Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting cigarettes between a making machine and a packing machine includes a mass flow conveyor (204) for transporting cigarettes directly and a reservoir system (212) in which successive batches of cigarettes comprising portions of the stream on an input conveyor (204) are diverted when required into compartmented containers (224). Transfer to the containers is made by way of a plunger (232) and shuttle (234) arrangement which allows the stream to move continuously during transfer of a batch. Unloading containers to reform a continuous stream may involve use of a similar plunger and shuttle arrangement so that the reformed stream can move continuously on an output conveyor (218). The input and output conveyors (204, 218) may be provided with retractable spaced partitions to bound the ends of batches of cigarettes transferred from or to the respective conveyor.

Abstract: A reservoir system for rod-like articles such as cigarettes has a first-in, first out buffer conveyor with a variable capacity. The capacity of the reservoir is varied by moving a pair of guidestoward or away from each other. The guides support the conveyor belt in a spiral fashion from a lower input level to a higher output level to compensate for temporary fiddefences in flow rates.

Abstract: A system for conveying cigarettes in multi-layer stack formation between at least two combinations, each including a cigarette maker (10,10A), packer (14,14A) and buffer reservoir (12,12A), includes an interconnecting conveyor defining a closed loop path (18,20,18A,20A) allowing cigarettes made (or stored) in one combination to pass to the packer of any combination, the arrangement being such that associated with each combination there is an inverted T-junction (16,16A) at which cigarettes are delivered from above to the path from the maker or reservoir, and a further T-junction (22,22A) at which cigarettes are delivered downwards from the path to the packer.

Abstract: A reservoir system for rod-like articles such as cigarettes includes a control system which operates to monitor the maximum time any articles can have remained in the reservoir, and initiates a reservoir emptying cycle when necessary so as to avoid occupation in the reservoir by any articles in excess of a predetermined maximum time. The reservoir may take the form of a reversible conveyor for a stream of articles in multi-layer stack formation, or a module for storing articles in containers including a container loading, unloading and transporting unit. A first-in first-out buffer reservoir may be associated with the main reservoir, and may be provided by a variable length portion of a delivery conveyor leading to the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention involves the transfer of rod-like articles to or from an endless belt conveyor which has protrusions at regular intervals on its operative face by a pulley having a middle part around which the conveyor passes and two coaxial outer parts on opposite sides of the middle part which are of a larger diameter than the middle part for guiding the rod-like articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying filter-tipped cigarettes, comprises means for receiving two streams of such cigarettes with the filters of the two streams facing in opposite directions, means for conveying the two streams side by side while twisting the streams in opposite directions about longitudinal axes of the streams so that the cigarettes of the two respective streams are then parallel, with the filters all facing in the same direction, and means for merging the two streams.

Abstract: The leading end portion of a stream of cigarettes being fed horizontally by a continuous conveyor, formed of a plurality of slats, is separated from the stream by divider plates carried at intervals along the conveyor, the divider plates being arranged to slide through slots in the associated slats. The divider plates are mounted so that they are inserted obliquely into the stream of cigarettes and then moved to a vertical position, at which time the divider plates are protruding only partly into the stream. While moving in unison with the stream, the divider plates are then moved vertically so as to be progressively pushed through the remaining part of the height of the stream.

Abstract: In apparatus for forming batches of cigarettes on a conveyor in which a divider plate is projected upwards into a stream on the conveyor a movable control plate is arranged in engagement with the upper surface of the stream in the region where the major part of the upward movement of the divider plate occurs. This plate has an ironing action on the stream and helps control and prevent misalignment of the uppermost cigarettes as the divider plate rises. A principal use for batch-forming apparatus of this type is with tray filling devices which transfer cigarettes into trays by successively plunging batches from a conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system for cigarettes and similar rod-like articles includes a sensor device above a junction between a plurality of cigarette conveyors, the sensor device comprising a horizontal arm to which is pivoted a plate resting on the cigarettes in the junction. Movement of the arm may be transmitted to a rotary regulator for controlling one of the conveyors, the regulator being coupled to the arm by means of a pin and slot connection.