Abstract: A plant for the production and packaging of bars and steel profiles includes a rolling station of rods and profiles of indefinite length, a cooling station, a scrap separation station, a diverter device, cutting shears, intended to cut said bars and profiles in bar portions having a fixed length, and a speed changing device, able to move the bar portions at a speed rate such that they can be placed within respective grooves or housing provided on the outer surface of at least one cylinder or rotating drum. Each cylinder or rotating drum is associated with a speed changing device, so that the housing receives bar portions at different speeds, depending on the fact that the housing belong to one first or to at least second rotating cylinder, in order to avoid overlap of the bar portions when the same are discharged onto the cooling plate.

Abstract: A conveying system for shock-sensitive items, in particular eggs, is provided and comprises a plurality of conveying devices in which items are transferred from one conveying device to another. In particular, the conveying system comprises a motion transmission assembly which ensures synchronism between the advancement of a first conveying device and the advancement of a second conveying device.

Abstract: Provided is a transfer apparatus using a star wheel. The transfer apparatus using a star wheel includes a rotating body axially rotated by a rotating motor, a rotating column connected to the rotating body to axially rotate on a base, a star wheel which is connected to the rotating column to axially rotate and in which a plurality of rotating protrusion are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals along an entire circumferential surface in a circumferential direction to form transfer grooves and a connecting unit which connects the rotating body and the rotating column, and the rotating column of the rotating body is simply connected to the star wheel by an engagement structure including a protrusion and a recess.

Abstract: Rotary conveyor drum (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 59) for use in tobacco industry machines, for transferring a stream of rod-like elements (S), the drum having a first front base and a second front base and a lateral surface (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 50) onto which the rod-like elements (S) are delivered successively one by one, the lateral surface (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 50) being provided with spacer projections (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 52) between which the rod-like elements (S) are conveyed, the drum (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 59) being equipped with guiding means (21, 51) forcing the rod-like elements (S) to travel from the first front base to the second front base of the drum (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 59) during the rotation of the drum while the rod-like elements (S) are oriented substantially transversally to the spacer projections (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 52).

Abstract: An installation for transporting containers, the installation comprising a rotary platform (1, 2) provided in its periphery with slots (7.1, 7.2), a jaw (8.1, 8.2) being mounted on the platform in the vicinity of each slot in order to be movable between a closed position for holding a container in the slot and an open position. Each jaw comprises a resilient element (9.1, 9.2) having a portion (9.11, 9.21) fastened to the platform in the vicinity of the slot in order to have a free end (9.12, 9.22) that extends facing the slot and that is elastically deformable between a rest state in which the free end co-operates with a side wall of the slot to define a section smaller than the cross-section of the neck, and a deformed state in which the free end cooperates with the side wall of the slot to define a section greater than the cross-section of the neck.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for electroplating selected portions of a connector part, such as a pin or a socket. The selective plating apparatus of the present invention is capable of continuously depositing plating solution on precisely the right contact surface of the connector part irrespective of its shape and center of gravity. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selective plating apparatus is capable of plating either side of the connector part, such as a pin or a socket, allowing plating of different type of metals on each side of the machined or stamped parts. The parts are handled automatically with minimum physical stress resulting in more consistent and reliable plating deposits.

Abstract: A device for buffering molded parts in a beverage filling plant, and in one embodiment, for buffering container closures in a beverage filling plant, is described. The device has an intake and an outlet, between which a buffer surface for buffering the molded parts is disposed. The buffer surface is rotatably disposed.

Abstract: Beads are transferred in the form of a flow along supply channels into first holding pockets; the beads from the holding pockets of the bead feeding unit are fed to receiving pockets of a bead transfer unit by means of movable feeding means, then in the bead transfer unit the beads are inserted into a guiding chamber formed at the intersection of a guiding groove of a first guiding plate and a guiding groove of a second guiding plate of the bead transfer unit, at least one guiding plate is rotated relative to the second guiding plate, which forces the movement of the guiding chamber so that the distance of the guiding chamber to the axis of rotation of the guiding plates changes, and the beads from the guiding chamber or the guiding channel are conveyed to a outfeeding pocket.

Abstract: The invention is generally applicable to labeling apparatus, and relates to a device (10) for rotating Container plates in a labeling apparatus; such device (10) being engaged by at least two wheels (1) with a cam (5) for guiding and rotating it, so that the plate connected therewith is also rotated; each wheel (1) consisting of at least one rigid element (2) and at least one elastic disk (3) coupled thereto, having a greater outside diameter, so that the cam (5) is first contacted by said elastic disk (3). As the load between the elastic disk (3) and the cam (5) is increased, and such disk (3) is elastically deformed, the cam (5) is contacted by the rigid element (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing logs by means of an apparatus comprising a transportation level in the advancing direction (P) of the logs, where they are arranged to be transported in a position perpendicular to their advancing direction (P), and where orifice members going therethrough and extending in the advancing direction (P) of the logs. In the method, at least two support member units spaced from each other are arranged below the transportation level whereby each support member unit comprises at least one elongated support member, which is arranged rotatably parallel to the transportation level and perpendicular to the advancing direction (P) and protruding therefrom, and said axis of rotation each support member unit is adapted so that when rotating, the support members protrude through the orifice members above the transportation level whereby the logs are received in one or more receiving spaces formed between the support members protruding above the transportation level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle. The inventive apparatus comprises means for placing articles in housings that move along the length of a closed circuit provided with at least first and second drop sites through which the correctly oriented articles fall from each housing into a corresponding alignment conduit placed under and moving together with each housing. In addition compartments are positioned between the alignment conduits. According to the invention, transfer means transfer each article from a conduit to a compartment after said article has fallen through the first drop site, but before it has reached the second drop site. Subsequently, extraction means extract the correctly oriented and aligned articles from said conduits and compartments and transfer same to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles, such as bottles, includes a plurality of machines arranged in a machine arrangement. At least one of the machines includes an apparatus configured to modify the articles by at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping the articles as they pass from an article infeed to an article discharge of the machine arrangement. A recirculation mechanism moves articles from a downstream machine after a first pass (or run) and recirculates the articles back to an upstream machine in a second (recirculation) pass (or run) so that the articles, which are recirculated through the second pass are again subjected to a different machine modifying operation in at least one machine that the articles have previously passed in the first pass. The articles move continuously through the first and second passes while being subjected to at least one machine modifying operation.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles, such as bottles, includes a plurality of machines arranged in a machine arrangement. At least one of the machines includes an apparatus configured to modify the articles by at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping the articles as they pass from an article infeed to an article discharge of the machine arrangement. A recirculation mechanism moves articles from a downstream machine after a first pass (or run) and recirculate the articles back to an upstream machine in a second (recirculation) pass (or run) so that the articles, which are recirculated through the second pass are again subjected to a different machine modifying operation in at least one machine that the articles have previously passed in the first pass. The articles move continuously through the first and second passes while being subjected to at least one machine modifying operation.

Abstract: A linear, horizontal conveyor device for containers which are equipped with a collar at the base of the neck thereof. The invention includes two conveyors including endless links, which are each equipped with two parallel, mobile lines which face one another and which are driven in the same direction and at the same speed. The aforementioned lines are separated from one another by a distance that is greater than the diameter of the body of the containers and less than the diameter of the collars thereof. At least one conveyor includes a short segment that can be moved transversely outwards, such that the space between the two facing lines becomes greater than the diameter of the collar and the container falls.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for conveying containers (2) with non circular cross section comprises at least two linear input conveyors (3a, 3b) through which at least two distinct conveyance flows reach the apparatus and a plurality of star conveyors (4a, 4b, 6) for receiving the containers (2) from the linear input conveyors (3a, 3b) and release them in output on a single conveyor (5), with a single output flow. The apparatus comprises at least an oscillating blade (9) and/or a fixed guide (14) in order to guide the containers (2), at an area where multiple flows merge into a single conveyance flow, such as to assure a correct conveyance and orientation of the containers towards the single flow.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for conveying containers (2) with non circular cross section comprises in combination: - at least two linear input conveyors (3 a, 3 b) through which at least two distinct conveyance flows reach the apparatus; - a plurality of star conveyors (4a, 4b, 6) for receiving the containers (2) from the linear input conveyors (3 a, 3b) and release them in output on a single conveyor (5), with a single output flow; - means (7, 9, 14) for guiding the containers (2), at an area where multiple flows merge into a single conveyance flow, such as to assure a correct conveyance and orientation of the containers towards the single flow. The guiding means may comprise an oscillating blade (9) and/or a fixed guide (14). The invention allows a reduction in the bulk of the conveyor means assuring the perfect orientation and positioning of the containers during conveyance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a star wheel used for transporting articles in an arcuate path. The star wheel is provided with a vacuum apparatus to retain the articles within pockets of the star wheel as the wheel is rotated between a point where the articles are loaded onto the wheel and a point where they are removed. The hub of the star wheel functions as a plenum for low pressure, high flow vacuum, and short openings are provided between the plenum and the pockets. One of the walls of the hub is stationary and, at its periphery, it is positioned closed to but slightly spaced from the rim of the star wheel. A blocking surface is provided within the plenum spaced with a small gap from the inner end of some, but not all, of the short openings, so that vacuum is blocked from some positions of the pockets as they rotate. The apparatus avoids wear and friction, is able to transport irregular shaped articles, and is less costly to manufacture and use.

Abstract: A loading system for loading dough balls onto a moving upper surface of a conveyor belt includes a transport mechanism arranged to receive dough balls in a sequential stream and to deliver the dough balls to the moving conveyor belt at a speed equal to a speed of the upper surface of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A can extractor for atmospheric rotary cookers and coolers has a clover wheel, a star wheel and a star wheel flange made of stainless steel. The clover wheel and star wheel are aligned and coupled to a sleeve rotating on a stationary shaft. The star wheel is coupled to the sleeve using an adjustable keyless hub/shaft locking device. The clover wheel and star wheel are spaced to accommodate bulging or deformed cans. A center discharge chute is supported on the rotating sleeve with a plastic bushing. Cans from the reel of a cooker/cooler are positioned with a can stripper between the star wheel and clover wheel while the reel rotates the clover wheel. The stainless steel components reduce scratching and eliminate transfer of rust to cans. A plastic clover wheel and a plastic star wheel flange are disclosed that do not scratch or transfer rust to the cans.

Abstract: Conveyor drum for receiving axially aligned articles that are conveyed in a cross-axial direction toward the conveyor drum. Conveyor drum includes a separation device for changing a longitudinal axial spacing of the articles by a predetermined longitudinal axial separation, and an adjustment device structured and arranged to adjust the predetermined longitudinal axial separation. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A feeder for orienting and aligning disorderly incoming articles includes a table having a peripheral wall, a rotary surface surrounded by the peripheral wall, and a discharge substantially tangential to the peripheral wall, the discharge being sized to receive one article at a time from the rotary surface in a predetermined orientation; and at least one pile eliminating member extending above the rotary surface and defining a gap with the rotary surface, the gap being sized to solely permit passage of non-superposed articles laying in the predetermined orientation on the rotary surface. It also relates to a method for doing same and a method and an apparatus for removing obstructing blocks from the discharge.

Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: A product handling system comprises a support structure defining a pair of stationary inverted first channels with downwardly facing open sides. At least one cylindrical drum is interposed between each of the first channels and an underlying receiver. The drums are rotatable about their axes, with their surfaces arranged to close the open sides of the respective first channels. The drum surfaces are interrupted by second channels, with the first and second channels and the drum axes being arranged in a parallel relationship. Successive product lengths are alternately delivered longitudinally into one and then the other of the first channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of rod-shaped articles from a longitudinal conveyor that longitudinal axially conveys the articles onto a transverse conveyor that transverse axial conveys the articles transversely to their axes, a direction of transport of the longitudinal conveyor and the transverse conveyor being transverse to each other. The apparatus includes a conveyor having receptacles structured to receive articles from the longitudinal conveyor and to discharge the received articles onto the transverse conveyor. Moreover, the conveyor is structured and arranged to receive at least two pairs of articles, which are delivered to the conveyor on separate tracks of the longitudinal conveyor. Additionally, the conveyor is further structured and arranged to discharge the pairs of articles to two separate tracks of the transverse conveyor. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting identical flat-bottomed objects has a vibratory conveyor defining a generally horizontal support surface. A plurality of the objects are supplied to an upstream end of the surface standing on their flat bottoms and the objects travel along the surface while standing on their bottoms. A sorting drum rotatable about a horizontal axis at a downstream end of the conveyor is formed with at least one row of radially outwardly open seats generally complementary to the objects and each having a flat floor. The drum is rotated between a pickup position in which the flat floors of the one row of seats are aligned and generally coplanar with the support surface and closely juxtaposed with the downstream end and a handoff position with the one row of seats raised up above the support surface. The objects are taken out of the seats in the takeoff position.

Abstract: Device for receiving and discharging bars fed forward in a longitudinal direction, preferably from a rolling mill and after being cut to length, of the type with two pair of adjacent, counter-rotating rollers/drums, characterized by the fact that the said bars are sent alternately into a zone immediately above each pair of said drums, which rotate and drag the bar between them in a downwards direction, and which subject the bar to elastic, friction compression in order to slow it down while it is being fed forward and then, continuing their rotation, make the bar fall in a pick-up zone below.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for singulating products, such as apples, which, floating along in water in a channel in the transport direction, are supplied and, after singulation in the water, are thereupon fed out of the water to a transport device, for instance a roller conveyor. The apparatus includes a submerging device for submerging products supplied in the channel, a singulating channel, of a width equal to the singulating width, intended for collecting the products released after submersion, in a continuous row, and a releasing device for releasing the products after the submersion and for thereupon feeding the products to the singulating channel. With such an apparatus, a high degree of filling for the following transport device, generally functioning as a first part of a sorting device, can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for the handling of containers comprising a frame and a plate that is removably fixed to the frame. The plate is disposed on the frame in a raised position and supports from above one or more distribution units and/or one or more operating units. The motor drives for the distribution units and/or operating units are disposed above the units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transportation system (10) for transporting objects (WSx), in particular workpieces, including a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel transportation paths (12, 14, 16) and a device (18) for shifting the objects (WSx) between at least two adjacent transportation paths (12, 14, 16). In order to reduce both the space required for the transportation path and the time consumption for displacing the workpieces between the transportation paths, it is proposed that the transportation paths (12, 14, 16) are disposed one above the other in different planes, and that the workpieces (WSx) on being shifted are moved on a path (30) that defines a plane extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transportation paths (12, 14, 16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to manually discharge bottles from a tray of bottles onto a sloped surface at the bottom of which gravity fed individual bottles are captured at the top receiving edge of a parallel sloped multi-pocketed rotatable indexing wheel and sequentially: (a.) discharged tangentially at the bottom edge of said indexing wheel in a single row, (b.) corrected to a vertical axis, and (c.) exited onto adjoining equipment for further operations.

Abstract: A conveyor system for discrete entities, including a gathering member supplied by at least two upstream units (26, 27) each of which brings to the gathering member a series of entities (11, 13), and wherein the entities leave the gathering member in a single line. The gathering member includes a gathering wheel (36) driven in rotation and provided with several slots (38, 39) emerging radially at the periphery of the wheel for receiving each entity, and the slots of a common series have the same radial depth, the series of slots being differentiated by the depth of their slots, and each series of slots is associated exclusively with an upstream unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feed mechanism for feeding containers. The feed mechanism includes an infeed starwheel and a main turret starwheel, wherein the pitch line of the infeed starwheel and the pitch line of the main turret starwheel are non-interfacing. The present invention also provides a feed mechanism for feeding containers which includes an infeed starwheel, a main turret starwheel and a feed chute with at least one hump for dissipating the head pressure of the incoming can stack. The present invention also provides a method of feeding cans to a unit operation in a can making process. The method includes the steps of providing a feed chute adapted for gravity feeding the unit operation, the feed chute having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the feed chute has at least one hump proximal to the bottom end and disposing a plurality of cans in the feed chute, thereby forming a stack of cans in the feed chute.

Abstract: A unit for feeding cigars from an input hopper to a pocket conveyor for feeding single cigars successively along a given path, wherein the cigars are fed along a downfeed channel, an outlet of which faces a rotary transfer member for feeding the cigars successively into respective pockets on the conveyor and in time with the pockets; the channel receives a column of superimposed cigars oriented crosswise to their feed direction along the channel; and a screw conveyor extends along at least one end portion of the channel to feed single cigars successively to the outlet of the channel in time with the transfer member.

Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24,26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Abstract: An article processing apparatus having a plurality of input conveyors directing articles into a work station and a single turret sorting mechanism. The work station processes articles while, simultaneously, unprocessed articles are fed into the turret sorting mechanism. The output of the work station is simultaneously fed into the turret sorting mechanism. The turret control mechanism engages articles fed to it using a gripper. The turret sorting mechanism rotates the articles until, in conjunction with a control system, the articles are released onto appropriate locations on a second set of conveyors. The second set of conveyors directs the unprocessed articles to a second work station (where the unprocessed articles are processed) and the articles processed by the first work station are directed to an output station. Once processed, the articles sent to the second work station are also directed to the output station where they are collected and prepared for further processing.

Abstract: The products (12) are delivered in a plurality of columns (11) to a conveyor wheel (15) which has pivotably articulated carriers (26, 27). An axially stationary carrier (26) and an axially displaceable carrier (27) are alternately coordinated with every two input columns (11) in the direction of conveyance (A). Said two columns (11) are delivered at different heights according to the carrier distance. During conveyance into the output station (16), the displaceable carriers (27) are moved into the trajectory plane of the others with the result that common groups (18) of products (12) lying to be flat on each other are formed from two input columns (11). The device substantially avoids relative motion between products (12) and guides with the result that the products (12) are handled carefully.

Abstract: A method of transferring elongated articles from a first path to a second path crosswise to the first, whereby the articles are fed longitudinally along the first path in a first and second succession side by side and parallel to each other, and are fed transversely along the second path; the articles in the first succession are picked up by means of a first pickup member, and the articles in the second succession by means of a second pickup member; the first pickup member and respective article are fed along a first portion of a first annular trajectory extending about a first axis; the second pickup member and respective article are fed along a second portion of a second annular trajectory extending about a second axis; and the lengths of the first and second portions depend on the arrangement of the articles along the second path.

Abstract: A method of forming groups of cigarettes, each group being defined by at least one layer of cigarettes arranged side by side. The layer is fed continuously at a given speed and by means of a conveying seat along a given annular path extending through an unloading station. At the unloading station where the layer is transferred from the seat to a group forming pocket (6) by orienting the seat with respect to the path as a function of the relative position of the seat and the pocket (6) at least at the unloading station.

Abstract: A method and unit for orienting pump-operated caps, whereby a disorderly succession of caps, each having an elongated head and a draw tube extending from the head, is fed on a conveying surface to an engaging station. At the engaging station the draw tube of each cap is engaged by an orienting seat and an elastic cord. The seat is movable with respect to the elastic cord, and cooperates with the elastic cord to rotate the cap about a respective axis of rotation crosswise to the conveying surface, so as to impart a given orientation to the cap.

Abstract: A system for delivering rows of cigarettes, each for forming one layer of a bundle of cigarettes to be packed in a packing machine, includes a number of fluted planetary wheels (42) carried by an annular carrier (44) along a path on which cigarettes are picked up directly from the lower ends of channels (40) formed between vanes (38) in the hopper of the machine. The wheels (42) transfer the cigarettes in rows to flute sets (48) on a coaxial drum (46) from which the rows are further transferred to a delivery drum (22). Generally the packing machine includes three such systems, one for each layer of the bundle of cigarettes to be packed. In an alternative system cigarettes forming one row are picked up substantially simultaneously by row carriers (220) mounted on planetary wheels (226) so as to follow an hypocycloidal path.

Abstract: A unit for forming groups of cigarettes, wherein a transfer device transfers the cigarettes from a fixed withdrawal station, defined by an open bottom end of a hopper for cigarettes, on to a release surface traveling continuously along a given first path; the transfer device having an extracting device associated with the bottom end of the hopper to successively extract layers of cigarettes from the bottom end and feed the layers along a second path extending crosswise to the first path, and a rotary-platform device in turn having a number of suction type gripping heads movable between the first and second paths to feed the layers of cigarettes on to the release surface.

Abstract: A cigarette filter assembly machine having a first and second succession of side by side, oppositely oriented single cigarettes are fed to a turnover unit wherein, with respect to their original position, the cigarettes in the first succession are turned 180.degree. on to the opposite side of the cigarettes in the second succession to form two successions of equioriented, transversely spaced cigarettes which are fed to an output combining roller along respective spatially distinct paths, one of which is defined, at least partly, by two conical rollers with respective axes parallel to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for singulating individual articles from a group of articles. A rotary vacuum wheel includes a plurality of article pockets in its outer edge periphery. Apertures within each pocket are in communication with a vacuum pump. An article collection bin has a lower discharge port, through which a portion of the wheel periphery passes. The attractive vacuum forces draw individual articles into a respective pocket where they are secured. Continued rotation of the wheel transports the singulated articles to a discharge station, for further processing, such as labeling, counting, or packaging.

Abstract: A conveying system is disclosed for conveying unstable articles having a neck ring. Unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck ring, or flange, are conveyed in single file along plural paths each of which is established by dual guides vertically spaced from one another a distance just sufficient to receive the neck rings of the articles therebetween, with the articles being urged in the downstream direction along each path by air acting solely on the top portion of the articles above the neck rings.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting two parallel files of coaxial cigarettes into a single row of parallel pairs of coaxial cigarettes has a guide which delivers the two files of cigarettes from a twin cigarette maker and a first rotary conveyor with arms for pairs of flutes each of which removes a pair of coaxial cigarettes at a first transfer station. The pairs of cigarettes are transported, without a change of orientation, to a second transfer station between the first rotary conveyor and a second rotary conveyor. The latter has a first set of flutes at its peripheral surface and a second set of flutes on pivotable levers which can pivot the flutes of the second set away from and back toward the peripheral surface of the second conveyor. One flute of each pair of flutes on the first conveyor delivers a pair of cigarettes directly into a flute of the first set, and the other flute of each pair of flutes on the first conveyor delivers a pair of cigarettes into a flute of the second set.

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 combiner for a plurality of streams of articles, such as bottles, to be combined into a single stream (4) comprises a starwheel (16, 17) for each stream (1, 2), each starwheel having control fingers (20) spaced around its periphery, the starwheels being oppositely rotated at the same speed in a direction of movement with their control fingers (20) set out-of-phase so that articles are spaced alternately from the streams to enable them to merge. The drive for at least one of the starwheels (16) comprises meshing gears (32, 34) and an adjustment device comprising a plate (33) which has a drive pinion (32) mounted thereon, the plate being pivotal about the axis of the adjacent meshing gear (34) so that the meshing position can be adjusted, thereby causing consequential adjustment of the starwheel to fine tune the out-of-phase setting of its control fingers (20).

Abstract: Filter cigarettes are mass-produced in a machine wherein parallel groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter plugs are moved at right angles to their axes through a first station wherein their components are connected to each other by uniting bands, thereupon through a second station wherein the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are severed midway across their filter plugs to yield pairs of filter cigarettes of unit length which advance in two rows and are mirror images of each other, and through a third station wherein the filter cigarettes of one row are turned end-for-end and placed between successive non-inverted filter cigarettes. The mutual spacing of groups, filter cigarettes of double unit length and/or of filter cigarettes of unit length is reduced at least once, preferably twice, namely the first time between the first and second stations and the second time at the third station.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for temporarily storing products (2), including two mutually coaxial equal wheels (6, 16) rotatable intermittently with identical laws of motion and provided peripherally with respective pluralities of equidistant radial compartments (8, 17) for containing respective products (2), a feeder device for introducing the products (2) in succession into the compartments (8) of a first (6) of the two wheels, an extractor device (15) for removing the products (2) in succession from the compartments (17) of the second (16) of the two wheels, a drum (11) positioned between the two wheels (6, 16) and provided with a plurality of peripheral compartments (12) to each contain a plurality of products (2), the compartments (12) having their longitudinal ends facing respective compartments (8, 17) of the two wheels (6, 16), and a transfer device (21) for simultaneously extracting a plurality of products (2) from a like number of compartments (8) of the first wheel ( 6) and inserting them into corresponding co

Abstract: In the formation of cigarette packages, glued and folded packages are delivered via a pair parallel conveyors to a transfer device which includes a pair rotatable transfer turrets. The axes of rotation of the transfer turrets are offset both vertically and horizontally such that a pair of packages simultaneously received from the two conveyors may subsequently be simultaneously transferred into a pair of adjacent receiving spaces in a double cell of a drying turret.