Patent ID: 6672446
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: A24C

Abstract:
A unit for transferring cigarette portions (5, 6) from a manufacturing machine (1) to a filter assembly machine (7); the unit (10) comprising a first conveyor (11) having a number of first seats (23, 24) movable along a first annular path (P11, P12) about a first axis (12) to pick up respective cigarette portions (5, 6) at a given pickup point (A1, A2) along the first path (P11, P12); and a second conveyor (13; 48) having at least one number of second seats (31, 41; 60, 66) movable along a respective second annular path (P22, P21; P32, P31) about a second axis (15, 17; 51) perpendicular to the first axis (12); each said second seat (31, 41; 60, 66) receiving a cigarette portion (5, 6) from a said first seat (23, 24) at a transfer point (B1, B2) along said first path (P11, P12); for at least one said number of second seats (31, 41; 60, 66), each second seat (31, 41; 60, 66) being located at the end of a respective arm (32, 39; 52, 53) which is movable to correct the speed of the second seats (31, 41; 60, 66) to substantially reach or approximate the speed of the first seats (23, 24) at said transfer point (51, 52); each said arm (32, 39; 52, 53) being movable to increase the speed of the respective said second seat (31, 41; 60, 66) at said transfer point (B1, B2) to substantially reach or approximate the speed of the corresponding said first seat (23, 24) at said transfer point (B1, B2).