Method of and apparatus for supplying blanks to packing machines

Abstract

A packing machine receives stacks of blanks, which are to be converted into packets for cigarettes, from an apparatus wherein a first conveyor delivers stacks of blanks to a first station at a first frequency and a second conveyor advances stacks from a second station to the machine at a second frequency which can be less than the first frequency. The stations are connected to each other by two transporting units each of which can act as a first-in first-out reservoir for stacks or as a conveying unit which can move successive stacks without interruptions all the way from the first to the second station. The conveying unit is operative alone as long as the second frequency matches the first frequency, and the reservoir begins to accept surplus stacks when the first frequency exceeds the second frequency. Once filled, the reservoir begins to deliver stacks to the second station and continues to receive stacks from the first station until the reservoir is empty. The conveying unit begins to act as a reservoir when the reservoir is emptied, and the reservoir thereupon acts as a conveying unit until the other unit is filled with stacks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.