GB1147949A - Method of and apparatus for forming block-shaped batches of cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

1,147,949. Packaging cigarettes etc.; suction lifting heads. HAUNI-WERKE KORBER & CO. K.G. 23 June, 1966 [23 June, 1965], No. 28185/66. Headings B8C and B8H. [Also in Division F2] Cigarettes &c. are fed by an endless conveyer 4 to a collecting point, whence they are lifted in a long row 146 by a suction head 14 comprising individual holders 16. Every eighth holder 16 has a plunger 72 operated by an arm 74 when a shaft 78 is rotated, to remove each eighth cigarette to form a series of short rows (148) of cigarettes 2. Plungers 70 then slide these cigarettes 2 off the suction heads 14 into rectangular pockets 164 of a container (152). The removed cigarettes roll down a strip 60, inclined by the raising of the suction head 14, to start a new long row 146. The container (152) is fed down a step between cycles. The cycle is repeated to lay further short rows 148 upon those already in the pockets 164. To form a row of six cigarettes between two rows of seven, further plungers 73 operated by a shaft 80 act with the plungers 72, the raised suction head 14 being displaced horizontally by half a cigarette diameter. The control circuit, Fig. 25 (not shown), using compressed air and electric signals to control the raising of the suction head 14 and operation of plungers 72, 73 is described, as are the arrangement and operation of the star wheels (38, 40) and cam (42) mounted on the arms 28, 30 carrying the suction head 14, Figs. 16 to 21 (not shown). The step feed equipment for the container (152) incorporating a ram (230), a pawl (246) and wheel (248) drive geared to a worm-shaped cam (224) is described, Figs. 29 to 31 (not shown). As an alternative to plungers 72, 73, a compressed air ejector, Figs. 26 to 28 (not shown), may be used.