Abstract: A variable speed transferring device for a cigarette parallel-arranging device used in a cigarette wrapping apparatus comprises variable speed transferring drums disposed between a plurality of cigarette parallel-arranging drums for holding groups of parallel-arranged cigarettes and a cigarette piling drum. Each variable speed transferring drum is provided on its peripheral surface with holding grooves for holding at least one group of parallel-arranged cigarettes and is rotated by a variable speed driving mechanism at a lower speed when the holding grooves face the variable speed transferring drums and at a higher speed when the holding grooves face the piling drum. Since the peripheral speed of the receiving drums disposed upstream of the variable speed transferring drums is lowered, the shock applied to cigarettes when they are received by the receiving drums from cigarette supplying passageways is reduced and the speed-up of the operation of the variable speed transferring device is achieved.

Abstract: A cigarette magazine serves for receiving a small supply of cigarettes (10) and for forming cigarette groups which correspond to the contents of a cigarette pack. For this purpose, the cigarettes (10) are guided into upright magazine shafts (14) in which cigarette rows (15) of superposed cigarettes are formed. The cigarettes (10) are downwardly conveyed in the magazine shafts (14) under gravity. In this process there may occur problems, especially with cigarettes (10) having a filter (29). To ensure a faultless transport, the shaft walls (16) for defining the magazine shafts (14) are designed with a smaller width, such that the filters (29) of the cigarettes (10) are located beyond the region of the shaft walls (16). This ensures a trouble-free downward transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically applying trasfers to packages in any size of cartons, such as revenue stamps to cigarettes while in cartons. Initially, cigarette cartons of any size are loaded onto a conveyor belt where they are carried to the various stations of the apparatus. The apparatus is automatically adjustable to any size of carton by means of photoelectric cells. As the cartons are pushed through the apparatus, an improved plow head opens the cigarette cartons in preparation for stamping. Just before stamping, any improperly opened cartons are automatically ejected. An improved stamp indexer scans the stamps photoelectrically so a motor advances the correct number of stamps so that waste is reduced and defective stamping is avoided. Next, a gluing station applies glue to ensure that flaps stay down when the cartons are reclosed. Finally, the cartons are discharged onto a conveyor where a packing station aligns them and pushes them row by row into a case for shipment.

Abstract: When testing the cigarettes (10, 11) of cigarette groups (16, 17) in pockets (13, 14) of a conveyor, particularly a cigarette turret (12), difficulties relating to adequate spacing of the testing members (29 . . . 32) from one another arise when the cigarettes (10, 11) have an especially small diameter. In order to make undisturbed testing by means of moving the testing members (29 . . . 32) near to the end faces of the cigarettes (10, 11) nevertheless possible, these are tested successively in several, especially two steps, whereby during these testing cycles cigarettes, spaced a somewhat greater distance apart from one another in each case, are acted upon by the testing members (29 . . . 32). Particularly within cigarette rows (18 . . . 21) only every other cigarette is tested in each case.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of cigarettes into groups each consisting in at least one layer of single cigarettes lying parallel with and side by side one another. The cigarettes exit from the bottom of a plurality of channels, arranged side by side and forming part of the outlet of an infeed hopper, and come to rest side by side on a shelf, forming one layer. Pushers provided on either side of the layer effect a sideways compaction of the cigarettes, and a suction-generating seat incorporated into the shelf retains one cigarette at the middle of the layer so as to disallow its moving sideways during operation of the pushers.

Abstract: A control system for a cigarette making and pack aging system including a cigarette making machine, a cigarette packaging machine with a variable operation speed, and a reservoir mechanism provided between the cigarette making machine and the cigarette packaging machine, a current reserve amount calculating unit for calculating a current reserve amount in the reservoir mechanism, an intermediate reserve amount calculating unit for calculating an intermediate reserve amount, a desired value setting unit for setting a maximum reserve amount and a minimum reserve amount of the reservoir mechanism on the basis of the intermediate reserve amount, a comparison unit for comparing the current reserve amount with the maximum reserve amount and the minimum reserve amount, and a speed control unit for controlling the speed of the packaging machine on the basis of a comparison result by the comparison unit.

Abstract: In a packeting machine, a method for forming groups of filter cigarettes in relative advancement pockets of a conveyor, each group consisting of a plurality of superposed layers fed in succession into the relative pocket by respective pushers; the method comprising exerting on each layer of cigarettes, during their entry into the pocket, two successive transverse compressive actions, the first of which causes the cigarettes to substantially approach each other transversely, and the second of which, more energetic than the first, is applied only to the filters, when the layer is nearing the end of its introduction into the pocket.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production and packaging of cigarettes. In the production and packaging of cigarettes, the capacities of, where appropriate, several cigarette-producing machines (10, 11, 12) have to be coordinated with the productive capacities of, where appropriate, several packaging machines (13, 14). The cigarettes (15) are conveyed directly from the cigarette-producing machines to the packaging machines by means of cigarette conveyors. A cigarette store (16) for compensating differences in output is located in the region of the conveying zone. The cigarette store (16) makes it possible to achieve closer matching to the productive capacity of the coupled machines by avoiding the use of the conventional blind-end store.

Abstract: A cigarette conveying system for connecting several makers, packers and reservoirs is arranged with cross linking conveyors (22) which allow sub-division of the system into sub-systems which can be operated independently and can therefore handle different brands. Sub-systems may be defined by activating or de-activating selected conveyors and/or closing and opening gates provided at junctions between conveyors. In a preferred arrangement the system comprises a main loop and the cross linking conveyors sub-divide the main loop into sub-loops.

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: Filter tipped cigarettes are turned end for end by a narrow flexible belt (10) which is twisted in a figure of eight about pulleys (13, 14). The belt (10) has flutes (8) which engage only the tipped ends (T). A tensioned thin flexible strip (22) covers the open sides of the flutes (8) to retain the cigarettes while being turned, and endwise movement of the cigarettes is prevented by a fixed guide (26).In a modification, a belt (34) has flutes (32) formed in opposite sides and extends between pulleys (36,38), with a single 180 degree twist in the upper run. After being tip-turned, the cigarettes are removed from the inner side of the belt by suction in flutes 50 and moved endwise by a cam (60) away from belt (34) for transfer to a drum 62. Belt (34) may have flutes in only one side, in which case a second 180 degree twist is formed in the lower run.

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: The present invention relates to an apparatus for withdrawing and singling rod-like articles, particularly filter plugs for cigarettes, or the like, contained in a feeding hopper. The bottom of the hopper is at least in part formed by a rotary, possibly suction, fluted drum receiving one rod-like article in each one of its flutes and carrying the thus collected rod-like articles out of the feeding hopper. The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that within the feeding hopper an either stationary or movable, flat or arcuate guiding device is provided over the ascending sector of the fluted drum. The guiding device extends in an inclined direction, substantially tangential to drum, at a distance therefrom that corresponds to a multiple of the diameter of the rod-like articles. With the fluted drum, the guiding device forms a duct having at least one convergently shaped inlet end.

Abstract: A cigarette transfer apparatus is used for transporting the cigarettes to a packaging machine when the cigarettes are supplied periodically, especially in trestles (11), and this apparatus consists of an intermediate container (13) with several conveyors driven at increasing speed in the conveying direction, namely a receiving conveyor (22), an intermediate conveyor (24) and a discharge conveyor (23). A continuous cigarette stream (26) is formed within the intermediate container (13), and reductions (valley 39) in the cross-section of this cigarette stream as a result of an interrupted supply of cigarettes are compensated by a controlled drive of the conveyors, while ensuring continuous delivery to the packaging machine. The cigarette stream (26) is loaded at the top by a closely matching cigarette cover (40) consisting of individual rollers (41).

Abstract: A device for feeding cigarettes to the wrapping line of a packaging machine, comprising an inlet hopper the lower portion of which contains the cigarettes in the form of piles which move stepwise along respective exit channels from the hopper sensor for checking in succession the cigarettes in the channels at each feed step of the piles, and at least one cigarette expulsion device controlled by the sensor means and disposed along the channels downstream of said sensor means in the feed direction of the piles.The device is provided with retention means arranged to prevent, during each halt stage of the piles of cigarettes, vertical movements of the cigarettes adjacent to those disposed in correspondence with the expulsion device.

Abstract: For transferring cigarettes or cigarette groups (10) corresponding to a pack from a cigarette magazine (11) to continuously moved blank or folding units (folding turret 20), a pocket conveyor (17) is used as a conveying member. This is driven intermittently, that is to say with a periodic standstill, in one part region (upper strand 23 or lower strand 24) and continuously in another part region (lower strand 24 or upper strand 23).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring wear associated with a particular cyclically moving part in a machine, the machine comprising a plurality of moving parts and operating in a succession of cycles. Apparatus is provided for generating a first signal at a predetermined position and direction of movement of the moving part, for generating a second signal at a predetermined cyclic position in each machine cycle, for producing a third signal indicative of the interval of time between the first signal and the second signal, and for forming a comparison with a reference signal to determine the extent of wear associated with the particular moving part.

Abstract: In the packaging of cigarettes and similar articles, it is necessary to test for proper formation, in particular for a sufficient tobacco content. This test is preferably carried out in the region of shafts 12 or shaft groups 15, 16 of a cigarette magazine 11. A test block 38 with test plungers 39 takes effect at one end of the cigarette (tobacco side). On the opposite side, grab members for each tested cigarette are provided, in particular needles 41 the points 42 of which penetrate into the cigarettes or into a filter 43 of the latter. The defective cigarettes are drawn out of the group by retracting the needles.

Abstract: In the case of high-performance cigarette packaging machines, to achieve high outputs and, at the same time, a careful treatment of the cigarettes it is important to maintain continuous movements as uninterrupted as possible. For this purpose, cigarettes (10) are extracted from a magazine (15) and are then conveyed in a single-layer sequence. Cigarette groups (11) are then formed from these likewise in a continuous operation, with an arrangement and number of cigarettes 10 corresponding to a cigarette pack.

Abstract: In the case of high-performance cigarette packaging machines, to achieve high outputs and, at the same time, a careful treatment of the cigarettes it is important to maintain continuous movements as uninterrupted as possible. For this purpose, cigarettes (10) are extracted from a magazine (15) and are then conveyed in a single-layer sequence. Cigarette groups (11) are then formed from these likewise in a continuous operation, with an arrangement and number of cigarettes (10) corresponding to a cigarette pack.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for packing oval-shaped articles such as cigarettes to achieve a predetermined orientation of the articles in a container.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying cigarette-filled trays from at least one tray-filling device to the hopper of at least one cigarette-packaging machine, and for returning the emptied trays to the tray-filling device. In order to deliver the filled tray system fully automatically by a simple transport system without operators, and with the opened top directed downwardly, to the hopper of the packaging machine, the guide rail system of a container-conveying system which is known per se and which has a plurality of the electrically driven travel mechanisms is disposed between a dispatch station which is associated with the tray-filling device, and a receiving station which is associated with the packaging machine. Each of the travel mechanisms carries a receiving container which is designed to receive at least one tray.

Abstract: A method and a device for feeding rod-like articles, particularly cigarettes, carried by trays, to the feed hopper of handling machines, particularly cigarette-packing machines. In order to assure a broad time period to replace an emptied tray and to practically avoid the sudden drop of the cigarettes from the tray into the hopper, two trays in discharge position and aligned to each other in the direction of the hopper length, are arranged over the inlet opening of the hopper. The descent of the cigarettes into the hopper is permitted alternately only from one of the trays until it is emptied, while the other previously emptied tray is replaced with a stand-by full tray.

Abstract: A multi-layer stream of cigarettes is transported from a making machine to a packing machine by way of a first and a second junction. The first junction diverts some or all of the cigarettes from their path and into a tray filler when the output of the making machine exceeds the requirements of the packing machine, and the second junction receives some or all of the cigarettes from a magazine filler when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the making machine. A trickle of cigarettes can flow into the tray filler and a trickle of cigarettes can flow from the magazine filler even at such times when the requirements of the packing machine match the output of the making machine. This prevents moving cigarettes from rubbing against one and the same group of stagnant cigarettes which fill the location where the first junction can discharge cigarettes into the tray filler and the location where the second junction can receive cigarettes from the magazine filler.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of successive cigarettes which are delivered seriatim to a first station by moving them axially to a second station from which the cigarettes are removed by advancing them sideways has a planetary transmission with a rotary planet carrier for a set of equidistant planet pinions each connected to a hollow crank arm for a discrete article receiving device. The pinions are rotated by a stationary sun gear when the carrier is driven whereby the receiving devices travel along an endless path a portion of which extends between the first and second stations. The receiving devices are held against changes in orientation during travel along the endless path by crank units and torque transmitting units. The crank units are turned back and forth by a driven holder which indirectly rotates the carrier through the medium of the crank units, and each crank unit rotates the corresponding torque transmitting unit which latter is connected to and turns the corresponding receiving device.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying cigarettes by means of one or more fluted drums has a frame including spaced front and back walls defining between them a suction manifold; a fluted drum in front of the frame; a tubular drum-carrying member which extends through an opening in the front wall of the frame, engages and seals in or around an aperture in the rear wall of the frame, and has a flange by which it is secured to the front wall of the frame, the drum being rotatable around the tubular member; and a drive shaft which extends axially through the tubular member, is secured to the front end of the drum, is supported by bearings carried by the tubular member, and carries at its rear end behind the rear wall of the frame a gear or other means by which it is driven; suction being transmitted to ports in the flutes of the drum from the manifold via a passage contained within the thickness of the wall of the tubular member in the region where it extends through the front wall of the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring cigarettes from a first station where the cigarettes arrive by moving axially to a second station which the cigarettes leave by moving sideways has a rotary carrier for several hollow crank arms which are rotatably mounted in the carrier and whose free ends are provided with rotary receiving devices for retention and transport of cigarettes from the first to the second station while the carrier rotates in response to rotation of an eccentric holder which is driven by the prime mover of the cigarette making machine. The holder transmits motion to discrete crank units which cooperate with universal joints and cardanic shafts to prevent changes in orientation of receiving devices during orbital movement of receiving devices about the axis of the carrier.

Abstract: Filter cigarettes which are produced in a filter tipping machine are conveyed past several successive testing devices, each of which monitors different characteristics of the cigarettes, thereupon past a cigarette removing device, past a segregating device and on to a conveyor for transport of satisfactory cigarettes to a packing machine or into storage. When any one of the testing devices detects a defective or presumably defective cigarette, it generates a defect signal which is transported to the segregating device for expulsion of the respective cigarette from the path which leads to the conveyor. If the operator wishes, the defective or presumably defective cigarettes which are detected by a selected testing device can be conveyed only to and expelled by the removing device in response to the corresponding defect signals so that the removed cigarettes can be examined for the purpose of ascertaining the quality of testing operation which is carried out by the selected testing device.

Abstract: Apparatus which transports filter rod sections from a maker to a processing machine has a pneumatic sender which admits a file of sections into the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor whose outlet delivers sections to a receiver wherein the file of sections is converted into a row which is admitted into the magazine of the processing machine. A first photoelectronic detector monitors the travel of sections at the inlet of the conveyor and a second photoelectronic detector monitors the sections in the region of an accelerating device forming part of the receiver and serving to separate successive sections of the file from each other.

Abstract: Cigarettes, as they are grouped in batches to be packed, have their ends detected for firmness or for missing filter tips, by having an array of individually actuated plungers (9) applied to their ends. Each plunger is actuated by air pressure acting on a piston (13) integral with the plunger. If a cigarette (C) is faulty a protuberance (21) on the plunger engages a common impingement plate (20), whose oscillation causes a piezoelectric transducer (22) to emit a fault signal, enabling that cigarette group subsequently to be rejected.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for directly linking one or more cigarette making machines to one or more cigarette packing machines. A provision is made for one or more variable volume storage units for compensating production imbalances between the machines.The storage units extend along constant curvature paths and support and convey the cigarettes, utilizing continuous belts mounted endlessly around extremity rollers of truncated cone shape.Turnbuckles that exert a radial force with respect to the arc described by each storage unit, restrain and guide the belts.

Abstract: A device for the formation of groups of cigarettes of at least one row of cigarettes arranged parallel side-by-side which comprises a feeding hopper subdivided by partition walls into a plurality of adjacent passageways which open into a collecting chamber delimited by a bottom plate and by side pushers. The partition wall located in the middle zone of the row of cigarettes, extends down to the bottom plate and engages by its terminal portion a groove provided in the said bottom plate. In this manner, the cigarette row being formed is divided into two row portions.