Abstract: Apparatus for applying revenue stamps to cigarette packets known as soft packs, includes an oscillating transfer arm 12 and a continuously driven suction drum 6 formed with projections, e.g. pairs of pins 10. The projections engage the rear edges of successive stamps transferred from a stack 2 by the arm, and thereby accurately align the stamps on the drum. The two modified arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are particularly adapted for applying banderoles to hinged lid cigarette packets.

Abstract: Packet handling apparatus, particularly for use between a cigarette packing machine and a cigarette packet wrapping machine, includes a main conveyor for moving packets towards a receiving station, and a reservoir for temporarily storing packets when the receiving station cannot accept the full supply from the conveyor. Packets are diverted from the main conveyor onto a secondary conveyor on which transfer to or from the reservoir occurs. The orientation of the packets is changed before loading into the reservoir so that the latter can receive batches of stacked packets. Packets are returned to the main conveyor at a position downstream of the position at which they were diverted, and returned packets have the same orientation as other packets on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A device for feeding and orienting cigarette packets includes a driven wheel 10 having a plurality of rearwardly directed resilient members, such as spring arms 12, mounted on the periphery of the wheel. Packets P are fed to the wheel down a twisted chute 20, and they leave from an outlet 23 under the wheel, where the packets are pushed out by the spring arms 12 to form a short stack. At the bottom of the stack each packet is transported away in a regular manner by a flighted horizontal conveyor 27.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring cigarettes or the like at a transfer station between a mass flow conveyor system including a reversible transfer conveyor and a movable trolley having vertical compartments for holding batches of cigarettes, comprises structure for separating articles in the trolley from articles on the transfer conveyor including movable bands defining spaced outlets and an apertured plate, which bands and plate are sequentially moved to close or open the outlets. Two compartments are normally filled or emptied simultaneously. The cigarettes are supported in the compartments by movable captive platforms which are operated on by a hoist associated with the transfer station.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring cigarettes or the like at a transfer station between a mass flow conveyor system including a reversible transfer conveyor and a movable trolley having vertical compartments for holding batches of cigarettes, comprises means for separating articles in the trolley from articles on the transfer conveyor including movable bands defining spaced outlets and an apertured plate, which bands and plate are sequentially moved to close or open the outlets. Two compartments are normally filled or emptied simultaneously. The cigarettes are supported in the compartments by movable captive platforms which are operated on by hoist means associated with the transfer station.

Abstract: A reservoir, particularly for cigarette packets, stores rectangular arrays of packets on vertically-spaced platforms. The reservoir is filled or emptied by moving successive batches of packets transversely off (or onto) a conveyor on which packets are moved in line, e.g. from a cigarette packing machine to a cigarette wrapping machine. When a platform is completely full it is indexed upwards and another platform moved from a store to take its place. The spacing between adjacent platforms in the empty platform store is less than that between platforms in use for supporting packets; this is achieved by supporting the platforms by tapes, similar to those of a venetian blind.

Abstract: Packet handling apparatus includes a conveyor for moving packets in line from a delivery station and a reversible accumulator for receiving batches of packets from or returning batches to the conveyor according to whether supply exceeds demand or vice versa. Gates for supplying movement of packets on the conveyor are provided at the exit from and entry to the accumulator. The conveyor section adjacent the accumulator is separately drivable so that it may be temporarily stopped to create a gap between packets for insertion of the exit gate prior to transferring a batch of packets to the accumulator. Guides may be provided upstream and downstream of the accumulator for moving packets from a flat to an upright condition and vice versa, respectively.