Patent ID: 6397559
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing cigarette packs by forming cigarette groups supplied from a cigarette magazine in which individual cigarettes are stacked one above the other, the apparatus comprising:a fixed plate disposed below said magazine to form a stationary surface for accepting cigarettes fed by gravity onto said plate from said magazine; a push rod disposed for reciprocating movement above said fixed plate; and a mechanism for moving said push rod generally parallel to said surface from a starting position in a pushing stroke wherein said push rod contacts an end of at least one cigarette to push it laterally along said surface and a return stroke wherein said push rod returns to said starting position, said mechanism holding said push rod above said surface a predetermined distance during said pushing stroke and displacing said push rod downward during at least a portion of said return stroke while maintaining the push rod above said fixed plate throughout the return stroke so that gravity feed of the cigarettes is initiated before said push rod reaches said starting position.