Receptacle emptying device for elongated cylindrical elements
AssigneeMolins Limited
InventorDesmond Walter Molins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A buffer store for filled and empty cigarette containers is provided between a cigarette making machine and a cigarette packing machine so that either of the machines may be kept running if the other stops. In one example the buffer store consists of separate cigarette loading and unloading stations between which the cigarette containers are carried in trolleys. In a further example, the loading and unloading stations are combined into a single unit which is adapted to either load or unload containers, depending on the operating conditions of the machines, the containers again being carried in trolleys.
Claims19
Apparatus for removing rod-like articles from a container, comprising means for moving a succession of containers through an unloading station, each container carrying at least one batch comprising a stack of said articles;
- means for successively removing batches from said containers at said unloading station;
- conveyor means for successively receiving batches removed from said containers;
- retaining means for confining said batches on said conveyor means and for separating the successive batches which are disposed therebetween;
- and means for withdrawing said retaining means so that successive batches received on said conveyor means become combined and may be moved away from said unloading station as a continuous stream of articles on said conveyor means.
Apparatus for removing rod-like articles from a container, comprising means for intermittently conveying through an unloading station a succession of containers, each container carrying at least one batch comprising a substantially rectangular stack of said articles;
- means for successively removing batches from said containers at said unloading station;
- endless conveyor means for receiving batches removed from said containers;
- a plurality of spaced retaining members carried by said conveyor means and defining contiguous regions on said conveyor means, each region being dimensioned to receive a batch;
- means for intermittently moving said conveyor means so that adjacent regions are successively positioned at said unloading station to receive a batch, the ends of the batch received on said conveyor means being confined by said spaced retaining members;
- and means for sequentially and progressively withdrawing said retaining members from between successive batches, so that downstream of said unloading station said batches become combined into a continuous stream of articles on said endless conveyor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.