GB1385845A - Method and device for collecting and stacking rodlike articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1385845 Collecting and stacking rod-like articles; conveyers AMF Inc 29 March 1973 [13 April 1972] 15273/73 Headings B8A and B8C In a method for collecting and stacking rodlike articles, such as cigarettes S, from a continuous flow of said articles aligned side-by-side along a feed path, the flow of cigarettes is cyclically switched, according to predetermined frequencies, subsequently to each one of at least two collecting stations, in which station the cigarettes are collected in a row aligned side-by-side up to a predetermined number, after which the formed row is transferred into a collecting tray while the continuous flow of cigarettes is switched to another one of the collecting stations to form another row to be thereafter transferred into the tray stacking over the preceding row. As shown, cigarettes, aligned side-by-side, are carried on a fluted drum 1 which rotates in the direction F about its own axis to supply a predetermined number of cigarettes alternately to upper and lower conveyer belts 2, 3 through the intermediary of a deflector 4 which oscillates around a shaft 5 in accordance, e.g. with a commutating control, not shown. The deflector 4, of rectangular section, is partially open at the base to permit rotation of the drum 1 and provide side wings 204 which supportingly receive the ends of cigarettes S which project from the sides of the drum 1, the time taken for the shift of the deflector 4 from one conveyer to the other, being less than one step of drum rotation. The belts 2, 3 driven respectively over rollers 102, 202, 302 and 103, 203, 303, 403, pass through respective slots 106, 206 in a stop plate 6, a tray 7, of a width to accommodate a row of aligned, side-by-side, cigarettes, for which the operation of the deflector 4 is pre-arranged, being located adjacent one side of the belts 2, 3. Pusher elements 8, 9 associated respectively with the belts 2, 3 transfer the rows of cigarettes into the tray 7. The two pusher elements may be replaced by a single pusher movable vertically and horizontally.