Abstract: Successive collapsed cardboard blanks which can be erected to accommodate, for example, arrays of cigarette cartons are supplied from a source (such as a magazine for one or more piles of superimposed randomly distributed properly oriented and misoriented blanks) to a packing machine along a path wherein the orientations of successive blanks are monitored and the misoriented blanks are reoriented so that the packing machine receives blanks each of which is in an optimum orientation for erection and subsequent reception of arrays of commodities. The arrangement for monitoring and, if necessary, correcting the orientation of successive blanks can include pneumatic and/or other conveyors, mobile props, mobile pushers, an upright chute and a vertically movable supporting platform for stacks of monitored and (if necessary) reoriented blanks.

Abstract: A packing machine receives stacks of blanks, which are to be converted into packets for cigarettes, from an apparatus wherein a first conveyor delivers stacks of blanks to a first station at a first frequency and a second conveyor advances stacks from a second station to the machine at a second frequency which can be less than the first frequency. The stations are connected to each other by two transporting units each of which can act as a first-in first-out reservoir for stacks or as a conveying unit which can move successive stacks without interruptions all the way from the first to the second station. The conveying unit is operative alone as long as the second frequency matches the first frequency, and the reservoir begins to accept surplus stacks when the first frequency exceeds the second frequency. Once filled, the reservoir begins to deliver stacks to the second station and continues to receive stacks from the first station until the reservoir is empty.

Abstract: Packets of cigarettes are delivered from a packing machine to a cartoner in the form of arrays each of which contains a predetermined number of packets. The packing machine discharges discrete packets which are advanced to a gathering station where the packets are assembled into arrays in successive compartments of a stepwise operated first endless conveyor. The first conveyor delivers freshly accumulated arrays into the pockets of a stepwise operated second endless conveyor which delivers a series of arrays to a second station adjacent the cartoner. The second conveyor is set in motion during a first stage of each cycle of the cartoner, and a pusher transfers successive arrays from the respective pockets of the second conveyor during second stages of certain cycles of the cartoner. The frequency of cycles of the cartoner at least equals but normally exceeds of the frequency at which arrays of packets are assembled in the compartments of the first conveyor.

Abstract: Discrete cigarette packets which are supplied by a packing machine are assembled into arrays in successive compartments of a first endless conveyor at a first station, and the pockets of a second conveyor accept arrays from successive filled compartments for stepwise transport to a second station where the arrays are draped into blanks in a wrapping machine to form cartons. The second conveyor is moved stepwise during successive intervals of idleness of the first conveyor, and the first conveyor is normally moved stepwise when the second conveyor is idle. The two conveyors cross each other at the first station. The arrays in the compartments extend transversely of the first conveyor, and the arrays in the pockets extend longitudinally of the second conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for making cartons with arrays of cigarette packs therein has a conveyor which transports the arrays to a transfer station and a feeding unit which delivers successive blanks to the transfer station so that a freshly delivered blank is adjacent to one side of the foremost array on the conveyor. A tubular deforming member is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position in which an inlet of its chamber is adjacent to the transfer station so that a plunger can be caused to transfer the foremost array into the deforming member with simultaneous partial draping of the adjacent blank around the transferred array, and a second position in which the inlet is located at a level below an outlet of the deforming member. A pusher is thereupon caused to enter the deforming member by way of the inlet and to move the array and the deformed blank upwardly into a receiving unit with attendant further deformation of the blank.

Abstract: A flexible web which is caused to run through a cross cutter to be severed at regular intervals in order to yield a series of discrete sections is engaged by a pair of holders which attract the web by suction immediately behind the severing plane when the cutter severs the web. The holders advance with the web and thereafter with the freshly formed section to prevent changes in orientation of the sections on their way to a removing station where they are expelled from the path of the web by block-shaped commodities which are draped into the respective sections. The surfaces of the holders are small and the length of each holder is a minute fraction of the length of a section, as considered in the longitudinal direction of the web. The holders are mounted on endless toothed belt or chain conveyors which advance the holders along an endless path having an elongated reach extending adjacent to the path of movement of the web and its sections toward, past and beyond the severing station.

Abstract: A storing unit with a series of discrete and separately operable magazines is adjacent to the path of cigarette packs which are transported by a conveyor from a packing to a processing machine. First blocking devices are located downstream of those sections of the path which are adjacent to the magazines, a second blocking device is installed ahead of the foremost magazine, and a third blocking device is installed ahead of the second blocking device. When a magazine is to receive a row of packs, the corresponding first blocking device is moved into the path together with the second blocking device whereby the latter intercepts the oncoming packs and is removed from the path when the number of intercepted packs matches a preselected number. The thus obtained group is thereupon permitted to advance toward that first blocking device which extends into the path. At the same time, the third blocking device intercepts packs ahead of the second blocking device.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating biscuits which are discharged from an oven in the form of several rows has a discrete conveyor system for each row of biscuits. The biscuits of each row are converted into blocks each consisting of several arrayed biscuits, and such blocks are confined in wrapping material on their way to variable-output packing machines, one at the discharge end of each conveyor system, and each provided with turrets which convert blanks into containers for one or more wrapped blocks of biscuits and fill the containers. If a packing machine breaks down, the blocks on or in the respective conveyor system are transferred onto or into the other conveyor systems, and the output of packing machines at the discharge ends of the other conveyor systems is increased. Facilities are provided for temporary storage of blocks when the rate at which one or more conveyor systems deliver blocks to the respective packing machines exceeds the capacity of such machines.

Abstract: Filter mouthpieces with one or more thin filter disks consisting of a first filter material and one or more filter plugs consisting of a second filter material are produced by inserting filter disks between spaced-apart filter plugs which form a single file and travel with a web of wrapping material. The web is thereupon draped around the alternating filter disks and filter plugs to form therewith a continuous filter rod which is severed to yield discrete filter mouthpieces.

Abstract: Filter mouthpieces with one or more thin filter disks of first filter material and one or more filter plugs of second filter material are produced by inserting filter disks between groups of axially aligned tobacco rod sections and filter plugs and thereupon wrapping adhesive-coated uniting bands therearound.