Method of feeding cigarettes to a hopper outlet

A method of feeding cigarettes to an outlet of a hopper;

• the cigarettes having a given diameter (D), and a given length (L) considerably greater than said diameter (D);
• the hopper comprising at least one inlet, and a chamber extending between said inlet and said outlet;
• the method comprising the steps of supplying said cigarettes in masses to said inlet, the cigarettes in said masses having a number of orientations;
• selecting said cigarettes as a function of their orientation by means of said inlet;
• wherein said inlet has a first length (L1) measured in a given first direction (D1) and approximately equal to but no smaller than said given length (L), and a first width (W1) measured in a given second direction (D2) perpendicular to said first direction (D1) and considerably smaller than said given length (L), to permit the passage of first cigarettes oriented within a given first range (I1), and to prevent the passage of second cigarettes oriented within a given second range (I2);
• said method further comprising the step of distributing said first cigarettes in a relatively thin layer over said outlet;
• said layer being of a height, measured in a substantially vertical third direction (D3) perpendicular to the first and second direction (D1, D2), equal to a value ranging between three and ten times the diameter (D) of said first and second cigarettes.

A hopper for supplying cigarettes having a diameter (D) and a given length (L) considerably greater than said diameter (D);

• the hopper comprising at least one inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between said inlet and said outlet;
• and said hopper inlet being so sized and oriented as to select said cigarettes as a function of their orientation;
• the hopper further comprising a substantially vertical channel located beneath said inlet;
• said channel having a third width considerably smaller than said given length (L).

A hopper supplying cigarettes having a diameter (D) and a given length (L) considerably greater than said diameter (D);

• the hopper comprising at least one inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between said inlet and said outlet;
• and said hopper inlet being so sized and oriented as to select said cigarettes as a function of their orientation;
• wherein said inlet has a first length (L1) measured in a given first direction (D1) and approximately equal to but no smaller than said given length (L), and a first width (W1) measured in a given second direction (D2) perpendicular to said first direction (D1) and considerably smaller than said given length (L), to permit the passage of first cigarettes oriented within a given first range (I1), and to prevent the passage of second cigarettes oriented within a given second range (I2);
• the hopper further comprising an expulsion inlet having a second length (L2) measured in said second direction (D2) and greater than said given length (L), and a second width (W2) measured in said first direction (D1) and considerably smaller than said given length (L), to permit the passage of the second cigarettes and prevent the passage of the first cigarettes.