Abstract: A stream of rod-like articles such as cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation is separated by a movable gate having a leading end capable of limited reversible movement in a direction generally transverse to the direction in which the gate is advanced, so as to facilitate advancement of the gate between articles of the stream. The gate may cooperate with a resilient closing strip in its closed position. Another form of gate comprises a pivoted plate biased into its closing position by a progressively increasing force.

Abstract: Cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation are delivered from a maker (10) to a packer (12) on a path having a first junction (24) connected to a tray filling unit (30) and a second junction connected to a tray unloading unit (38). Control circuitry (54-72) is provided to control transfer of cigarettes at the first junction (24) according to the relative speeds of the maker and packer and/or the capacity of a reservoir (46) associated with the path. The control circuitry (54-72) prevents too frequent operation of a gate (32) associated with the first junction (24) and allows operation of the tray filling unit (30) at an optimum speed.

Abstract: Groups of cigarettes are formed by axially extracting cigarettes from the bases of two hoppers (10, 12), each having vertical columns (14, 20) spaced apart by a cigarette diameter. The columns of the hoppers are staggered so that a cigarette extracted from the rear hopper (12) enters the gap between adjacent cigarettes of the front hopper (10, FIG. 3). The base plate (22) of the front hopper is initially higher than the base plate (18) of the rear hopper to allow clearance during intercalation of the cigarettes.

Abstract: A variable capacity reservoir (88) for rod-like articles in stack formation comprises a variable length elevator (26) having an upper outlet (66) which rises and falls with the level of articles in the reservoir. The elevator (26) includes an endless band (24) which may be projected upwards from the floor of the reservoir (88), an extending membrane (44) shielding articles in the reservoir from engagement with a return run of the band. The reservoir (88) may receive filter rods and be located at or closely adjacent to a filter cigarette assembling machine.

Abstract: A stream of rod-like articles such as cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation is separated by a movable gate having a leading end capable of limited reversible movement in a direction generally transverse to the direction in which the gate is advanced, so as to facilitate advancement of the gate between articles of the stream. The gate may cooperate with a resilient closing strip in its closed position. Another form of gate comprises a pivoted plate biased into its closing position by a progressively increasing force.

Abstract: A conveyor system links two or more cigarette making machines and associated reservoirs with two or more packing machines and includes a first junction to which articles are delivered from at least two makers, a second junction from which articles pass to at least two receiving machines, and a transfer conveyor linking the junctions. The system allows each maker/reservoir to supply either packer but prevents articles passing from one reservoir to the other.

Abstract: A variable capacity region for rod-like articles such as cigarettes, particularly a buffer reservoir (48) arranged at the juction between a conveyor (10) and the entrance (28) to a consuming machine, includes a continuously-driven inclined conveyor (36) to promote recirculation of articles within the reservoir and discourage extended periods of occupation by individual articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles between a delivery device (M), e.g. a cigarette maker, and a receiving device (P), e.g. a cigarette packer, includes a conveyor (C) for articles in stack formation, a container loading device (TF), a container unloading device (TU), and a container handling system (TS) for moving containers between the devices. The container loading and unloading devices (TF, TU) may be in non-parallel orientations and the container handling system (TS) may include a common container reservoir (ER, FR) and a container turning device (FTT, ETT). The container loading and unloading devices (TF, TU) may be linked to the main conveyor (C) by subsidiary conveyors (CTF, CTU) which include a twisting path portion (SC).

Abstract: A conveyor system principally for use as a variable capacity reservoir for rod-like articles such as cigarettes in stack formation, comprises a series of partly overlapping wheels (202, 204, 206, 208) supporting a laterally flexible conveyor (200). The wheels define an inclined generally helical path for the conveyor and are partly inclined in the same direction as the conveyor. The inclination of each wheel is set by pairs of rollers (234, 236) which engage the periphery of each wheel.

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: 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.

Abstract: A cigarette hopper, especially for a packing machine, has a number of flow channels (6) incorporating restraining devices to arrest cigarettes which are faulty, e.g. in size, shape or orientation, thereby preventing the formation of defective cigarette bundles. The lower ends of the channels (22) may be curved to catch non-horizontal cigarettes (C3), and may include photo-cell devices (FIG. 3) which detect and arrest inadequately filled cigarettes and which additionally serve to monitor the flow of cigarettes so that the machine operator can receive a fault warning.