US 4,866,912 A · Method of an apparatus for packing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

Apparatus for draping blanks around blocks of parallel cigarettes has a continuously driven turret with radially inwardly extending pockets in its peripheral surface. Successive pockets of the turret receive blocks of cigarettes from successive pockets of a first endless belt or chain conveyor which partially overlies the peripheral surface of the turret and carries pushers which transfer the blocks into the pockets of the turret in the region of overlap. First blanks are caused to overlie the pockets of the turret ahead of the region of overlap so that the blocks deform the blanks during transfer into the pockets of the turret. The blanks are provided with flaps and tucks during travel with the turret, and the latter is further overlapped by a portion of a second endless belt or chain conveyor whose pockets receive blocks and the at least partially draped first blanks from the pockets of the turret in the region where the second conveyor overlaps the peripheral surface of the turret. Second blanks are placed across the pockets of the turret ahead of the region of overlap with the second conveyor, and such second blanks are automatically draped around the blocks and the respective first blanks during transfer of blocks and first blanks from the pockets of the turret into the pockets of the second conveyor. The pockets of the conveyors and of the turret receive blocks in such orientation that the respective cigarettes are moved sideways.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method of draping into blanks block-shaped arrays of deformable parallel elongated rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry of the type having a pair of parallel major surfaces of a first width and a pair of parallel second surfaces having a lesser second width and disposed at right angles to the major surfaces and parallel to the articles, comprising the steps of continuously advancing a series of successive arrays in a first direction at right angles to the major surfaces of the arrays and at right angles to the axes of the articles along a first section of an elongated path;

transferring successive arrays of said series from the first into a second section of the path without interrupting the advancement of said arrays, including moving the arrays substantially transversely of said first direction at right angles to the second surfaces and at right angles to the axes of the articles;
and placing a blank in front of one second surface of each array prior to said moving step so that the blanks are at least partly draped around the one second surface and the major surfaces of the respective arrays in the course of the moving step.

In an apparatus for draping into blanks block-shaped arrays of deformable parallel elongated rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry wherein each array has a pair of parallel major surfaces of a first width and a pair of parallel second surfaces having a lesser second width and disposed at right angles to the major surfaces and parallel to the articles, the combination of a feeding unit comprising endless means for advancing a series of successive arrays in a first direction at right angles to the major surfaces of the arrays and at right angles to the axes of the articles along a first elongated path section, said advancing means including first pockets for the arrays and said first pockets having open sides adjacent the second surfaces of the arrays therein;

a conveyor having second pockets arranged to circulate in a second direction along an endless second path section having a portion adjacent a portion of said first section;
means for continuously driving said conveyor and said advancing means in synchronism so that successive first pockets reaching said portion of the first section register with successive second pockets reaching said portion of said second section;
and means for transferring arrays from successive first pockets into successive second pockets at right angles to the axes of articles and at right angles to the second surfaces of the arrays without interrupting the advancement of said arrays, said second pockets having open sides adjacent the second surfaces of the arrays therein and the open side of each first pocket in said portion of said second path section being adjacent the open side of the registering second pocket so that the major surfaces of arrays are confined in part in the respective first pockets during transfer of arrays into said second pockets.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of an apparatus for packing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Life of this patent

Method of an apparatus for packing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29