GB1350330A - Storing and feeding device for selective connection between a cigarette maker or filter tip attachment and a cigarette packer - Google Patents

Abstract

1350330 Feeding cigarettes between making and packing machines AMF Inc 19 Sept 1972 43257/72 Heading B8A Cigarettes fed from the output 34 of a making machine, to the input of a packing machine may, if the demand of the packing machine drops, feed the cigarettes into radial slots S of a storage drum 1. The cigarettes are normally fed by a rotary conveyer 3 to one of three endless belt conveyers 104, 105, 106, forming part of the input of the packing machine. The frame of the conveyer 3 has segmentally extending suction slots 103, 203, 303, 403, and 503. By controlling the suction to these slots, cigarettes may be fed to, retained on, or discharged from, the conveyer, as determined by photo-electric sensors (not shown). Similar suction segments 102, 202, are provided on a feed wheel 2 for effecting the transfer of cigarettes between the conveyer 3 and the slots S of the drum 1. Further similar suction slots 204, 205, 206, are provided respectively on feed wheels of the conveyers 4, 5, and 6. The depth of each slot S is progressively increased with each revolution of the drum 1. This is achieved by the movement of a member 9 which forms the base of the slot S. The member 9 is carried by a bracket 10 which is in threaded engagement with a disc 11. The latter normally rotates with the drum but by suitable operation of clutches 30, 31, and a brake 32, which are mounted in the drives to the drive pinion 15 of the drum, and the drive pinion 19 of the disc 11, the latter is made to move the member 9 radially inwards. The member 9 is moved a distance equal to the diameter of a cigarette, for each rotation of the drum 1. Similarly by further suitable operation of the clutches 30, 31, and brake 32, the member 9 may be made to move radially outwards when the drum is feeding cigarettes to the packing machine.