CN115666279A

CN115666279A - Roller conveyor and method for rotating strip-shaped products

Info

Publication number: CN115666279A
Application number: CN202180038021.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·塞斯利科夫斯基; A·利索夫斯基
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2020-05-27
Filing date: 2021-05-25
Publication date: 2023-01-31
Also published as: KR20230016645A; EP4156981A1; WO2021239684A1; BR112022022780A2; US20230200432A1; JP2023527719A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller conveyor defining a roller rotation axis and an outer circumferential surface, the roller conveyor comprising: -a first seat and a second seat, each of which is adapted to convey a strip-shaped article, the first seat and the second seat being located at an outer peripheral surface of the drum conveyor; a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first shaft defines a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft defines a second shaft longitudinal axis, the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the first seat being attached to the first shaft and the second seat being attached to the second shaft such that rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis rotates the first seat and the second seat; a pusher coupled with the first and second shafts by a mechanical coupling, the pusher adapted to move linearly along a pusher direction and to engage with the first and second shafts when moved; an actuator adapted to move the pusher in the pusher direction when the drum conveyor rotates about the drum rotation axis, so as to simultaneously rotate the first and second shafts and the attached first and second seats. The invention also relates to a method of rotating a strip-shaped article.

Description

Roller conveyor and method for rotating strip-shaped products

The present invention relates to a roller conveyor for rotating strip-shaped articles and a method of rotating strip-shaped articles.

Aerosol-generating articles, such as filter cigarettes, typically comprise a tobacco cut filler rod surrounded by a paper wrapper, and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod and attached thereto by tipping paper. Several filters for smoking articles are known that comprise a plurality of cylindrical components attached in axial alignment. For example, methods are known for manufacturing filters for smoking articles comprising two or three different segments.

In manufacturing such multi-component filters, one or more of the components may initially be provided as a double or quadruple long component, that is, a component that is double or quadruple in length in the final smoking article. These multiple length strips are usually cut and divided into smaller parts and other components may be introduced between the cut parts. The various segments within the filter must typically be placed in a particular order and arrangement such that successive segments are in abutting relationship, or aligned with each other at a predetermined distance from each other, for example to define the internal cavity of the filter.

The various filter components may be moved by a linear conveyor (e.g., a drive chain) during processing. The linear conveyor is thus adapted to convey the filter segments along a first conveying direction extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of the components themselves.

Also, additional objects may be introduced inside the filter. The filter may include flavor capsules, threads, heating elements, susceptors, and others. The positioning of these elements inside the filter component is important for the quality of the finished product.

For example, misplacing an object in a part being cut may damage the object. For example, where the object is a susceptor, the impact of the blade used for such cutting may change the shape of the susceptor, which may impair the function of the susceptor during use.

Moreover, incorrect positioning of the object in the part may change the sensory experience of the user and the consistency of the finished product.

Typically, during manufacture of aerosol-generating articles, it is necessary to inspect the end of the rod, for example to verify the density of the tobacco, the porosity of the rod or the position of objects in the component. However, this is difficult in the case of strips transported in an end-to-end relationship. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for rotating bar shaped members that is reliable in rotation, but at the same time does not require relatively complex components.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a roller conveyor defining a roller axis of rotation and an outer peripheral surface. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises a first seat and a second seat, each of which is adapted to convey the strip-shaped article, the first seat and the second seat being located on an outer circumferential surface of the drum conveyor. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first shaft defines a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft defines a second shaft longitudinal axis, the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the first seat being attached to the first shaft and the second seat being attached to the second shaft such that rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis rotates the first seat and the second seat. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises a pusher coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft by a mechanical coupling, the pusher being adapted to move linearly along a direction of the pusher and to engage with the first shaft and the second shaft when moving. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises an actuator adapted to move the pusher in the pusher direction when the drum conveyor rotates around the drum rotation axis, so as to simultaneously rotate the first and second shafts and the attached first and second seats.

In the roller conveyor of the present invention, the seat formed on the outer cylindrical surface is constructed and arranged to receive the bar-shaped article. The seat is attached to a shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The two shafts are forced to rotate by the linear movement of the pusher. The pusher is in turn moved by the actuator. Rotation of the shaft causes the seat to rotate and, consequently, the bar-shaped article housed in the seat to rotate. A simple mechanical construction with relatively few elements enables the bar-shaped article to be rotated at any angle.

The roller conveyor defines a roller axis of rotation about which the roller conveyor is adapted to rotate. For example, the roller conveyor may be mechanically driven by a roller drive comprising gears or toothed belts. The roller conveyor may be driven by an electric roller drive. The roller conveyor is preferably cylindrical in shape and includes an outer peripheral surface. The outer circumferential surface is, for example, a substantially cylindrical surface having the drum rotation axis as a geometric center.

The roller conveyor is adapted to convey and rotate the strip-shaped articles. Each of the strip-shaped articles comprises an outer surface (preferably substantially cylindrical) extending along the longitudinal axis. In the case of a substantially cylindrical strip-shaped article, the longitudinal axis corresponds to the axis of the cylinder.

The roller conveyor includes at least a first seat and a second seat on an outer peripheral surface. In the following, when said feature applies to the "seat" without mentioning whether it is the first seat or the second seat, it means that it applies to both the first and the second seat. The seat is positioned at the outer peripheral surface. Each seat is adapted to hold a strip-shaped article during transfer. The first seat extends longitudinally along a first seat axis and the second seat extends longitudinally along a second seat axis. As the drum conveyor rotates, each of the first and second seats is adapted to receive a strip-shaped article having its longitudinal axis parallel to the seat axis. Preferably, each seat is configured such that the strip-shaped article can be accommodated therein when the seat axis and the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article are parallel (more preferably concentric). The seat may be adapted to accommodate a single bar article or more than one bar article. If more than one strip-shaped article is received in the seat, the strip-shaped articles are preferably in abutting relationship and their longitudinal axes are substantially aligned.

Preferably, the roller conveyor comprises more than two seats, e.g. N seats, all positioned on the peripheral surface of the roller conveyor, wherein N >2. More preferably, the seats are equally spaced around the circumference of the drum. Preferably, the roller conveyor comprises between 10 and 100 seats. More preferably, the roller conveyor comprises between 40 and 80 seats. In some embodiments, the roller conveyor includes 50 seats.

Preferably, all seats present in the roller conveyor have the same geometry. For example, each of the first and second seats comprises a receiving surface adapted to contact an outer surface of the strip-shaped article. Preferably, the receiving surface comprises a portion of a concave surface (e.g. a cylindrical surface). The cylindrical surface has a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the rod-shaped articles conveyed by the roller conveyor. The axis of the cylindrical surface defines a seat axis, and a portion of the cylindrical surface is a receiving surface.

Preferably, each seat comprises a suction aperture connected to a suction system or pneumatic system, the suction apertures being adapted to retain the strip-shaped articles in the seats by suction when the drum conveyor rotates. Depending on the size and weight of the strip-shaped article, there may be more than one orifice.

The roller conveyor includes a first shaft and a second shaft. In the following, when it is said that a feature applies to a "shaft" without mentioning whether it is a first shaft or a second shaft, this means that it applies to both the first shaft and the second shaft. The first shaft is adapted to rotate about a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft is adapted to rotate about a second shaft longitudinal axis. The first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis are both substantially perpendicular to the drum axis of rotation of the drum conveyor. Preferably, the first and second shafts extend radially about the drum axis of rotation. Preferably, the first and second shaft longitudinal axes are coplanar. The first shaft is associated with the first seat and the second shaft is associated with the second seat. If there are N seats in the conveyor drum (where N > 2), the number N of axles comprised in the drum conveyor is the same as the number N of seats, such that each seat of the N seats is associated with an axle of the N axles. Preferably, only one shaft is associated with one seat. In the case of N shafts (where N > 2), all of the shafts are adapted to rotate about the shaft longitudinal axis. Preferably, the N longitudinal axes are coplanar. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the N shafts are all perpendicular to the drum rotation axis. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the N shafts extend along a radius of a circumference defined by dividing the drum conveyor by a plane perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the circumference having the drum rotation axis as a center and the outer circumferential surface as an outer boundary.

Each seat is attached to its associated shaft in such a way that rotation of the shaft causes the seat to rotate. Thus, for rotation, the shaft and associated seat move as one. Preferably, the seat is attached to the shaft in such a way that the shaft longitudinal axis and the seat axis are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Preferably, each shaft defines first and second ends axially opposite one another. The first end may face the drum rotation axis and the second end may be attached to a seat at the outer circumferential surface. Preferably, the seat is fixed to the second end of the shaft.

Further, the drum conveyor includes a pusher. Preferably, the pusher is strip-shaped. The pusher is adapted to move linearly along a direction of the pusher. Preferably, the pusher direction is not perpendicular to the drum rotation axis. Preferably, the pusher direction is substantially parallel to the drum rotation axis. By "linear movement" is meant that the pusher is adapted to perform a linear movement, that is to say, a movement along a substantially straight line. More preferably, the pusher is adapted to reciprocate in a direction of the pusher. Thus, the pusher is adapted to perform a linear forward movement (forward movement) and a linear backward movement (backward movement).

The pusher is associated with a first shaft and a second shaft. In the case of N shafts (where N > 2), the drum conveyor preferably comprises N/2 pushers. Each pusher of the N/2 pushers is associated with two nearest adjacent axes.

The pusher is adapted to engage with the first shaft and the second shaft by means of a mechanical coupling. Due to the mechanical coupling, the linear movement of the pusher is transformed into a rotational movement of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and a rotational movement of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis. Thus, the pusher translates the linear motion of the pusher into rotational motion of the shaft.

Preferably, the mechanical coupling is adapted to rotate the first and second shafts in opposite directions. For example, as the pusher moves linearly, the mechanical pusher forces the first shaft to rotate clockwise about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft to rotate counterclockwise about the second shaft longitudinal axis. Preferably, the direction of rotation of the first shaft or the second shaft during forward movement of the pusher is reversed during backward movement of the pusher.

The mechanical coupling between the impeller and the first and second shafts may be of any type, as long as the mechanical coupling is capable of converting motion from linear to rotational. The mechanical coupling may be as known in the art.

Preferably, the impeller is located, for example, between the first shaft and the second shaft. The first and second shafts are preferably angularly spaced apart. Preferably, the pusher is inserted into a space formed between the first shaft and the second shaft. Preferably, the pusher is in contact with the first shaft and the second shaft.

In the case of N axes (where N > 2), the first axis and the second axis are the nearest neighbors. The nearest neighbor axis is the angularly nearest axis. In the case of N shafts (where N > 2), for each pair of nearest adjacent shafts, it is preferable that a pusher is interposed therebetween. For example, in the case of a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, and a fourth shaft, the first pusher engages the first shaft and the second shaft, and the second pusher engages the third shaft and the fourth shaft. Preferably, one shaft engages with only one pusher.

In order to perform a linear movement such that the first shaft rotates about a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft rotates about a second shaft longitudinal axis, the pusher is put into motion by the actuator. The actuator pushes the pusher in the pusher direction to force the pusher to displace. The translation is along a translation vector having the pusher direction as the direction, and a given modulus. The value of the modulus determines, in particular, the rotation angle of the first and second axes. Thus, the movement of the pusher in the direction of the pusher may have different magnitudes depending on the action of the actuator on the pusher. The "amplitude" of the linear movement of the pusher means the modulus of the translation vector. Thus, the amplitude is the distance between the position of the end of the pusher at the beginning of the movement and the position of the same end of the pusher at the end of the movement during the rotation of the drum conveyor around the drum rotation axis, wherein the beginning and the end of the movement are two times t1 and t2, wherein t2> t1. The distance is calculated along the pusher direction. Preferably, the pusher direction is parallel to the drum rotation axis. During rotation of the drum conveyor about the drum rotation axis, the linear movement of the pusher reaches a maximum amplitude at a point in time when the pusher starts to move backwards in the same pusher direction. The maximum amplitude of movement is preferably comprised between 0.5 and 2 cm.

Preferably, the amplitude of the pusher movement is selected such that the rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis is at least 80 degrees due to the linear movement of the pusher. Preferably, the amplitudes are selected such that the rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis are substantially equal to 90 degrees. A rotation of 90 degrees allows to inspect the ends, and in particular the end faces, of the strip-shaped article in an easy manner. Thus, if the inspection system is present, it is possible to accurately inspect the end of the strip-shaped article.

Preferably, the action of the pushers on the first and second shafts varies during rotation of the conveyor drum about the drum axis of rotation, since the linear movement of the pushers is preferably a reciprocating movement. Thus, during rotation of the roller conveyor, the rotation of the first and second shafts may also change.

Preferably, the pusher performs forward and backward movements while the drum conveyor rotates 360 degrees around the drum rotation axis. Preferably, the forward movement and the backward movement have the same maximum amplitude. The forward movement of the pusher is a linear movement of the pusher away from the actuator, and the backward movement is a linear movement of the pusher toward the actuator. Preferably, the pusher direction is parallel to the drum rotation axis. Thus, the forward movement is a linear movement of the pusher parallel to the drum axis of rotation having a first orientation, and the backward movement is a linear movement parallel to the drum axis of rotation and having an orientation opposite to the first orientation.

Preferably, at one point in time (indicated with t = 0) during the rotation of the drum conveyor around the drum rotation axis, the first and second seats have their first and second seat axes substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis. When the drum conveyor starts to rotate, the actuator acts on the pusher to push the pusher to move forward. Due to the mechanical coupling, the resulting linear movement rotates the first and second shafts. Thus, during rotation of the drum conveyor, the pusher moves in the direction of the pusher until the pusher reaches a maximum amplitude of movement. Preferably, the maximum amplitude is such that, when reached, the rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis are at least 90 degrees and more preferably substantially equal to an angle of 90 degrees. In this configuration of 90 degrees of rotation, preferably the seat axes of the first and second seats are substantially parallel to the drum rotation axis.

When this configuration has been reached, that is to say when a 90 degree rotation of the first and second shaft longitudinal axes is obtained, the action of the actuator on the pusher is changed and the backward movement of the pusher is started so as to reverse its linear forward movement. This reverse movement causes the direction of rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis to change and the direction of rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis to change. If the first shaft rotates clockwise and the second shaft rotates counterclockwise during the forward movement of the pusher, the rotation of the first shaft and the second shaft becomes counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, during the backward movement of the pusher. The maximum amplitude of this rearward movement is preferably the same as the maximum amplitude of the forward movement and therefore it is preferred that the first and second shafts are again rotated 90 degrees. Thus, at the end of the backward movement, the seat axis is again substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis.

Preferably, at a point in time during the rotation of the drum conveyor about the drum rotation axis (indicated with t = 0), the first and second seats have their first and second seat axes forming an angle equal to α with the drum rotation axis. When the drum conveyor starts to rotate, the actuator acts on the pusher to push the pusher to move forward. Due to the mechanical coupling, the resulting linear movement rotates the first and second shafts. Thus, during rotation of the drum conveyor, the pusher moves in the direction of the pusher until the pusher reaches a maximum amplitude of movement. Preferably, the maximum amplitude is such that, when reached, the rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis are of an angle β, whereby the seat axes of the first and second seats are substantially parallel to the drum rotation axis. Therefore, preferably, α + β =90 degrees.

When this configuration has been reached, that is to say when a rotation of β degrees of the first and second shaft longitudinal axes is obtained, the action of the actuator on the pusher is changed and the backward movement of the pusher is started so as to reverse its linear forward movement. This reverse movement causes the direction of rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis to change and the direction of rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis to change. If the first shaft rotates clockwise and the second shaft rotates counterclockwise during the forward movement of the pusher, the rotation of the first shaft and the second shaft becomes counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, during the backward movement of the pusher. The maximum amplitude of this backward movement is preferably the same as the maximum amplitude of the forward movement and therefore preferably the first and second shafts are again rotated by β degrees. Thus, at the end of the backward movement, the seat axis again substantially forms an angle with the drum rotation axis equal to α.

During the forward and backward movement, at each point in time, the angle formed between the seat axis and the drum rotation axis depends on the position of the pusher along the direction of the pusher. For example, forward movement of the pusher includes movement from a first position to a second position along the direction of the pusher. In the first position, the angle between the seat axis and the drum rotation axis may be 90 degrees, and in the second position, the angle between the seat axis and the drum rotation axis may be 0 degrees. The angle formed between the seat axis and the drum rotation axis is between 0 and 90 degrees when the pusher moves between the first and second positions, the exact value depending on the exact instantaneous position of the pusher.

With the above configuration, the rotation of the seat and thus the bar-shaped article positioned in the seat is relatively simple and requires relatively few mechanical parts. Thus, a smaller roller conveyor may be used, for example due to the relatively low inertia when compared to a larger roller conveyor, which in turn allows for energy savings. Moreover, the angle of rotation of the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article can be easily determined by varying the maximum amplitude of the linear movement of the pusher. Any angle of rotation can be easily achieved. A simple and effective selection of the angle is achieved. The roller conveyor of the present invention is therefore adapted to more efficiently and smoothly change the orientation of filter rod articles.

Preferably, the pusher direction is perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis or perpendicular to the second shaft longitudinal axis. Having a pusher direction perpendicular to the shaft longitudinal axis allows a stable and efficient mechanical coupling between the pusher and the first and second shafts.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a cam that pushes the pusher in the direction of the pusher when the drum conveyor rotates about the axis of rotation of the drum. Relative rotation between the pusher and the cam translates into linear movement of the pusher. In this configuration, the pusher acts as a follower for the cam. Preferably, the pusher rotates with the drum conveyor such that rotation of the drum conveyor corresponds to rotation of the pusher about the same axis (drum rotation axis). Preferably, the cam is an end cam. Preferably, the roller conveyor comprises a first wall and a second wall located at two opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface. Preferably, the cam is defined by a portion of the first wall. That is, the first wall is preferably provided with a cam. Preferably, the cam is formed as a local thickness variation of the first wall on the surface of the first wall (more preferably the surface facing the second wall). The first wall includes a peripheral profile, and the profile of the first wall varies in thickness according to a predetermined pattern such that a local distance between the first wall and the second wall along the drum axis of rotation varies. Preferably, the pusher defines a first end and a second end. Preferably, the first end of the pusher abuts the cam. Preferably, the second end of the pusher is fixed to the second wall of the drum conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the first wall comprising the cam is stationary, that is, the first wall does not rotate with the roller conveyor when the roller conveyor rotates about the roller rotation axis. Instead, the second wall and the pusher preferably rotate integrally with the drum conveyor. Thus, preferably there is relative rotation between the first wall and the second wall. As the roller conveyor rotates, the first end of the pusher slides onto the surface of the first wall defining the cam (or the surface of the first wall slides onto the first end of the pusher) and follows the contour of the surface of the first wall. Due to the varying thickness of the first wall, the surface on which the pusher slides is not flat, but comprises a "protrusion" that pushes the pusher towards the second wall. This urging force causes the pusher to move linearly toward the second wall. The magnitude of the linear movement depends on the difference between the first distance and the second distance. The first distance is the distance between the point of the surface of the first wall with which the pusher is in contact and the corresponding point on the inner surface of the second wall facing the first wall, calculated at the beginning of the movement along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. The second distance is the distance between the point of the surface of the first wall with which the pusher is in contact and the corresponding point on the inner surface of the second wall facing the first wall, calculated at the end of the linear movement along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. The larger the difference, the larger the amplitude. The shape of the surface of the first wall is conformed in such a way that the rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis or the rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis is at least 80 degrees, more preferably at least 90 degrees, after the rotation of the drum conveyor substantially less than or equal to 180 degrees about the drum rotation axis.

Preferably, the first wall is stationary. Preferably, the cam remains stationary and the pusher slides on the cam as the drum conveyor rotates. The pusher rotating integrally with the drum conveyor slides on the cam, and is thus forced to perform a linear movement in a linear direction due to the cam shape. Preferably, the movement of the pusher is substantially that of the follower of the end cam.

Preferably, the pusher comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end of the pusher is adapted to engage with the actuator. Preferably, the action of the actuator is performed on one of the opposing first and second distal ends of the pusher, for example on the first end. For example, the actuator is a cam and the pusher is a follower thereof, such that a first end of the pusher slides on the cam with relative rotation of the pusher and the cam.

Preferably, the pusher is provided with a resilient element. More preferably, the resilient element exerts a resilient force on the pusher towards the first wall. Preferably, a force is exerted on the pusher such that the first end of the pusher remains engaged with the actuator. Preferably, the force is an elastic force. Preferably, the force has a major component towards the first wall. The resilient force may be generated by a resilient element provided at the second end of the pusher. The resilient element generates a force which is preferably directed in the direction of the pusher. Preferably, the resilient force has an orientation opposite to the orientation of the force exerted by the actuator on the pusher. The resilient force may bias the first end of the pusher to remain engaged with the actuator. For example, when the first end of the pusher slides over the surface of the first wall, the second end of the pusher may engage with a resilient element that urges the pusher toward the surface of the first wall such that contact may be maintained between the first end of the pusher and the surface of the first wall including the cam. Preferably, the resilient element is compressed between the pusher and the second wall. Preferably, the resilient element is connected to the second wall. For example, the resilient element may comprise a spring. The resilient element may comprise a block of resilient material, such as rubber. The resilient element may be mounted such that it is always in a compressed state such that it constantly exerts a resilient force on the pusher towards the first wall. When the pusher is linearly moved, the elastic force is changed. The resilient force increases when the pusher is moved in the direction of the pusher towards the second wall. Preferably, the pusher is oriented parallel to the drum rotation axis and a first end of the pusher engages the actuator and a second end of the pusher engages the resilient element. The force exerted by the actuator on the pusher has a component in the direction of the pusher. The elastic force exerted by the elastic element on the pusher has a component in the direction of the pusher.

Preferably, the resilient element is adapted to bias the pusher towards the cam to maintain contact between the pusher and the cam. To maintain contact between the pusher and the cam during rotation of the roller conveyor, a force needs to be applied. The force may be provided by a resilient element. Preferably, the pusher slides on the surface of the first wall while maintaining contact during the relative rotation between the first wall and the pusher, exerted by the elastic element. Preferably, the resilient element is positioned between the second wall and the second end of the pusher.

Preferably, the pusher is telescopic and comprises an inner tubular element and an outer tubular element, the inner tubular element being slidable in the outer tubular element along the direction of the pusher. The telescoping pusher can change the overall length of the pusher along the pusher direction from a minimum length in the collapsed configuration to a maximum length in the extended configuration. Preferably, the telescopic pusher is urged towards the extended configuration by an elastic force exerted by the elastic element. The actuator urges the telescoping pusher toward the retracted configuration. Thus, reciprocation of the pusher includes extension and retraction of the telescoping pusher. Thus, the maximum amplitude of linear movement is the total length difference of the pusher between the total length in the extended configuration of the pusher and the total length in the retracted configuration of the pusher. Thus, linear movement is sliding movement of the inner tubular member in and out of the outer tubular member. Preferably, the elastic element is positionable between the inner tubular element and the outer tubular element and compressed when the inner tubular element is slid within the outer tubular element.

Preferably, the mechanical coupling between the first and second shafts and the impeller comprises a rack and pinion. Preferably, in order to transform the linear movement of the pusher into a rotational movement of the first and second shafts, a mechanical coupling is used comprising a circular gear (pinion) engaging a linear gear (rack). The linear driving rack causes the pinion to be driven to rotate. This configuration of the mechanical coupling is very efficient in the transformation of motion and is relatively easy to implement. However, other mechanical couplings may be used.

Preferably, the pusher comprises a first rack and a second rack, and the first shaft comprises a first pinion and the second shaft comprises a second pinion; the pusher is positioned such that the first rack is engaged with the first pinion and the second rack is engaged with the second pinion. Preferably, the impeller is located between the first shaft and the second shaft. The exact position of insertion of the pusher between the first and second shafts (e.g., the distance between the pusher and the drum axis of rotation) depends on the position of the pinions formed in the first and second shafts. Preferably, the pusher comprises a first rack and a second rack. The first and second racks may face in opposite directions. The first rack may face the first shaft and the second rack may face the second shaft. The first rack may be engaged with the first pinion. The second rack may be engaged with the second pinion. In this way, due to the engagement of the first and second racks with the first and second pinions, respectively, the linear movement of the first and second racks is converted into the rotational movement of the first shaft and the rotational movement of the second shaft. Due to the fact that the first seat is attached to the first shaft and the second seat is attached to the second shaft, the rotational movement of the first shaft and the second shaft also corresponds to a rotation of the first seat about the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second seat about the second shaft longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the linear movement of the pusher defines an amplitude, and wherein the amplitude is selected such that the first and second seats rotate at least 90 degrees. The pusher direction is preferably parallel to the drum axis of rotation. Preferably, the pusher direction is perpendicular to the first and second shaft longitudinal axes. Preferably, the linear movement comprises a forward movement and a backward movement. Preferably, both the forward and backward movements are comprised within a single 360 degree rotation of the roller conveyor. Preferably, the forward movement and the backward movement have the same maximum amplitude. Preferably, at a given point in time t1 during the rotation, the seat axis is substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis. After a rotation of the drum conveyor of less than or equal to 180 degrees, at a point in time t2 (where t2> t 1), preferably the seat axis is parallel to the drum rotation axis. After a subsequent rotation of the drum conveyor before or after completing a full rotation, the seat axis is preferably again perpendicular to the drum rotation axis.

Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises a plurality of N seats and a plurality of N shafts, and N/2 pushers, wherein according to the above aspect, each kth pusher of the N/2 pushers is coupled to two nearest adjacent shafts (i, i + 1), wherein k =1 \ 8230 \8230;/2, wherein i =1, 3, 5 \8230; N-1. Preferably, in the drum conveyor, the number of pushers is half the number of shafts (or seats). Thus, if the number of seats and shafts is equal to N, the number of pushers is equal to N/2. The coupling of one impeller to both shafts allows the rotation of N shafts using only N/2 impellers. The N shafts are preferably all perpendicular to the drum axis of rotation. Preferably, the N axes are coplanar. Each of the N axes is associated with a seat of the N seats. Preferably, the association is identical to the association between the first seat and the first shaft and the second seat and the second shaft. Each of the N/2 pushers is coupled to two nearest adjacent shafts of the N shafts. Therefore, the relationship between the shaft and the pusher is preferably as follows.

The kth (where k is an integer from 1 to N/2) pusher is coupled to two nearest neighboring shafts, referred to as the ith shaft and the (i + 1) th shaft, where i is an odd integer from 1 to N-1. Thus, the first pusher is interposed between the first shaft and the second shaft, there is no pusher between the second shaft and the third shaft, the second pusher is interposed between the second shaft and the fourth shaft, and so on.

Preferably, the roller conveyor comprises N seats equally spaced around the outer circumferential surface of the roller conveyor. Preferably, the roller conveyor further comprises N shafts associated with each of the N seats. Preferably, the N seats may have a non-uniform spacing. For example, the spacing between two nearest adjacent seats associated with two axes between which the pusher is interposed may be different from the spacing between two nearest adjacent seats associated with two axes between which the pusher is not interposed. Moreover, the spacing between the seats may not correspond to the spacing between the strip-shaped articles positioned in the seats.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for rotating a strip-shaped article, comprising a roller conveyor according to the preceding aspect. The bar product is rotated in the roller conveyor by a predetermined angle. Preferably, the strip-shaped article is rotated from a configuration in which its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum to a configuration in which its axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.

The advantages of the system have been outlined with reference to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

Preferably, the system further comprises an inspection device adapted to inspect the strip-shaped articles positioned on the first seat or on the second seat (or on both the first seat and the second seat). It may be difficult to inspect the end faces of the strip-shaped articles if the strip-shaped articles are conveyed in the conveying direction with their longitudinal axes parallel to the conveying direction. Inspection of one or more of the end faces of the bar article may be relevant for assessing the quality of the bar article. For example, it is desirable to check for the presence of deformations (such as ovality) of the strip-shaped article. In the case of inserting an object into a strip-shaped article during manufacture, it may be desirable to assess whether the object is correctly positioned. However, the path followed by the strip-shaped articles with their axes parallel to each other can make this task difficult. Therefore, in order to inspect the first or second end of the bar-shaped article, in particular when the bar-shaped article is initially positioned in the seat of the drum conveyor and the bar longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, it is preferred to rotate the bar-shaped article by a selected angle (e.g. 90 degrees) using the system of the invention. The 90 degree rotation is the rotation of the longitudinal axis of the strip article relative to the initial direction of the longitudinal axis. Thus, the rotation is a rotation with respect to the conveying direction. Preferably, the system comprises an inspection device for inspecting the first end or the second end or both of the strip-shaped article. Preferably, the inspection device comprises a camera. Preferably, the inspection device is adapted to detect the position of the susceptor in the first end or the second end of the strip-shaped article.

Preferably, the first seat extends along a first seat axis and the second seat extends along a second seat axis, and the inspection apparatus is adapted to inspect the strip-shaped articles on the drum conveyor when the first seat axis and the second seat axis are parallel to the drum rotation axis. Preferably, the inspection apparatus is inspecting the first or second end of the bar-shaped article when the bar-shaped article is positioned in the first or second seat and the first or second seat axis is parallel to the drum rotation axis.

Preferably, the system comprises a first linear conveyor adapted to convey a stream of strip-shaped articles to maintain the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in a first conveying direction extending substantially perpendicular to the drum axis of rotation; and wherein the roller conveyor is located downstream of the first linear conveyor and is adapted to engage the bar article and convey the bar article while rotating the longitudinal axis of the bar article. The rotation of the longitudinal axis is a rotation relative to the conveying direction of the roller conveyor. Thus, the system includes a transfer station wherein the strip articles are transferred from the first linear conveyor to the drum conveyor. As described above, this configuration does not allow easy inspection of the end face of the strip-shaped article. For this reason, the strip-shaped articles are preferably transferred from a linear conveyor to the drum conveyor of the present invention, wherein the articles are rotated by a given angle.

Preferably, the system comprises a second linear conveyor adapted to convey a stream of strip-shaped articles to maintain the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in a second conveying direction extending substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis; and wherein the second linear conveyor is located downstream of the roller conveyor and is adapted to engage the strip articles received from the roller conveyor. Thus, the system preferably transfers the strip-shaped articles from the drum conveyor back to the other linear conveyor, so that the strip-shaped articles are conveyed again with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of rotating a strip-shaped article having a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the method comprises: a roller conveyor defining a roller axis of rotation and an outer peripheral surface is provided. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises: a first seat and a second seat on an outer circumferential surface of the roller conveyor. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises: a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first shaft defines a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft defines a second shaft longitudinal axis, the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the first seat being attached to the first shaft and the second seat being attached to the second shaft. Preferably, the drum conveyor comprises: a pusher forming a mechanical coupling with the first shaft and the second shaft. Preferably, the method comprises: the strip-shaped article is positioned in the first seat and in the second seat. Preferably, the method comprises: the roller conveyor is rotated about a roller conveyor rotation axis. Preferably, the method comprises: the pusher is linearly moved in a pusher direction while rotating the drum conveyor. Preferably, the method comprises: the linear movement of the pusher is transformed into a rotational movement of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and a rotational movement of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis so as to rotate the longitudinal axes of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats.

The advantages of this aspect have already been described with reference to the previous aspect and will not be described in detail here.

Preferably, the step of rotating the first and second shafts comprises: the first and second shafts are rotated 90 degrees. Rotation through 90 degrees allows for easy inspection of the end face of the strip-shaped article.

Preferably, the step of rotating the first and second shafts comprises: the first and second shafts are caused to rotate in opposite directions. Linear movement of the pusher in the direction of the pusher is converted into two rotational movements of the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively. For easy conversion, the two rotational movements are in opposite directions.

Preferably, the step of rotating the first and second shafts comprises: rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis. In some processes of the strip-shaped articles, it is preferred to position the strip-shaped articles in a row with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other, and in abutting relationship. However, in this configuration, other processing steps may be hindered, such as inspecting the end faces of the strip-shaped article. Preferably, the method of the present invention rotates the bar from this initial configuration, in which the bar is in a line, to a configuration in which the bar is rotated 90 degrees. In this way, the end face thereof can be easily inspected.

Preferably, the step of rotating the roller conveyor comprises: the roller conveyor is rotated 360 degrees about the roller rotation axis. Preferably, the step of rotating the first and second shafts comprises, in the same 360 degrees of rotation of the roller conveyor: rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis; and rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, back to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. As more processing steps on the strip article are performed when the articles are positioned in a row with the longitudinal axes parallel to each other and positioned in abutting relationship, it is preferred to rotate the strip article "temporarily" for a sufficient period of time for the desired inspection, and then rotate the article back to the initial configuration.

Preferably, the method comprises inspecting the strip-shaped articles in the first seats and in the second seats when the first shaft and the second shaft are in a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. Inspection of the end face may be facilitated in this configuration.

Preferably, the step of linearly moving the pusher in the pusher direction includes: the pusher is reciprocally moved in a pusher direction. The pusher may perform a forward movement in a first 90-degree rotation of the first and second seats and a backward movement in a subsequent 90-degree return rotation of the first and second seats.

Preferably, the step of linearly moving the pusher in the pusher direction includes: the pusher is moved in the pusher direction by means of a cam. The relationship between the pusher and the cam is that the pusher acts as a follower of the cam.

Preferably, the step of providing a conveyor roller comprises: providing a conveyor roller having a first wall and a second wall; and forming a cam in the first wall. A simple construction with few parts can be achieved.

Preferably, the step of providing a conveyor drum with a pusher comprises: a telescoping pusher is provided that includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member. Preferably, the step of linearly moving the pusher in the pusher direction includes: sliding the inner tubular member inwardly or outwardly from the outer tubular member. The linear movement of the pusher may include a sliding movement of a telescoping pusher that varies the overall length of the pusher along the direction of the pusher.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: one or more strip-shaped articles are transferred from the first conveyor to the roller conveyor. More preferably, the first conveyor is a linear conveyor and the method comprises: conveying a plurality of strip-shaped articles along a path with their axes parallel to each other.

Hereinafter, the term "rod-shaped article" may refer to any element that may be included in an aerosol-forming article. Such elements are known in the art and are not described in detail below. For example, such rod-shaped articles may include filter segments of filters, heat sources, tobacco rods, carbon elements, and the like. Preferably, the rod-shaped article is an article comprising plant material, in particular a tobacco-containing article. The tobacco product may contain tobacco cut filler or reconstituted tobacco that forms an aerosol. The article may comprise a tobacco rod to be burned or heated. The rod-shaped article according to the invention may be the entire assembled aerosol-forming article, or an element of an aerosol-forming article combined with one or more other components to provide an assembled aerosol-forming article for generating an aerosol, e.g. as a consumable part of a heated smoking device.

Preferably, the element of the aerosol-forming article comprises a tobacco-containing material comprising volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating.

Preferably, the bar article may comprise a heat source or volatile flavour-generating component, such as menthol capsules, charcoal elements or susceptors.

The susceptor may be formed from any material capable of being inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. Preferred susceptors include metals or carbon. Preferred susceptors may comprise ferromagnetic materials such as ferritic iron or ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. Suitable susceptors may be or include aluminum. Preferred susceptors may be made from 400 series stainless steel, such as grade 410 or grade 420 or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials will consume different amounts of energy when positioned within an electromagnetic field having similar frequency and field strength values. Thus, parameters of the susceptor, such as material type, length, width, and thickness, may be altered within a known electromagnetic field to provide the desired power consumption.

Preferred susceptors can be heated to temperatures in excess of 250 degrees celsius. Suitable susceptors may include non-metallic cores having a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, such as metal traces formed on the surface of a ceramic core. The susceptor may have an outer protective layer, for example a ceramic or glass protective layer encapsulating the elongate susceptor. The susceptor may include a protective coating formed of glass, ceramic, or inert metal formed on a core of susceptor material.

Preferably, the length of the strip-shaped article may be between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, preferably between about 8 mm and about 16 mm, for example a length of about 12 mm. In some cases, the length of the strip article may be from about 40 millimeters to about 85 millimeters.

Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "length" refers to the length of a strip-shaped article along its longitudinal axis.

Hereinafter, the term "strip-shaped" denotes a substantially cylindrical element having a substantially cylindrical, oval or elliptical cross-section. However, other prism forms with different cross-sections are also possible.

As used herein, an aerosol-forming article is any article that generates an inhalable aerosol when an aerosol-forming substrate is heated. The term includes articles comprising an aerosol-forming substrate heated by an external heat source, for example an electrical heating element. The aerosol-forming article may be a non-combustible aerosol-forming article, which is an article that releases volatile compounds without combusting the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming article may be a heated aerosol-forming article, which is an aerosol-forming article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate intended to be heated, rather than combusted, so as to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The term includes articles comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and an integral heat source (e.g. a combustible heat source).

An aerosol-forming article according to the invention may be in the form of a combustible filter cigarette or other smoking article in which the tobacco material forms smoke on combustion.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming article may be substantially elongate. The aerosol-forming article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The total length of the aerosol-forming article may be between about 30 millimetres and about 100 millimetres. The aerosol-forming article may have an outer diameter of between about 5 mm and about 12 mm.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, the following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting embodiments. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1: a roller conveyor defining a roller axis of rotation and an outer peripheral surface, the roller conveyor comprising:

a first seat and a second seat, each of said first seat and said second seat being adapted to convey a strip-shaped article, said first seat and said second seat being located on an outer peripheral surface of said drum conveyor;

a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first shaft defines a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft defines a second shaft longitudinal axis, the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the first seat being attached to the first shaft and the second seat being attached to the second shaft such that rotation of the first shaft about the first shaft longitudinal axis and rotation of the second shaft about the second shaft longitudinal axis rotates the first seat and the second seat;

a pusher coupled with the first and second shafts by a mechanical coupling, the pusher adapted to move linearly along a pusher direction and to engage the first and second shafts when moving;

an actuator adapted to move the pusher in the pusher direction as the drum conveyor rotates about the drum axis of rotation so as to simultaneously rotate the first and second shafts and the attached first and second seats.

Example Ex2: the drum conveyor according to Ex1, wherein the pusher direction is perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis or perpendicular to the second shaft longitudinal axis.

Example Ex3: the drum conveyor according to Ex1 or Ex2, wherein the actuator includes a cam that pushes the pusher in the pusher direction when the drum conveyor rotates around the drum rotation axis.

Example Ex4: the roller conveyor according to Ex3, wherein the roller conveyor comprises a first wall and a second wall located at two opposite sides of the outer circumferential surface, and wherein the cam is defined by a portion of the first wall.

Example Ex5: the roller conveyor according to Ex4, wherein the first wall is stationary.

Example Ex6: the drum conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex 1-Ex 5, wherein the pusher comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end of the pusher is adapted to engage with the actuator.

Example Ex7: the drum conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex1 to Ex6, wherein the pusher is provided with an elastic element.

Example Ex8: the drum conveyor according to Ex7 when dependent on Ex4 or Ex5, wherein said elastic element exerts an elastic force on said pusher towards said first wall.

Example Ex9: the roller conveyor according to Ex7 or Ex8 when dependent on Ex3 or Ex4, wherein said elastic element is adapted to bias said pusher towards said cam to maintain contact between said pusher and said cam.

Example Ex10: the roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex1 to Ex9, wherein said pusher is telescopic and comprises an inner tubular element and an outer tubular element, said inner tubular element being slidable in said outer tubular element along the direction of said pusher.

Example Ex11: the drum conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex1 to Ex10, wherein the mechanical coupling between the first and second shafts and the impeller comprises a rack and pinion.

Example Ex12: the drum conveyor according to Ex11, wherein the pusher comprises a first rack and a second rack, and the first shaft comprises a first pinion, and the second shaft comprises a second pinion; the pusher is positioned such that the first rack is engaged with the first pinion and the second rack is engaged with the second pinion.

Example Ex13: the roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex1 to Ex12, wherein the linear movement of the pusher defines an amplitude, and wherein said amplitude is selected such that the first seat and the second seat rotate at least 90 degrees.

Example Ex14: the drum conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims Ex1 to Ex13, comprising N seats and N shafts, and N/2 pushers, wherein each kth pusher of the N/2 pushers is coupled to two nearest adjacent shafts (i, i + 1), wherein k =1 \ 8230; \8230n/2, wherein i =1, 3, 5 \8230; \8230, N-1, according to one or more of the preceding claims.

Example Ex15: the roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding Ex1 to Ex14, comprising N seats equally spaced around the outer circumferential surface of the roller conveyor.

Example Ex16: a system for rotating a bar article, the system comprising:

o a roller conveyor according to any one of Ex1 to Ex 15;

o an inspection apparatus adapted to inspect a strip-shaped article positioned on the first seat or on the second seat.

Example Ex17: the system according to Ex16, wherein the first seat extends along a first seat axis and the second seat extends along a second seat axis, and wherein the inspection apparatus is adapted to inspect a bar-shaped article on the drum conveyor when the first seat axis and the second seat axis are parallel to the drum rotation axis.

Example Ex18: a method of rotating a rod-shaped article having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

providing a roller conveyor defining a roller rotation axis and an outer peripheral surface, the roller conveyor comprising:

-a first seat and a second seat on the peripheral surface of the drum conveyor;

a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein the first shaft defines a first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft defines a second shaft longitudinal axis, the first shaft longitudinal axis and the second shaft longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to the drum rotation axis, the first seat being attached to the first shaft and the second seat being attached to the second shaft;

a pusher forming a mechanical coupling with the first shaft and the second shaft;

positioning a strip-shaped article in said first seat and in said second seat;

rotating the roller conveyor about the roller conveyor rotation axis;

linearly moving the pusher in a pusher direction while rotating the drum conveyor;

-transforming the linear movement of the pusher into a rotational movement of the first and second shafts about the first and second shaft longitudinal axes, so as to rotate the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article in the first and second seats.

Example Ex19: the method of Ex18, wherein the step of rotating the first shaft and the second shaft comprises:

-rotating the first and second axes by 90 degrees.

Example Ex20: the method according to Ex18 or Ex19, wherein the step of rotating the first shaft and the second shaft comprises:

-rotating the first and second shafts in opposite directions.

Example Ex21: the method according to Ex19 or Ex20, wherein the step of rotating the first shaft and the second shaft comprises:

-rotating said first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article in said first and second seats is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article in said first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis.

Example Ex22: the method according to claim Ex20 or Ex21, wherein the step of rotating the drum conveyor comprises:

-rotating the drum conveyor 360 degrees around the drum rotation axis; and is provided with

Wherein the step of rotating the first shaft and the second shaft in the same 360 degrees of rotation of the roller conveyor comprises:

-rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article in the first and second seats is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis;

-rotating said first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the bar in said first and second seats is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, back to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the bar in said first and second seats is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.

Example Ex23: the method according to claim Ex21 or Ex22, comprising:

-checking the bar in the first seat or in the second seat when the first shaft and the second shaft are in a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the bar is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.

Example Ex24: the method according to one or more of Ex18 to Ex23, wherein the step of linearly moving the pusher along the pusher direction comprises:

-reciprocating the pusher along the pusher direction.

Example Ex25: the method according to one or more of Ex18 to Ex24, wherein the step of linearly moving the pusher along the pusher direction comprises:

-moving the pusher in the pusher direction by means of a cam.

Example Ex26: the method according to one or more of Ex18 to Ex25, wherein the step of providing a conveyor roller comprises:

providing a conveyor drum having a first wall and a second wall;

forming said cam in said first wall.

Example Ex27: the method according to one or more of Ex18 to Ex26, wherein the step of providing a conveyor drum with a pusher comprises:

providing a telescopic pusher comprising an inner tubular element and an outer tubular element;

and wherein the step of linearly moving the pusher along the pusher direction comprises:

sliding the inner tubular element inwardly or outwardly from the outer tubular element.

Example Ex28: the method according to one or more of Ex18 to Ex27, comprising the steps of:

transferring one or more strip-shaped articles from a first conveyor to the drum conveyor.

Example Ex29: the method according to Ex28, wherein the first conveyor is a linear conveyor, and the method comprises:

-conveying a plurality of strip-shaped articles along a path with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a conveyor drum realized according to the invention, with some elements removed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conveyor roller of FIG. 1 with further elements removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 1 or 2;

fig. 4 and 5 are perspective views, in disassembled configuration, of another detail of the conveyor drum of fig. 1 to 2, in extended and in retracted configuration, respectively;

fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of another detail of the roller conveyor of fig. 1 to 2 in a disassembled configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a system for inspecting strip-shaped articles according to the invention, with some elements removed for clarity; and

fig. 8 and 9 are perspective views of different details of fig. 7, with some elements removed for clarity.

With reference to fig. 1 to 3 and 9, a conveyor drum suitable for rotating strip-shaped articles is indicated in its entirety by 1.

A strip-shaped article 2 suitable for being conveyed and rotated by the conveyor drum 1 is visible in simplified form in fig. 3. The strip-shaped article 2 comprises a first end 3 and a second end 4 and defines a longitudinal axis 5. Furthermore, the rod-shaped article 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical outer surface 6.

The conveyor drum 1 is adapted to rotate about a drum rotation axis 7. The conveyor roller comprises an outer circumferential surface 8, which is substantially cylindrical and has the roller rotation axis 7 as a center. The conveyor roller 1 comprises a first wall 9 and a second wall 10 facing each other and positioned at two opposite sides of the outer circumferential surface 8. The first wall 9 is stationary, that is, it does not rotate with the rest of the conveyor drum 1 about the drum rotation axis 7, whereas the second wall 10 rotates integrally with the rest of the conveyor drum. The outer peripheral surface 8 has been removed from the roller conveyor 1 in fig. 1 to better illustrate the underlying structure.

The conveyor roller 1 comprises a plurality of seats, preferably N seats, where N ≧ 2. In the seats, which preferably all have the same geometry, the first and second seats are indicated with 12 and 13, respectively. The first seat 12 and the second seat 13 are the closest adjacent seats. All N seats, including the first seat 12 and the second seat 13, are located at the outer peripheral surface 8 and are equally spaced around the outer peripheral surface 8. As can be seen for example in fig. 2 and 9, each seat of the plurality of seats is adapted to hold and convey at least one bar-shaped article 2. In the following, if not mentioned otherwise for the first wall 9, all elements of the conveyor drum, such as the outer circumferential surface 8 and the N seats, rotate integrally with the second wall 10, so that when the roller conveyor 1 rotates, these elements of the conveyor drum also rotate about the drum rotation axis 7.

Referring to fig. 3, an enlarged view of the first seat 12 and the second seat 13 is shown. In order to hold the bar-shaped articles 2 while they are being transferred, each of the plurality of seats preferably comprises an orifice 14 connected to a pneumatic system (not shown in the figures). The pneumatic system is adapted to perform a suction action on the bar-shaped article 2 positioned in the seat via the aperture 14. Each seat also comprises a receiving surface 15 which comes into contact with the outer surface 6 of the bar-shaped article 2 when the bar-shaped article 2 is conveyed in the seat. The receiving surface 15 is at least partially curved, for example it comprises a cylindrical surface, and it defines a seat axis. When the strip-shaped article is conveyed in the seat, the seat axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis 5 of the strip-shaped article 2. As shown, the seat axis of the first seat 12 is indicated with 16, while the seat axis of the second seat 13 is indicated with 17.

The roller conveyor 1 comprises a plurality of shafts. The number of shafts is equal to the number of seats. A seat is associated with each shaft. Thus, the roller conveyor 1 comprises a first shaft 18 and a second shaft 19 associated with the first seat 12 and the second seat 13, respectively. In fig. 8 and 9, the shaft is more clearly visible. Each shaft is adapted to rotate about a shaft longitudinal axis. Thus, the first shaft 18 is adapted to rotate about a first shaft longitudinal axis 20, and the second shaft 19 is adapted to rotate about a second shaft longitudinal axis 21. The shaft longitudinal axes of all shafts are perpendicular to the drum rotation axis 7. Each shaft longitudinal axis extends along a radius of a circumference defined by a cross-section of the drum conveyor 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the drum rotation axis 7. Each shaft further defines a first end 22 and a second end 23, the first end 22 being attached to the seat. The attachment between the seat and the shaft is such that rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis of rotation corresponds to rotation of the seat axis about the shaft axis of rotation. Preferably, the shaft axis of rotation and the seat axis are perpendicular to each other.

Further, each shaft includes a pinion. Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, where only the first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19 are shown, the first shaft 18 includes a first pinion 24 and the second shaft 19 includes a second pinion 25. The first pinion gear 24 and the second pinion gear 25 rotate integrally with the first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19, respectively. Thus, the first pinion 24 and the second pinion 25 are adapted to rotate about the first shaft longitudinal axis 20 and the second shaft longitudinal axis 21, respectively.

The drum conveyor 1 includes a plurality of pushers, all indicated at 26. Each pusher is interposed between two nearest adjacent shafts. As shown in detail in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the pusher 26 is interposed between the first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19. Pusher 26 is bar-shaped and includes a first end 27 and a second end 28. The first end 27 abuts the first wall 9 and the second end 28 is attached to the second wall 10. The second end 28 rotates integrally with the second wall 10, while the first end 9 can slide on the first wall 9. The pusher 26 also defines a pusher direction 29, which preferably corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the pusher. Preferably, pusher direction 29 is parallel to drum rotation axis 7. The pusher 26 is telescopic and comprises an outer tubular member 30 and an inner tubular member 31, the inner tubular member 31 being slidable inside the outer tubular member 30 along a pusher direction 29. Thus, pusher 29 has a first extended configuration in which inner tubular member 31 has a given length L1 outside outer tubular member 30 such that the overall length of pusher 26 along pusher direction 29 is at its maximum, and a second collapsed configuration in which inner tubular member 31 has a given length L2 outside outer tubular member 30 (where L2< L1) such that the overall length of pusher 26 along the pusher direction is at its minimum (see fig. 1). The pusher 26 is adapted to perform a linear movement, and more particularly a reciprocating movement, along a pusher direction 29 to move from the retracted configuration depicted in fig. 5 to the extended configuration depicted in fig. 4 and vice versa.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 6, the roller conveyor 1 further comprises a cam 32. The cam 32 is defined by the first wall 9. Preferably, the cam 32 is an end cam. The cam 32 comprises an edge portion 33 of the first wall 9 having a variable thickness. The edge portion 33 faces the second wall 10. The edge portion 33 includes ridges 34 and valleys 35. Thus, the distance between a point in the edge portion 33 and the second wall 10 in a direction parallel to the drum rotation axis 7 varies depending on the position of the point in the edge portion, e.g. whether the point is located in a ridge 34 or a valley 35. The distance between the point on the edge portion 33 and the second wall 10 increases from a minimum value, e.g. on a ridge peak, to a maximum value, e.g. on the bottom of a valley. In the schematic side view of fig. 1, the difference in the overall length of pusher 26 when first end 27 is on top of ridge 34 or on the bottom of valley 35 is exaggerated for clarity of illustration.

The pusher 26 has its first end 27 abutting the first wall 9 and in particular the edge portion 33 and extending parallel to the drum rotation axis 7. Thus, when the first end 27 abuts a point of the edge portion 33 at a minimum distance (top of the ridge 35) from the second wall 10, the pusher 26 is in the contracted configuration of fig. 5. When the first end 27 abuts a point of the edge portion 33 at a maximum distance from the second wall 10 (the bottom of the valley 35), the pusher 26 is in the extended configuration of fig. 4.

The difference between the maximum distance and the minimum distance between a point on the edge portion 33 and the second wall 10 is equal to the magnitude of the movement of the pusher 26 in the pusher direction 29.

The roller conveyor 1 further comprises springs 40, preferably one for each pusher 9. The spring 40 is inserted in a compressed state onto the inner tubular element 31 of the pusher 9 at the second end 28 of the pusher 26. Due to the compressed state, the spring 40 biases the pusher 26 towards the extended configuration to exert a resilient force directed towards the first wall 9 along the pusher direction 29.

Referring back to fig. 4 and 5, pusher 26 includes a first rack 36 and a second rack 37. The first rack 36 faces the first shaft 18, and the second rack 37 faces the second shaft 19. In more detail, the first rack 36 engages the first pinion 24 and the second rack 37 engages the second pinion 25. Due to the rack/pinion engagement, the first and second pinions 24, 25 are forced to rotate during the linear movement of the pusher 26 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration (and vice versa). The first and

second shafts

18, 19 in turn rotate about first and second shaft

longitudinal axes

20, 21.

Referring back now to fig. 1 to 3, the function of the roller conveyor 1 is as follows. At time t =0, the first seat 12 and the second seat 13 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface 8 such that the first seat axis 16 and the second seat axis 17 are perpendicular to the drum rotation axis 7. This configuration is shown in fig. 2, considering the two seats of the first seat 12 and the second seat 13 on the left side of the figure (indicated by the t =0 label). In this configuration, the pusher 26 is in the collapsed configuration of fig. 5, since the first end 27 of the pusher 26 is in contact with the peaks of the ridges 34. Once the rotation of drum conveyor 1 about drum rotation axis 7 has started, pusher 26 is roto-translated with drum conveyor 1 (except for first wall 9) and first end 27 of pusher 26 slides over edge portion 33, which remains stationary. The point of contact between the first end 27 of the pusher 26 and the edge portion 33 moves from the ridge 34 towards the valley 35. Since the first end 27 is urged against the edge portion 33 by the elastic force exerted by the spring 40, the contact between the first end 27 and the edge portion 33 is maintained. Moving down the valley 35 allows the spring 40 to push the pusher 26 towards the first wall and the inner tubular member 31 to slide outside the outer tubular member 30, increasing the overall length of the pusher 26. The relative sliding movement of the inner tubular member 31 and the outer tubular member 30 causes the linear movement of the first rack 36 and the second rack 37 engaged in the first pinion 24 and the second pinion 25, respectively. Thus, the first and

second shafts

18, 19 rotate about first and second axes of

rotation

20, 21. The first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19 rotate in opposite directions. For example, the first shaft 18 rotates clockwise, while the second shaft 19 rotates counterclockwise. This causes the first and second shoe axes 16, 17 to rotate.

As the rotation of the roller conveyor 1 continues, the first end 27 of the pusher 26 continues to slide over the edge portion 33 until the bottom of the valley 35 is reached. In this configuration, the overall length of the pusher 26 is at its maximum, with the pusher being in the extended configuration of fig. 4. In this extended configuration, the first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19 have been rotated 90 degrees such that both the first seat axis 16 and the second seat axis 17 are parallel to the drum rotation axis 7. This configuration is depicted in the right part of the roller conveyor in fig. 2 (indicated with t = t 1).

Preferably, after 90 degrees of rotation has been obtained, as the drum conveyor 1 continues to rotate, the first end 27 of the pusher 26 continues to slide over the edge portion 33 and out of the valley 35 to the other ridge 34. Another 90 degrees rotation of the first shaft 18 and the second shaft 19 takes place so that at the end of the 360 degrees rotation of the drum conveyor 1, the first seat 12 and the second seat 13 again have a first seat axis 15 and a second seat axis 16 perpendicular to the drum rotation axis 7.

The roller conveyor 1 may be used in a system 100 for inspecting one or both of a first end 3 and a second end 4 of a strip-shaped article 2.

Referring first to fig. 7, the system 100 includes first and second conveyor rollers, each of which is configured as described with reference to fig. 1-6 and 9. To distinguish the first conveyor roller from the second conveyor roller, they are referred to as 1 and 50, respectively, but they are identical to the conveyor roller identified with 1 above. Each of the first and second conveyor rollers 1, 50 comprises a plurality of seats on the outer circumferential surface 8 of the conveyor roller and rotates about its first roller rotation axis 7 or second roller rotation axis 70, respectively. Each of the plurality of seats extends longitudinally along a seat axis. Each of the first conveyor roller 1 and the second conveyor roller 50 is adapted to receive a bar-shaped article 2 at an input station 102 (for the first conveyor roller 1), 104 (for the second conveyor roller 50) and to convey the bar-shaped article 2 to an output station 103 (for the first conveyor roller 1), 105 (for the second conveyor roller 50) while rotating.

The system 100 further comprises a first linear conveyor 109 conveying the bar-shaped articles 2 along a first conveying direction 110. The first conveying direction 110 is indicated by an arrow in fig. 7. The first linear conveyor 109 is adapted to convey the bar shaped articles 2 along a path with the orientation of the longitudinal axes 5 of the bar shaped articles 2 parallel to the first conveying direction 110. The strip-shaped articles 2 are positioned in line one after the other in the first linear conveyor 109 and they may be in abutting relationship or a gap may exist between two adjacent strip-shaped articles.

The system 100 further comprises a first transfer drum 101 adapted to rotate around a first drum axis 111. The first transfer drum 101 is adapted to transfer the bar article 2 conveyed in the first linear conveyor 109 to the first conveyor drum 1, and in particular to the first input station 102, to maintain the longitudinal axis 5 of the bar article 2 aligned with the first conveying direction 110 (the transfer drum does not rotate the bar article). The first conveyor roller 1 is adapted to transfer the strip-shaped articles 2 received at the first input station 102 from the first transfer roller 101 to the first output station 103 while rotating about the first roller longitudinal axis 7. During rotation about its first drum axis of rotation 7, the first conveyor drum 1 is adapted to rotate the longitudinal axis 5 of the conveyed strip-shaped article 2 by 90 degrees, so that the longitudinal axis 5 of the conveyed strip-shaped article 2 becomes parallel to the first drum axis of rotation 7 at the first output station 103. The system 100 further comprises an inspection drum 112 adapted to rotate about an inspection drum axis 113 and to receive the strip-shaped article 2 at the first output station 103 conveyed by the first conveyor drum 1. The inspection drum 112 may receive the bar-shaped articles 2 when the bar-shaped articles 2 have their longitudinal axis 5 parallel to the drum rotation axis 7. The transfer of the articles in strip form 2 takes place at the output station 103. Furthermore, the inspection cylinder 112 is adapted to maintain the orientation of the longitudinal axis 5 unchanged. The system 100 further comprises a second conveyor drum 50 adapted to receive the bar-shaped article 2 from the inspection drum 112 at the second input station 104 upon rotation through 90 degrees about the second drum rotation axis 70 and to rotate the longitudinal axis 5 of the bar-shaped article 2 such that the longitudinal axis 5 of the bar-shaped article 2 is again parallel to the first conveying direction 110 when the bar-shaped article 2 reaches the second output station 105. The system 100 further includes a second transfer drum 130 and a second linear conveyor 140. The second transfer drum 130 is adapted to rotate about a second drum axis 131. The second transfer drum 130 is adapted to transfer the strip-shaped articles 2 conveyed by the second conveyor drum 50 to a second linear conveyor 140 at a second output station 105. The second transfer drum 130 is also adapted to maintain the orientation of the longitudinal axis 5 of the strip-shaped articles 2 identical to the orientation they have at the second output station 105. Thus, when the transfer to the second linear conveyor 140 takes place, the longitudinal axis 5 of the strip-shaped article 2 is aligned with the first conveying direction 110.

The second linear conveyor 140 conveys the strip-shaped articles 2 along a second conveying direction 141 indicated by an arrow in fig. 7. The second conveying direction 141 is preferably parallel to the first conveying direction 110. The second linear conveyor 140 is adapted to convey the strip-shaped articles 2 along a path with the orientation of the longitudinal axes 5 of the strip-shaped articles 2 parallel to the second conveying direction 141. The strip-shaped articles 2 are positioned in the second linear conveyor 141 in line one after the other and they may be in abutting relationship or a gap may be present between two adjacent strip-shaped articles.

The system further comprises an inspection device 150 for inspecting the first end 3 or the second end 4 or both of the rod-shaped articles 2. The inspection device 150 may include one or more cameras. The inspection device 150 is positioned at the inspection cylinder 112, preferably at a side of the inspection cylinder. In the inspection drum, preferably, the ends 3, 4 of the strip-shaped article 2 are inspected.

The first transfer cylinder 101 and the second transfer cylinder 130 are known in the art. Preferably, they are substantially identical to each other. Each of the first transfer cylinder 101 and the second transfer cylinder 130 comprises a plurality of grooves (all indicated with 107) adapted to engage the strip-shaped articles 2. The first transfer drum 101 rotates about a first drum axis 111, which is preferably perpendicular to the first conveying direction 110, and the second transfer drum rotates about a second drum axis 131, which is also perpendicular to the first conveying direction 110. The recess 107 is designed such that the strip-shaped article 2 is held during rotation of the strip-shaped article with the longitudinal axis 5 substantially aligned with the first conveying direction 110.

As the first transfer drum 101 rotates about its first drum axis 111, the flute 107 holding the strip-shaped article 2 reaches the first input station 102 of the first conveyor drum 1. Thus, the strip-shaped article 2 is still delivered to the first conveyor drum 1 with its longitudinal axis 5 parallel to the first conveyor direction 110. This transfer is depicted in the enlarged view of fig. 9. For the sake of clarity, only some elements of the first conveyor roller 1 are depicted. To obtain the transfer, the first conveyor roller 1 is mounted with respect to the first transfer roller 101 such that at the first input station 102 the first and

second seats

12, 13 of the first conveyor roller 1 receiving the strip-shaped article 2 have a first and

second seat axis

16, 17 parallel to the first conveyor direction 110. The first drum axis 111 and the drum rotation axis 7 are parallel to each other. The transfer between the first transfer drum 101 and the first conveyor drum 1 is known in the art and is not further detailed here.

As detailed above, when the first conveyor drum 1 rotates about the drum rotation axis 7, the first seats 12 and the second seats 13 rotate and, consequently, the longitudinal axis 5 of the strip-shaped articles present therein also rotates. When the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped article 2 reaches its configuration parallel to the drum rotation axis 7, the strip-shaped article 2 is transferred to the inspection drum 112. This transfer is depicted in detail in fig. 2. The inspection drum 112 comprises a plurality of inspection recesses 114 configured to hold the strip-shaped articles 2 with their longitudinal axis 5 perpendicular to the first conveying direction 110 (which in turn means that their longitudinal axis 5 is parallel to the inspection drum axis 113). The inspection grooves 114, each of which receives the strip-shaped article 2, preferably have the geometry of a notch formed on a disc (inspection cylinder) so that there are no elements covering the first and second ends of the strip-shaped article.

During the rotation of the inspection drum 112, the first end 3 or the second end 4 or both of the strip-shaped articles 2 located in the inspection recess 114 pass in front of the inspection device 150 (not shown in fig. 2). Preferably, the inspection device 150 is located at one side or both sides of the inspection roller 112 to inspect the state of the first end 3 or the second end 4 of the bar-shaped article 2. Due to the orientation of the longitudinal axis 5 of the strip-shaped article 2 in the inspection recess 114, the first end 3 or the second end 4 faces the inspection device 150 and therefore inspection is relatively easy.

As the inspection drum 112 rotates about its inspection drum axis 113, the inspection pocket 114 holding the strip-shaped article 2 reaches the second input station 104 for transfer to the second conveyor drum 50. The strip-shaped article 2 is thus delivered to the second conveyor drum 50 with its longitudinal axis 5 perpendicular to the first conveying direction 110. This transfer is depicted in the enlarged view of fig. 8. For clarity, only some elements of the second conveyor roller 50 are depicted. To obtain the transfer, the second conveyor drum 50 is mounted with respect to the inspection drum 112 such that, at the second input station 104, the first seat 12 and the second seat 13 of the second conveyor drum 50 receiving the bar-shaped article 2 have their first seat axis 16 and second seat axis 17 perpendicular to the first conveying direction 110. The inspection cylinder axis 113 and the second cylinder rotation axis 70 are parallel to each other.

During the rotation of the second conveyor drum 50 around the second drum rotation axis 70, the first seats 12 and the second seats 13 rotate and, consequently, also the longitudinal axes 5 of the strip-shaped articles 2 present therein. When the longitudinal axis 5 of the article strip 2 reaches its configuration perpendicular to the second drum rotation axis 70, the article strip 2 is transferred to the second transfer drum 130 at the second output station 105. This transfer is depicted in detail in fig. 8. The second transfer drum 130 comprises a plurality of grooves 107 configured to hold the strip-shaped articles 2 with their longitudinal axis 5 parallel to the first conveying direction 110 (which in turn means perpendicular to the second drum axis 131). Preferably, the flutes 107 (each flute receiving a bar-shaped article) have the same shape of the flutes in the first transfer drum 101.

The strip-shaped articles 2 oriented with their longitudinal axis 5 parallel to the first conveying direction 110 are transferred in a known manner from the second transfer drum 130 to the second linear conveyor 140. The second linear conveyor 140 conveys the strip-shaped articles 2 along a second conveying direction 141 parallel to the first conveying direction without changing their orientation.

For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Additionally, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A. + -. 10% A. In this context, the number a may be considered to comprise a value within a general standard error for the measurement of the property represented by the number a. In some instances as used in the appended claims, the number a may deviate from the percentages listed above, so long as a deviates from the amount that does not significantly affect the basic and novel features of the claimed invention. Additionally, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. A roller conveyor defining a roller axis of rotation and an outer peripheral surface, the roller conveyor comprising:

a first seat and a second seat, each of said first seat and said second seat being adapted to convey a bar-shaped article, said first seat and said second seat being located at an outer peripheral surface of said drum conveyor;

a pusher coupled with the first and second shafts by a mechanical coupling, the pusher adapted to move linearly along a pusher direction and to engage with the first and second shafts when moving;

2. The roller conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a cam that pushes the pusher in the pusher direction as the roller conveyor rotates about the roller axis of rotation.

3. The roller conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the roller conveyor includes a first wall and a second wall located at two opposing sides of the outer peripheral surface, and wherein the cam is defined by a portion of the first wall.

4. The roller conveyor of claim 3, wherein the first wall is stationary.

5. The roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pusher comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end of the pusher is adapted to engage with the actuator.

6. The roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pushers are provided with elastic elements.

7. The roller conveyor according to claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the resilient element is adapted to bias the pusher towards the cam to maintain contact between the pusher and the cam.

8. The roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pusher is telescopic and comprises an inner tubular element and an outer tubular element, said inner tubular element being slidable in said outer tubular element along the direction of said pusher.

9. The roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical coupling between the first and second shafts and the pusher comprises a rack and pinion.

10. The roller conveyor of claim 9, wherein the pusher comprises a first rack and a second rack, and the first shaft comprises a first pinion and the second shaft comprises a second pinion; the pusher is positioned such that the first rack is engaged with the first pinion and the second rack is engaged with the second pinion.

11. The roller conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the linear movement of the pusher defines an amplitude, and wherein said amplitude is selected such that the first seat and the second seat rotate at least 90 degrees.

12. The drum conveyor according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of N seats and a plurality of N shafts, and N/2 pushers, wherein each kth pusher of the N/2 pushers is coupled to two nearest adjacent shafts (i, i + 1), wherein k =1, 8230, N/2, wherein i =1, 3, 5, 8230, N-1.

13. A system for rotating a bar article, the system comprising:

o the roller conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 12;

14. A method of rotating a rod-shaped article having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

o first and second seats at an outer circumferential surface of the drum conveyor;

o a pusher forming a mechanical coupling with the first shaft and the second shaft;

positioning a strip-shaped article in said first seat and in said second seat;

rotating the drum conveyor about the drum conveyor rotation axis;

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of rotating the roller conveyor comprises:

o rotating the drum conveyor 360 degrees about the drum rotation axis; and is

o rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is perpendicular to the drum rotation axis to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis;

o rotating the first and second shafts from a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis back to a configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the strip-shaped articles in the first and second seats is parallel to the drum rotation axis.