GB636791A - Improvements in or relating to collecting mechanism for cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

636,791. Endless-belt conveyers. MOLINS, D. W., and MOLINS MACHINE CO., Ltd. May 3, 1948, No. 12139. [Class 78 (i)] Cigarettes as they issue from a machine of the continuous rod type are fed into pockets on an endless conveyer in parallel arrangement with' their lengths arranged transversely to the length of the conveyer and are then transferred in the direction of their lengths in stack like formation from a pocket to a container. Cigarettes pass from the machine into collecting mechanism 1 which is of the type described in Specification 636,721. The pockets 2 are collapsible for the purpose set out in that specification and comprise partitions 4, which may be slotted to correspond with the container walls of collecting mechanism as described in Specification 591,081, [Group X], or guide 5 of the collecting mechanism may be slotted as in, Specification 630,469, the partitions upstanding from floor portions 7 pivoted to conveyer chain 3, further floor portions 6 being also pivotally mounted on chains 3 such that the parts are made rigid on the upper run by means of a guide 8 but under the action of a spring, not shown, around the pivot pin of portions 7 are folded on the lower run. The cigarettes are delivered in a suitable position for inspecting at inspection station I.S. at chair level as described in Specification 636,721, after which they pass to a transfer station T.S. where they are transferred into the usual type containers by a pusher 10 having a plate 11 which exactly covers the area of the pockets, the pockets being made to match the containers. The conveyer 3 is driven intermittently by means of a worm 13, on shaft 14, having a portion of zero thread, engaging gear 12 on one of the end sprockets. On the other end of shaft 14, driven by sprocket 15, is a crank disc 16 having a pin 17, Fig. 2. A lever 23 has a pin and slot connection at its upper end with pusher 10, its lower end being pivoted on a shaft 22 mounted in bearings 24 on which is also mounted a lever 21 provided with a pin 20 engageable in slots 19 in the left-hand sprocket, Fig. 1, the' slots corresponding exactly with the transfer positions of successive pockets. Pusher 10 is held back against the force of a spring 18 until pin 20 drops in a slot 19 allowing spring 18 to swing lever 23 until it hits pin 17 pushing the cigarettes into a container indicated at 9, Fig. 2, at the rear, suitable guiding means 25 being provided. Pin 17 then withdraws the pusher while conveyer 3 remains stationary. Specification 549,875 also is referred to.