Abstract: A filling system for a machine used, in a tobacco industry for filling trays with rod-shaped articles that are dispensed from a dispenser, the filling system comprising a filling unit comprising rotary rollers for facilitating the passing or traversing of the rod-shaped articles from the dispenser to the tray below the filling system and a blocking unit for blocking passing or traversing of the rod-shaped articles from the dispenser to the tray. In an embodiment, the blocking unit may comprise pressing elements movable in a direction of axes of the rotary rollers between a blocked position, in which the pressing elements are located at a first distance, not greater than a length of the rod-shaped articles, from a back wall of the dispenser and an unblocked position, in which the pressing elements are located at a second distance, greater than the length of the rod-shaped articles, from the back wall of the dispenser.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a cabinet having at least one drawer with selectable access for storing items, such as medications. A slidable cover with a first opening allows for closure and/or access to items in an interior of the drawer. The cabinet further includes an actuator coupled to the cover and a controller coupled to the actuator to control movement of the first opening relative to the drawer interior in response to signals generated from a user interface.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated packaging apparatus utilizing a rotating assembly of elongated slats containing cavities to receive discrete pharmaceutical, vitamin, or food products. Quantities of discrete products such as tablets, capsules, or gels are deposited into the hopper of the apparatus. The apparatus then dispenses the discrete products into containers moving on a conveyor system such that each container receives a predetermined quality and quantity of pharmaceutical, vitamin, or food products. While operating at high speed, the apparatus inspects, counts, identifies and analyzes each product deposited into the containers and maintains electronic records describing the status of each product. In the event any errors occur the apparatus produces various alerts to inform the operator. The presence of foreign products or objects may cause the apparatus to instantly stop the entire system including peripheral equipment.

Abstract: A variety of systems and methods are described which quickly and conveniently provide for the selective transmission of individual solid pharmaceutical products from a common location into individual blister package product cavities. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiments, an automated alignment mechanism alters the orientation of solid pharmaceutical products that are initially arranged randomly in a two-dimensional array into one or more linear transmission systems. Each linear transmission system is essentially a one-dimensional stack of solid pharmaceutical products, vitamins or other elements. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, after the solid pharmaceutical products have been arranged in one or more of the linear transmission systems or vertical stacks, the solid pharmaceutical products are selectively transmitted into individual product package blister cavities or into product package templates having locations corresponding to the blister package cavities.

Abstract: A method is provided to regulate a conveying stream composed of articles of the tobacco-processing industry between at least one tray discharger and connected to at least one feed device by a conveying element that conveys a mass flow of the articles. The feed device has at least one chamber designed to receive the articles, and each chamber has at least two feed units running independently of each other to feed the articles to subsequent apparatuses. Each feed unit has an individual feed rate (P1, P2, . . . Pn). The method includes monitoring a level within the feed device using monitoring elements; sending a signal to each of the at least one tray dischargers for regulating the speed of transport of the conveying element and the feed rate (in articles/min) as a function of a current level within the feed device, and adapting the speed of transport to a desired level.

Abstract: In a cigarette packer, groups of single cigarettes are first assembled by a formation unit and placed in trays carried by a conveyor, then directed in succession along a set feed path, advancing sideways-on, toward a wrapping unit by which each one is enveloped in a transparent or at least partly transparent wrapper; during the transfer from the formation unit to the wrapping unit, the trays are directed past a print unit stationed along the feed path, by which at least one graphic element such as lettering or a logo is impressed on at least one cigarette making up each group.

Abstract: Cigarettes are stored in one or more reservoirs at a customer location. A computer receives customer orders and transmits them to a dispenser. Upon receipt of a customer order, a pre-selected number of cigarettes is automatically removed from the reservoir(s) by the dispenser and then automatically packed in a container by a packer comprising a collation mandrel which is movable relative to the dispenser. A preferred type of substantially air-tight, self-sealing container has a lid portion, a body portion and a collar, which is mounted within the body portion. The body portion is provided with one or more upwardly extending protrusions on the upper surface of the base thereof. An air and moisture impermeable membrane is sealed about the upper periphery of the collar.

Abstract: An apparatus is situated downstream of a stickpack manufacturing machine with multiple dropping channels for forming a same number of stickpacks, which are distanced from one another by an interaxial measurement which is more than twice the width of the stickpacks. The apparatus comprises a ring-wound conveyor line, in which two batteries of walled compartments are provided, which batteries are driven independently from each other so that each battery is alternately situated either upstream or downstream; the number of compartments of each is a multiple of the number of dropping channels; the compartments are distanced by a step which is equal to half the interaxial measurement. A robotic handler is provided upstream of the conveyor line, which handler collects the stickpacks exiting from the machine and piles the stickpacks in the compartments of the battery waiting there; first the compartments in odd order, i.e.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing individualized solid pharmaceutical product packaging solutions preferably utilize a plurality of filling stations preferably arranged proximate to a conveyor system. Each of the filling stations may be embodied as a version of a conventional flood fill type mechanism wherein a hopper is used to store a large number of a single type of solid pharmaceutical products. The filling stations preferably incorporate transition blocks and/or row or column transfer gates.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling an empty shaft tray with rod-shaped products. The shaft tray has shaft walls which form a plurality of shafts. The apparatus includes a filling hopper having a receiving region for a mass flow composed of the products, and a storage region for products comprising a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom wall. The storage region includes partitions that form a plurality of shafts adjacent to each other, wherein the partitions substantially extend over a full height of the storage region, and wherein the rear wall of the storage region includes openings for passage of the shaft walls of the shaft tray. A delivery element delivers the empty shaft tray into the receiving region of the filling hopper to be filled with the products. A removal element removes a filled shaft tray from the filling hopper.

Abstract: A variety of systems and methods are described which quickly and conveniently provide for the selective transmission of individual solid pharmaceutical products from a common location into individual blister package product cavities. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiments, an automated alignment mechanism alters the orientation of solid pharmaceutical products that are initially arranged randomly in a two-dimensional array into one or more linear transmission systems. Each linear transmission system is essentially a one-dimensional stack of solid pharmaceutical products, vitamins or other elements. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, after the solid pharmaceutical products have been arranged in one or more of the linear transmission systems or vertical stacks, the solid pharmaceutical products are selectively transmitted into individual product package blister cavities or into product package templates having locations corresponding to the blister package cavities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a wrapping apparatus and associated methods and a cassette device for holding utensils. The wrapping apparatus may include a first holder for holding first items to be wrapped. The wrap is placed on a rotating table when the rotating table is rotated into a first position. One of the first items to be wrapped is moved from the first holder onto the wrap on the rotating table when the rotating table is rotated to a second position. A wrapping mechanism then wraps the first item in the wrap.

Abstract: A machine for packing a product in at least one sheet of packing material has a number of conveyors, each of which has a number of pockets, each for receiving and conveying a respective product; the products are transferred from each conveyor to the next conveyor at a transfer station defined between the two conveyors; the pockets on each conveyor are divided into a first number of groups, each containing an equal second number, greater than one, of pockets; and, at each transfer station, a second number of products are transferred simultaneously from the pockets in a group of pockets on the releasing conveyor to the pockets in a group of pockets on the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A method relates to a production line where cigarettes are arranged in horizontal layers within approximately vertical channel (3) of packing machine feeding system, the width of which is slightly bigger then the cigarette diameter. The cigarettes are moved gravitationally toward the bottom plate (6) tram which they are transferred to the packing machine, whereas faulty cigarettes are detected with sensors (9, 11) defining their defects, and the faulty cigarettes are rejected by a rejecting device (14).

Abstract: In a container carrier system and method for use in an automated process for filling containers of multiple sizes, pucks of various sizes are inserted into compartments of container pallets to allow containers of different sizes to be held in the compartments. A puck configuration subsystem can be used to configure each pallet to hold a desired combination of containers of two or more container sizes by inserting and removing pucks from the compartments. A pallet conveyor can be used to transport configured pallets from the puck configuration subsystem to the filling process and return empty pallets to the puck configuration subsystem for reconfiguration.

Abstract: A fully automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product package cavities. The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical product dispensing canisters which are capable of selectively dispensing a pre-designated number of solid pharmaceutical products. The machine fills a template containing temporary storage cavities and the template is automatically positioned over a sheet of clear plastic material containing a plurality of cavities corresponding to the cavities in the template. A barrier between the cavities in the template and the sheet of clear plastic material is moved and the pharmaceuticals in the template cavities drop into the corresponding cavities in the clear plastic sheet of material.

Abstract: A method of forming groups of cigarettes on a packing machine, whereby a conveyor feeds a succession of pockets in steps past a number of group-forming stations, where the pockets receive respective groups of cigarettes fed axially to the relative pockets by means of independent pushers, which are operated in a normal cyclic operating sequence to move selectively through respective group-forming stations; and whereby the formation of a gap along the conveyor, caused by non-supply of a faulty group to a relative pocket, is prevented by replacing the normal cyclic operating sequence with a different cyclic sequence capable of ensuring all the pockets are filled as of the fully operative group-forming stations only.

Abstract: A packing machine for packing cigarettes, having a conveyor in turn having at least one pocket for forming and conveying a respective group of cigarettes; the pocket being carried by a carriage run along a fixed guide by a linear electric motor, a stator or primary of which extends along at least one portion of the guide, and a cursor or secondary of which is carried by the carriage.

Abstract: A hopper for cigarettes, having at least one outlet and a number of agitating members over the outlet; at least some of the agitating members are integral with a bar, which is movable cyclically along an annular path to move all the relative agitating members simultaneously, and parallel to themselves, along respective identical annular trajectories.

Abstract: A machine for producing packets of cigarettes, each packet having a group of cigarettes enclosed in packaging material, has a number of conveyors, each having a respective given number of respective members which are brought into contact with the groups and/or the packaging material, and cooperate with the members of at least one adjacent conveyor; the number of members of each conveyor being equal to a multiple or to a divisor of the number of members of an adjacent conveyor.

Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, it is necessary to form cigarette groups (10) from a plurality of cigarettes (11) arranged in layers, to be precise by virtue of the cigarette group (10) (or a sub-group) being pushed out of shafts (13) of a cigarette magazine (12) with the aid of push rods (14) which can be moved back and forth. Once a cigarette group (10) has been pushed out, the cigarettes (11) in the magazine shafts (13) drop under their own weight into the pushing-out position. By virtue of the downward movement of the push rods (14) during the return movement into a starting position, the dropping movement of the cigarettes (11) is initiated before the push rods (14) have reached their starting position.

Abstract: A pressure discharge railway hopper car includes a car body having a plurality of hoppers arranged in adjacent relation longitudinally, each opening at the bottom end to an aerator tub assembly. Each aerator tub assembly has two aerator units, one on each side laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the car body, defined by downwardly convergent inclined walls. An outlet from each aerator unit is connected to a product discharge conduit that leads substantially horizontally and laterally toward the centerline of the car body to a generally L-shaped discharge pipe. Each discharge pipe may include a longitudinal leg that runs between the two sections along the car centerline and a lateral leg extending transversely to the centerline to an outlet end laterally outwardly of the aerator tub assembly, where it is connected to a main discharge pipe.

Abstract: A device for forming groups of cigarettes having a number of superimposed layers, whereby each layer is expelled by a movable push member from a respective outlet of a hopper having a number of outlets, and is fed into a respective movable pocket for receiving, a respective group of cigarettes; and each outlet has an intercepting member movable to and from a work position closing the outlet, and defined by a rigid plate connectable to the respective movable push member to move to and from the closed work position.

Abstract: A machine for conditioning packets of cigarettes is divided into a first portion defined by a number of outlets of a hopper through which cigarettes are fed in a first direction; a second portion in which a succession of adjacent conveyors defines a single supply path for the cigarettes and relative packets, the supply path extending substantially in a second direction crosswise with respect to the first direction; and a third portion in which a drying conveyor defines a number of parallel drying paths extending in a third direction crosswise with respect to the second direction.

Abstract: A machine for packing groups of cigarettes, wherein a step-operated first conveying device, having a pocket conveyor belt, a transmission pulley rotating about an axis of rotation, and a number of first conveying pockets, receives a given number of groups of cigarettes during a stop period, and feeds the groups, during a transfer period, to a continuous second conveying device having second conveying pockets and, for the second conveying pockets, a conveyor drum rotating about the axis of rotation; the first and second conveying pockets being aligned with each other and moving at the same speed during the transfer period.

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 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: A device for loading storage containersfor elongated articles, particularly tobacco products, wherein a feedbox for the articles presents an output window facing a horizontal platefor supporting an orderly mass of articles; the output window is defined by the side by side output openings of a number of side by side channels for respective columns of articles; the horizontal plate is movable vertically along a storage container positioned with its input opening facing the output window, and presents side by side seats on top for respective articles; each output opening faces a rib separating two respective adjacent seats on the horizontal plate;and the channels are all inclined to the same side in relation to the plate.

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 method and device for forming and transferring groups of cigarettes on a packing machine with multiple wrapping lines, whereby each group is fed into a respective pocket of a conveyor, and presents a number of superimposed layers fed successively into the respective pocket by push elements for successively expelling the layers from the bottom of respective outlets of a feedbox; the outlets are equal in number to the number of layers forming each group multiplied by a whole number greater than one, and the conveyor is moved intermittently in steps of a length equal to the spacing between two consecutive pockets multiplied by the whole number; at each stop of the conveyor, respective layers are expelled from the outlets of the feedbox and fed into respective pockets; and respective groups are expelled from a number of pockets equal to the whole number, and are fed to an operating unit of the packing machine.

Abstract: To increase the output of packaging machines for cigarettes, a common cigarette stock, in particular a cigarette magazine, is assigned a plurality of independently working packaging units (11, 12, 13, 14). These are fed with cigarette groups, for packaging, by the cigarette magazine (10) via a common conveyor. The packaging units (11 to 14) consist of a folding unit (24), of a material unit and of a drive unit. Depending on the desired output, a pluraity of packaging units (11 to 14) can be combined as part of the packaging machine. The packaging units (11 to 14) are subdivided again into units to be handled independently, in particular into a folding unit (24), a material unit and a drive unit. These are exchangeable and, for the operation of the packaging machine, are connected functionally to one another.

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: A cigarette packing machine comprises a series of individual cigarette hoppers (18) carried by an endless band (16), the hoppers receiving cigarettes from an input conveyor (15) in a receiving region and supplying groups of cigarettes to a pocketed bundle conveyor (22) in a delivery region. Each hopper (18) may be vertically movable, with its position controlled so that it occupies an upper position in the receiving region and a lower position in the delivery region. The hoppers may be vibrated during movement by the endless band, so as to promote downward movement of the cigarettes. Preferably each hopper has an associated transfer plunger (46) which is extended to deliver cigarettes in the delivery region, the hopper being lifted when the plunger is in its extended position and lowered when the plunger is in its retracted position.

Abstract: A method of feeding a continuous packing machine with groups of tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, composed of at least one layer of items, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor with pockets for respective groups is supplied successively with the groups, each of which is expelled from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items by arresting the items inside the feedbox and over the expelled items.

Abstract: Relatively fragile articles, such as cigarettes, are formed into blocks consisting of three rows with a middle row containing one cigarette less than the outer rows. The cigarettes in the middle row are also laterally offset by approximately one-half the diameter of a cigarette from the cigarettes in the outer rows as a result of forming the blocks in a linear array of feed shafts which, from a lower support surface, extend upwardly at an angle other than perpendicular. A shaft disposed at one end of the array is closed at the level of the lower two rows and a multi-armed block slide is provided for pushing the cigarettes which define the block from an extraction zone, located at the bottom of the shafts, into a receiver.

Abstract: Supply hopper for delicate, rod-shaped products, in particular in cigarette packaging machines, which hopper (1) is provided in its lower part with a plurality of separate discharge channels (2), each of which is divided by means of intermediate walls (4) into several ducts (3) which are vertical and parallel to one another, in each of which ducts (3) there is formed at least one substantially vertical row of cigarettes (S) which are superimposed on one another, whereas above the upper end (104) of each intermediate wall (4) there is provided a roller (6) which is horizontal and parallel to the axis of the cigarettes (S) in the hopper (1), and is rotated, preferably with oscillatory motion. According to the invention, in order to prevent to a large extent the formation of bridges of cigarettes which block the ducts (3), the rollers (6) are disposed quincuncially relative to a horizontal plane, i.e. they are alternately offset parallel to one another upwards and downwards.

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: An improved packaging machine is provided for vacuum packing elongated products such as french fries into a succession of sealed bags. The packaging machine includes a weigh station for dropping pre-weighed product charges through a vertical column for product free-fall into a bag at a fill station, with the bag being formed from a sheet of film material drawn downwardly about the column. A divider vane subdivides the vertical column and the fill station into a pair of passages of elongated cross section, whereby the products falling through the column passages are substantially aligned as they fall into the bag. The bag is transferred from the fill station to a settling station, preferably by displacement of the divider vane and fill station. The settling station includes vibratory members to achieve substantial product settling. The bag film material may also be retracted a short stroke through a seal jaw assembly, resulting in stripping and squaring of an open end of the bag.

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 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: An apparatus for forming cigarettes groups consisting of a plurality of cigarette layers to be received by a pack, employs a group-forming turret and cells equipped with a tamping device adjustable relative to the cell floor via a control cam. Layers of cigarettes are transferred to the cells from exit orifices of a funnel. To prevent a change of position of the cigarettes in the cells as a result of the forces occurring during the movement of the turret, the control cam for the tamping devices possesses, for each exit orifice, a step opening the respective cell at least by the amount of the height of a cigarette layer, and movable cam portions serving to temperarily bridge the steps.

Abstract: In a rotating multi-station machine for inserting an under-plug and plug in vials, the periphery of a rotating drum features gripping means for vials, and a series of angularly equidistant insertion devices for inserting the under-plugs and plugs in the necks of the vials, whereas a distributor carousel for vials and under-plugs supplies them to the rotating drum. Feed means feed vials and under-plugs to the distributor carousel, and a further distributor carousel supplies plugs to the rotating drum where removal means remove the plugged vials. The insertion devices comprise gripping and insertion means for the under-plug, featuring a swinging arm that moves between a work position upon the neck of the vial and a vial-disengaged position, and gripping and insertion means for the plugs.

Abstract: An apparatus for the testing of cigarettes.In the packaging of cigarettes, it is necessary to test these for correct formation, especially for a complete filling of tobacco. For this purpose, a testing unit (13) is arranged within a cigarette magazine (10) and has a plurality of vertical test shafts (18), in the region of which the cigarettes are tested by optoelectrical sensors. The intact cigarettes subsequently pass into a cigarette stock (21) in free fall.To guarantee an orderly fault-free transfer of the tested cigarettes to the cigarette store (15), guide shafts (b 28) are formed underneath the test shafts (18) as a continuation of these and lead to a point immediately above the cigarette stock (21). The guide shafts (28) limited by vertical plane guide-shaft walls (29) guarantee that the cigarettes are deposited in an orderly manner and without tilting.There are also measures to clean the sensors for testing the cigarettes.

Abstract: To examine cigarettes (11) prior to packaging same, a testing unit (17) is disposed in a cigarette magazine (12) above magazine chutes (13). The testing unit (17) is provided with test chutes (28) for the accommodation of a vertical test line (26) of cigarettes. Guide and support elements (36, 37) are disposed on the underside and, by means of relative displacements, they produce a stoppage phase of the cigarettes in the test chutes (28) and effect delivery of the tested cigarettes.

Abstract: A machine for filling a container with cigarettes comprises a supply hopper for holding the cigarettes, a discharge section arranged in the lower portion of the supply hopper and through which the cigarettes are discharged into the container. The discharge section includes a plurality of partition walls vertically arranged in at intervals, thereby defining discharge passages, a plurality of freely rotatable stop rollers each arranged directly under its corresponding partition wall and oblate in shape. When the stop rollers are at a first rotational position, their paired flat surface extending from both sides of their corresponding partition walls. When the stop rollers are at a second rotational position, the paired arc surface portions into their corresponding discharge passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for ejecting a row of cigarettes from a cigarette magazine employs an endless conveyor which is actuable by means of a stepping drive. Ejector members fixed to the endless belt are moveable through the magazine case for ejecting the bottommost cigarette row. The endless conveyor employs a belt having a series of troughs which receive the bottommost cigarette row. The ejector members define the trailing boundary of the troughs.

Abstract: Packaging machines have to, on the one hand, achieve high levels of output but, on the other hand, take into account the sensitivity of the cigarettes to mechanical stresses. A two-track configuration of the packaging machine doubles the output at a given speed (number of strokes). By the special designing of a cigarette magazine (26) in conjunction with a group turret (28), it is accomplished that the formation of cigarette groups (21) and the insertion into the pockets (64) of the group turret (28) can be performed within adequately set stroke times at a high output of the packaging machine.

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: A device for feeding cigarettes to the wrapping line of a packeting machine comprises a hopper for feeding cigarettes to the machine. The hopper is divided at its lower end into outlet channels having a width substantially equal to the diameter of a cigarette, and through which the cigarettes disposed in piles descend. Along each channel there is provided, in order from the top downwards, sensor device for checking the cigarettes in succession, and at an expulsion position a device for expelling the defective cigarettes from the hopper. Along each channel there is provided cyclically operated retention mechanism for the cigarettes. This mechanism extends upstream and downstream of the expulsion position, and has two halt positions for the cigarettes. The mechanism includes two arcuate recesses in the channel which are connected via bores to a source of suction and a source of compressed air.