Abstract: For transferring cuboid (cigarette) packs (10, 11) from a (rectilinear) pack track (12) to a drying turret (13) or the like, there is a transfer turret (17) which is designed for the reception, further transport and transfer of two packs (10, 11) at a time simultaneously. For this purpose, pocket units (20, 21, etc.) with two pockets (18, 19; 18a, 19a, etc.) arranged next to one another and fed simultaneously are mounted on the transfer turret (17). Their pocket walls (outer walls 29, 30 and inner walls 31, 32) are actuated for opening and closing via main levers (36, 37) and supporting levers (38, 39), these being supported on a rotatable cam disc (42, 43).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring arrays of cigarettes from the pockets of at least one intermittently driven first conveyor into the pockets of a continuously driven second conveyor wherein the transfer takes place by means of at least one pair of arms which have pockets for arrays of cigarettes and are indexible about a common axis to define for their pockets a path a first portion of which overlaps a portion of the path for the pockets of the first conveyor and a second portion of which registers with a portion of the path which is defined for its pockets by the second conveyor. The pockets of the arms receive arrays from the pockets of the first conveyor while the arms are at a standstill, and the pockets of the arms are in positions for transfer of their contents into the pockets of the second conveyor while the arms move at the speed of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A mass-producing filter tipping machine wherein two coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length are simultaneously severed to yield pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length which are moved apart to provide spaces for filter mouthpieces of double unit length. The filter mouthpieces are connected with the respective pairs of cigarettes of unit length by adhesive-coated uniting bands, and the resulting filter cigarettes of double unit length are subdivided into a series of formations of four coaxial filter cigarettes of unit length each wherein first and second outer filter cigarettes are respectively adjacent first and second inner filter cigarettes.

Abstract: Plain cigarettes which are obtained by subdividing two parallel cigarette rods issuing from a maker of twin cigarette rods are accepted by successive orbiting arms of a first rotary conveyor in such a way that each arm attracts a cigarette of one of the rows and a cigarette of the other row. The arms deliver the respective pairs of cigarettes to a transfer station where the cigarettes are accepted by the peripheral flutes of a second rotary conveyor for admission into or for transport in a filter tipping machine. Alternating flutes of the second conveyor are mounted on pivotable levers or on reciprocable pushers so that each such movable flute can receive a cigarette from the oncoming arm of the first conveyor while the other cigarette is being transferred directly from the arm into a non-movable flute of the second conveyor. The mutual spacing of cigarettes can be increased or reduced during transfer from the arms into the flutes of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A mass flow of cigarettes is reduced in width as it passes downwardly through chutes into a passage in which the cigarettes are formed as a stream two rows deep. The cigarettes are fed onto a fluted drum and accelerated to form gaps between them, the cigarettes in one row being held by suction in the flutes and those in the other row resting on top of them and being kept in place by suction. From the fluted drum the cigarettes are transferred to a further fluted drum as a single row, by being fed between a stripper and a fixed plate which are positioned so that only one cigarette, from each row alternately, can pass into a flute on the further drum. The cigarettes may then be collated into groups ready for packing.

Abstract: A method for transferring objects (2), wherein the objects (2) are fed in bulk in a loading region onto at least one first intermittently rotating disc (5; 6) of vertical axis, provided with a rim (9; 9') of holes (10; 10') for containing the objects (2); within a station (20; 20') there are provided members (21) which transfer the objects (2) from the holes (10; 10') of the first disc (5; 6) to the holes (18) of a second disc (15), and which engage each hole (10; 10') of the first disc (5; 6) once during every two revolutions of this latter.

Abstract: A distributing apparatus for transferring bottles between conveyors or processing machines like labelling machines or capping machines and the like includes a rotating carrier supporting at least one transfer member which rotates or oscillates with respect to the carrier. The transfer member is of segmental shape and includes a plurality of circumferential pockets for receiving the bottles. The outer face between the pockets is of convex contour so that the transfer member rolls off the conveyor or processing machine when picking up or delivering the bottles.

Abstract: A device for individually and sucessively advancing cops from a cop-producing machine in an orderly manner via conveyor belts to a cyclically stepwise advanceable cop conveyor having take-up mandrels thereon, comprising respective substantially vertical loading shafts located between the conveyor belts and the cop conveyor for delivering cops in upright position onto the take-up mandrels of the cop conveyor, the loading shafts being formed of sidewise deflectable wall elements, an actuating device operatively engageable with the loading shafts, respectively, for deflecting the wall elements thereof sidewise so as to permit the respective delivered cop to be father advanced by the cop conveyor, clock switching devices connected to the conveyor belts for actuating the belts to individually and successively advance the cops in the orderly manner, and a sensor for distinguishing between the absence and presence of a cop on a respective take-up mandrel of the cop conveyor and for enabling and disenabling the clock

Abstract: Articles from various sources are arranged in assorted combinations by feeding the articles in individual feed lines according to source to a rotor with outward opening pockets each capable of retaining one full combination. The feed lines meet the rotor periphery along a series of spaced entry points, and a contoured stationary barrier extending into the pockets of the rotor effectively shortens the pockets to a varying degree which recedes in the direction of rotation of the rotor. The result is that each pocket adds only a preselected number (generally one) of articles as it passes each entry point. Upon passing the last entry point, each pocket contains a full assortment of articles which are subsequently ejected from the pocket as a group.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring chip components from a supply source onto a conveyor. A manifold of individual disc members receive the component from a supply and rotate to position the component onto a conveyor. A drive crank rotates the disc from the receiving to the release position and sensors tell a machine control the position of the component and the disc.

Abstract: A workpiece feeding and conveying system is disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of stationary workpiece supply stations radially spaced from and circumferentially spaced apart relative to a central axis. A plurality of pocketed workpiece transfer plates are supported radially outwardly of the feed stations for rotation about the central axis and about corresponding axes of rotation, and an annular carrier ring radially outward surrounds the transfer plates and is rotatable about the central axis relative to the supply stations and transfer plates. The transfer plates have radially outwardly opening pockets, and the carrier ring has radially inwardly opening pockets, and a planetary gear arrangement is provided for rotating the transfer plates about their axes of rotation and about the central axis in response to rotation of the carrier ring.

Abstract: A device for transferring cigarette pieces from a twin rod cigarette-making machine to a filter fitting machine, in which the cigarette pieces are transferred two at a time, one for each of the two rods from a horizontal output bed of the cigarette-making machine to the top of an input drum of the filter fitting machine the axis of which is parallel to the rods, by a plurality of take-up heads which move about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the rods, maintaining themselves parallel thereto and moving with a speed which is variable between a maximum at take-up from the bed and a minimum at release on the summit of the input drum.

Abstract: A method of forming a row of filter-tip cigarettes at a high speed with a simple device.

Abstract: Two cigarette making machines discharge discrete files of coaxial plain cigarettes which are moved axially in parallel guides, and successive foremost cigarettes in each guide are engaged and accelerated by a discrete rotating cam which propels the cigarettes into the oncoming axially parallel peripheral flutes of a rotating drum-shaped conveyor. Each flute receives a cigarette from each of the two guides and the distance between a pair of neighboring flutes on the conveyor exceeds the distance between the two files of cigarettes.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for use in material handling systems whereby a multiplicity of like objects are automatically and rapidly transported from a storage compartment thereof to a predetermined location. Such mechanism receives a plurality of such objects at each of two or more spaced inlet openings, causes the objects to be interleaved in a predetermined sequential manner, and to be successively fed in a single row to said predetermined outlet location. The objects received through each inlet opening are caused to be spaced with respect to each other and with respect to the objects received through the other inlet opening or openings in accordance with the size of each object and in accordance with the number of inlet openings employed, and are then interleaved with the objects from the other inlet openings to come together at the outlet opening in a single row for placement individually and sequentially in a given position at said predetermined location.

Abstract: Centrifugal feeders, particularly a method of transporting singulated parts from the periphery of a centrifugal feeder. The method includes vertically orienting while supporting the parts in nests or notches defined at the periphery of the feeder, advancing the parts away from said supporting and dropping the parts into individual containers or pucks which are transported tangentially away from the centrifugal feeder. The method is characterized by its capability of high speed singulation of parts into any desired matrix.

Abstract: A device for staggering and aligning filter portions cut from multiple-length filter rods includes a first fluted drum which conveys the filter rods (already cut) to a second fluted drum with a rolling plate for rolling at least one portion of each filter rod into a staggered position with respect to another portion of the same rod, at least one stationary finger being arranged to hold adjacent filter portions out of the flutes until they have been rolled to their staggered positions at least some of the filter portions along the flutes of the second drum are then displaced to align all the filter portions.

Abstract: In a system for conveying bottles or like articles, bottles being conveyed in single file along two or more separate paths are caused to merge and travel in single file along a single path by a device comprising arcuate guide passages and star wheels rotatably supported in concentric relation thereto, each star wheel having a plurality of teeth with respective outer tips lying in a rotational path extending partly into the guide passage, each tooth having a special profile shape defined by leading and trailing edges, the leading edge having a concave arcuate shape of a radius of curvature which substantially corresponds to the radius of said circular cross section and extending from the tip inward to smoothly join the inner end of the trailing edge of the forwardly adjacent tooth, said trailing edge having a convex curved shape and extending outward to the tip of said adjacent tooth, said leading and trailing edges thereby forming a fair S-shaped curve.

Abstract: The device for automatically replacing defective cigarette packets discarded from a feeding line on which the packets advance in a single row comprises a pair of gravity-feed reserve hoppers, containing each a stack of reserve packets, and a transferring drum, operatively interposed between the said reserve hoppers and the feeding line. The drum is driven in step-by-step rotation in relation to the absence, signalled by suitable sensing and controlling devices, of a discarded defective packet. Upon each step rotation of the transferring drum, a cigarette packet is taken by the drum alternately from one of the said reserve hoppers, and it is progressively transferred onto the feeding line, to take the place of the previously discarded packet.

Abstract: This application presents a method and apparatus for arranging and combining bottles standing on end which includes feeding a miscellaneous collection of the bottles toward a conveyor, receiving the bottles and conveying them in a direction along plural parallel paths spaced apart less than the diameter of the bottles, nudging the bottles toward these paths as the bottles move along, then guiding the bottles laterally inward of the parallel paths and again nudging the bottles onto the laterally inward paths.

Abstract: Cleaned bottles, as from a bottle washing machine, travel along a path carried by conveyor in a predetermined orientation evenly spaced, one bottle from another. The carrier moves the bottles from a generally horizontal position to a position approaching the vertical at which time the bottle will slide out of its usual receptacle. At the bottle discharge point, a rotatable generally helical structure is provided made of spaced rods and this device carries one or more shoes, each shoe arriving at the specified point in time with the discharge of a given bottle from the arrangement of bottles in the bottle carrier. Guided by the shoe, the bottle then is lowered by the helical structure to land in an upright position on a receiving platform. The generally helical structure is so arranged that after a bottle is deposited on its platform, the rod structure, or similar structure pushes the bottle outwardly away from the machine onto its receiving conveyor.

Abstract: The device for transferring and combining cigarette packs coming out from two packers operating in parallel, in order to obtain a single feeding line for a wrapping machine, comprises two parallel conveyors which receive the packs from the cigarette packers, and a transversal conveyor which receives the packs from both mentioned parallel conveyors and feeds them to the wrapping machine. In correspondence of the discharge end of each parallel conveyor there is arranged a revolving transfer wheel which transfers the packs from the discharge end of the parallel conveyor to the underlying transversal conveyor, through an arcuate transfer channel. The two transfer wheels are driven in such a manner that each pack deposited by the second transfer wheel, i.e.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining newspapers from a pair of newspaper stuffing assemblies into a single stream of overlapped newspapers. A rotatable tine wheel has on its periphery a number of movable newspaper receiving tines interspersed with a like number of fixed newpaper receiving tines. Newspapers are fed to the fixed tines from a pocket of a newspaper stuffing assembly and to the movable tines from a feed apparatus supplied by a conveyor from a second stuffing assembly. The fixed and movable tines alternately deposit the newspapers upon a single delivery conveyor overlapping a previously deposited newspaper to form a single, lapped stream. The movable tines are movable between a newspaper receiving position and a position out of the newspaper receiving path of an adjacent fixed tine.

Abstract: The device for feeding candies to a wrapping machine comprises a first disc on which the candies are discharged in a disorderly manner, which first disc is provided with separating brushes, for causing the candies to be housed in pockets provided thereon. The said pockets are arranged on the discs along arc lengths, the diameter of the said arc lengths being equal to the diameter of the crown of receiving pockets arranged on a second disc, or feeding disc. The candies are transferred from the pockets in the first disc to the pockets of the crown of the second disc by means of an intermediate rotary transfer device, which is provided with grippers each of which takes from the first disc a group of candies arranged along an arc length and deposits said group on a corresponding arc length of the crown of receiving pockets in the second disc.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a plurality of sequential operations upon each of a series of articles. In the exemplary embodiment, such apparatus is arranged to perform a two stage coating and printing operation on the outer surface of cylindrical tubes. A rotatable turret includes a first and second series of carriers angularly spaced in first and second arrays around the circumference thereof. Means are provided to index the turret to bring the tubes held in the carriers of the first array to a first operational station for coating, and the tubes held in the second array of carriers to a second operational station for printing.

Abstract: A discharge device for the reception in the axial direction of advancing rolled bars or the like and the discharge of same, this discharge device comprising essentially two rotating drums, opposed to another in a way so as to be rotated on parallel axles between them, substantially on the horizontal plane with an equal number of symmetric arrangements of external radial longitudinal grooves, which form external opposite channels suitable for the reception of the said bars, and in which in the longitudinal lateral opposite horizontal area of said rotating drums is juxtaposed a wall or shell to form a static containing case for the closing of the said channels in the restricted lateral area of each rotating drum, respectively in order to close said drums in the restricted area, wherein the closed channels in the cover section of the restricted area are to receive in opposition, respectively alternately the bars and by the way of the said drums, in order that said bars are respectively rotated into said channels

Abstract: Filter material is formed into a continuous rod without wrapping and divided into first filter portions which are then spaced apart whilst moving axially. These first filter portions are intercalated with a stream of spaced second filter portions to form an alternating stream which is then continuously wrapped to produce composite filter rod. The resulting composite filters obtained from this rod include less wrapper material than in conventional construction.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections in a filter cigarette making machine has a magazine for filter rod sections of six times unit length and a drum-shaped first conveyor which is formed with axially parallel flutes receiving filter rod sections from the magazine and serving to transport the removed sections past two rotary cutters which subdivide each section into three coaxial filter plugs of two times unit length. The filter plugs are introduced into discrete flutes of three coaxial disks which form a staggering conveyor and wherein the flutes of each disk are staggered circumferentially with respect to the flutes of the other disks. The groups of filter plugs are removed from successive flutes of the first conveyor by the inclined edge faces of arcuate shrouds which extend along the path of movement of filter plugs in the flutes of the disks and are located downstream of the transfer station between the two conveyors.