Patent ID: 6318540
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method of feeding cigarettes to an outlet of a hopper; the cigarettes having a given diameter (D), and a given length (L) considerably greater than said diameter (D); the hopper comprising at least one inlet, and a chamber extending between said inlet and said outlet; the method comprising the steps of supplying said cigarettes in masses to said inlet, the cigarettes in said masses having a number of orientations; selecting said cigarettes as a function of their orientation by means of said inlet; wherein said inlet has a first length (L1) measured in a given first direction (D1) and approximately equal to but no smaller than said given length (L), and a first width (W1) measured in a given second direction (D2) perpendicular to said first direction (D1) and considerably smaller than said given length (L), to permit the passage of first cigarettes oriented within a given first range (I1), and to prevent the passage of second cigarettes oriented within a given second range (I2); the method further comprising the step of expelling said second cigarettes from said masses by means of at least one expulsion inlet adjacent to said inlet; said expulsion inlet having a second length (L2) measured in said second direction (D2) and greater than said given length (L), and a second width (W2) measured in said first direction (D1) and considerably smaller than said given length (L), to permit the passage of the second cigarettes and prevent the passage of the first cigarettes.