Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are drawn to a method and apparatus for securing a segmented cable in manufacturing and for shipping and storage. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises two or more fixtures, each comprising a plurality of locking receptacles along a body of each fixture, wherein each of the plurality of locking receptacles comprises a locking mechanism to secure a connector of a plurality of connectors on a power cable.

Abstract: A method and machine for packaging smoking articles or other tobacco industry products in which the products and packaging may be transported from selected product supply systems (22a-e) and packaging material supply systems (42a-g) selectively along a plurality of alternative transport routes through the machine through a series of workstations (61-69) arranged to incorporate batches of smoking products selectively in different packaging materials according to the transport route selected.

Abstract: A machine for packing cigarettes, having a group-forming device for forming a group of cigarettes, and a conveyor for feeding the group along a given path; the group-forming device has a number of seats, each for housing a respective subgroup of cigarettes; the subgroups are pushed, in use, through respective insertion channels tapering towards the conveyor, into a pocket of the conveyor to define the group of cigarettes; and the pocket has a substantially triangular cross section parallel to the path.

Abstract: A distributing device and a method for distributing objects from a supplying device. Said distributing device being configured to deliver the objects during a delivery clock pulse in groups of m objects, to a first receiving device and to a second receiving device, said receiving devices jointly receiving the group of m objects during a reception clock pulse, and the m objects of a group being variably divided, between different reception clock pulses, into a first number m1 of objects delivered to the first receiving device and a second number m2 of objects delivered to the second receiving device.

Abstract: A channeling device is provided for transferring and compressing a bundle of cigarettes formed into a rectangular configuration by a hopper into a preformed container. The channeling device includes a base having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal channel through the base. The channel includes an entry portion having a lateral entry cross section which is rectangular and adapted to receive the bundle of cigarettes, and an exit portion having a non-rectangular exit cross section smaller than the entry cross section and adapted to deliver the bundle of cigarettes to a container having a matching non-rectangular cross section. An intermediate portion smoothly connects the entry portion to the exit portion. In one preferred embodiment, the non-rectangular cross section is flask-shaped. In another preferred embodiment, the non-rectangular cross section is polygonal, such as octagonal. In still another preferred embodiment, the non-rectangular cross section is oval shaped.

Abstract: Cigarettes are formed into groups by a device comprising a hopper through which to direct a flow of cigarettes, a conveyor with pockets moving intermittently past a discharge outlet of the hopper, and a reciprocating pusher located on the side of the hopper opposite from the conveyor by which a portion of the flow corresponding to one group is directed with each forward stroke into a respective pocket. To avoid damage of the kind often associated with sliding contact and axial compression, the cigarettes adjacent to those ejected by the pusher are restrained when their cylindrical surfaces are attracted by suction generated through ports located inside the hopper.

Abstract: Packaging machine, in particular for cigarettes, having subassemblies and elements for handling packaging material and cigarettes. In order to reduce the outlay on servicing for the packaging machine, the practice, in the region where dust and material particles occur to a pronounced extent, is for air to be extracted constantly or temporarily by suction, the particles being carried along in the process. Furthermore, particles adhering to articles, in particular to material webs, may be processed mechanically, in particular by brushes (41, 42), in order for particles to be detached and extracted by suction.

Abstract: A package of rock stabilizer sets and a method for arranging the sets where six sets are provided and each set includes an elongated tube and a bearing plate. Each tube has a tapered end, an end with a flange, and a slit running the length of the tube. Each bearing plate has a flat base and a central domed section having a central aperture therethrough. In a first embodiment, the tubes of four of the sets are arranged in a first or bottom layer so that the flanged and tapered ends of the tubes are aligned alternatively and the slits face downwardly. Next, the plates of three of the sets are placed along the length of the four tubes so that the domed sections face upwardly, thereby forming a second layer. A third layer is formed by placing the three remaining plates on top of the first three plates, respectively, so that the domed sections of the second layer nest within the respective domed sections of the third layer.

Abstract: A method for packing unfilled cigarette tubes into a receptacle consists of the steps of feeding tubes to a conveyor, moving the tubes along the conveyor to a holding position, and laterally moving a predetermined number of tubes to a container. The container may then be pivoted vertically to deposit the tubes into the receptacle.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the packaging of unfilled cigarette tubes into boxes, a counter counts a predetermined number of tubes and these are subsequently advanced to a holding position and then pushed laterally into a containment member having substantially the same dimensions as a box into which the tubes are to be placed. The containment member is pivotable and rotatable and adapted to have a box positioned thereon. The box is filled with cigarette tubes from the containment member on pivoting and rotation of the containment member without any handling of tubes by the operator, thus avoiding damage to the tubes.

Abstract: Discrete cigarettes or layers of parallel cigarettes which are being propelled by a reciprocable pusher from the magazine into successive receptacles of an indexible conveyor in a cigarette packing machine are prevented from moving away from a stationary stop at the station where the receptacles receive discrete cigarettes or layers of cigarettes. This is accomplished by the provision of a stationary or mobile blocking device which does not (or does not appreciably) interfere with the propulsion of cigarettes into a receptacle but invariably prevents a rebounding of cigarettes as a result of impingement upon the stationary stop. The blocking device can be provide with a stationary or a mobile shoulder at the path of cigarettes, or with a lever which can be rocked behind the cigarette or cigarettes in a recepacle and from the path of oncoming fresh cigarette or cigarettes.

Abstract: A device for the orderly supply of cigarettes; the device presenting at least one channel defined by two lateral walls and for feeding a respective column of cigarettes at a given dropdown speed and in a given traveling direction to the bottom opening of the channel; and an ordering device being provided upstream from the bottom opening in the traveling direction, and presenting at least two engaging elements located at either end of one of the two lateral walls and movable inside the channel to accompany the cigarettes along a given portion of the channel and so feed the cigarettes in orderly manner to the bottom end.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming and wrapping groups of cigarettes, whereby cigarettes are fed, crosswise to their respective axes, onto a supporting surface to form, on the supporting surface, a multilayer group located between two opposite retaining heads of a pocket for conveying the group; the two retaining heads leave a lateral surface of the group substantially free, and feed the group along the supporting surface, and crosswise to the respective axes of the cigarettes, through a supply line for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: The unit for forming groups of cigarettes has at least one substantially U-shaped pocket designed to receive in succession at least two layers of cigarettes, in which the cigarettes are parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pocket, the two layers being arranged one above the other to define a respective group; the unit having at least one holding element and, if the group has at least one gap, the unit having at least one dummy positioned parallel with the axis, both being mobile, under the thrust of an actuator, between a home position and an operating position, in which the element and the dummy are positioned respectively outside and inside the pocket, to respectively lock the group of cigarettes within the pocket, and to compensate the gap.

Abstract: A unit for supplying layers of cigarettes, wherein a supply outlet, presenting an open bottom end and a number of channels converging towards the bottom end, feeds a succession of layers of cigarettes along the channels to the bottom end; and an extracting device is associated with the outlet to expel the layers one by one in an extraction direction parallel to the cigarettes in the layer and on to a fixed pickup plate presenting a bottom surface for releasably retaining the cigarettes in a single layer.

Abstract: A group-forming device for use with cigarette packing machines, wherein each group consists of a number of cigarettes arranged in at least two adjacent and offset layers, with each group being formed in a single motion on the end wall of an outlet of a feed box, such outlet being divided into a number of side-by-side channels. Respective rows of cigarettes, arranged crosswise to the direction of travel, are fed downwards along channels of dissimilar lengths, such channels being inclined approximately 60.degree. in relation to the end wall of the outlet, at least at the layers of offset cigarettes.

Abstract: On a cigarette packing machine, groups of cigarettes forming the content of respective packets are inserted inside a folding spindle and wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material which is folded on to the outer surface of the spindle before being unloaded off the spindle together with the respective group; the spindle being defined by a tubular shell, the relatively thin walls of which are reinforced internally by substantially triangular longitudinal ribs, each engaging, in use, the longitudinal gap defined by two adjacent peripheral cigarettes in the group.

Abstract: A method of feeding tobacco items, particularly cigarettes, to a continuous packing machine, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor, presenting pockets for respective groups composed of a number of superimposed layers of items, is supplied successively with the layers, each of which is withdrawn from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items in the layer, and by rotating the layer in relation to the items in the adjacent upper layer inside the feedbox.

Abstract: A machine for making a package of food casing strands, wherein the package has a hexagonal-like cross section, comprising a product holder for initially holding a plurality of the strands in a configuration having a hexagonal-like cross section, wherein the holder has an opening therein for admitting the strands into the holder; means for transporting the strands to the holder and for depositing the strands into the opening; shaker means for shaking the holder at predetermined times to ensure that the plurality of strands settle into the holder in the configuration having a hexagonal-like cross section; means for measuring and cutting a predetermined amount of stretch film, where the stretch film is a closed loop used to encase the package of food casing strands; means for stretching and holding the stretch film into a shape of a polygon having a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the holder; means for moving the stretched film into a position proximate the holder; means for pushing all of the st

Abstract: Cigarette blocks comprising an even number of individual cigarettes arranged in an odd number of rows are formed through the use of a hopper having a linear array of parallel shafts with one of the shafts being permanently occupied by a blocking member at the level of an intermediate row. Cigarettes are delivered singly to the blocked shaft beneath the blocking member in synchronism with the transfer, in a direction transverse to the feed direction, of all of the cigarettes comprising the block to downstream apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of cigarette piling heads are provided on a cigarette piling drum. The same number of cigarettes as the number of cigarettes in a cigarette package are piled on each cigarette piling head. An intermediate drum includes the same number of cigarette holding heads as the number of the cigarette piling heads and is provided at an axial end of the cigarette piling drum. A pushing-out drum has the same number of pushers as the number of the cigarette piling heads and is disposed at the other axial end of the cigarette piling drum. The cigarettes on each cigarette piling head are transferred to the corresponding cigarette holding head. The intermediate drum is disposed adjacent to and at a side of the first drum of a packing apparatus. The cigarette holding heads swing synchronously with packing heads of the intermediate drum. The cigarette piling heads swing synchronously with the cigarette holding heads of the first drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging, side by side, cigarettes to form three cigarette layers, seven, six and seven cigarettes in the corresponding layers, the total number being twenty cigarettes and piling the cigarette layers on one after another in a staggered way to form a three-layered cigarette package. Twenty cigarette supplying passages are provided so as to communicate with the bottom portion of a hopper. Cigarettes are supplied to the cigarette supplying passages in an aligned state. Cigarettes are taken out one by one from the bottom end of each cigarette supplying passage and supplied to three cigarette arranging drums on which three cigarette layers are formed. The cigarette layers on these cigarette arranging drums are transferred to a cigarette piling drum through transfer drums disposed between the cigarette arranging drums and the cigarette piling drum and piled on each cigarette piling head of the cigarette piling drum to form a three-layered cigarette stack.

Abstract: A piling machine of a cigarette packaging apparatus comprises a number of transferring drums disposed between the respective aligning drums of the apparatus for aligning a given number of cigarettes in rows and the piling drum for piling rows of cigarettes into layers in an orderly and staggered manner in the cigarette packaging apparatus. The transferring drums are provided with suction nozzles and ejection nozzles so that the system is capable of holding cigarettes coming from the aligning drums to the transferring drums by negative pressure in the suction nozzles and ejecting the cigarettes on any of the transferring drums of the apparatus by applying compressed air through the ejection nozzles whenever one or more than one defective cigarettes are detected in the row of cigarettes on any of the transfer ring drums or when the row of cigarettes on the transferring drum contains an insufficient number of cigarettes.

Abstract: Unit (10) to feed and stack layer of sections, which is located downstream of a layer-forming platform (11) and upstream of a packaging assembly (32), the layer-forming platform (11) comprising a plurality of conveyors (29), the unit (10) consisting of a plurality of first manipulator arms (40) and a plurality of second manipulator arms (41) able to rotate about an axis (42) parallel to the lengthwise axis of the sections to be packaged, the manipulator arms (40-41) bearing layer manipulators (35-36) able to move lengthwise along the manipulator arms (40-41) in the transient state of rotation of the movable manipulator arms (40-41), the layer manipulators (35-36) having an engagement position (45) arranged substantially at the front of and external to their relative manipulator arms (40-41).

Abstract: A cigarette magazine serves for receiving a small supply of cigarettes (10) and for forming cigarette groups which correspond to the contents of a cigarette pack. For this purpose, the cigarettes (10) are guided into upright magazine shafts (14) in which cigarette rows (15) of superposed cigarettes are formed. The cigarettes (10) are downwardly conveyed in the magazine shafts (14) under gravity. In this process there may occur problems, especially with cigarettes (10) having a filter (29). To ensure a faultless transport, the shaft walls (16) for defining the magazine shafts (14) are designed with a smaller width, such that the filters (29) of the cigarettes (10) are located beyond the region of the shaft walls (16). This ensures a trouble-free downward transport.

Abstract: Method to package sections either in normal layers or in alternate right-side-up/overturned layers, the layers being fed from determined layers, whereby two already butted layers, one having a number N of sections and the other having a number N-1 of sections, or viceversa, reach the packaging machine by moving axially at one end the same time, the layers having been distanced apart laterally beforehand by a required value linked to the features of the packaging machine, the first layer (30) of "N" sections arriving and being positioned directly on a package (29) being formed, whereas the second layer (31) of "N-1" sections arrives between a plurality of pairs of clamping arms (24) able to rotate about an axis located in a central position between the two layers (30-31), the pairs of clamping arms (24) positioning the second layer (31) on the package (29) being formed.

Abstract: Method to package sections either in normal layers or in alternate right-side-up/overturned layers, the layers being fed from determined layers, whereby two already butted layers, one having a number N of sections and the other having a number N-1 of sections, or viceversa, reach the packaging machine by moving axially at one and the same time, the layers having been distanced apart laterally beforehand by a required value linked to the features of the packaging machine, the first layer (30) of "N" sections arriving and being positioned directly on a package (29) being formed, whereas the second layer (31) of "N-1" sections arrives between a plurality of pairs of clamping arms (24) able to rotate about an axis located in a central position between the two layers (30-31), the pairs of clamping arms (24) positioning the second layer (31) on the package (29) being formed.

Abstract: Successive rows of cigarettes delivered axially from a packing machine hopper outlet (12) are engaged by a cyclically-movable transfer member (24, 32, 425) which accelerates each row sideways and closes up spaces between cigarettes (C) before transferring the row to a conveyor (22) moving continuously at machine speed. The conveyor may be a drum (22) which transfers the cigarettes to a pocket conveyor (62) in which the cigarette bundles are formed, or it may be the pocket conveyor itself. The hopper may have several spaced outlets (12) so that rows may be supplied to the pocket conveyor (62) at spaced locations along its length to provide multi-layer bundles.

Abstract: The lower ends of several ducts which dispense layers of parallel cigarettes are located at different levels adjacent the path of movement of a stepwise advancing chain with receptacles for multi-layer arrays of cigarettes which are to be draped into blanks for conversion into cigarette packs. A discrete endless conveyor is installed between the lower end of each duct and the receptacle which registers with such duct, and each conveyor has one or more pushers serving to transfer layers of cigarettes into the registering receptacles. Each conveyor is driven by a discrete motor, and the conveyors can be started and arrested in a predetermined sequence to ensure that each receptacle which registers with a duct is empty when the apparatus is idle, and that each receptacle which advances beyond the last duct contains a full array of cigarettes.

Abstract: Three rows of feelers sliding in openings in support plates each bear either a blocking element with a single sight for the outside rows of feelers or a blocking element with two sights for the middle row. When all the feelers are in operative position, the various blocking elements define two parallel sight paths which permit a light beam conveyed to the entry of the first pass through one of the sights of the middle row blocking elements and through all the sights of the blocking elements of one of the outside rows to be reflected from two mirrors, disposed at right angles to each other, and to return by passing through the other sight of the middle row blocking elements and through the sights of the blocking elements of the other outside row. The light beam is conducted from an emitter to the entry of the checking device and from the exit thereof to a sensor by fiber optic cables.

Abstract: For transporting cigarette groups (20) within or in conjunction with a packaging machine, a pocket conveyor (21) is used, and in this pockets (24), each receiving one cigarette group (20), are connected to one another so as to be free of play and free of wear by means of connecting joints (25) with rolling bearings. As a result, the pocket conveyor (21) can be used as a high-performance conveyor for cigarette groups with exact relative positions.

Abstract: In a cigarette packeting machine, the formation of groups of cigarettes to be packeted disposed in superposed layers of which at least one is incomplete in that it lacks at least one intermediate cigarette. The cigarettes of the incomplete layer being kept in position, inside a formation and advancement pocket for the relative group, by the cigarettes of an immediately upper complete layer which are fed into the pocket so that they become disposed quincuncially to the cigarettes of the incomplete layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing cigarettes comprises a compression pocket having opposite open ends which comprises a pair of L-shaped compression members which are disposed in an opposite manner. Each member includes short and long segments which extend in an axial direction of a continuously rotatable drum, one of the members being movable in a tangential direction of the outer circumference of the drum, the other member being movable in a direction at an desired angle relative to said tangential direction. The apparatus also includes a device for moving the pair of L-shaped compression members in opposite directions using a rack and pinion combination system.

Abstract: A process for filling seven rod-shaped objects into a cylindrical container wherein a group of seven parallel rod-shaped objects supported in two adjacent rows of four and three respectively and having a substantially trapeziform configuration in cross-sectional outline, is forced lengthwise through a funnel whose internal wall defines a longitudinal fin and is suitably profiled to undergo a gradual transition in cross-sectional outline from roughly trapeziform at the inlet to roughly hexagonal at the outlet so as to guide longitudinally and rearrange the rod-shaped objects to have substantially the configuration in cross-sectional outline of a regular hexagon, the longitudinal fin positioned to contact, and shaped to guide the middle rod-shaped object of the row of three to the center of the hexagon while simultaneously the outer rod-shaped objects of the row of three are guided to form the adjacent corners of the hexagon on either side of the fin, the two inner rod-shaped objects of the row of four are guid

Abstract: Cigarettes are grouped into multi-layer blocks for packaging by the serial delivery of the plural cigarettes comprising the individual layers into cells of a conveying system from a magazine having an outlet for each layer. The magazine outlets are offset in the direction of movement of the cells and in a direction transverse thereto. A stationary retaining member, which extends into the cells through slots provided in the cells, contacts and thus holds the uppermost layer of cigarettes transferred from the magazine into the cells, the retaining member being provided with a step and a tongue-like extension at each magazine outlet downstream of the first outlet, the bottom of the stepped portion of the retaining member and the top of the tongue defining a cigarette layer receiving opening.

Abstract: There is provided a method of and apparatus for packing rod-shaped articles, especially cigarettes. A rotatable turret is used, into which blanks are introduced into pockets of the turret, with partial folding of the blanks, whereafter groups of articles are axially introduced into the blanks in pockets, the article groups being introduced alternately from opposite sides of the turret. There is also provided an apparatus whereby article groups can be ejected alternately on both sides of a magazine and also an apparatus wherein, to form article groups from three article rows or layers, the middle row containing fewer cigarettes than the top and bottom rows, a lateral chute wall of the magazine terminates above the region of the cigarette groups to be ejected, merely articles of the top and bottom rows being ejectable in this region via a recess in the entraining member associated with the lateral chute, such recess being at the height of the middle cigarette row.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring articles, such as pails, from a first station to a second station so that the articles may be loaded at the second station in a preselected spaced-saving array includes a transfer carriage operable for selective shifting along a path between the first and second stations and a gripping device utilizing clamps mounted on the transfer carriage operable for selectively gripping and releasing the articles. An orienting device is operatively associated with the gripping device and is operable for selectively imparting rotation thereto so that the articles may be loaded in a nested array.

Abstract: A reciprocable pusher 18 ejects cigarette pack groups 17 from magazine shafts 12 in three stacked layers, with one cigarette 11a in the middle layer being retained in the magazine by a stop 24 having an end 25 extending across and blocking the ejection path of the cigarette. The stop comprises a pivotably mounted lever spring biased to enable the expulsion of the cigarette when a predetermined mechanical load is exceeded, to thereby prevent jamming and blockage due to non-uniform cigarettes and stacks.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling multi-layer arrays of cigarettes in a packing machine has a magazine with a reciprocable support having platforms at different levels and a group of cigarette-delivering downwardly extending ducts above each platform so that each platform normally supports a layer of cigarettes. An intermittently driven conveyor has a series of receptacles which are adjacent to one side of the magazine and are open at least at those ends which face the platform. The magazine has elongated slot-shaped openings which are adjacent to the platforms and serve for evacuation of layers from the magazine into the neighboring receptacles during the periods of dwell of the conveyor and in response to penetration of reciprocable pushers into the magazine to move each layer along the respective platform, through the aligned opening and into the adjacent receptacle.

Abstract: A device for the formation of groups of cigarettes of at least one row of cigarettes arranged parallel side-by-side which comprises a feeding hopper subdivided by partition walls into a plurality of adjacent passageways which open into a collecting chamber delimited by a bottom plate and by side pushers. The partition wall located in the middle zone of the row of cigarettes, extends down to the bottom plate and engages by its terminal portion a groove provided in the said bottom plate. In this manner, the cigarette row being formed is divided into two row portions.

Abstract: The receiving pocket of a cigarette group forming apparatus consists of an open-ended tubular member provided at its interior with two partitions defining three pocket sections, one for each row of cigarettes forming the cigarette group. The partitions extend at the interior of the receiving pocket, from the introduction or inlet end towards the outlet end, for a fraction of the length on the receiving pocket, usually for 1/3 of its length. The partitions become thinner in the direction of the outlet end, and they are also converging in the said direction. Also the inner upper and lower side walls of the receiving pocket converge in the direction of the outlet end.

Abstract: A chute filling device for handling cigarette filter tubes has a funnel and a chute divided by partitions, as well as a discharge opening and a pushing arm, wherein the partitions are loosely suspended with play in slots in a swing frame, the partitions being capable of being set to oscillating in such manner that the cigarette filter tubes are braked as they fall by frequent contact with the chute walls and move downwardly while maintaining their horizontal attitude.

Abstract: Nested three-row bundles of cigarettes are formed in rapid, simple and effective manner by forming a three-row group of cigarettes in which each row contains the same number of cigarettes, removing one cigarette from one end of the center row of cigarettes and displaying the remainder of the center row cigarettes towards the one end a sufficient distance to cause nesting.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling blocks of parallel cigarettes in formations ready for packing has a magazine for a supply of parallel cigarettes and three groups of downwardly extending ducts whose upper ends communicate with the magazine to admit parallel cigarettes and whose lower end portions are located at a block building station. The end portions of the two outer groups of ducts are located in horizontal planes, one above the other, and the end portion of each duct of one outer group registers with the end portion of a duct of the other outer group. The end portions of the median group of ducts are vertical or nearly vertical and are located between the end portions of the two outer groups of ducts. The rows of parallel cigarettes which accumulate in the end portions of the ducts are expelled simultaneously by a pusher whereby the expelled cigarettes pass through a mouthpiece which completes their conversion into a block.