Device for laterally transferring an orderly succession of smoking items

#The present invention relates to a device for laterally transferring an orderly succession of smoking items.

#More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for transferring cigarettes or filters or cigarette portions.

#On cigarette manufacturing systems, it is frequently necessary to move a succession of items, traveling crosswise to their axes, from a first to a second position a given distance from the first. This applies, for example, on a filter assembly machine, when double cigarette portions traveling crosswise to their axes are cut in half into two coaxial portions, one of which must be moved axially in relation to the other by a distance equal to the length of a double filter, which is subsequently inserted between the two cigarette portions to form a double cigarette.

#A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a larger-scale front view of the FIG. 1 device, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity;

#Number 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a transfer device for successively engaging cigarettes 2 traveling crosswise to their axes along a path 3, and transferring cigarettes 2 so that they travel along a path 4 offset laterally in relation to path 3 in a direction parallel to the axes of cigarettes 2.

#As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, device 1 comprises an input roller 5 and an output roller 6 separated by a distance D along the same axis 7, and forming part of a single drum 8 rotated anticlockwise (in FIG. 1) about axis 7 and at substantially constant angular speed by a known drive device (not shown). Roller 5 presents a number of longitudinal peripheral suction seats 9, each for retaining a respective cigarette 2, and each preferably coaxial with a corresponding longitudinal suction seat 10 on the periphery of roller 6.

#According to a variation not shown, drum 8 is replaced by a single elongated roller similar to rollers 5 and 6, and presenting longitudinal peripheral suction seats, each comprising a first portion corresponding to a seat 9, and a second portion corresponding to a seat 10.