible cigarette reservoir is monitored by use of an encoder (40) which responds to movement of the reservoir conveyor (2). Signals from the encoder are processed by a microprocessor (44) which also receives signals from cigarette detectors (46,50) which indicate when the reservoir is full or empty. These signals are used to reset the encoder-based value of the state of fill and so help to avoid cumulative errors. The use of encoder-based signals allows users to set the value of fill at which related events occur (e.g. when the speed of an associated maker or packer is changed) using software. Also disclosed is a conveyor speed optimization system in which the average deviation of a level sensor (74) from a target value is monitored and if necessary a correction applied to the nominal conveyor speed so as to reduce the average deviation to zero.

Abstract: Cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation are delivered from a maker (10) to a packer (12) on a path having a first junction (24) connected to a tray filling unit (30) and a second junction connected to a tray unloading unit (38). Control circuitry (54-72) is provided to control transfer of cigarettes at the first junction (24) according to the relative speeds of the maker and packer and/or the capacity of a reservoir (46) associated with the path. The control circuitry (54-72) prevents too frequent operation of a gate (32) associated with the first junction (24) and allows operation of the tray filling unit (30) at an optimum speed.

Abstract: A microprocessor is used to control at least one conveyor in a system linking a delivery device (e.g. a cigarette maker) and a receiving device (e.g. a cigarette packer). The conveyor may be controlled in accordance with the calculated deviation in a detected value (e.g. corresponding to stack height) from a target value. Where an analogue signal is produced by the detector device this is converted to digital form and is preferably operated on by a program function so that a linear digital representation or signal relating to the detected value may be produced. For example, the angular displacement of a pivoted sensor arm is used to provide a direct indication of stack height by use of cosine look-up tables held in memory.

Abstract: A variable capacity region for rod-like articles such as cigarettes, particularly a buffer reservoir (48) arranged at the juction between a conveyor (10) and the entrance (28) to a consuming machine, includes a continuously-driven inclined conveyor (36) to promote recirculation of articles within the reservoir and discourage extended periods of occupation by individual articles.