Abstract: A conveyor system linking a cigarette making machine and a cigarette packing machine includes a container buffer reservoir (42) having a tray filler (20) and a tray unloader (22), each arranged so that the cigarettes are disposed in the transfer position at 90.degree. to those in the main conveyor (10). Twisted downdrops (16, 32) are provided in the conveyors leading to the tray filler (20) and from the tray unloader (22). Tray transport conveyors (44, 46) extend between the tray filler (20) and tray unloader (22) parallel to the main conveyor (10), and include lateral delivery and receiving slides (68, 70) for full trays. An inclined pivoted guide (62) is provided for transfer of empty trays (64) from the tray unloader (22, 24) to a transport conveyor (44).

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: An inspection device for a continuous cigarette rod comprises a plurality of infra-red emitter-detector units circumferentially spaced around the path of a rod. The light from each unit is focussed onto and collected from a specific area of the rod. Two, or more, axially displaced arrays of units are each arranged to inspect areas of the rod which are staggered in relation to the areas inspected by the other array or arrays.Signals from the units are multiplexed and transmitted to processing circuitry. Instantaneous signals are compared with predetermined values derived for each optical unit as a proportion of the running average of the instantaneous signal. If the instantaneous signal falls below this predetermined value a warning device is operated and the cigarette is ejected.Known devices use expensive optical fibres requiring a close fit to the cigarette rod.

Abstract: Cigarette-rod weight monitoring system in which the signals from a scanner, e.g. a nucleonic device such as Molins "MODIC", are processed and stored in a memory in a digitized form, and the memory contents are used to drive an analog display device. These signals, which represent the individual cigarettes, or short lengths, are accumulated in the memory over a period which is sufficiently long for a statistically significant distribution pattern to be achieved, so that the shape of the distribution curve can be observed to determine whether it is "normal" or whether any skews or other irregularities are present. In addition the accomulated signals can be analyzed in various ways to provide quantitative measurements of overall standard deviation, or effective standard deviation either side of the mean to show whether any "skews" exist. S.D. can be calculated for whole cigarettes or short lengths for different diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A device for perforating or cutting a moving web of paper by means of pins, especially uniting paper for use in a cigarette filter attachment machine, comprises a roller carrying pins for perforating the paper in cooperation with a backing roller arranged to support the paper while it is being perforated, the backing roller being driven so that its peripheral speed equals that of the perforating roller, and having a deformable surface formed with indentations corresponding to the positions of the pins, the deformable material forming the surface of the backing roller being such that the indentations are formed by the pins when the rollers are first operated. The surface portion or portions of the backing roller aligned with the pins may comprise a thin metal portion in the form of a sleeve which covers recesses in the main body of the backing roller. The sleeve is perforated by the pins when the rollers first operate.

Abstract: A device for testing filter cigarettes, comprises a drum or equivalent means for conveying cigarettes in succession through a test station at which each cigarette in turn is tested with the aid of a pressure chamber surrounding the wrapper of the cigarette, and a pressure detector connected to the filter end of the cigarette while the tobacco end of the cigarette is open to atmosphere, and including means for measuring the pressure in the pressure chamber and means for comparing that pressure with the pressure detected at the filter end of the cigarette. Preferably there is a second test station at which the pressure chamber extends over the tobacco end of the cigarette, and a second pressure detector is connected to the filter end of the cigarette.