GB1385218A - Method of and apparatus for removing rod-like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1385218 Packaging; conveying cigarettes HAUNI-WERKE KORBER & CO KG 17 April 1972 [21 April 1971] 17680/72 Headings B8A and B8C A method of removing articles, e.g. cigarettes from a supply container and transferring them into a magazine of a further manipulating machine comprises moving the articles in a vertical direction in a substantially constant formation from the supply container into an intermediate storage container and subsequently moving the articles in a horizontal position and in a substantially constant formation out of the storage container into a reservoir and from the reservoir into the magazine of the further manipulating machine. As shown, cigarettes 6 in a tray 2 are lowered one row at a time by a platform 11 on to conveyer belts 14, 16. A pair of motor driven endless chains 22, 23 are associated with pivotal driver members 38, 39, 41 and 42, 43, 44 which are guided by rollers 46 running in tracks 49, 51 arid controlled by electro-magnetically operated levers 54, 56. With a formation of cigarettes on the belts 14, 16 below the storage container 21, levers 54, 56 move driver members 38, 42 through slots in walls 18, 19 of the container whereby the rollers 46 enter tracks 49, 51 and the cigarettes are thereby moved by the members 41, 44 the belts 14, 16 and chains 22 23 towards the reservoir 3. During this time, cigarettes at the outlet of reservoir 3 are delivered by the belts 14,16 into the magazine 4. The chains 22, 23 continue to operate until driver members 41, 44 actuate end switches 88, 89 which switch off the drive motor 17 and disconnect a clutch 37 for the chain motor 36. A piston device 12 then operates to raise the support 11, and a further piston device 7 operates to withdraw a bottom member 9 out of tray 2 to allow the next layer of cigarettes on to the support 11, which is then lowered to the level of the belts 14, 16. The supply of cigarettes to the reservoir 3 is controlled by a flexible member 59, which when too few cigarettes are located therein closes a switch 62 to repeat the process described above. The apparatus is automatically controlled by a pneumatic-electric circuit described with reference to Fig. 4 (not shown).