US 4,372,710 A · Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections or the like between producing and processing machines

Abstract

A receiving station at the outlets of several pneumatic conveyor pipes which discharge discrete files of axially moving filter plugs accommodates a separating unit immediately downstream of the outlets and an orientation changing unit immediately downstream of the separating unit. The separating unit defines discrete lanes, one for each file of filter plugs. In each of the lanes, the filter plugs of the respective file are converted into a series of axially spaced filter plugs which continue to move lengthwise, and the filter plugs of each series are delivered into discrete upright ducts of the orientation changing unit wherein each series is transformed into a row whose filter plugs move sideways. The transport of filter plugs in each lane of the separating unit can be interrupted or resumed independently of any other lane in response to signals from photocells which monitor the transport of filter plugs in the conveyor pipes and/or in the ducts and transmit signals in response to detection of irregular or improper delivery of filter plugs to one or more sections or devices of the separating and/or orientation changing unit. This ensures that the orientation changing unit can deliver a continuous row of plugs to a processing machine or an intermediate conveyor even in the event of malfunction of one or more pipes, one or more sections of the separating unit and/or one or more devices of the orientation changing unit.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles between at least one producing machine and at least one processing machine, particularly for manipulating filter rod sections prior to admission into a filter tipping machine, comprising a pneumatic transporting unit having a plurality of discrete tubular conveyors for the transport of articles along separate paths, each of said tubular conveyors having an outlet for discharge of articles in the form of a file wherein the articles move lengthwise;

a separating unit including discrete sections, one for each of said tubular conveyors, and each of said sections having means for converting the respective file into a series of axially spaced articles which continue to move lengthwise, each of said converting means comprising at least one rotary article engaging and advancing element;
adjustable drive means for rotating each such rotary element independently of each other rotary element so that any one of said sections can continue with or interrupt the conversion of the respective file into a series of axially spaced articles independently of each other section;
an orientation changing unit including discrete deflecting devices, one for each of said sections, each of said devices including means for changing the direction of movement of successive articles of the series of articles issuing from the respective section so that each of said series is transformed into a row wherein the articles move sideways;
and means defining a common junction zone for reception of articles from said discrete deflecting devices and for conversion of the thus received articles into a stream wherein the articles move sideways.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections or the like between producing and processing machines

Life of this patent

Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections or the like between producing and processing machines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11