Bobbin changing apparatus for use in tobacco processing machines

Apparatus for manipulating bobbins having cores for convoluted webs, such as webs of cigarette paper, comprising a magazine arranged to store a supply of bobbins and comprising means for maintaining the axes of the supply of bobbins therein in positions of coincidence with or at least close to a first predetermined axis;

• a support;
• and means for transferring discrete bobbins from said magazine to said support, comprising a gripping device having means for engaging the peripheries of discrete bobbins and means for moving said device between said magazine and said support, said support including means for receiving and retaining the core of the bobbin which is delivered by said gripping device and said gripping device comprising tongs constituting an at least substantially complete annulus defining a central opening for the bobbin which is being transferred to said support, said receiving means defining a second axis and said moving means including means for locating said tongs and said magazine in a position of at least substantial concentricity with the bobbin awaiting transfer to said support, said moving means further comprising means for changing the orientation of said gripping device during transfer of bobbins to said support so that the axis of the bobbin which reaches said receiving means coincides with or is at least close to said second axis, said orientation changing means including means for pivoting said gripping device about a third axis which is inclined with reference to said first and second axes, one of said first and second axes being horizontal, the other of said first and second axes being vertical and said third axis being normal to said first and second axes.