Abstract: A system for conveying cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation between at least two combinations, each including a cigarette maker (10,10A), packer (14,14A) and buffer reservoir (12,12A), includes an interconnecting conveyor defining a closed loop path (18,20,18A,20A) allowing cigarettes made (or stored) in one combination to pass to the packer of any combination, the arrangement being such that associated with each combination there is an inverted T-junction (16,16A) at which cigarettes are delivered from above to the path from the maker or reservoir, and a further T-junction (22,22A) at which cigarettes are delivered downwards from the path to the packer.

Abstract: Variable speed conveying apparatus includes a conveyor (16) having a plurality of conveying surfaces (18) for engaging a stream (10) of articles along a path, and elements for progressively changing the speed of the surfaces as they progress along the path. The conveyor may include a series of pivotally interconnected links (18), the angular disposition of the links being controlled as they move along the path. Typically the conveyor may be used for changing the height of a multi-layer stream of rod-like articles such as cigarettes. Similar conveyor arrangements may be used to convey articles or people by providing slats (322,324) carried by conveyor links (318) or by providing independently-controllable carrier members (218) movable on an endless track (236).

Abstract: A system for delivering rows of cigarettes, each for forming one layer of a bundle of cigarettes to be packed in a packing machine, includes a number of fluted planetary wheels (42) carried by an annular carrier (44) along a path on which cigarettes are picked up directly from the lower ends of channels (40) formed between vanes (38) in the hopper of the machine. The wheels (42) transfer the cigarettes in rows to flute sets (48) on a coaxial drum (46) from which the rows are further transferred to a delivery drum (22). Generally the packing machine includes three such systems, one for each layer of the bundle of cigarettes to be packed. In an alternative system cigarettes forming one row are picked up substantially simultaneously by row carriers (220) mounted on planetary wheels (226) so as to follow an hypocycloidal path.

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: A ledger device suitable for use in a cigarette making machine, for supporting one or more cigarette rods while being cut into predetermined lengths, comprises two similar ledger support members (10; 12) mounted respectively on two pairs of cranks (30,32; 42,44) and arranged to orbit two ledger parts (22; 28) in the same plane along the same circular path, 180.degree. out of phase with one another, each ledger part being arranged to support the rod or rods during alternate cuts.

Abstract: A container, such as a cardboard carton, has a carrying handle secured by a fixing element at an attachment zone adjacent each end of the handle to opposite side walls of the container. The fixing elements each have a shaft portion transverse to the plane of respective attachment zones extending through the container wall, the shaft portion having a barb extending outwardly on the shaft and engaging with the container to retain the fixing element in position. The handle is attached to the container side wails by forcing the fixing elements through the side walls at the respective attachment zones.

Abstract: A scanning device for a cigarette making machine comprises a low energy X-ray beam emitter (110) for passing an X-ray beam through the cigarette rod (116), and an X-ray detector (126;202) arranged to receive the beam after it has passed through the cigarette rod and to produce an output signal which can be amplified and fed to a control circuit (130) for the cigarette making machine.

Abstract: A cigarette making machine comprises a channel (104; 106/228; 230/319; 320) through which tobacco is showered onto the inside surface of a suction band (100; 102/232; 234/309; 310) passing around a number of pulleys having approximately vertical axes of rotation, so as to form on the band a cigarette filler stream (114 etc.) which passes around one of the pulleys (100A; 102A/236; 238/314; 318), while lying between the pulley and the band, and is then arranged to transfer to a second band (122; 124/204; 206/321; 322) which transports the filler stream towards a rod-forming device by which the filler stream is enclosed in a wrapper web to form a continuous cigarette rod. A twin-track cigarette making machine may comprise two such arrangements side-by-side and forming mirror-images of one another.

Abstract: Packaging material, particularly for forming blanks for hinged lid packets, is delivered to a packaging machine in web form and at least one creasing or shaping operation is performed (44; 112) on the web (2) prior to severing individual blanks (50) from the web. Folding or wrapping of a blank around an article to be packed in the machine is monitored and the creasing or shaping operation varied to optimise machine performance: for example, an adjustable creasing tool can be adjusted to compensate for tool wear. Individual blanks are inspected for longitudinal curl, usually caused by the web having been wound on a reel, and where necessary a correction is applied during feeding of the web, e.g. by adjusting the angle of wrap of the web around a decurling roller (38; 108).

Abstract: A filter attachment machine for use with a twin-track cigarette making machine is arranged to receive, in alternate flutes of a fluted drum (10), the cigarette rods from the respective tracks of the cigarette making machine, and to convey the cigarette rods from alternate flutes to separate filter assembly devices (38;40) by which filters are attached to the cigarette rods. The machine preferably receives the cigarette rods in one row on the fluted drum (10), and includes separation drums (28;36) arranged to feed the cigarette rods from alternate flutes to upper and lower filter attachment devices (38;40) lying in substantially the same vertical plane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing corrugated board comprising two layers of corrugated medium joined together in tip-to-tip registration of the two mediums, without an intermediate liner, and with at least one outer liner. Adhesive is applied to the tips of the two mediums, and the tips are brought together and held in contact with each other while the adhesive sets at least partially during conveyance of the mediums along a linear path.

Abstract: A cigarette making machine comprises means for showering tobacco onto two suction bands 610,612 to form tobacco sub-streams of similar width on the respective bands which are then merged to form a cigarette filler stream, and includes rod-forming means for enclosing the cigarette filler stream in a continuous wrapper to form a continuous cigarette rod, and means for forming or feeding onto at least one of the sub-streams, or between the sub-streams as or just before they merge, a layer 628 of core-forming material which is narrower than each of the sub-streams and is centrally located in relation thereto, whereby the core-forming material is surrounded by tobacco in the finished cigarette rod. This invention also encompasses the feeding of additional dense-ending quantities of tobacco instead of a core-forming layer.

Abstract: A twin track cigarette making machine comprises two substantially horizontal shower channels through which tobacco is arranged to be showered onto two suction bands moving in converging directions in a substantially horizontal plane and presenting substantially vertical tobacco-receiving surfaces so as to form a cigarette filler stream on each of the suction bands, and including means for enclosing each of the filler streams (possibly after trimming) in a continuous wrapper web to form two parallel cigarette rods.

Abstract: A security or other image, for example a hologram, is applied to a moving stock, e.g. banknote sheets, by carrying the images in the form of transfers on a web which is moved at the same speed as the stock during application but at a lower speed between application steps, so as to allow relatively close spacing of the images on the web. The web is retracted following each application to compensate for distance travelled during acceleration and deceleration during each cycle. The images are transferred by pressure cylinders which press the images on to adhesive patches provided on the stock at predetermined positions by applicator rolls.

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: Label applying apparatus (e.g. a stamper) includes a system for advancing articles (18B) with labels applied to them to a stabilising region (32) following a signal to interrupt operation of the apparatus. This, together with means for inhibiting further feed of labels to the adhesive applicator (16), prevents unnecessary waste of labels and/or articles. The apparatus includes a pinch roller (42) carried by a knife drum (12) arranged to sever successive leading ends of a web (2) of label material to form individual labels, the roller cooperating with a suction drum (14) to ensure reliable separation and transfer of successive labels.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying a paper web or other sheet material pneumatically along a predetermined path comprises two guide plates 20, 22 having outer surfaces defining successive parts of the path and having adjacent edges which are inclined to the outer surfaces and are spaced apart so as to form a slot 28 inclined to the outer surfaces of the plates, and including an air pressure manifold 26 which is secured to both guide plates and from which an air stream is arranged to be emitted through the slot to produce an air stream which will move along one of the plates 22 which is downstream of the other plate with respect to the intended direction of conveyance of the web or other sheet material. When applied to a cigarette making machine, apparatus of this general type may be used at various positions for feeding the paper web through the printer, and also to feed the web automatically all the way into the garniture 12.

Abstract: Apparatus for regularly weighing groups of cigarettes comprises a suction drum arrangement (4,6) for picking up a predetermined number of cigarettes from a multi-layer flow of cigarettes (2) on a conveyor (3) and for feeding the cigarettes as a row (25) onto a ramp (14) connected to a weighing device (18), and including an arm (20) for arresting the cigarettes on the ramp until weighing has been accomplished, whereupon the arm is arranged to release the cigarettes to allow them to slide or roll down the ramp and back onto the flow of cigarettes on the conveyor (3).

Abstract: A pneumatic filter transport system has a gate (18) in a section of conveying duct (2), which gate and is openable in response to signals indicating a filter rod jam in a receiver unit (15) connected to the duct. Once opened, the gate allows remaining filters in the duct to be directed to a dump (30): this reduces the risk of a receiver jam developing into a line jam (which is more difficult to clear). The gate may be provided in a curved section of duct just upstream of the receiver. The duct may incorporate a longitudinally-extending partition (60), which allows removal from the duct of loose material (e.g., carbon granules) which has become separated from the conveyed filters. The duct may have longitudinal slots (68) which allow conveying air to exhaust from the duct upstream of the receiver.

Abstract: In a pneumatic filter rod conveying system a vent (12) is in the line (10) close to the distributor (2). This enables a relatively high pressure gradient to be established, with resultant high filter transfer rates at the distributor, without having excessively high pressures in the distributor and/or higher than necessary line transmission speeds. Also, there may be a selectable pressure switch (40) for reducing air pressure at the distributor when there are fewer than normal filters in the line, e.g., at the end of a run: this also allows avoidance of undesirably high line transmission speeds.