GB976498A - Improvements in apparatus for filling trays with cigarettes or articles of substantially the same shape - Google Patents

Abstract

976,498. Packaging-machines. J. G. E. HILLMAN, and MOLINS ORGANISATION Ltd. Feb. 8, 1961 [Feb. 9, 1960], No. 4586/60. Heading B8C. A cigarette collecting apparatus, of the type in which cigarettes are first stacked and then the whole stack is transferred by pusher 3 into a tray of suitable shape, comprises members 20, movable to enter the slots in the end walls of a slotted tray 1 (Fig. 1) and having surfaces to guide the cigarettes entering the tray, and means 15-19 to move the members 20 into the slots before cigarettes begin to enter the tray. Cigarettes fed in through a chamber 40 assemble on a platform 5 in an upper position (not shown). When a sufficient number have collected, a set of needles 6 enters the chamber 40 to pierce the ends of cigarettes therein. The platform 5 is then lowered taking with it only the stack of cigarettes below the level of the needles 6. As platform 5 approaches its lowermost position a roller 12 mounted on it engages a cam surface 14 on a lever 9 pivoted at 10 and carrying a bridge member 8 which consequently moves into a position between the tray 1 and the platform 5. As the bridge 8 moves, rollers 15 mounted on it engage plates 16 mounted on bell-cranks 17, 19 pivoted at 18 and carrying plates 20, which thus move into place in the slots at either end of tray 1. A reciprocating pusher 3 then transfers the stack of cigarettes from platform 5 to the tray 1. The platform 5 returns to its initial position, the needles are withdrawn and the cycle is repeated. In a modification (Figs. 6-8, not shown) the plates 20 are mounted on arms pivoted for rotation about a vertical axis instead of a horizontal one. Specification 877,875 is referred to.