Abstract: In a system for manufacturing and packaging cigarettes each production unit comprising a cigarette making machine and packaging machines has associated therewith a supply station to which bobbins of raw materials are supplied, that is tipping paper, cigarette paper, carton wrapping paper, inner frame material, box blanks, pack blanks, metallized paper and cellophane or polypropylene, this being done on pallets allocated for each single article. The supply station is spanned by a portal. A portal robot movable longitudinally and transversely of the portal is provided for handling the bobbins of raw materials. Transport means are likewise provided for conveying the raw materials to the individual machines of the system and a bobbin changer is associated with each individual supply station for bobbins. The portal robot comprises an automatic tool changer.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing filter cigarettes from a mass flow between one or more producing machines and one or more processing machines when the output of the producing machines exceeds the requirements of the processing machines, and for returning filter cigarettes into the mass flow when the requirements of the processing machines exceed the output of the producing machines, has a filling unit which withdraws cigarettes from the mass flow and introduces them into successive empty chargers or trays, and an emptying unit which dumps the contents of filled trays into a receptacle for reintroduction into the mass flow. The emptying unit is located at a level above the filling unit, and each of these units cooperates with two magazines, one for empty trays and the other for filled trays.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-like articles in the form of cigarettes or filter rod sections from one or more makers to a packing or other consuming machine has a pair of superimposed surge bins which receive articles from a first transporting unit when the output of the maker or makers exceeds the requirements of the consuming machine, and a second transporting unit which conveys articles from the surge bins to the consuming machine when the requirements of the consuming machine exceed the output of the maker or makers. A control system is provided to effect the filling of the upper surge bin prior to filling of the lower surge bin and to effect evacuation of the contents of the lower surge bin prior to evacuation of the contents of the upper surge bin. Each transporting unit has one or more pairs of endless belts and/or ducts which convey multi-layer streams of articles.

Abstract: Apparatus which delivers rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes or filter rod sections, from a producing machine to a consuming machine has a switching unit whose inlet receives articles from the producing machine, one outlet of which can feed articles to a first transporting unit for admission of articles into a surge bin cooperating with a second transporting unit for delivery of articles to one side of the magazine of the consuming machine, and another outlet of which can feed articles to a third transporting unit for direct delivery of articles to another side of the magazine of the consuming machine. The third transporting unit delivers articles to the magazine when the latter is not filled to capacity, and the first transporting unit delivers articles to the surge bin when the magazine is filled to capacity.