DE2546599A1 - CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR CIGARETTES - Google Patents

Description

Conveyor device for cigarettes

The invention relates to a conveyor for cigarettes or Similar rod-shaped objects, with means for introducing cigarettes into a branching space, with means for discharging of cigarettes from the branching space and with a reservoir which has a reversible conveyor which cigarettes supplies in the branching room or leads away from it to avoid differences between the supply to and removal from the Compensate for branching space.

In British patent specification 1 299 174 (corresponds to DT-OS 1 957 002) and British patent specification 1 299 175, conveying devices for cigarettes are described which have a reservoir which receives a continuous stack of cigarettes; when the reservoir is full, the length of the stack is considerably greater than its thickness. In the case of the conveyors described in the UK patents cited above, this is done by '.

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that in each of the disclosed embodiments the stack in the reservoir is carried by a conveyor which is longitudinally a spiral path runs.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a Conveyor for cigarettes on a reservoir which is formed by a number of conveyors which have a zigzag shape Define path which runs essentially in one and the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the cigarette.

Compared to the above-mentioned helical reservoir, a reservoir according to the present invention provides a more compact one Unity because it has a width that is not much greater than the length of the cigarette.

The cigarettes also remain in essentially the same orientation and do not need to be tilted _{relative to one another (} if they run around the curve from one strand of the zigzag path to another strand. This is particularly advantageous with relatively long cigarettes or with filter rods that are one length of 120 mm or more. The plane in which the zigzag path of the reservoir lies is preferably a vertical plane, ie the cigarettes lie horizontally in the reservoir. The successive strands of the zigzag path starting from the inlet of the reservoir preferably run in horizontal direction and at an increasingly greater height above the inlet

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Inlet run. Optionally, the plane of the zigzag The path can also be a horizontal plane, and the cigarettes can be in a vertical orientation in the reservoir.

The term "zigzag" is intended in particular to mean an arrangement to be understood in which there are three or more strands of the path, e.g. one above the other; however, it should this also includes an arrangement in which only two strands are provided.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a Conveyor device for cigarettes or other rod-shaped objects on: a conveyor that conveys cigarettes into a branching space from which an outlet channel leads out, which e.g. can lead to a cigarette packing machine; and a reservoir having at least two substantially horizontal conveyors, arranged one above the other and communicating with the branching space, the conveyors of the reservoir are reversible, so that they can take over cigarettes from the branching room or cigarettes in the branching

can give up space, depending on the state of supply and demand in the branching room.

Preferably the two conveyors of the reservoir are moved synchronously, i.e. in the same direction and at the same speed. Optionally, the conveying device can also be designed in such a way that only one of the reservoir conveyors is driven at a time will. For example, a reservoir conveyor pulls out cigarettes

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the branch room until it is filled, and then the other reservoir conveyor starts to work and cigarettes out of the branch room to be deducted, whereby it is initially empty.

The two reservoir conveyors can each be parts of two conveyors that run along a zigzag path, as above has been described. Preferably one of the conveyors is flexible in the lateral direction or includes one in the lateral direction Direction of the flexible part and extends along a path that veers out of the vertical plane of the other conveyor and then zigzag side by side with the zigzag path of the other conveyor. This can reduce the capacity of the reservoir can be doubled without noticeably increasing the vertical dimension of the reservoir. The capacity the reservoir can even be tripled if three conveyors are used. Then two paths run along

the / opposite direction from the vertical plane of the third Conveyor and then zigzag on opposite sides of the zigzag path of the third conveyor get lost.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. This is done with reference to cigarettes as promoted items. It is understood, however, that the invention Conveying devices, the method and device parts used according to the invention also for other rod-shaped objects Can be used, especially with cigarette filter rods.

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In the drawing show:

Figure 1

a schematic side view of a conveyor according to the invention with a first embodiment of the reservoir;

Figure 2

a partial view of the conveyor shown in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale, in which some further details are shown;

Figures and 4

schematic side views of a second according to the invention Conveyor;

Figures and 6

en

another embodiment of a part the reservoir shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7

a plan view of the reservoir shown in Figure 5 in the direction of arrow VII of Figure 5;

Figure 8

a schematic side view of a further, different conveyor according to the invention; and

Figure 9

a schematic plan view of a modified form of the conveyor shown in FIG.

The conveyor device shown in Figure 1 has a branching space 2, in which cigarettes are placed in stack form between conveyor belts 4 and 6. The cigarettes

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can e.g. be delivered from a cigarette manufacturing machine as described in the above-mentioned patents. Below the branching space 2 is located a chute 8 from which a stack of cigarettes is normally moved down to a cigarette packing machine. Will however If the cigarette packing machine is stopped, the cigarettes conveyed into the branching space 2 are delivered into a reservoir 10. In the drawing, the conveyor belts of the reservoir 10 are shown driven in the direction in which cigarettes can be withdrawn from the branching space into the reservoir. It is understood that the direction of movement of all bands in the Reservoir is reversed when the reservoir is to deliver cigarettes into the branching space 2; that can e.g. then be the Be the case when the cigarette making machine is stopped while the cigarette packing machine continues to operate. A sensor 12 is attached above the branching space 2, which specifies the direction of movement and preferably also the speed of the reservoir belts. This sensor 12 is schematic and can, for example, like any of the in DT-OS 2 320 ■ · _. 843 (British Patent Application 19 177/72), to which reference is made in its entirety in this regard.

The reservoir conveyor belts are all running at the same speed driven and form an elongated storage space that zigzag in a vertical plane runs upwards, as shown in the drawing by the area marked in cross-hatching. the horizontal runs of the zigzag path are through ribbons

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14,16,18,20,22,24 and 26 limited. Furthermore, at the opposite At the ends of the reservoir two vertical belts 28 and 29 are provided, which facilitate the movement of the stack of cigarettes between successive ones support horizontal run. In the corners between the horizontal and vertical bands are concave groove plates 30 arranged.

In Figure 2, the right half of a substantially to that in Figure 1 shows similar reservoirs shown on a larger scale; this is also expressed through the use of similar reference symbols. In the case of the one shown in FIG Reservoir, the belts are provided with transverse ribs 32 which support the forward movement of the stack of cigarettes. The cross section of each rib can be chosen to be equal to half the cross section of a cigarette. In the case of the illustrated in Figure 2, modified conveyor has a disc 15,

14th
around which the belt runs in the vicinity of the branching space 2, flanges 15A arranged at opposite ends, which are arranged on opposite sides of the belt 14 and guide the cigarettes in the region of the disc. This is described in more detail in DT-OS 2 353 806 (corresponding to British patent application 49 787/72), to which reference is made in its entirety in this regard. The groove plates 30 preferably extend, as shown in FIG. 2, to close to the adjacent strips and have recesses on their edges adjacent to the strips, through which the ribs 32 can pass.

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As shown in FIG. 1, the stack of cigarettes located in the reservoir can be delimited by a body 31 which consists of made of compressible material e.g. a plastic sponge material and is gripped by these lying between opposite bands. The cross section of the body 31 can, as shown, be circular, but it can also be, for example, rectangular.

In Figure 3 there is shown a conveyor which in some respects is similar to that shown in Figure 1, what by use like reference numerals are expressed in the appropriate places. This delivery device has a reservoir 33 to which a number of horizontal bands 34,36,38,40,42,44 and 46 belongs, which the horizontal run of the zigzag Limit the path of the reservoir. The parts of the path connecting the stretches are, however, partly formed by two bands 48 and 50, which are moved along curved paths in their work areas, which are predetermined by curved support parts 52. The belts 48 and 50 revolve around different ones as shown Disks 54 um. The end of the cigarette stack located in the reservoir is again defined by a body 31 as in the Conveyor shown in Figure 1.

The belts 34, 36 etc. revolve around disks 55 which are adjacent to the disks 54. Optionally, the disks 55 can be omitted and the tapes 34,36, etc. revolve around the adjacent disks 54, making provision for appropriate nesting the tapes are hit. For example, each of the bands 48

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and 50 may be formed by a pair of spaced parallel belts between which belts 34,36 etc. run.

The belts 48 and 50 can be driven at the same speed are like the belts 34,36 etc., or they can be driven at a slightly higher speed, e.g. a fixed ratio to the speed of the belts 34,36 etc. is maintained.

It is not necessary that the successive strands of the zigzag path forming belts run at the same speed are driven. Each strand that follows the first strand adjacent to the branching space 2 can be assigned a Speed controlled by a sensor that measures the pressure in the connection zone, i.e. between detects the run of cigarettes at the upstream end of the run; the direction of the current is determined by the in the arrows shown in Figures 1 and 3 defined.

The connecting sections provided between adjacent strands at each end of the reservoir can instead be through a individual band 48 or 50 can also each be formed by a separate band which is curved along the associated Support part 52 is moved. In other words: in the case of the reservoir shown in FIG. 3, five separate straps can be provided each of which can be moved along one of the curved support members 52. To this end - where necessary - each of the disks 54 replaced by two adjacent discs of smaller diameter,

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around which the respective bands could revolve.

Each of the belts can be slightly tensioned so that it allows the cigarettes to pass through the associated connecting section seizes. In this case, each of the straps pulls slightly away from the associated support member 52 as a result of the tension. Moving the belt or the tension pulley or other tensioning device can be monitored so that a signal is received which indicates the amount of cigarettes located in the associated connecting portion of the reservoir. This signal can be used to change the speed of the belt and / or the horizontal conveyor belt to which the cigarettes are fed to ensure that the stack of cigarettes is free from voids. In other words, each tape can also be used as a feeler, as in the British one Patent application 20 962/75 is described.

In Figure 4, a conveyor is shown, which is also similar to the conveyor shown in Figure 1, what is again expressed through the use of the same reference numerals. The conveyor system shown here is a reservoir 56 is provided, the horizontal bands 58,60 and through which the horizontal run of the zigzag Path are limited in part. In addition, a band 6 6 is provided from one of the branching space 2 adjacent Disc 68 runs away and in part delimits the first horizontal run 56A of the zigzag path in the reservoir. This Band 66 extends along a curved path along which it

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is supported by a support member 70 and which delimits a connecting portion of the zigzag path leading to a second horizontal strand 56B leads. The belt 66 then runs horizontally along the top of the strand 56B, runs around a disk 72 and, as can be seen from the drawing, past support parts 74 and 76 and around a disk 78 hereabouts. The return of the belt 66 takes place via disks 80, 82 and 84.

The outer boundary of the connecting sections located on the right in FIG. 4 of the zigzag path is formed by concave plates 86 and 88. In addition, however, a tape such as the band 50 shown in Figure 3 can be provided. Another possibility is that the bands 58, 60 and 62 through a single continuous belt similar to belt 66 can be replaced and moved along concave plates 86 and 88.

The end of the stack of cigarettes in the reservoir is predetermined by a plate 90. This plate is supported by two cables or two chains 92 on opposite sides of the reservoir are provided. Each of the cables or chains 92 wraps around a number of pulleys 94 that are in the vicinity the ends of the horizontal run of the zigzag path are arranged. The cables or chains 92 also run around two smaller disks 96 µm. The cables or chains 92 are driven at the same speed as the different ones Belts so that the plate 90 is moved at the same speed as the stack of cigarettes in the reservoir. the

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Plate 90 is clamped onto cables or chains 92 so that it is always at right angles to the cables or chains.

As can be seen from Figure 4, are on the various bands ■ dern ribs 98 are provided. The spaces between the ribs are shown larger than in practice would be the case.

The bands lying in the reservoir shown in FIG. 3 can also be provided with ribs, whereby the distances and dimensions are preferably chosen as has been explained with reference to FIG. Slices of the same Shapes such as the disc 15 shown in Figure 2 can be used in the required places, for example instead of the one in Figure 3 disks 54 shown.

Conveyors arranged in a zigzag shape can not only be used as reservoirs as described above, the belts can also be arranged so that they are always driven in the same direction. With it, cigarettes or other similar ones kick Objects enter one end of the zigzag path and become delivered at the other end. Such an arrangement can be advantageous, for example, when cigarette filters are on their way from a filter manufacturing machine to a filter processing machine should be delayed. A device that can be used for this purpose can be designed as follows: Filters enter the upper end of a downward zigzag path, at the outlet end of which there is a

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branch space is provided from the filter in one to one Filter processing machines leading channel run; furthermore, a zigzag-shaped reservoir likewise running upwards is the The type described above is provided, which automatically removes filters from the branching space or filters into the branching space submits as necessary. The two zigzag In other words, parts are arranged with their ends facing one another.

Each of the connecting portions of those shown in Figs Reservoirs can be modified in the manner shown in FIG. In Figure 5 are those on the left Ends of the two lowest strands 102 and 104 shown, and these are connected by a connecting section 106. That The lower run 102 is limited in part by a ribbed belt 108 which runs around a disk 110. In part is it is also bounded by a ribbed band 112 which revolves around a disk 114. The belt 112 also cooperates a ribbed band 116 together and so delimited the upper run 104.

As shown in Figure 2, a vertically extending ribbed belt 118 is provided, which for Part of the connecting portion 106 of the zigzag path bounds and at the same time runs vertically upwards, where it is used to form other connecting sections of the reservoir contributes. The connecting portion 106 is curved by a Plate 120 and two parallel narrow bands

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completed. The bands 122 are on opposite sides of belts 108 and 118 and are supported by curved support members 124. The location of a cigarette 126 is shown in Figure 7, 7 it can be seen that the belts 122 grip the cigarettes at the ends thereof, while the belts 108 and 118 (and also the tape 116) on the middle sections of the Cigarettes. As can be seen from Figure 7, the plate 120 is wider than the belt 118, and the belt 116 has recesses 120A through which the ribs provided on the tapes can pass.

Each of the narrow belts 122 runs around disks 128, 130 and around. The disks 132 are arranged on opposite sides of a coaxial disk of the same diameter around the the vertical belt 118 rotates; possibly the disks 132 are also integral with the latter coaxial disks educated. Each of the belts 122 is driven by its associated pulley 132, and it is driven by a roller 134 to the Disc is pressed. The straps 122 are also tensioned by a roller 136 carried by a lever 138. The lever 138 is pivotably supported by a hinge 140 and is biased by a tension spring 142.

The narrow bands 122 assist in moving the cigarettes through the connecting portions 106 upwards, i.e. from the strand 102 to the strand 104. The belts 122 are preferably reversibly driven at a greater speed than the belts 108 and 112, e.g., at double speed. The belt 118 can

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are driven at the same speed / as the belts 122.

In the case of cigarettes provided with filter mouthpieces, the tobacco end and the filter end have different strengths and possibly also different diameters. To an adjustment option To accommodate such differences, the precautions described below are taken. One of the disks 130 is (see FIG. 7) on a spindle arranged, which is carried by a part 144 adjustable in the vertical direction. As a result, the in operation set the effective length of the associated one of the bands 122. In this way, the conveyor can be adjusted so that it is ensured is that the cigarettes pass through the connecting portion 106 with a substantially constant orientation, i.e. the possible otherwise existing risk that some cigarettes will be tilted with respect to the horizontal is eliminated. Optionally, the two disks 130 can rotate about fixed axes and the two straps 122 can be tensioned separately with provision being made to adjust the tension of at least one of the straps 122 can.

A possible modification of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. Similarities between the two arrangements are again expressed through the use of similar reference symbols. While the shown in Figure 5 Belts have curved support parts 124 which are bent approximately around the axis of the disk 114, has that shown in FIG Arrangement of straps 122 ', the longitudinally straight support parts 124'

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be moved. The disks 128 shown in FIG. 5 are replaced by disks 128 'in the arrangement according to FIG. 6, which are arranged coaxially to the disk 110 and have the same diameter like this exhibit. The disk 110 lies between the two disks 128 each carrying one of the bands 122 ″.

FIG. 8 shows part of a conveyor device in which a stack of cigarettes 202 is transferred from a conveyor 204 into a branching space 206 is worn. From this, a stack of cigarettes 208 can be withdrawn downwards through a slide, which bounded by walls 210 and 212 and to a cigarette packing machine leads.

In the vicinity of the branching space 206 there are two reversible ones Reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 arranged. Of these, one lies above the other, and each of the reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 conveys a stack of cigarettes to the branch space 206 or carries it away from the latter. The reservoir conveyor 214 and 216 are driven in the same direction and at the same speed. This is done under the control of a sensor 218 which is pivotable via a hinge 220 from the Conveyor is carried and rests on a membrane 222, which holds the cigarettes in the junction room. Above the reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 are upper parallel ones Conveyors 224 and 228 are provided which are driven in synchronism with the reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 and which are on top Surfaces of those on reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 Limit stacks of cigarettes.

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In the drawing, the conveyors 214, 216, 224 and 228 are - as through Arrows are shown - shown as being driven in the direction in which cigarettes are removed from the junction subtracted from. If the reservoir is to return cigarettes to the branching space 206, the direction of movement is all sponsors turned over.

Also shown in FIG. 8 are conveyors 230, 232, the extensions the reservoir conveyors 214 and 216 represent. The conveyors 230 and 232 can simply be along straight horizontal paths get lost. Optionally, each of these conveyors may constitute part of a conveyor which runs along a zigzag upwardly or downwardly extending path or specifies such, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. For this one of the conveyors 230 and 232 is preferably flexible in the lateral direction, so that it - as shown in Figure 9 - longitudinally a curved path can be guided in such a way that the two zigzag-shaped conveyors lie side by side next to one another can be arranged.

In Figure 9, a conveyor 234 is shown schematically, the one Carries a stack of cigarettes in a branching space located below a membrane 23 6. Above the membrane 236 is a no The sensor shown in FIG. 8 is provided, which can be the same as the sensor 218 shown in FIG. Two reservoir conveyors 238 and 240 can add or withdraw cigarettes from the junction space as necessary. The reservoir conveyor 238 becomes moves along a straight, horizontal path and represents the

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first horizontal run of a zigzag conveyor. The Reservoir conveyor 240, which lies below reservoir conveyor 238, is flexible in the lateral direction and becomes along one Moves away from the vertical plane of the reservoir conveyor 238 runs out. A conveyor 242 is an extension of the reservoir conveyor 240 and forms the first horizontal one Run of a zigzag conveyor, which lies side by side next to the other zigzag conveyor.

The laterally flexible conveyor 240 can substantially have a structure like the conveyor described in DT-OS 1 9 66 8 98 (corresponding to GB-PS 1 309 071).

Referring to Figure 8, it should be noted that the right-hand end of the upper conveyor 228 is to the left of the right-hand end of the reservoir conveyor 216 is located. The sponsors can e.g. be arranged to be tangent to pulley 216A of the conveyor 216 and to a stationary curved bridge plate 214A is inclined about 30 ° to the vertical. This measure helps ensure that a stack of cigarettes is at its full height is carried away by the reservoir conveyor 216 when following is driven to the left. Similarly, the right-hand end of the upper conveyor 224 is to the left of the right-hand one End of reservoir conveyor 214.

Instead of driving the two reservoir conveyors synchronously, one can in each case in a given sequence at one point in time drive one of the sponsors. With such an arrangement

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Each of the main reservoir conveyors 230 and 232 preferably supports (or drives) an end wall that extends over the associated short reservoir conveyor 214,216 can be moved away when the reservoir is emptied. This is for example in Figures 18 and 19 of DT-OS 1 957002 (corresponding to GB-PS 1 299 174). The sequence of operations is then preferably as follows chosen: initially the reservoir is empty, and the upper portion of the reservoir does not begin, cigarettes from the branching room withdraw until the lower portion of the reservoir is filled; however, both sections of the reservoir contain cigarettes and if the reservoir is to return cigarettes to the branching space again, the upper section of the reservoir is the first activated and the lower section of the reservoir will not be emptied until the upper section is completely empty is emptied. This order of operation is preferably used to avoid the formation of holes in the branch space to avoid the stacks of cigarettes.

It should be noted that in the delivery devices shown in Figures 1 to 4, the received from the reservoir Cigarette stack has a thickness which is approximately equal to the thickness of the cigarette stack by the chute 8 after is funded below; this thickness is at the same time approximately equal to the thickness of the stack of cigarettes, which is conveyed by the conveyor belt 4 in FIG the branching space 2 is carried into it. The thickness of the stack 7 in the reservoir is preferably 5 to 125 mm, e.g. about 100 mm. In addition, the chute and the neighboring conveyors form a T-shaped branching space. Will the

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If the cigarette flow passing through the chute is stopped, the stack of cigarettes delivered by the conveyor belt 4 runs as a result straight through the branching space and into the reservoir. These characteristics cause adverse changes of the cigarettes is kept as small as possible, since the relative movement between the cigarettes and the pressure acting on the cigarettes are kept as small as possible.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, each carries the Reservoir conveyors 230 and 232 produce a stack having a thickness substantially equal to that of that on conveyor 204 Stack and is approximately equal to that of the stack discharged through the chute with walls 210 and 212 downwards.

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Claims (11)

Claims Conveyor device for cigarettes or similar rod-shaped objects, with means for introducing cigarettes into one Branch room, with means for removing cigarettes from the branch room and with a reservoir that is reversible Has conveyor, which supplies cigarettes in the branching room or leads away from this to differences between the supply to and removal from the branching space compensate, characterized in that the reservoir (10; 33; 56) by a plurality of conveyors (14-29; 34-50; 58-62,66), which define a zigzag conveying path which is essentially in a constant, perpendicular to the Axis of the cigarette lying plane and at least two horizontal strands (102,104), with one or several connecting sections (106) are provided, via which the cigarettes get from one strand to the other. 609818/0785 -22- 2. Conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the zigzag path of the reservoir has at least four strands running essentially in the horizontal direction, and that at least two connecting sections, one of which is arranged above the other, at least in part limited by a common conveyor (28.29; 48.50; 118) are. 3. Conveyor device according to claim 2, characterized in that the common conveyor with extending in the transverse direction Ribs (32) is provided by which the cigarettes are gripped and supports the upward conveyance of the cigarettes will. 4. Conveyor device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that that the common conveyor (28,29; 118) is moved along a substantially straight path. 5. Conveyor device according to claim 4, characterized in that the common conveyor (118) and an adjacent horizontal one Conveyors (108,112,116) of the reservoir have a width which is much smaller than the length of the cigarette; that at least one of the connecting sections (106) of the Reservoirs a pair of parallel conveyor belts (122) is provided on opposite sides of the common Conveyor (118) and on opposite sides of the adjacent horizontal conveyor (108) of the reservoir lying and wearing the ends of the cigarettes; and that with 609818/0785 -23- -23- 2546539 the cigarette cooperating sections of the parallel conveyor belts (122) run obliquely upwards across a corner, which lies between the common conveyor (118) and the adjacent horizontal conveyor (108), whereby the Upward movement of the cigarettes through the associated connecting portion (106) of the reservoir through supported will. 6. Conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized in that at least one of the connecting sections (106) is limited at least in part by two narrow parallel bands (122) which the cigarettes at or near seize their ends; and that one of the belts (122) is adjustable so that the orientation of the cigarettes as they pass therethrough can be influenced by the associated connecting portion of the reservoir. 7. Conveyor for cigarettes or similar rod-shaped objects, characterized by a conveyor (4) by which cigarettes are carried into a branching room (6) which is in communication with an outlet channel (8); and by a reservoir that is at least two substantially having conveyors (14,30; 16,32; 238,240,242) extending in the horizontal direction, which are arranged one above the other and are in communication with the branch space, the reservoir conveyors being driven in both directions so that they can withdraw cigarettes from the branch space or deliver cigarettes into the branch space 609818/0785 as this requires the supply of cigarettes and the retrieval of cigarettes at the junction room. 8. Conveyor device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two reservoir conveyors are driven synchronously. 9. Conveyor device according to claim 7, characterized in that from the two reservoir conveyors at a time respectively one is driven. 10. Conveyor device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized characterized in that one of the reservoir conveyors (238) is closed. a zigzag reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 6 leads or forms part of such; and that the other reservoir conveyor (240,242) in a lateral direction is flexible or has a section (240) which is flexible in the lateral direction and is guided along a path, which runs out of the vertical plane of the other reservoir conveyor (238) and afterwards to a second zigzag reservoir leads to any one of claims 1 to 6 or forms part of such, wherein the zigzag reservoirs lie side by side are arranged. 11. Conveyor device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in j characterized in that the adjacent to the branching space ^; Ends of the reservoir conveyors in such a mutual j Positioned so that the end of the upper conveyor (214) j above a point on the lower reservoir conveyor (216) · | 609818/0785 -25- -25- 2546b99 which is offset inward from the end of this conveyor. 609818/0785