Abstract: Apparatus for sorting rod-like elements such as each having a defined different length, including a sorting transporter inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle and having a longitudinal sieve element above and along which a transverse pusher slat moves to shift the elements upwards along the sieve element. The shifted elements are oriented along the pusher slats. The sieve element includes a through opening in the transporter which is divided by askew bars into at least two neighboring through sub-sections. The width and length of each section is selected specifically for one selected length of the rod-like elements so that only the rod-like elements having the length smaller or equal to the one selected length pass through the sub-sections of this section while being oriented along the pusher slats. A system including the apparatus according to the invention and a method for sorting rod-like elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: Beads are transferred in the form of a flow along supply channels into first holding pockets; the beads from the holding pockets of the bead feeding unit are fed to receiving pockets of a bead transfer unit by means of movable feeding means, then in the bead transfer unit the beads are inserted into a guiding chamber formed at the intersection of a guiding groove of a first guiding plate and a guiding groove of a second guiding plate of the bead transfer unit, at least one guiding plate is rotated relative to the second guiding plate, which forces the movement of the guiding chamber so that the distance of the guiding chamber to the axis of rotation of the guiding plates changes, and the beads from the guiding chamber or the guiding channel are conveyed to a outfeeding pocket.

Abstract: Method for arranging rod-like elements including cigarette parts such as filter and tobacco parts, in which elements are delivered to a conveyor having successive sectors which arrange the elements in separate rows along the conveyor. The type, number and location of element transported on the conveyor are determined by at least a single scanning of each successive element on the conveyor. The scanned results are transmitted to a control unit which assigns each sector of the conveyor information according to its contents. The elements are subsequently sorted based on the information received by the control unit according to the type and the number of parts each element is composed of, the orientation of these parts in relation to the direction of movement of the conveyor. Each of the successive elements is transferred to a predetermined receiving area based on the information received from the control unit.

Abstract: Method and system for arranging rod-like elements, in which an unordered portion of rod-like elements, composed each of at least one part selected from cigarette parts being filter parts and tobacco parts, is delivered to a conveyor which arranges the elements on the conveyor in a plurality of compartments, longitudinally in each compartment and transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor. The compartments have a length which receives at least one filter part and at least one tobacco part of a cigarette. The type, number and location of parts of the element received in each compartment is defined by at least a single scanning of each successive compartment of the conveyor. The result of the scanning is transmitted to a control unit and the elements are subsequently sorted based on information received from the control unit.

Abstract: A method and a device for distributing cut tobacco for feeding cigarette-making machines. The distributing device is equipped with a distribution chamber having a bottom, with a feeding channel for feeding the cut tobacco to the distribution chamber, the channel being connected to the chamber from above, with at least one receiving channel for receiving the cut tobacco from the distribution chamber, the receiving channel being connected to the chamber at side walls thereof. A rotary element for changing local bulk density and disturbing the flow of the cut tobacco fed to the distribution chamber is eccentrically mounted to a stationary bottom of the distribution chamber.

Abstract: The subject matter of the application is a method of feeding beads in the tobacco industry system, in a unit for transferring a stream of beads (2), from receiving pockets (18) to outfeeding pockets (21, 21?), where the beads are transferred along guiding grooves (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C) disposed on guiding plates (5, 5?, 6, 6?), comprising the steps in which: the beads are fed to a guiding chamber (22, 22?, 22?) formed at the intersection of the guiding groove (5A, 5B) of the first guiding plate (5, 5?) and the guiding groove (6A, 6B, 6C) of the second guiding plate (6, 6?); at least one guiding plate is rotated relative to the second guiding plate, which forces the movement of the guiding chamber (22, 22?, 22?) so that the distance of the guiding chamber (22, 22?, 22?) to the axis of rotation of the guiding plates changes; the beads are conveyed from the guiding chamber (22, 22?, 22?) to the outfeeding pocket (21, 21?). The subject matter of the application is also a device for the implementation of the method.

Abstract: The method of control consists in altering the flow path by means of swing and/or slide shiftable movable elements, constituting a fragment of the opposite side walls of an angularly positioned channel, which after shifting stop the flow of rod-shaped articles with the possibility of restoring the flow after shifting the movable elements to previous position. The device is situated in the channel, the first side wall of which is provided with a first movable element, and a fragment of the opposite second side wall forms a second movable element, with the first movable element being mounted on a pivot together with a perpendicular plate, on which also the second movable element by means of an actuator is mounted. The second element has the shape of a cylinder sector. Below the movable elements, and above the horizontal conveyor, is situated a shutoff element.

Abstract: A method of separating tobacco from cigarette waste using an apparatus comprising a revolving screen, in which the cigarette waste is fed onto the screen in order to be screened by gravity. The method includes relocating the cigarette waste over the surface of the screen, the relocation being aided by a scraper unit cooperating with the screen and the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane being adjustable. An apparatus is also provided for separating tobacco from cigarette waste comprising a revolving screen which is adjustably mounted in such a way that the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable, provided with a scraper unit for aiding relocation of the cigarette waste on the surface of the screen during its rotational movement.

Abstract: The object of the application is an apparatus for picking up a loose substance in the tobacco industry equipment comprising a loose substance feeding unit provided with a loose substance feeding tape and a picking up unit, characterised in that the picking up unit (6) is provided with vacuum pockets (7) cooperating with scrapers (30), whereas the vacuum pockets (7) together with the scrapers (30) are adapted to moving relative to the loose substance (2) feeding tape (3). In addition, the objects of the application are a scraper and a picking up method.

Abstract: The object of the application is a filling hopper for a filling apparatus for multi-segment trays in the tobacco industry with a receiving region for rod like articles in the form of a mass flow and a storing region for rod like articles comprising side walls (8, 9) and a bottom wall (10), whereas the storing region has double partition walls (16) alternately forming a plurality of parallel cavities (15) and slots (14), where the partition walls (16) extend in principle along the entire height of the storing region. The partition walls (16) are connected with each other by means of a carrying framework so that at least from one side free access to the articles inside the cavities (15) is maintained. The carrying framework comprises at least one fastening area (19).

Abstract: A device for unloading compartment trays holding rod shaped elements, for use in the tobacco industry, is disclosed. The device includes an inlet conveyor for full trays, an unloading conveyor for unloading rod shaped elements into a throat, a conveyor for out-feeding stacks of rod shaped elements that have been unloaded into the throat, and an outlet conveyor for empty trays. A linear transporter for the trays has a gripping unit that grips the full trays and moves the full trays for unloading into the throat, and a second gripping unit that grips the empty trays and moves the empty trays for cleaning in a cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: The object of the application is a detachable cutting head for an apparatus for feeding filter segments provided with a drum conveyor having flutes for crosswise movement of filter rods, provided with circular knives situated in knife units mounted in the housing of the head, characterized in that it comprises a housing of the head (8) provided with a reference surface (23) for positioning in the apparatus for feeding filter segments; seatings (20, 21) for positioning the knife units (10) and lead-out channels (25), knife units (10) with circular knives (6), whereas the positioning seatings (20, 21) are situated so that the circular knives (6) do not overlap. Furthermore, the object of the application is a drive apparatus of a cutting head and a method of coupling a cutting head.

Abstract: The object of the application is a modular multi-segment tray (101) for use in the tobacco industry for conveying rod-shaped articles, characterized in that it comprises a carrying element (102), a multi-segment insert (103) and fastening means (112, 113, 114) adapted to join the carrying element (102) and the multi-segment insert (103), as well as a multi-segment insert and a carrying element for such tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating tobacco from cigarette waste including a revolving screen having a bottom surface by which the screen is mounted in the apparatus at an acute angle relative to the horizontal plane, the screen further having a top surface, the angular position of the screen with respect to a horizontal plane being adjustable and the screen being provided with scraping unit on the top surface of the screen for aiding relocation of the cigarette waste on the top surface of the screen during its rotational movement.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a unit for conveying filter segments (2) for the machines of tobacco industry, comprising a chain conveyor (10) in a horizontal arrangement on which the lugs (21) are disposed, the working ends (28) of which are deflected from the vertical. The unit comprises guides (23, 33) of the filter segments (2) provided with an inclined channel (27) guiding the lug (21).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling under gravity from a hopper (9), a storage device (2) for articles that has the form of a columnar cavity between opposed side walls with a mass flow of mutually parallel rod-shaped articles descending from the hopper, a cavity-filling device (12) that alternates in use between a closed configuration that blocks a downward flow of the said articles through the device and an open configuration that allows flow of the articles through the device, the device being movable in translation, in alternate upward and downward strokes within the cavity, being in the closed configuration on the downward stroke and in the open configuration on the upward stroke.

Abstract: Method of opening a cigarette wrapper including cutting open a cigarette transported in a guiding groove of a feeder of a machine for recovering tobacco from defective and/or substandard cigarettes with at least one revolving disc knife located above the feeder, in which the at least one revolving disc knife is applied to the cigarette in such a way that the axis of rotation on which the said disc knife is perpendicularly mounted lies on a plane parallel to the plane over which the cigarette axis is translated, and the plane of the disc knife does not contain the cigarette axis and is parallel to the said cigarette axis, the possibility of rotation of the cigarette around its axis in the guiding groove is blocked, whereby tensile stress is applied in the cigarette wrapper facilitating its opening. Assembly for applying the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Device for transferring cylindrical segments from a hopper onto a grouping belt is provided with a guiding drum, having flutes on its periphery and a circumferentially closed conveyor which delivers segments to a rotary element with pushers. Conveyor with seats with a catching element for catching segments, and transferring the segments from the conveyor to the element is effected by means of a spiral drum. The device has a push-down element constituted by a cam with a groove of a height corresponding to the diameter of the segment. The catching element has the form of a depression in the body of the seat shaped as a half of a cylinder, corresponding to the diameter of the segment, with locks on edges, whereas the axis of the depression is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for opening cigarettes constituting cigarette waste in a device comprising a rotational drum (1) the inner wall of which is provided with at least one scraping away element (2, 2?, 2?) extending generally along the drum, and at least one rotational beater (4, 4?, 4?) located inside the drum (1) striking against the cigarettes, wherein the cigarettes fed into the rotating drum (1) and being lifted by means of at the least one scraping away element (2, 2?, 2?) and falling by gravity, are struck against by means of the at least one rotational beater (4, 4?, 4?) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axes of the cigarettes with a force enabling their opening. A device for realisation of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of separating tobacco from cigarette waste using an apparatus comprising a revolving screen, in which the cigarette waste is fed onto the screen in order to be screened by gravity. The method includes relocating the cigarette waste over the surface of the screen, the relocation being aided by a scraper unit cooperating with the screen and the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane being adjustable. An apparatus is also provided for separating tobacco from cigarette waste comprising a revolving screen which is adjustably mounted in such a way that the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable, provided with a scraper unit for aiding relocation of the cigarette waste on the surface of the screen during its rotational movement.