US3567004A

US3567004A - Method and apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or the like

Info

Publication number: US3567004A
Application number: US745006A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Hess; Bernhard Schubert; Dietrich Bardenhagen
Original assignee: Hauni Werke Koerber and Co KG
Current assignee: Koerber AG
Priority date: 1967-07-20
Filing date: 1968-07-15
Publication date: 1971-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-02
Also published as: GB1240479A; DE1586102A1; GB1240478A

Abstract

Blocks of cigarettes are assembled by feeding cigarettes sideways from one or more rod cigarette machines to a collecting station where the cigarettes are assembled into rows of equidistant cigarettes and are thereupon transferred to a subdividing station provided with means for breaking up each row into several layers by moving portions of a row in directions at right angles to the axes of cigarettes. The resulting layers are moved axially to a stacking station where they form blocks consisting of two or more superimposed layers of cigarettes.

Description

O United States Patent l 13,567,004

[72] Inventors geterbHessL hb [50] Field of Search 198/20 (C),

flmurg-o s 31A, Bernhard Schubert, New-Bornsenu; 2) 34 35,53/148 236(Inqulred) Dietrich Bardenhagen, Hamburg- References Cited 2 1 A IN gillsllzgiggge, Germany UNITED STATES PATENTS l 1 PP- t 44 81 [22] Filed July 15,1968 3,4 ,9 5/1969 Schubert 198/31(A2) [45] Patented Man 2, 1971 Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka [73] Assignee Hauni-Werke,Korber&Co.KG; "ey M1chae1s' Striker Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany 32] Priority July 20,1967 [33] Germany "63330 ABSTRACT: Blocks of ci arettes are assembled by feedin {54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLOCKS OF CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE cigarettes sideways from one or more rod cigarette machines to a collecting station where the cigarettes are assembled into rows of equidistant cigarettes and are thereupon transferred to a subdividing station provided with means for breaking up each row into several layers by moving portions of a row in directions at right angles to the axes of cigarettes. The resulting layers are moved axially to a stacking station where they form blocks consisting of two or more superimposed layers of cigarettes.

PATENTEDHAR 21911 3,5 7,004

SHEET 1 0F 6 INVENTURS Peru-n Hess ncnmmn a 5mm car (Herman I men mama By 0721 4 S-SEu'AeI- ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLOCKS OF CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention relates to improvements and further developments in methods and apparatus disclosed in the copending applications Ser. Nos. 501, 769, (filed Oct. 22, 1965 by Bardenhagen et al. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,846 granted Jun. 10, 1969); 559,538, (filed Jun. 22, 1966 by Schubert, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,981 granted May 20, 1969), 631,504 (filed Apr. 17, 1967 by Schubert et al. and now abandoned, 632, 084, filed Apr. 19, 1967 by. Schubert et al. All of said copending applications are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the method and apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 501,769 of Bardenhagen et al.

The application Ser. No. 501,769 of Bardenhagen et a]. discloses an apparatus wherein a collecting conveyor removes from a feed conveyor rows of cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles so that each row contains a predetermined number of articles which are heldside by side. A transfer member then moves the rows axially of the articles and a long a subdividing device which convertseach travelling row into a series of layers. The thus obtained layers are then introduced into the cells of an intermittently advancing receiving conveyor wherein the layers form blocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of our invention is to provide a method according to which larger groups of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles can be broken up into smaller groups in a novel and improved way without any damage to articles, in a small area and at a rate which suffices to receive and process the output of one or more modern high-speed rod cigarette machines or other makers of rod-shaped articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may be utilized in the practice of the just outlined method and wherein large groups of rod-like articles are converted into smaller groups in a novel way.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact, high-speed, reliable, fully automatic and relatively simple apparatus which can accept the output of one or more rod cigarette machines, which can convert articles issuing from such machines into layers, and which can assemble such layers into blocks or arrays ready to be introduced into one or more packing machines without necessitating any further arraying of cigarettes in the packing machine proper.

An additional object of the invention is to, provide the apparatus with novel means for converting long rows of equidistant cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles into shorter rows or layers in such a way that the conversion of long rows into layers takes place in a small area, without any damage to or deformation of articles, at a high rate of speed, and in such a way that the blocks which are assembled of layers can retain their shape all the way to the point or points of introduction into envelopes or boxes.

One feature of our invention resides in the provision of a method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles which comprises the steps of assembling rodshaped articles into a succession of first groups of parallel articles at a first or collecting station, moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to a second or subdividing station, subdividing the first groups at the second station into a plurality'of second groups by moving portions of each first group substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the articles, transferring the second groups to a third or stacking station b moving the articles lengthwise, and assembling the second groups at the third station into blocks each of which contains at least two second groups obtained on subdivision of successive first groups. The first groups preferably consist of rows of parallel equidistant articles and the subdividing step preferably comprises moving the articles of such rows sideways away from a point which is located substantially midway between the outermost articles of the respective row.

If the blocks of articles contain second groups wherein the articles of at least one second group are staggered with reference to articles in the other second group or groups, the method comprises the additional step of staggering the second groups obtained on subdivision of each nth (for example, each third).first group with reference to the second groups obtained on subdivision of each other first group by moving the corresponding articles sideways by a distance approximating the radius of an article. This additional step can be resorted to in the assembly of customary blocks of 20 cigarettes each wherein a median layer of six cigarettes is disposed between two outer layers of seven cigarettes each and wherein the cigarettes of the median layer are staggered with reference to cigarettes in the outer layers.

It is preferred to transfer second groups from the second station simultaneously with movement of first groups from the first to the second station.

In accordance with another feature of our invention, cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles are fed sideways by a feed on to a first or collecting station where the articles are assembled into a succession of first groups or rows of parallel equidistant articles. The assembling step comprises forming first rows of greater width between spaced first and second portions of the collecting station and forming second rows of lesser width midway between the first and second portions of the collecting station so that the articles forming a row of lesser width occupy the central part of the area occupied by articles which are assembled to form a row of greater width. This facilitates the subdivision of rows into second groups or layers which are thereupon advanced to the stacking station.

In the formation of blocks consisting of 20 cigarettes, the assembly of a row of lesser width normally follows the assembly BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view of an apparatus which embodies one form of our invention and which is utilized to assemble blocks consisting of two layers of seven cigarettes each;

FIG. 2 is a larger-scale transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line "-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic partly rear elevational and partly sectional view of a second apparatus which is utilized to assemble blocks each of which consists of three layers of cigarettes; I

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of certain parts of the second apparatus as seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a complete side elevational view of the second apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view as seen in the direction ofthe arrow VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VIII-Vlll of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the front end portion of a pneumatic collecting device which is utilized in the second apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the rear end portion of the collecting device;

FIG. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XIII-XIII of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XV-XV of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view as seen in the direction of the arrow XVI in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate certain essential components of an apparatus which is employed to assemble cigarettes into blocks each of which contains 14 cigarettes disposed in two superimposed layers or groups of seven cigarettes each. The apparatus comprises a supply conveyor or feed conveyor including an endless belt 1 which receives cigarettes 6 from one or more rod cigarette machines (not shown) and transports the cigarettes sideways to a transfer zone where the cigarettes enter successive flutes 9 of an endless band 2a forming part of a collecting device or'conveyor 2. This collecting conveyor 2 is installed at a first or collecting station and serves to assemble cigarettes 6 into large groups or rows of 70 cigarettes each and to deliver successively assembled rows to a second or subdividing station accommodating a subdividing unit which comprises article-supporting members 3(hereinafter called platforms for short). The platforms 3 are movable toward and away from each other (i.e., in directions to the right and to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1) so that they break or subdivide a row or large group into l0 layers or smaller groups of seven cigarettes each. A transfer member 4, here shown as a horizontally reciprocable plunger or pusher, is provided to remove the layers or smaller groups from the flutes 35 of the platforms 3 and to move the cigarettes 6 axially into the cells 38 of a receiving conveyor 37 which is advanced stepwise through a third or stacking station.

The upper stretch of the belt 1 is arranged to travel below a platelike cover 5 and forms therewith an elongated tunnel wherein the cigarettes 6 move sideways toward a bridge 7 which strips the cigarettes off the upper stretch of the belt 1 and cooperates with a hingedly mounted condensing member 8 to form a series of closely adjacent cigarettes which enter successive flutes 9 of the band 2a.

The inner side of the band 2a is provided with two parallel rows of

teeth

11, 12. The collecting conveyor 2 further comprises two

drums

13, 14 which are respectively mounted on shafts 19, 21 and respectively comprise two

sprocket wheels

15, 16 and 17, 18. The teeth of the

wheels

15, 17 and 16,18 respectively mesh with the

teeth

11 and 12 of the band 2a and at least one of the shafts 19, 21 is driven at intervals to advance the band by increments of predetermined length so that the band accepts from the bridge 7 a row of 70 cigarettes during each interval when the drums l3, l4 rotate. The drive for the wheel 13 and/or 14 can derive motion from the rod cigarette machine or machines and the details of its construction form no part of the present invention. The collecting conveyor 2 further comprises two

stationary suction chambers

22, 23 which are mounted between the teeth l1, l2 and are respectively located below the upper stretch of the band 2a and above the lower stretch of this band. The upper side of the chamber 22 is open so that it can evacuate air from adjoining flutes 9 by way of suction ports 24 which are provided in the band 2a, there being three suction ports 24 for each flute 9. The underside of the suction chamber 23 is also open so that this chamber can evacuate air from the adjoining flutes 9 by way of the respective ports 24. The suction chamber 22 extends from the bridge 7, along the upper stretch of the band 2a and along the left-hand end turn of this band all the way to the leftmost platform 3. The length of the suction chamber 23 approximates the combined width of flutes 35. The means for evacuating air from the suction chamber 22 comprises a fan or an analogous suction-generating device 29, a first suction conduit 26 connected to the suction chamber 22, a second suction conduit 28 connected to the suction side of the fan 29, and a solenoid-operated valve 27 which can establish or terminate communication between the

conduits

26, 28. The means for evacuating air from the lower suction chamber 23 comprises a second fan 34, a first suction conduit 31 connected to the suction chamber 23, a second suction conduit 33 connected to the fan 34, and a solenoid-operated valve 32 which can establish or terminate communication between the

conduits

31, 33.

The top face of each platform 3 is formed with seven parallel flutes 35 and each of these platforms is connected to a motion-transmitting member 36 forming part of a displacing unit which serves to move the respective platform toward or away from the adjoining platform or platforms. The flutes 35 are parallel to the flutes 9. The receiving conveyor 37 includes an endless chain which is trained over suitable sprocket wheels 1 (not shown) and carries a series of cells 38 each of which can accommodate two layers or smaller groups of cigarettes 6 in such a way that one of the layers overlies the other layer. The sprocket wheels which drive the conveyor 37 preferably derive motion from the

drums

13, 14 of the collecting conveyor 2 are and are arranged to advance the conveyor 37 intermittently, namely, in response to each second intermittent advance of the band 2a. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plates 38a of the cells 38 are disposed at a level below the flutes 35 of the platforms 3 so that the first layer of cigarettes 6 in the cells which register with the platforms 3 cannot interfere with transfer of the next-following second layer. A similar receiving conveyor is shown in the aforementioned copending application Ser No. 501,769 of Bardenhagen et al.

The operation is as follows:

The upper stretch of the belt 1 advances a succession of cigarettes 6 sideways whereby the cigarettes travel in the tunnel below the cover 5 and are caused to move close to each other during travel above the bridge 7. The cigarettes in the tunnel above the belt 1 may but need not be equidistant from each other; for example, certain cigarettes can be separated by gaps which develop in response to removal of defective cigarettes at a testing station (not shown) which is normally provided in or downstream of the cigarette machine. When the band 2a is in motion, the flutes 9 along its upper stretch receive successive cigarettes from the bridge 7 and the upper stretch thus accumulates a large group or row of 70 cigarettes. At the same time, the lower stretch of the band 2a moves 70 cigarettes into registry with the flutes 35 of the platforms 3 which are then maintained in positions shown in FIG. 1, i.e., the flutes of each intermediate platform 3 are immediately adjacent to the outermost flutes of adjoining platforms so that each flute 35 registers with one flute 9 along the lower stretch of band 2a when the collecting conveyor 2 comes to a standstill subsequent to receiving 70 cigarettes from the supply conveyor. When the conveyor 2 comes to a halt, the valve 32 is caused to disconnect the

suction conduits

31, 33 from each other and to connect the conduit 31 with the atmosphere, i.e., suction in the lower suction chamber 23 collapses and a complete layer of 70 cigarettes descends by gravity to come to rest in the registering flutes 35. The valve 32 is thereupon caused to connect the conduit 31 with the conduit 33 and the collecting conveyor 2 is set in motion to accept 70 cigarettes from the bridge 7 and to deliver a fresh row of 70 cigarettes into the space between the platforms 3 and suction chamber 23. During such movement of the conveyor 2, the motiontransmitting members 36 of the displacing unit cause the platforms 3 to move apart so that the width of gaps between the thus displaced platforms equals or closely approximates the distance between the compartments of successive cells 38 on imaginary central vertical symmetry plane of the subdividing unit, namely, from a plane which extends between the two centrally located (fifth and sixth) platforms.

The transfer member 4 is caused to return to retracted position (shown in FIG. 2) as soon as it completes the transfer of layers into the registering cells 38. At the same time, the motion-transmitting members 36 cause the platforms 3 to move toward each other and to reassume the positions shown in FIG. 1 so that their flutes 35 register with 70 flutes 9 along the lower stretch of the band 2a with the conveyor 2 comes to a standstill. The same operation is then repeated again whereby the cells 38 which register with the platforms 3 receive second layers of seven cigarettes each before the conveyor 37 advances by a step to place 10 empty cells 38 into registry with the platforms. It will be seen that each of the cells 38 which register with the platforms 3 ultimately accommodates a block consisting of two layers of seven cigarettes each before the conveyor 37 is caused to advance by a step Such blocks are then transferred into a suitable magazine or into a packing machine (not shown) to be provided with one or more wrappers of paper, cardboard, metallic foil, plastic or the like.

It will be seen that the displacing unit including the motiontransmitting members 36 moves the platforms 3 in such a way that the layers in the flutes 35 move away from each other and from a point located midway between the outermost cigarettes 6 of a row which is delivered to the subdividing station. It will further be noted that the pusher 4 transfers 10 layers of cigarettes 6 from the subdividing station to the stacking station while the collecting conveyor 2 transports a row of 70 cigarettes to the collecting station.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are illustrated certain essential components of a second apparatus which can be utilized to assemble blocks of cigarettes each and wherein each such block comprises two two outer layers or smaller groups of seven cigarettes each and a median layer or smaller group of six cigarettes, the cigarettes of the median layer being staggered with reference to the cigarettes in the outer layers. This is the customary distribution of cigarettes in cigarette I packs.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a supply conveyor or feed conveyor including two endless belts 51 which are disposed in two parallel vertical planes extending at right angles to the plane of FIG. 3 and are trained over rollers 56 (only one shown). The collecting device of this apparatus comprises an elongated suction head 52 of the type disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,190,459 to Kochalski et al. which is assigned to the same assignee. The subdividing unit comprises 12 supporting members each of which includes a platform 53. The transfer unit comprises a pusher 54 which is articulately supported by the suction head 52, and thereceiving conveyor comprises a series of chargers or trays 55 (only one shown) which are provided with horizontal rows of compartments 74, each such row comprising 12 compartments so that each compartment of a row can register with one of the platforms 53. l

The roller 56 is driven to move the belts 51 continuously whereby the upper stretches of these belts advance a layer of randomly distributed cigarettes 60 sideways toward the front end portion of the suction head 52. The latter is assembled of ;8 stack of 84 vertical sections or panels 57 each having a flute 58 in its lower end face. The sections or panels 57 are formed with channels and suction ports, and their channels are con- ,nected to a suction conduit 59 in a manner to be fully described in connection with FIGS. 5 to 16. It suffices to say that the flutes 58 can receive from the belts 51 rows or large groups of 84 and 72 cigarettes each whereby the transfer of cigarettes from the belts 51 into the flutes 58 takes place in a direction from the left-hand end toward the right-hand end of the suction head 52, as viewed in FIG. 4. The ports in the six foremost panels 57 of the suction head 52 can be disconnected from the suction-generating device (conduit 59) by a set of shutoff valves or disconnecting valves 61 and the channels and ports in the six rearmost panels 57 can be disconnected from the conduit 59 by a single shutoff valve or disconnecting valve 62. Thus, when the suction head 52 is to accumulate or collect a row of 84 cigarettes, each flute 58 is ready to accept a cigarette 60; however, if the suction head is to collect a row of 72 cigarettes, the two outermost sets of six flutes 58 each are inactive so that only the remaining median flutes can accept cigarettes from the belts 51.

The drive means for moving the suction head 52 comprises two bearing members 63 which are slidable along two spaced parallel horizontal guide rods 64. so that the suction head can be transported from a first position (shown in FIG. 3 by solid lines) in which it is located above and is closely adjacent to the upper stretches of belts 51 to an intermediate position (shown in FIG. 3 by phantom lines, as at 52 in which it is still located above but is more distant from the belts 51, thereupon to a second position 52" in which it is located above the platforms 53, and finally back to the first position by way ofthe intermediate position 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply conveyor (including the belts 51) and the subdividing unit (including the platforms 53) are mounted side by side so that the suction head 52 can move from registry with the belts 5] into registry with the platforms 53 or vice versa by traveling along the guide rods 64.

The pusher 54 is elongated and is turnable on a horizontal pivot member 65 which is normal to the guide rods 64. The pivot member 65 is mounted in bearing brackets 66 carried by the housing of the suction head 52. A cam 67 is mounted on a horizontal rod 68 and is turnable thereon under or against the opposition of one or more torsion springs. The springs tend to maintain the cam 67 in a position in which the latter holds the pusher 54 in an operative position, i.e., the pusher 54 is then ready to transfer 12 layers of cigarettes 60 from the subdividing unit. I

Each of the platforms 53 comprises six flutes 69 and each supporting member further comprises an auxiliary flute 72 provided in a supporting element 7! which is pivotally connected to the respective platform. The supporting elements H are biased by springs (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) which tend to maintain such supporting elements in operative positions corresponding to that shown for the rightmost element 7] of FIG. 4. In such operative positions, the elements 71 maintain their flutes 72 in parallelism with and at the level of flutes 69 in the top faces of corresponding platforms 53. When the supporting elements 71 are caused to move to inoperative positions (see the remaining three elements 71 of FIG. 4) the platforms 53 can be moved nearer to each other to form a shortened subdividing unit which can accept 72 cigarettes from the suction head 52. The displacing means for moving the platforms 53 sideways, i.e., toward and away from each other, comprises motion-transmitting members 73.

Each tray 55 comprises a plurality of horizontal partitions 76 and vertical partitions which together define several superimposed horizontal rows of compartments 74. Each such compartment can accommodate a block of 20 cigarettes. The tray 55 is lowered stepwise in a manner as disclosed, for exam ple, in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 559,538 of Schubert.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 is operated in the following way: The upper stretches of belts 51 advance a continuous series of cigarettes 60 sideways and the suction head 52 accepts such cigarettes by lifting them seriatim into successive flutes 58 of its sections or panels 57. The valves 6I, 62 are inoperative so that each flute 58 can receive a cigarette 60 whereby the suction head 52 (in the solid-line position of FIG. 3) accumulates a row or large group of 84- cigarcttcs. A signalgenerating device 199 (FIG. ll)sends an impulse when the last or rearmost flute 58 receives a cigarette 60, and such impulse is used to actuate the drive for moving the suction head 52 from the solid-line position to the intermediate position 52' of FIG. 3 and thereupon along the guide rods 64 to the second position 52". When the suction head 52 reaches the second position 52", a valve 99 (FIG. 10) in the conduit 59 disconnects the channels and ports of the panels 57 from the suctiongenerating device so that the row of 84 cigarettes descends by gravity and such cigarettes come to rest in the flutes 69 and auxiliary flutes 72 of the subdividing unit. When the suction head 52 carries a row of 84 cigarettes, the supporting elements 71 are held in operative positions and the platforms 53 then assume such positions with reference to each other that each of the 84 flutes 58 registers with one of the

flutes

69 or 72 when the suction head 52 reaches the second position 52".

The suction head 52 then returns to the intermediate position 52 and to the solid-line first position of FIG. 3 so that it can accept a second row which contains 84 or 72 cigarettes. When the suction head moves from the second position 52" to the intermediate position 52, the cam 67 maintains the pusher 54 in a raised position so that the latter cannot engage cigarettes which rest in the

flutes

69 and 72. At the same time, the motion-transmitting members 73 cause the platforms 53 to move away from each other, preferably to both sides of an imaginary central vertical symmetry plane of the subdividing unit between the sixth and seventh platforms, while the supporting elements 71 remain in operative positions. The gaps between the platforms 53 should be wide enough to at least equal the thickness of a vertical partition 75 in the tray 55. The displacement of platforms 53 byway of the motion-transmitting members 73 results in conversion of a long row of 84 cigarettes into l2 layers or smaller groups of seven cigarettes each, and each such a layer registers with a compartment 74 in the adjoining row of compartments defined by the

partitions

75, 76.

While the suction head 52 moves from the second position 52" to the solid-line first position of FIG. 3, or not later than when the suction head reaches such first position, the

valves

61, 62 are caused to disconnect the channels and/or ports of the corresponding panels 57 from the suction conduit 59 so that only the median flutes 58 are ready to accept cigarettes from the belts 51. Thus, the number of flutes 58 which can accept cigarettes is reduced to 72. When the suction head 52 accepts 72 cigarettes, it is moved first to the first to the intermediate position 52 and thereupon to the second position 52 whereby the pusher 54 automatically transfers l2 layers of six cigarettes each from the platforms 53 and supporting elements 71 into the registering compartments 74 of the tray 55. Such transfer is completed when the pusher 54 reaches the position 54" shown in FIG. 3. The motion-transmitting members 73 cause the platforms 53 to move nearer to each other and to move the supporting elements 71 to inoperative positions before the suction head 52 (in the second position 52 is caused to release the row of 72 cigarettes. Thus, the auxiliary flutes 72 are then out of position so that the subdividing unit can accept only short layers of six cigarettes each, each cigarette coming to rest in one ofthe flutes 69.

While the suction head 52 thereupon returns to the solidline first position of FIG. 3, the cam 67 lifts the pusher 54 to prevent leftward axial displacement of cigarettes in the flutes 69 and the members 73 cause the platforms 53 to move apart so that each layer of six cigarettes each registers with one of the partially filed compartments 74 in the tray 55. The tray is caused to descend by a step and to move sideways by a distance approximating the radius of a cigarette so that the cigarettes of layers in the flutes 69 are staggered with reference to cigarettes in the layers which rest on the adjoining horizontal partition 76 of the tray 55. Alternatively, such staggering of cigarettes in the longer and shorter layers can be effected by the motion-transmitting members 73; the tray 55 is then simply caused to move downwardly by a step and to come to rest in a position in which the layers of six cigarettes each can enter the adjoining row of compartments 74 when the pusher 54 advances with the suction head 52 toward the position 54".

The

valves

61, 62 are moved to inoperative positions when the suction head 52 moves toward or assumes the solid-line first position of FIG. 3 sothat the suction head is then ready to accumulate a row of 84 cigarettes. This row is thereupon converted into 12 layers of seven cigarettes each and the pusher 54 transfers such layers into the adjoining compartments 74 to complete the formation of I2 blocks each of which contains 20 cigarettes. The topmost layers of such blocks are transferred into the cells 74 while the suction head 52 advances a layer of 84 cigarettes into registry with the platforms 53. When the cells 74 are filled, i.e., when each such cell accommodates a block of 20 cigarettes, the tray 55 is caused to descend through a somewhat greater distance so as to move the horizontal partition 76 above the freshly filled row of cells 74 to a level below the flutes 69 of the platforms 53. The operation is then repeated in the above described manner until the entire tray 55 is filled with blocks of 20 cigarettes each. The thus filled tray is then caused to descend below the platforms 53 and to provide room for a fresh tray which is held ready at a level above the filled tray. The aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 559,538 of Schubert fully discloses the manner in which the trays can be transported toward, past and beyond the receiving station by an automatic conveyor which can deliver filled trays to storage or to one or more packing machines.

The subdividing unit of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises I2 subdividing members each of which comprises a main portion or platform 53 and a second portion or supporting element 71. When the elements 71 are inoperative, i.e., when the flutes 69 of platforms 53 support 12 layers of six cigarettes 60 each, the members 73 of the displacing means transmit to the platforms 53 two movements, namely, a first movement to place each platform into registry with one of the compartments 74 and a second movement to stagger the cigarettes in the flutes 69 with reference to cigarettes in the layers which rest on the horizontal partition 76, The members 73 stagger the cigarettes in layers which are obtained on subdivision of each third row of cigarettes in the flutes 58. The movements of platforms 53 take place in directions at right angles to their flutes 69, i.e., at right angles to the axes of cigarettes 60.

The longer rows of b 84 cigarettes each are assembled between spaced first and second portions of the collecting station, namely, between those portions which accommodate the foremost and the rearmost flutes 58 when the suction head 52 dwells in the solid-line first position of FIG. 3. The shorter rows of 72 cigarettes each are assembled midway between such spaced portions of the collecting station, i.e., in the seventh to 78 the flutes 58.

The operation of displacing means for the platforms 53 is preferably controlled in such a way that the platforms of the left-hand set of six platforms (FIG. 4) move away from each other and from the right-hand set of six platforms when the layers of cigarettes are moved into registry with the corresponding a compartments 74, and the platforms of the righthand set of six platforms also move away from each other and away from the left-hand set of six platforms. The platforms 53 form a line which is parallel to the suction head 52 and is located directly below the flutes 58 when the suction head assumes the second position 52".

FIGS, 5 to 16 illustrate in full detail the apparatus which has been described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. The belts 51 of the supply conveyor are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. These belts are trained over two rollers 77 (FIG. 7) which replace the roller 56 of FIG. 3 and over additional guide rollers and diver rollers (not shown). The supply conveyor operates continuously. The rollers 77 of FIG. 7 are mounted on a block 78 which is secured to a main frame 79. The block 78 further supports one end of an elongated plate 81 (FIG. I4) which is disposed below the upper stretches of the belts 51. The other end of the plate 81 is mounted on a second block, not shown.

FIG. 14further shows a stop 82 which is provided on the plate 81 and extends upwardly between the upper stretches of the belts 51. The plate 81 is formed with an opening 83 which is located upstream of the stop 82, as considered in the direction of cigarette travel, and permits passage of a second stop or abutment 84 here shown as a bellcrank lever pivotable on a bracket 85 which is mounted at the underside of the plate 81. A second bracket 86 at the underside of the plate 81 supports an electromagnet 88 and one end of a helical return spring 87 which biases the stop 84 in a counterclockwise direction so as to move the tip of the stop 84 to the phantom-line position of FIG. 14. The electromagnet 88 has an armature 89 provided with a rounded heat 91 which can pivot the stop 84 in a clockwise direction to the solid-line position of FIG. 14 when the electromagnet is energized. The conductors whichconnect the electromagnet 88 in circuit with an energy source and switch means are shown at 92 and 93.

The collecting device or suction head 52 comprises a housing 94 (FIGS. 9 to 13) which carries two parallel horizontal tie rods serving as carriers for 84 panels or sections 57 which form a stack and are located in vertical planes. The panels 57 have registering cutouts or channels 95 and ports or slits 96 each of which extends downwardly from the respective cutout 95to the corresponding flute 58. The cutouts 95 together form a continuous channel which extends lengthwise of the housing 94 and communicates with a flaring channel 97 (FIG.

9) in the housing 94. This channel 97 communicates with the intake end of the flexible conduit 59 which is connected to the forward end of the suction head 52. The rear end of the chan- The conduit 59 contains a solenoid-operated valve 99 and is connected to a suction-generating device here shown as a fan 101 (FIG. 9). The

parts

59 and 101 constitute a retaining means for holding cigarettes 60 in the flutes 58 of the panels or sections 57.

The bearing members 63 are adjacent to the forward and rear end of the suction head 5 2 and are connected to the housing 94 by bolts or se screws (FIGS. 9 and 11). The front bearing member 63 accommodates three rolls 103 which are mounted on shafts 102 and extend radially of one of the guide rods 64. The rear bearing member 63 has two rolls 103 mounted on parallel shafts 102 and arranged to track the other guide guide rod 64. The rolls 103 reduce friction when the suction head 52 travels along the guide rods 64. One of these guide rods 64 is connected with two links 104, 105 (FIG. 6) which are rigid with a shaft 106. The latter is rotatable in the main frame 79 at one end and in a bearing block 107 at the other end. The other rod 64 is fixed to two links 108, 109 (also shown in FIG. 6) which are affixed to a shaft 111. The latter is rotatable in the main frame 79 at one of its ends and in a bearing block 112 at its other end. The

shafts

106, 111 are respectively connected with

levers

113, 114 which are articulately connected to a rod 115. An abutment 116 is mounted on the rod adjacent to one of its ends (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and this abutment is adapted to cooperate with a cushion or shock absorber 117 on the main frame 79. The other end of the rod 115 carries a coupling member 118 which is articulately connected to a further rod 119. The housing 94 is provided with an extension 121 which is located at the front end of the suction head 52 (see FIG 6) and is articulately connected with one end of a longitudinally adjustable rod 122. The other end a of the rod 122 is connected to a lever by a universal joint 123 (see the upper left-hand corner of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). The lever 125 is accommodated in a recess 124 of the frame 79 and is turnable on a pivot member 126. A pin 127 of the lever 125 is connected to one end of a push rod 128 and the other end of this push rod is connected to an eccentric pin 129 on a disc or wheel 131. The drive for moving the suction head 52 further comprises a gear motor. 132 (FIG. 5 which is mounted in the main frame 79 and can drive a pinion 135 by way of an electromagnetic clutch 133. The pinion 135 is mounted on the output shaft 134 of the clutch 133 and meshes with a gear 137 which is mounted on a shaft 136. The gear 137 meshes with a pinion 138. The ratio of teeth on the pinion 135, gear 137 and pinion 138 is one to three to one. These parts are mounted ina gearbox 139 which is attached to the underside of a crosshead 141 in the main frame 79. The pinion 138 is affixed to a shaft 142 which is journaled in the gearbox 139 and in a casing 143 which is affixed to the aforementioned crosshead 141. The disc 131 is affixed to the shaft 142 and is located to the left of the casing 143, as viewed in FIG. 5. The shaft 142 further rotates a disc-shaped cam 144 which is accommodated in the casing 143 and cooperates with a follower 146 which is mounted on a lever 147. The latter is rigidly affixed to a vertical shaft 148 which is journaled in thecasing 143 and extends upwardly beyond the crosshead 141. The upper end of the vertical shaft 148 is rigidly connected to a lever 149 which. is articulately connected to a head provided on the aforementioned rod 119 (see FIGS. 5, 6'and 13). The head 145 is further connected with one end of a prestressed resilient element here shown as a helical spring 130 the other end of which is attached to the main frame 79. The purpose of the head 145 is to cooperate with the armature 150 of an electromagnet 140 (which is mounted in the frame 79) and to temporarily block the movement of the rod 119 and suction head 52. The electromagnet 140 is shown in FIG. 13.

The gearbox 139 further accommodates a drum-shaped cam 151 which is mounted on the shaft 136 adjacent to the gear 137 and is provided with three

circumferential cam grooves

152, 153, 154. The shaft 136 extends from the gear box 139 and through a bracket 155 (FIG. 5) which is mounted on the crosshead 141. The right-hand end of the shaft 136 carries a disc-shaped actuating member or trip 156 which cooperates with three equidistant

electric switches

158, 159, mounted on the bracket 155 (FIG. 16) and extending radially of the shaft 136. A fourth electric switch is mounted between the

switches

159, 16 0. The switch 158 has a contact 161, the switch 159 has two

contacts

162, 163, the switch 160 has a contact 164, and the switch 170 has a contact 180.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate the manner in which six outermost sections or panels 157 at the front and the 79th section or panel 157 at the rear end of the suction head 52 can be disconnected from the retaining means 59, [101, a when the suction head is to assemble a row of 72 cigarettes. The discrete shutoff valves or disconnecting valves 61 for the six foremost sections or panels 157 are shown in are shown in FIG. 9. The six rear most panels (namely, five panels 57 and one panel 157 shown in FIG. 11) can be disconnected from the retaining means 59, 101 by a single shutoff valve or disconnecting valve 62. Each valve 61 has an aperture 165 and the upper ends of all six valves 61 are suspended on a bolt 166 which is suspended on a further bolt 167 by way of two pairs links 168. The bolt 167 is mounted on two levers 169 (see particularly FIG. 10) which are rigidly but adjustably clamped to a shaft 171. The rear valve 62 is suspended on a bolt 172 which in turn is suspended on a bolt 174 by two pairs of links 173. The bolt 174 is mounted in two levers 175 which are rigidly but adjustably clamped to the aforementioned shaft 171 for the levers 169. The shaft 171 is rotatable in two

brackets

176, 177 provided on the housing 94 of the suction head 52. The bracket 176 is provided with a retainer 178 (FIG. 10) for one end of a prestressed helical spring 179 which tends to rotate the shaft 171 in a clockwise direction and to thereby maintain the

valves

61, 62 in their inoperative positions. The shaft 171 is further rigidly connected to a link 181 (FIG. 13) which is articulately connected to the armature of an electromagnet by way of two links 182 and pins 183, 184. The electromagnet 185 is mounted on a bracket 186 provided therefor on the housing 94 of the suction head 52. A first conductor 187 connects the electromagnet 185 with one pole of an energy source, and a second conductor 188 connects this electromagnet with the contact 162 of the switch 159 (see FIG. 16). A third conductor 189 connects the contact 162 with the other pole of the energy source. The contact 162 is further connected with the conductor 92 of the: electromagnet 88 (see FIG. 14). The conductor 93 of the electromagnet 88 is connected to the one pole of the energy source. The second contact 163 of the switch 159 is connected to the other pole of the energy source by a conductor 191. A conductor 192 connects the contact 163 with the solenoid 198 of the valve 99 (FIG. 9). The solenoid 198 is connected to the one pole of the energy source by a conductor 193. Still another conductor 194 connects the solenoid 198 of the valve 99 with the contact 161 of the switch 158, and a conductor 196 connects this solenoid with the contact 164 of the' switch 160. The

switches

158, 160 are connected to the other pole of the energy source by

conductors

195, 197.

FIG. 11 illustrates two

signal generators

199, 201 which are respectively adjacent to the rearmost panel 57 and to that panel 57 which immediately precedes the shutoff valve 62. Each of these signal generators is a microswitch. The movable contact 202 of the switch 199 is connected with a sensing pin 203 which extends into the port 96 of the rearmost panel 57. The movable contact 204 of the switch 201 is connected to a second sensing pin 205 which extends into the port 96 of the corresponding panel 57, i.e., of that panel which precedes the panel 157 for the valve 62. The

switches

199, 201 are connected in series by a conductor 206. A further conductor 207 connects the switch 199 with one pole of the energy source and this conductor is connected with the contact 180 of the switch 170 (FIG. 16) by way of a conductor 208. The contact 180 is connected with the conductor 206 by a conductor 209. The switch 201 is connected with the winding of a relay 212 by way of a conductor 211. The relay 212 has a contact 213 and its winding is further connected to the other pole of the energy source by a conductor 214. The other pole of the energy source is connected to the contact 213 of the relay 212 by a conductor 215. A conductor 216 connects the contact 213 with the electromagnetic clutch 133 of FIG. 5. The latter is connected to the one pole of the energy source by a conductor 217. The conductor 211 has a branch conductor 218 which is connected to the electromagnet 140 (FIG. 13), and this electromagnet is connected to the other pole of the energy source by a further conductor 219.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 13, the transfer member or pusher 54 is mounted on the housing 94 of the suction head 52. The pusher 54 is pivotable on a shaft 65 which is mounted in bearing brackets 66 on the housing 94. The cam 67 for the pusher 54 is mounted on the rod 68 which is carried by an arm 221. Two torsion springs 222 bias the cam 67 to operative position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a reciprocable lid or closure 223 which can be moved below the six rearmost flutes 58 and is mounted. on a carriage 224 (see also FIG. 15). This carriage is reciprocable on two rods 225 which are affixed to a holder 226 secured to the main frame 79. The means for reciprocating the carriage 224 comprises a bar 227 one end of which is articulately coupled to the carriage and whose other end is movably coupled to a lever 228. This lever is fixed to a shaft 229 which is journaled in the gearbox 139. A second lever 231 (FIG. is rigid with the shaft 229 at a level below the lever 228 and makes with the latter an angle of 180. This lever 231 carries a roller follower 232 which extends into the circumferential groove 154 of the cam 151 in the gearbox 139.

The displacing means for moving the platforms 53 of the supporting members in the subdividing unit with reference to each other is shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and 13. Each platform 53 has two laterally extending outer projections 233 and a median projection 234. The projections 233 serve as bearings for a pin 235 which carries the corresponding supporting element 71. Each supporting element 71 has an arm 236 and is biased by two torsion springs 237 mounted on the pin 233 and tending to maintain the element 71 in a position in which the arm 236 abuts against the median projection 234. As explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, each supporting element 71 has an auxiliary flute 72.

The motion-transmitting members 73 for the platforms 53 constitute levers which are connected to the respective platforms by bolts 238 so that each platform can turn on a bearing sleeve 240 carried by the respective bolt 238 (see particularly FIG. 13). Each platform 53 is further guided by two leaf springs 239 each having one of its ends connected to the respective platform by a screw 241. The other ends of the leaf springs 239 are connected to a web 243 by way of screws 242. The web 243 forms part of a strip 244 which is secured to the crosshead 141. The motion-transmitting levers 73 are fulcrumed on pivot members 245, which are mounted in the crosshead 141, and rest on bearing sleeves 246 each of which surrounds a portion of the respective pivot member 245. The means for pivoting the levers 73 comprises rods 247 each of which is connected to a common lever 248. The latter is rigid with a turntable 249 which is fixed to a vertical shaft 251 (FIG. 7). This shaft 251 is journaled in the gearbox 139 and in the head 252 of a further shaft 243 which is rotatable in brackets 254, 255 of the gearbox. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a lever 256 which is rigid with the shaft 251 and carries a roller follower 257 extending into the groove 152 of the cam 151. The head 252 of the shaft 253 is fixed to a further lever 259 by screws 258, and the lever 259 carries as a roller follower 261 extending into the groove 153 of the cam 151.

FIG. 6 illustrates a charger or tray 55 which is held in receiving position and is indicated by phantom lines. The numeral 262 denotes a toothed wheel which forms part ofa drive for moving the tray 55 stepwise. As stated before the details of the mechanism which can transport a series of trays 55 past the receiving station is disclosed in the copending application Ser. No. 559,538 of Schubert.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 16 is as follows:

It is assumed that the apparatus is in operation and that the motor 132 drives the input shaft of the clutch 133. The apparatus has just completed the formation ofa row of 12 blocks or arrays each of which comprises 20 cigarettes 60 in customary distribution, namely, two outer layers of seven cigarettes each and a median layer of six cigarettes. The cigarettes of the median layer are staggered wt with reference to the cigarettes of the corresponding outer layers.

The belts 51 of the supply conveyor deliver a series of cigarettes 60 sideways but in random distribution, i.e., the spacing between successive cigarettes can but need not be the same. Such cigarettes are received from one or more rod cigarette machines and have undergone one or more tests. All defective cigarettes were ejected or otherwise removed prior to or during travel with the belts 51 so that each cigarette which reaches the suction head 52 is satisfactory and is ready to be packed. The foremost cigarette of the series on the belts 51 can reach the stop 82 on the plate 81 shown in FIG. 14 and the next following cigarettes are arrested by abutting against the preceding cigarettes. At the same time, suction in the ports 96 of the

panels

57 and 157 causes the cigarettes 60 to enter the flutes 58 beginning at the front end of the housing 94 whereby such flutes receive successive cigarettes starting with the cigarette which reaches the stop 82 and continuing backwards, i.e., toward and beyond thecutout 83 of the plate 81. The assembly ofa row is terminated when the suction head 52 carries 84 cigarettes. The closure or lid 223 of FIG. 11 is located in retracted position so that it cannot interfere with entry of cigarettes 60 into the six rearmost flutes 58. The

shutoff valves

61, 62 are maintained in their raised or inoperative positions shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 so that the ports 96 of all

panels

57 and 157 are in communication with the suction conduit 59. The

valves

61, 62 are maintained in such inoperative positions by the spring 179 which acts between the

parts

176, 169 shown in FIG. 10. The second stop 84 (FIG. 14) is held in the retracted (phantom-line) position so that it cannot interfere with travel of cigarettes 60 toward the first stop 82. The means for holding the stop-84 in retracted position comprises the aforementioned spring 87. The electromagnet 88 is deenergized.

The

switches

199, 201 of FIG. 11 are actuated when the corresponding flutes 58 accommodate cigarettes because such cigarettes displace the sensing pins 203', 205. These switches then complete the circuits of the electromagnet 140 and electromagnetic clutch 133 (by way of the relay 212). The electromagnet 140 attracts its armature 150 which releases the head 145 of the rod 119 whereby the latter moves under the bias of the spring 130 and moves the suction head 52 in a first direction (to the phantom-line position 52 of FIG. by way of the connection including the parts 118, 115,114, 111, 109, 108,64, 113, 106, 105, 104, 64. The suction head 52 thus lifts the freshly formed row of 84 cigarettes above and away from the upper stretches of belts 51. Since the electromagnetic clutch 133 is energized, its output shaft 134 drives the pinion 135 until the latter completes one full revolution. The pinion 135, drives the gear 137 and pinion 138 at the aforementioned ratio so that the cam 151 and the actuating member 156 complete one-third of a revolution and the cam 144 completes a full revolution. i

The cam 151 causes the push rod 128, lever 125and rod 122 to move the suction head 52 from registrywith the belts 51 (FIG. 7) into registry with the platforms 53 (FIG. 13). During such movement of the suction head 52 (from the position 52 of FIG. 3 or 5 to the position 52" of FIG. 3), the pusher 54 engages and pivots the cam 67 againstthe opposition of torsion springs 237. When the suction head 52 reaches the position 52", the actuating member 156 actuates the switch 159 to close the

contacts

162, 163. The electromagnet 88 is energized and movesthe tip of the stop 84 upwardly to the solidline position of F IG. 14. The electromagnet 185 is also energized and causes the'shaft 171 to turn against the oppositionof spring 179 (FIG. to move

valves

61, 62 to operative positions. The suction head 52is now ready to assemble a shorter row of 72 cigarettes because the six foremost and six rearmost. flutes 58are disconnected from the suction conduit 59. The ports 96 of median flutes 58 are connected with the channel 97 by apertures 165 in the valves 61.

The solenoid 199 (FIG. 9) causes the valve 99 to disconnect the conduit 59 from the fan 101 and to connect this conduit with the atmosphere for a short period of time so that the row of 84 cigarettes descends from the flutes 58 into the flutes 69, 72.0f the platforms 53 and supporting members 71. During such descent of cigarettes into the

flutes

69, 72, the groove 152 of the cam 151 in the gear box 139 maintains the plat,- forms 53 in the positions shown in FIG. 5 through the intermediary of roller follower 257, lever 256, shaft 251, turntable 249, lever 248, levers 247 and motion-transmitting levers 73. The supporting elements 71 are held in vertical planes to the right of the respective platforms 53 as viewedin FIG. 5. When the transfer of cigarettes into the

flutes

69 and 72 is completed, the cam groove 152 causes the

parts

256, 251, 249, 248, 247, 73 to move the platforms 53 along the respective pairs of leaf springs 239and away from each other so that the adjoining platforms are separated from each other by gaps whose width approximates or slightly exceeds the thickness of a vertical partition 75 in the tray 55. In other words, the platforms 53 and the supporting elements 71 convert the row of 84 cigarettes into 12 layers of seven cigarettes each and each such layer registers with a compartment 74 in the tray 55.

While the cam 151 causes the platforms 53 to move away from each other, the suction head 52 returns to the position 52' under the action of

parts

131, 128, 125, 122 whereby the cam 67 pit pivots the pusher 54 upwardly so that the latter can bypass the cigarettes in the

flutes

69 and 72. The cam 144 thereupon causes the suction head 52 to descend fromthe position 52 toward the upper stretches of thebelts 51. Such movement is transmitted to the suction head 52 by way of the

parts

147, 148, 149, 119, 118, 115, 114, 111, 109, 108, 64, 103, 106,105, 104.

The sensing pins 203, 205 are free to descend as soon as the transfer of a row of 84 cigarettes from. the flutes 58. is completed so that the

switches

199, 201 open and the

electromagnets

88, 140 are deenergized. Thus, the stop 84 is withdrawn to the phantom-line position of FIG. 14 by the spring 87 and the clutch 133 is deenergized. The armature 150 of the electromagnet 140 engages the head 145 of the rod 119 to block movement of the suction head 52 from the solid-line.

first position of FIG. 5. The head 145 is. returned into requisite position of engagement with the armature 150 by the cam 144 against the opposition of the spring 130 so that the latter stores energy.

While the suction head 52 accumulates a shorter row of 72 cigarettes (beginning with the foremost cigarette which comes into abutment with the tip of the stop 84 shown in FIG. 14), the platforms 53 remains in spaced apart positions and support 12 layers of seven cigarettes each. This completes the first stage of a complete cycle which is necessary to assemble 12 blocks of cigarettes each. The suction head 52 begins to lift cigarettes 60 off the belts 51 as soon as it returns to the solid-line position of FIG. 5 because the valve 99 establishes communication between the conduit 59 and suction fan 10] (FIG. 9) immediately or shortly after completion of the delivery of cigarettes into the

flutes

69 and 72. As a matter of fact, the suction head 52 can start the accumulation ofa fresh? row of cigarettes while it moves downwardly from the position 52 toward the solid-line position of FIG. 5. The

valves

61, 62 seal the six foremost and the six rearmost flutes 58 from the suction conduit 59. Also, the lid 223 is shifted to operative position and extends below the six rearmost flutes 58. Such movement of the lid 223 to operative or overlapping position is effected by the gear 137 which has completed angular displacement of the cam 151 through one-third of a revolution so that the follower 232 in the groove 154 of the cam 151 has caused the lever 231, shaft 229, lever 228, bar 227 and carriage 224 to shift the lid 223 to operative position. The provision of the lid 223 is a safety measure, i.e., this lid insures that the last six flutes 58 cannot receive cigarettes when the suction head 52 is to assemble a shorter row of 72 cigarettes.

When theassembly of a row of 72 cigarettes is completed, the last cigarette displaces the sensing pin 205 (FIG. 11) to actuate the switch 201. The switch 199 is bridged by the switch 170 and

conductors

208, 209. The switch 170 was actuated by the member 156 on the shaft 136 during the preceding stage of the cycle at the time when the suction head 52 returned to the position 52. The gear 137 is at a standstill while the suction head 52 moves from the position 52' to the solid-line posh tion of FIG. 5 and while the suction head accumulates a row of 72 cigarettes, i.e., the switch 170 remains engaged by the lobe of the actuating member 156. The contact 180 of the switch 170 is closed and the switch 199 is bridged so that actuation of the switch 201 by the sensing pin 205 suffices to energize the electromagnet and the relay 212. The head of the rod 119 is disengaged from the armature of the electromagnet 140 and the relay 212 energized energizes the electromagnetic clutch 133. The spring 130 is effective to rapidly move the suction head 52 from the solid-line position to the phantomline position 52' of FIG. 5 and the output shaft 134 of the clutch 133 rotates the pinion 135 through one full revolution. The motor 132 drives the input shaft of the clutch 133 without interruption. Rotation of the output shaft 134 results in displacement of the suction head 52 from the position 52' into registry with the platforms 53 whereby the pusher 54 moves the 12 layers of seven cigarettes each lengthwise of the

respective flutes

69 and 72 to transfer such layers into the adjoining cells 74 of the tray 55. When the movement of the suction head 52 into registry with the platforms 53 is completed (position 52" in FIG. 3), the groove 152 of the cam 151 causes the platforms to move toward each other and to simultaneously pivot the supporting elements 71 below the respective platforms so that the flutes 69 (but not the auxiliary flutes 72) are ready to receive the row of 72 cigarettes from the median flutes 58 of the suctionhead 52. The platforms 53 are caused to move sideways by a distance corresponding to the radius of a cigarette 60 before or after they receive the row of 72 cigarettes from the suction head. Such sidewisc movement is outer layers.

The wheel 266 causes the tray 55 to descend by a step before the pusher 54 transfers the layers of six cigarettes each into the cells 74. When the suction head 52 (with a row of 72 cigarettes) reaches the position (52") of registry with the platforms 53, i.e., when the transfer of 12 layers of seven cigarettes each into the compartments 74 is completed, the actuating member 156 of the shaft 136 actuates the switch 160 to change the condition of the valve 99 which admits air into the conduit 59 and causes the cigarettes to descend into the flutes 69 of the platforms 53 Immediately upon completion of such transfer, the groove 152 of the cam 151 causes the

parts

256, 251, 249, 248, 247, 73 to move the platforms 53 away from each other substantially in the same way as described before but with the single exception that the groove 153 of the cam 151 causes the causes the

parts

261, 259, 252, to shift the platforms 53 sideways by a distance corresponding to the radius of a cigarette 60 to insure the aforementioned staggering of cigarettes in the median layers of blocks in the compartments 74. This is achieved by changing the position of the pivot axis of the lever 248 (see FIG. 6) with reference to the longitudinal axis of this lever. The platforms 53 then complete the conversion of a row of 72 cigarettes into 12 layers of six cigarettes each. Such layers remain in the respective flutes 69 until the pusher 54 performs a fresh working stroke by moving with the housing 94 while the suction head 52 moves in a second direction from the position 52' toward the position 52".

While the platforms 53 move apart to break up the row of 72 cigarettes into 12 short layers of six cigarettes each, the shaft 142 continues to rotate and the disc 131 causes the the suction head 52 to return to the position 52', i.e., into registry with the belts 51. During such movement of the suction head, the cam 67 pivots the pusher 54 so that the latter bypasses the layers of cigarettes in the flutes 69. The suction head then moves from the position 52 to the solid-line position of F IG. 5 because the cam 144 continues to rotate. The shaft 136 causes the groove 154 of the earn 151 to return the lid 223 to the inoperative position of FIG. 11 so that the suction head is ready to accumulate a row of 84 cigarettes.

The next-following stage of the cycle corresponds to the aforesaid aforedescribed first stage. The sole difference is that the release of a complete row of 84 cigarettes is effected by the switch 158. While the suction head 52 moves from the position 52' toward the position 52", the pusher 54 transfers the previously assembled 12 layers of six cigarettes each into the registering compartments 74 of the tray 55 whereby the cigarettes of each layer of six cigarettes are staggered with reference to cigarettes in the layers therebelow. The tray 55 is transported by a step due to rotation of the wheel 266 before the pusher 54 performs a working stroke.

The 12 layers of seven cigarettes each which are formed by the platforms 53 and the supporting elements 71 during the third stage of a complete cycle remain in the

flutes

69 and 72 until the pusher 54 performs a working stroke during the first stage of the next-following cycle. The cigarettes of such layers I are staggered with reference to the cigarettes of intermediate layers, i.e., each cigarette of a topmost layer of seven cigarettes each is located in a common vertical plane with a cigarette of the corresponding bottom layer. This is the customary distribution of cigarettes in a block which is contained in a cigarette pack having 20 cigarettes.

The suction head 52 continues to accumulate rows of 84 and 72 cigarettes each, and such rows are broken up into layers in the aforedescribed manner. When all compartments of a tray 55 are filled with cigarettes, the wheel 266 automatically moves the lowermost row of compartments 74 in a fresh tray 55 into registry with the platforms 53 so that the formation of blocks can continue without any interruptions.

An important advantage of our method and apparatus is that the packing machine or machines which receive blocks of cigarettes can operate without customary magazines which are the main source of frequent disturbances in such machines. Conventional magazines normally comprise a series of vertical ducts wherein the cigarettes descend by gravity and from which blocks of cigarettes are expelled by rakelike pushers. If a deformed or otherwise damaged cigarette blocks a single duct, the operation of the packing machine must be interrupted for a long interval of time or the packing machine receives unsatisfactory blocks. I

The arrays or blocks which are assembled in the compartments 74 of the trays 55 remain intact during transport to the packing machine or machines so that such machines need not be provided with any means for stacking, arraying or otherwise grouping cigarettes in formations which are necessary for introduction into envelopes or boxes. This reduces the likelihood of damage to cigarettes, i.e., the cigarettes are treated gently all the way from the rod cigarette machine or machines to the station or ,stations where the blocks enter the envelopes or boxes. Still another important advantage of the improved method and apparatus is that a large number of blocks is formed during each working cycle so that the apparatus can readily meet the needs of modern high-speed packing machines.

A further advantage of the aforedescribed method and apparatus is that the cigarettes of rows which are assembled by the collecting device 2 or 52 need not slide with reference to their supports (3 or 53, 71) when the rows are converted or broken up into layers of six or seven cigarettes each. This reduces the likelihood of deformation, smudging and/or other damage to cigarette wrappers. Each row which is assembled by the device 2 or 52 is broken up without any remainder, i.e., the total number of cigarettes in layers on the supporting

members

3 or 53, 71 equals the number of cigarettes in a row formed by the collecting device.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

We claim:

1. A method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising the steps of assembling rodshaped articles into a succession of first groups of parallel articles at a first station; moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to a second station; subdividing said first groups at the second station into a plurality of second groups by moving portions of each first group substantially at right angles to the axes of articles; transferring the second groups to a third station by moving the articles lengthwise; and assembling the second groups at said third station into blocks each of which contains at least two second groups obtained by subdivision of successive first groups.

2. A method of as defined in claim 1, wherein said first groups consist of rows of parallel articles and wherein each such row comprises two outermost articles, said subdividing step comprising moving the articles of said rows sideways away from a point located substantially midway between said outermost articles.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of staggering the second groups obtained on subdivision of each n the first group with reference to the second groups obtained on subdivision of each other first group by moving the corresponding articles sideways by a distance approximating the radius of an article.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said second groups are transferred from the second station to the third station simultaneously with movement of first groups from the first station to the second station.

5. in an apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, a combination comprising a feed for supplying articles sideways along a predetermined path; collecting means arranged to receive articles from said feed and to assemble such articles into first groups of articles;

subdividing means arranged to receive said first groups from the collecting means and comprising a plurality of subdividing members each arranged to support a portion of a first group so that such portions form a plurality of second groups; displacing means for moving said supporting members with reference to each other so as to separate the second groups thereon; and transfer means for removing the thus separated second groups from said supporting members. I

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said supporting members are movable substantially at right angles to the axes of articles thereon.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said supporting members form a line including two sets of supporting members and wherein said displacing means is arranged to move the supporting members of each set away from each other and from the supporting members of the other set.

8. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising staggering means for transmitting to said supporting members a second movement in a direction substantially at right angles to the axes of articles thereon.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5, whereinsaidisupporting members are provided with parallel article-receiving flutes.

10. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein each of i said supporting members comprisesa main portion which is arranged to support a predetermined number of articles and a second portion arranged to support a single article, and means for moving said second portions between operative and inoperative positions in which said second portions are respectively free to accept and are prevented from accepting articles from said collecting means.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said second portions are mounted on and are pivotable with reference to the respective main portions.

12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said main portions is provided with a plurality of parallel article-receiving flutes and wherein each of said second portions is provided with a single article-receiving flute parallel to the flutes of the respective main portion, said means for moving said second portions'with reference to the respective main portions comprising means for biasing each of said second portions to one of said positions thereof.

13. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising movement with reference to each other.

14. A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said colguide means forguiding said supporting members during V lecting means is movable between first and second positions in whichit respectively registers with said feed and with said sub- 'means so as to remove second members in responseto movement of said collecting means dividing means.

15. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said transfer means is operatively connected with said collecting groups from said supporting from first to second position.

16. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said collecting means is arranged to move. in two different directions during movement between said first and second positions, and further comprising drive means for moving said collecting means.

17. A combination ad defined in claim 16, wherein said collecting means is arranged to move upwardly and away from said feed and thereupon in a substantially horizontal plane during movement from first to second position.

18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means comprises resilient means for moving said collecting means in one of said directions. f

19. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said collecting means is provided with a row of parallel article-receiving flutes and further comprising drive means for moving said collecting means between said first and second positions in substantial parallelism with said flutes.

20. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting means eomprises a suction head,

21. A combination as defined "I claim 5, wherein said collecting means comprises an endless suction conveyor.

22. In a method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, the steps of feeding a stream of articles sideways along a predetermined path; removing from the front end of the stream a first predetermined number of articles when the foremost article of the stream reaches a first predetermined point of said pathyarraying the thus removed articles in the form of a'first row wherein the articles are parallel to and equidistant from each other; removing from the front end of the remainder of the stream a second predetermined number of articles when the foremost article of such remainder reaches a second predetermined point of said path; and arraying the thus removedarticles in the form of a second row wherein the articles are parallel to and equidistant from each other.

23. In a method as defined in claim 22, wherein steps of removing said second predetermined number of articles alternate with steps of successively removing two first predetermined numbers of articles and wherein the number of articles in each first row exceeds the number ofarticles in each second row.

Claims

1. A method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles, comprising the steps of assembling rod-shaped articles into a succession of first groups of parallel articles at a first station; moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to a second station; subdividing said first groups at the second station into a plurality of second groups by moving portions of each first group substantially at right angles to the axes of articles; transferring the second groups to a third station by moving the articles lengthwise; and assembling the second groups at said third station into blocks each of which contains at least two second groups obtained by subdivision of successive first groups.

5. In an apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, a combination comprising a feed for supplying articles sideways along a predetermined path; collecting means arranged to receive articles from said feed and to assemble such articles into first groups of articles; subdividing means arranged to receive said first groups from the collecting means and comprising a plurality of subdividing members each arranged to support a portion of a first group so that such portions form a plurality of second groups; displacing means for moving said supporting members with reference to each other so as to separate the second groups thereon; and transfer means for removing the thus separated second groups from said supporting members.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said supporting members are provided with parallel article-receiving flutes.

10. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said supporting members comprises a main portion which is arranged to support a predetermined number of articles and a second portion arranged to support a single article, and means for moving said second portions between operative and inoperative positions In which said second portions are respectively free to accept and are prevented from accepting articles from said collecting means.

12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said main portions is provided with a plurality of parallel article-receiving flutes and wherein each of said second portions is provided with a single article-receiving flute parallel to the flutes of the respective main portion, said means for moving said second portions with reference to the respective main portions comprising means for biasing each of said second portions to one of said positions thereof.

13. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising guide means for guiding said supporting members during movement with reference to each other.

14. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting means is movable between first and second positions in which it respectively registers with said feed and with said subdividing means.

15. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said transfer means is operatively connected with said collecting means so as to remove second groups from said supporting members in response to movement of said collecting means from first to second position.

16. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said collecting means is arranged to move in two different directions during movement between said first and second positions, and further comprising drive means for moving said collecting means.

18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means comprises resilient means for moving said collecting means in one of said directions.

20. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting means comprises a suction head.

21. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting means comprises an endless suction conveyor.

22. In a method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, the steps of feeding a stream of articles sideways along a predetermined path; removing from the front end of the stream a first predetermined number of articles when the foremost article of the stream reaches a first predetermined point of said path; arraying the thus removed articles in the form of a first row wherein the articles are parallel to and equidistant from each other; removing from the front end of the remainder of the stream a second predetermined number of articles when the foremost article of such remainder reaches a second predetermined point of said path; and arraying the thus removed articles in the form of a second row wherein the articles are parallel to and equidistant from each other.

23. In a method as defined in claim 22, wherein steps of removing said second predetermined number of articles alternate with steps of successively removing two first predetermined numbers of articles and wherein the number of articles in each first row exceeds the number of articles in each second row.