Abstract: An assembly for conveying packets of cigarettes has a first and a second conveyor, which extend side by side along a given portion and are operated at a first and second speed respectively; and a transfer device, which has a deflecting member for transferring the packets of cigarettes from the first to the second conveyor along the given portion, and which is movable along the given portion.

Abstract: An automatic feed device for individual publishing products of different thickness and sizes includes a first conveyor belt (13) and a second conveyor belt (14) arranged with the first conveyor belt (13) being partially over the second conveyor belt (14) in combination with an automatic feed device having a bearing structure (15), a pair of manipulator members (19) for gripping the publishing products (12) on the first conveyor belt (13). The publishing products are then laid down on the second conveyor belt (14) separate from one another while the manipulators (19) alternately move forwards and backwards between the first and second conveyor belt (13, 14) to transfer the individual publishing products to two predetermined positions on the first and second conveyor belts (13, 14).

Abstract: A device for processing card-shaped information carriers has at least one track, at least one processing station with at least one movable carrier with a plurality of holding elements, at least one delivery element located between the track and the movable carrier, so that the cards are taken by a first delivery element from the path and transferred on the holding elements of the carrier, and then are taken by a second delivery element from the holding elements of the carrier and transferred onto the path, wherein each of the delivery elements has a wheel drivingly rotatable in a rotary direction and provided on its outer periphery with a plurality of holders which are spaced from one another in a peripheral direction for receiving, holding and delivering the cards.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling absorbent garments are disclosed. The invention uses an applicator having one or more heads that are adapted to hold parts. The applicator is rotated by a motor, which is controlled by a control device. The control device is operated such that the applicator heads pick up parts at one location at a first speed, and deposit the parts at a second location at a second speed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a material web traveling at a first speed in a receiving zone, forming discrete parts from the material web, and applying the discrete parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The apparatus has a cutting device for severing the material web to form the discrete parts. At least two shells for receiving the discrete parts in the receiving zone and applying the discrete parts in the application zone are used. The shells may be coupled to programmable motors for moving said shell in an orbital path. A roll may be positioned interior to said shells. The cutting device may be used to sever the material web between said shells and against said roll. The roll may be a vacuum roll that provides vacuum in order to hold the discrete parts against said shells.

Abstract: A removing apparatus for rod-like articles comprises a removing drum (24) as part of a transport path for the articles such as cigarettes, double filter cigarettes and filter cigarettes in a filter cigarette manufacturing machine, and many transport grooves (48) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drum (24) for receiving the articles. Adjacent grooves (48) have suction holes (52) at different axial positions thereof. While passing through a suction holding region (A) of the removing drum (24), the adjacent transport grooves (48) receive holding pressure for the articles, from the corresponding holding passages (68) of the region (A) through the suction holes (52). The passages (68) extend longer than the pitch of the transport grooves (48). When compressed air is supplied to a passage (68), the passage (68) allows the compressed air to blow out from connected suction holes (52) to thereby remove the article from the corresponding transport groove (48).

Abstract: A device for processing card-shaped information carriers has at least one track, at least one processing station with at least one movable carrier with a plurality of holding elements, at least one delivery element located between the track and the movable carrier, so that the cards are taken by a first delivery element from the path and transferred on the holding elements of the carrier, and then are taken by a second delivery element from the holding elements of the carrier and transferred onto the path, wherein each of the delivery elements has a wheel drivingly rotatable in a rotary direction and provided on its outer periphery with a plurality of holders which are spaced from one another in a peripheral direction for receiving, holding and delivering the cards.

Abstract: A conveyor system able to safety convey a workpiece having a thickness of less than 100 &mgr;m and easily position the workpiece, provided with a plate-shaped member provided movably and swivelably and a moving and swiveling means moving and swiveling the plate-shaped member, the plate-shaped member being provided together with a lifting means for uniformly lifting in its entirety a workpiece carried at the carrying location and a holding means for holding a workpiece lifted by the lifting means by chucking its entirety on a workpiece chucking surface of the plate-shaped member, and a plurality of Verneuil nozzles serving as the lifting means and a plurality of vacuum chucking nozzles serving as the holding means being formed in the workpiece chucking surface near an outer periphery of the plate-shaped member along the outer periphery.

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 disk (6) is horizontally rotated a half-turn by a motor (7) in a rotational direction and, then, is rotated a half-turn in an opposite rotational direction. Two servomotors (8, 9) are symmetrically disposed, on an upper surface of the disk (6), with respect to a rotating shaft of the disk (6). Driving shafts (22, 23), driven by the two servomotors (8, 9), downwardly extend through the disk (6), and move hanging members (K, M), respectively, in upward-and-downward directions. Two hanging members (K, M) are provided, at their lower ends, with clampers (32), respectively. The clampers (32) are each provided, at their bottom surfaces, with a suction pad (35), and are provided, at their upper surfaces, with pneumatic cylinders (28, 29). The pressure of the compressed air supplied to the pneumatic cylinder is adjusted by a pressure regulating device (38).

Abstract: According to the method, single compact discs (1) are removed from a magazine (10) by a pick up group (14) which is carried by a drum (13). The drum (13) rotates continuously on a vertical axis. The pick up group (14) is operated to move in a combined translation motion along a vertical axis and along a circumference around the drum (13), so as to move in a direction opposite to the movement direction imposed by said drum (13), from a first remote position, which is situated forward with respect to a median plane (M), to a close disk taking position. The combined translation motion of the pick up group (14) is continued, so as to bring the removed compact disc (1) to a second remote position. The removed compact disc (1) is then transferred to a conveying line (5) by a corresponding combined translation motion of the pick up group (14) with respect to the movement direction imposed by the drum (13), from a remote forward position to a close position, in which the compact disc (1) is released.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a material web traveling at a first speed in a receiving zone, forming discrete parts from the material web, and applying the discrete parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The apparatus has a cutting device for severing the material web to form the discrete parts. At least two shells for receiving the discrete parts in the receiving zone and applying the discrete parts in the application zone are used. The shells may be coupled to programmable motors for moving said shell in an orbital path. A roll may be positioned interior to said shells. The cutting device may be used to sever the material web between said shells and against said roll. The roll may be a vacuum roll that provides vacuum in order to hold the discrete parts against said shells.

Abstract: A piece count and collation system includes a cut-and-seal apparatus including a pair of rotatable members positioned immediately adjacent each other for receiving a tube wrapping containing a plurality of sequentially spaced objects. The rotatable members rotate in opposite directions to one another and each includes a first cutting edge having a first bonding surface positioned immediately adjacent thereto and a second cutting edge spaced apart from the first cutting edge and having a second bonding surface positioned immediately adjacent thereto. At least one of the rotatable members includes a vacuum grasping member positioned between the first and the second cutting edges for grasping one of said plurality of sequentially spaced objects in the tube wrapping received by the cut-and-seal apparatus while the tube-wrapping is cut and bonded on both ends to form a fully wrapped object.

Abstract: A method for conveying a rod-shaped article for a tobacco product comprises transferring the rod-shaped article from a first conveying drum to a second conveying drum and supplying a vacuum to the article at the second conveying drum only after the article is transferred to the second conveying drum.

Abstract: Device for cutting out articles from a long tape and adhering the articles to an adhesive tape comprises a cutting roll, an adhering roll and a transfer device for transferring the cut-out articles to the adhesive tape. The cutting roll carries blade forms for cutting out the articles. The adhering roll carries anvils whose shapes correspond to the shape of the blades. The adhering roll also carries cylinders each of which is disposed adjacent an anvil and has a shaft capable of piston action disposed therein. Each shaft has a suction mouth at its end. The suction mouths are used to transfer the cut-out articles from the cutting roll to the adhesive tape to which they are to be adhered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry, wherein a holding vacuum is used to hold the articles on a conveying drum. For removal of an article, in a transfer region to a removal drum, the holding vacuum at the conveying drum is stopped for the removal and a holding vacuum is applied to the removal drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: A unit and method for transferring cigarette portions whereby the cigarette portions are transferred from a manufacturing machine to a filter assembly machine by means of a first conveyor having first seats movable along a first annular path to pick up respective cigarette portions at a pickup point, and by means of a second conveyor having second seats movable along a respective second annular path; the cigarette portions are transferred from a first seat to a second seat at a transfer point along the first path, and the speed of the second seats is corrected at the transfer point to substantially reach or approximate the speed of the first seats at the transfer point.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.

Abstract: A plate member carrier is constructed to include a suction device adapted to suck and transfer the workpiece, a first four-bar linkage adapted to keep the suction device in horizontal, a second four-bar linkage adapted to prohibit the suction device from transverse displacement, and a cam adapted to control vertical movement of the suction device subject to a simple harmonic motion curve.

Abstract: In a suction roller for the movement of sheet-shaped workpieces, particularly for their acceleration or braking, economical production and a design advantageous for flow technology are achieved by providing a wheel body having channels starting at one face, which are open on at least one side and which rotate in sequence past a fixed suction nozzle positioned on one face, as well as a surrounding band (toothed belt) applied to the external circumference of the wheel body with protrusions (teeth) extending outward and indentations between them, with each indentation connected by means of at least one connection boring with a channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use in a die feeder used in automated assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a novel nest for holding a die against a vacuum port and releasing same without an independently controlled vacuum source. The invention also includes a novel elevator mechanism, employed to lift the nest to a pick location and means for positioning and aligning the nest for precision travel and pick location placement.

Abstract: A measuring and classifying apparatus (transferring apparatus) for chips includes an immovable base and a turn table (transferring member). The turn table is rotatably disposed on an upper surface of the immovable base, and is provided with receiving concavities for receiving chips with the immovable base and suction passes for chucking the chips. The chips are transferred above the immovable base while being chucked in the receiving concavities. The suction passes are formed at the upper corner portions of the receiving concavities, so that the chips are chucked in such a manner that gaps are provided between the chips and the upper surface of the immovable base.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: An electronic parts conveying apparatus reduces damage to electronic parts (e.g., chip-type electronic parts) and stabilizes the positions of the electronic parts during a conveying operation. The conveying apparatus has a conveying table having, on its entire outer-peripheral section, concave storage slots formed with identical pitches that store the electronic parts in series. The conveying table also has air holes, each of which passes through a respective concave storage slot. One end of the air hole terminates in an opening disposed on an inner-circumferential side surface of the concave storage slot. The other end of the air hole communicates through a selector valve with a negative air pressure source, which generates negative air pressure suction applied to suction the electronic part into the concave storage slot. The hole is also connected with a positive air pressure source, which generates air pressure to eject the electronic part from the concave storage slot.

Abstract: In a device for processing printed products supplied to a stacking device, the printed products are picked up at a delivery of a printing machine or a printed product processing machine by a transport device and are transported in a suspended position on a transport path to a transfer device upstream of a stacking device. The stacking device is a unit detachable from the transfer device and connectable alternatingly to the transfer device connected so as to effect conveying of the printed products to the printing machine or the printed product processing machine.

Abstract: The output end of a very high speed continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with unloading apparatus in the form of a continuously moving closed loop suction belt supplied by first and second continuously rotating, parallel axis, suction applying conveyor wheels. Cans held on the second wheel are on two concentric circular tracks and are transferred by suction to the belt. The first wheel carries cans along a single row circular path. In a region where the first and second wheels overlap partially, alternate cans on the path are delivered to one track of the second wheel and the remaining alternate cans on the path are delivered to the other track of the second wheel. Alternate cans supported on the first wheel may be moved radially so that the cans on the first wheel are in two rows which intersect the two tracks on the second wheel at respective common tangents of each row and the respective track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2

Abstract: With an article transfer apparatus 1 of the present invention, when a negative pressure is applied on an air outlet 20 in a non-attracting state, the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 6 in a front attracting section 2f is greater than the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 7 in a rear attracting section 2b. Therefore, the suction amount through the front attracting section 2f is increased while reducing the suction loss of the attracting pad 2, thereby improving the reliability of the attraction operation.

Abstract: A cover-feeder for isolating the uppermost cover, in each case, of a flat stack which is continuously advanced, with lateral alignment and as far as a front-edge stop, in an imbricated formation on a transport belt belonging to a feed table, the cover-feeder having a series of separating suction devices belonging to a suction head, which suction head can be pivoted to and fro, for lifting the cover off the stack, and having a drawing-off arrangement for taking over the cover and transferring it to a forwarding conveyor.

Abstract: A vacuum holddown has a holddown member with an outer surface for temporarily capturing a flexible sheet material via a vacuum force distributed across the outer surface through discrete vacuum channels. A vacuum force valving mechanism abuts an inner surface of the holddown member in a selectable sliding engagement. The valving mechanism has a pattern of apertures therethrough in predetermined pattern such that discrete valve mechanism positions produce discrete vacuum force patterns at the outer surface of the holddown member.

Abstract: Blank feeding apparatus, particularly in a hinged-lid cigarette packing machine, includes rotary blank pick-up means (36-42), and support means (44-50), rotatable with the pick-up means, for engaging and supporting the base of a blank stack in a magazine (2) between each pick-up operation. The pick-up means (36-42) may each comprise a pivotable arm (20-24), movable as it rotates by means of a pivoted follower member (60,62) engaging a fixed cam track (54). The blanks may be retained in the stack in the magazine (2) by pivotally-mounted support fingers (4,6) which are successively retracted to release a blank as the pick-up means (36-42) passes.

Abstract: A tube loading system includes two flat conveyor belts which are perpendicular to each other for holding a tube having an open end thereagainst with two lines of contact; a motor drive for moving the conveyor belts; a gap between the two lines of contact at meeting edges of the conveyor belts; a vacuum source positioned behind the conveyor belts for supplying a vacuum to the gap so as to pull the tube against both conveyor belts in engagement with the two lines of contact; a pin chain having a plurality of pins spaced therealong for receiving the open ends of the tubes thereon, the pins being positioned adjacent the conveyor belts; and a delivery device for supplying the tubes in sequence to the conveyor belts such that each tube is held in engagement against both conveyor belts with the two lines of contact by the vacuum at the gap, and as the belt moves, each tube is deposited on a respective pin of the pin chain.

Abstract: An electronic parts conveying apparatus reduces damage to electronic parts (e.g., chip-type electronic parts) and stabilizes the positions of the electronic parts during a conveying operation. The conveying apparatus has a conveying table having, on its entire outer-peripheral section, concave storage slots formed with identical pitches that store the electronic parts in series. The conveying table also has air holes, each of which passes through a respective concave storage slot. One end of the air hole terminates in an opening disposed on an inner-circumferential side surface of the concave storage slot. The other end of the air hole communicates through a selector valve with a negative air pressure source, which generates negative air pressure suction applied to suction the electronic part into the concave storage slot. The hole is also connected with a positive air pressure source, which generates air pressure to eject the electronic part from the concave storage slot.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring rod-like articles such as cigarettes comprising a series of hoppers (2, 4, 6) which deliver rows of cigarettes to fluted planetary wheels (8, 10, 12) which are mounted on a rotating carrier and driven around a central drum (20), by gearing between the planet wheels and the drum. The drum is provided with pockets (22, 24) etc each of which is three rows deep so as to accommodate the output from three of the planet wheels. In this way the cigarettes are grouped into bundles for subsequent packaging.

Abstract: A carton feeder has a plurality of suction-cup stations for engaging cartons. A valve mechanism which includes a rotating valve, a stationary valve and a change-over valve selectively applies vacuums to different ones of the plurality of suction-cup stations such that particular combinations of suction-cup stations can be activated or deactivated to engage particular sizes and styles of cartons. Changeover of the application of vacuum is accomplished by changing the alignment of vacuum apertures in the changeover valve and vacuum apertures in the stationary valve with respect to another whereby a first alignment provides vacuum to a first combination of suction-cup stations and a second alignment provides vacuum to a second combination of suction-cup stations.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyor for transporting articles across a space wherein the conveyor belt for the vacuum conveyor has a plurality of equally spaced apart fluid passageways formed therein and wherein a one way valve is installed in each fluid passageway so that when one of the fluid passageways is exposed to a vacuum source to hold an object on the conveyor belt the object will be held on the conveyor belt until a sufficient force is applied to the object to separate the object from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an application drum for use in the production of absorbent articles. The application drum has a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprises material engagement means on the outside thereof for both collecting and delivering a material component. In order to be able to use only a single drum and still be able to place material components more to one or the, other side of the center-line of a conveyor belt, the material engagement means is arranged for reciprocal movement with respect to the drum in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.