Process and device for selecting a single stacked flat object from a stack and use in packaging of cigarettes

An apparatus for removing a lowermost flat object from a remaining stack of flat objects and advancing the lowermost flat object along a path to a receiving area, comprising

• a hopper for containing the stack of flat objects,
• a scraper located along the path of advancement of the flat object,
• a conveyor having a flat middle section and adjoining side sections each of said side sections having a front section and a back section, said middle section and said side sections forming a recess located adjacent said front sections of said side sections,
• wherein each of said front sections of said conveyor side sections further includes a plurality of openings;
• wherein said conveyor has a timing and a speed and is displaceable along a path in a backward and forward motion such that the lowermost flat object is advanced,
• a vacuum system being in fluid communication with at least one of said side sections and configured to downwardly detach at least one flat object edge area running parallel to the advancement direction of the lowermost flat object, enabling advancement of the lowermost flat object underneath the scraper,
• a take-off device having a timing and a speed, said take off device being positioned in said recess during the forward motion of said conveyor so as to grasp and convey the lowermost flat object to a receiving area, and
• a controller, whereby the timing and the speed of the back and forth motion of said conveyor, and the timing and the speed of said take-off device, are controlled such that said conveyor reaches its retracted position at substantially the same time when the back edge of the lowermost flat object starts to clear said vacuum system.

An apparatus for removing a lowermost flat object from a remaining stack of flat objects and advancing the lowermost flat object along a path to a receiving area, comprising

• a hopper for containing the stack of flat objects,
• a scraper located along the path of advancement of the flat object,
• a conveyor having a flat middle section and adjoining side sections each of said side sections having a front section and a back section, said middle section and said side sections forming a recess located adjacent said front sections of said side sections,
• wherein each of said front sections of said conveyor side sections further includes a plurality of openings;
• wherein said conveyor has a timing and a speed and is displaceable along a path in a backward and forward motion such that the lowermost flat object is advanced,
• a vacuum system being in fluid communication with at least one of said side sections and configured to downwardly detach at least one flat object edge area running parallel to the advancement direction of the lowermost flat object, enabling advancement of the lowermost flat object underneath the scraper,
• a take-off device having a timing and a speed, said take off device being positioned in said recess during the forward motion of said conveyor so as to grasp and convey the lowermost flat object to a receiving area;
• and
• a controller, whereby the timing and the speed of the back and forth motion of said conveyor, and the timing and the speed of said take-off device, are controlled such that said conveyor starts its forward motion at substantially the same time when the back edge of the lowermost flat object starts to clear said vacuum system.