Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

A battery of rod making machines of the tobacco processing industry (such as plain or filter cigarette makers or filter rod makers) is separated from a battery of processing machines (such as cigarette packing or filter tipping machines) by a magazine which is provided with compartments for discrete containers. Articles which are turned out by the making machines are introduced into so-called trays, and groups of filled trays are introduced into containers which are delivered into the compartments of the magazine for temporary storage, or directly to the processing machines, A container which is to furnish articles to a processing machine is relieved of filled trays, and the contents of the filled trays are conveyed to one or more selected processing machines. The thus emptied trays are returned into containers, and such containers are thereupon delivered into the magazine or directly to one or more selected rod making machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for transporting 
rod-shaped articles, and more particularly to improvements in apparatus 
for transporting rod-shaped articles (such as plain and/or filter 
cigarettes and/or filter rod sections) of the tobacco processing industry. 
Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in 
apparatus and groups of apparatus which are designed to confine rod-shaped 
articles in so-called trays which, in turn, are configurated and 
dimensioned to be confined in so-called containers serving to transport 
filled trays to processing (such as cigarette packing or filter tipping) 
machines and to transport empty trays back to the rod making machine or 
machines, such as filter rod making or cigarette rod making machines. 
Apparatus of the above outlined character are often equipped with storage 
facilities for filled and empty containers. Reference may be had, for 
example, to U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,162 granted May 13, 1997 to Christian 
Kreusch et al. for "PLANT FOR MAKING AND KAGING CIGARETTES" which 
discloses various connections between groups of cigarette making and 
cigarette packaging machines. The connections are established by remote 
control-operated vehicles (called floor conveyors) which transport filled 
containers from the making machines to storage and (when necessary) from 
storage to processing machines. The floor conveyors also serve to 
transport containers with empty trays from storage back to the making 
machines. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus 
which constitutes an improvement over and a further development of 
apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,162 to Kreusch et al. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can 
operate, highly satisfactorily, without floor conveyors. 
A further object of the invention is to provide the above outlined 
apparatus with novel and improved means for delivering containers with 
filled or empty trays to the machines or groups of machines which are 
designed to fill empty trays with freshly manufactured rod-shaped articles 
of the tobacco processing industry, or to remove the contents of filled 
trays for introduction into one or more processing machines. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved 
automated connection between groups of rod making and consuming or 
processing machines in a cigarette producing plant. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a space-saving array of 
cigarette making and processing (such as packing) machines which are 
coupled to a common storage system. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved 
combination or connection between filter rod making and filter tipping 
machines. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved 
method of furnishing to making and processing machines of the tobacco 
processing industry supplies of empty and filled trays for arrays of 
rod-shaped articles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention pertains to an apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles 
of the tobacco processing industry which are turned out by producing 
machines and are temporarily stored in trays which, in turn, can be stored 
in containers of the type arranged to confine a plurality of trays 
preparatory to delivery of articles to processing machines. The improved 
apparatus comprises at least one magazine having facilities for temporary 
storage of first containers which confine trays at least partially filled 
with articles turned out by the processing machines and of second 
containers accommodating trays which are empty as a result of delivery of 
articles to the processing machines, and transfer means for delivering 
containers between the producing and processing machines along a route 
which bypasses the at least one magazine. 
The transfer means can comprise at least one elevator having means for 
transporting containers between a plurality of levels, and/or means for 
transporting containers along at least one at least substantially 
horizontal path. 
The magazine can comprise at least one at least substantially straight set 
of facilities for temporary storage of containers, and such facilities can 
include discrete compartments for containers. For example, the magazine 
can comprise a plurality of sections each having facilities for temporary 
storage of containers. Such sections can include a first section with 
facilities for temporary storage of first containers, and a second section 
with facilities for temporary storage of second containers. Alternatively, 
at least one section can be provided with facilities for temporary storage 
of first and second containers. 
The magazine can be constructed and installed in such a way that it is 
flanked by the producing and processing machines. Thus, a battery of 
producing machines can be installed at one side and a battery of 
processing machines can be installed at the other (opposite) side of the 
magazine. 
The transfer means can further comprise means for conveying first 
containers between the producing machines and the facilities of the 
magazine, and means for conveying second containers between the facilities 
of the magazine and the processing machines. 
The producing machines can comprise makers of filter rod sections, means 
for filling empty trays with filter rod sections, and means for delivering 
filled trays into containers. The processing machines of such apparatus 
can comprise fluid-operated (such as pneumatic) conveyors, and the 
transfer means of such apparatus can further comprise means for evacuating 
filled trays from second containers and means for thereafter delivering 
filter rod sections from filled trays to the fluid-operated conveyors. 
The producing machines can comprise cigarette makers, means for filling 
trays with cigarettes, and means for delivering filled trays into 
containers. The processing machines of such apparatus can comprise 
cigarette packing machines, and the transfer means of such apparatus can 
further comprise means for evacuating filled trays from second containers 
and means for thereafter delivering cigarettes from filled trays to the 
packing machines. The packing machines can comprise means for confining 
arrays of cigarettes in so-called hard packs, and such packing machines 
can further comprise means for wrapping hard packs into envelopes, e.g., 
into light-transmitting envelopes of cellophane or the like. 
Each producing machine which turns out cigarettes or analogous 
tobacco-containing rod-shaped articles can comprise a cigarette maker and 
a filter tipping machine which receives cigarettes from the maker and 
filter rod sections from a filter rod making machine. If the articles are 
filter rod sections, each producing machine can comprise a filter tow 
processing machine and a filter rod making machine which receives 
processed filter tow from the respective filter tow processing machine. 
The magazine can comprise a plurality of storeys or levels and facilities 
(such as discrete compartments) at least at one of the storeys. 
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention 
are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus 
itself, however, both as to its construction and the modes of assembling 
and operating he same, together with numerous important and advantageous 
features and attributes thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of 
the following detailed description of certain presently preferred specific 
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The apparatus or assembly of FIG. 1 is a set of production lines and 
includes a battery or group of four filter rod making and subdividing 
machines 1 (hereinafter called makers for short). The number of makers in 
a cigarette producing plant can greatly exceed the number which is shown 
in FIG. 1. Each maker 1 comprises a combination of a filter tow processing 
machine 3 (e.g., of the type known as AF and distributed by the assignee 
of the present application) and a filter rod making machine 4, e.g., a 
machine known as KDF and also distributed by the assignee of the present 
application. Unless otherwise stated, all machines which are referred to 
by trademarks, trade names and/or other designations utilized in and known 
to those familiar with the field of tobacco processing are produced and 
distributed by the assignee of the present application. Machines similar 
to those shown at 3 and 4 are described and illustrated in commonly owned 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,449 granted Jan. 7, 1997 to Firdausia Chehab et al, 
for "APATUS FOR STRETCHING, PLASTICIZING AND GATHERING A TOW OF FILTER 
MATERIAL FOR TOBACCO SMOKE" and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,846 granted Jun. 
26, 1973 to Heinz Greve for "MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER ROD 
SECTIONS OR THE LIKE". 
Each machine 4 draws a continuous tow of filter material for tobacco smoke 
(such as cellulose acetate fibers) from a bale 2. Successive increments of 
the tow are stretched and converted into portions of a substantially flat 
layer which is contacted by droplets of a plasticizer (such as triacetin), 
and the thus processed layer is fed to the respective machine 4 which 
converts the layer into a rod-like filler ready to be draped into a web of 
cigarette paper, imitation cork or other suitable wrapping material. The 
resulting continuous filter rod is subdivided into filter rod sections of 
unit length or multiple unit length, and such sections are ready to be 
combined with plain cigarettes (or other rod-shaped tobacco-containing 
products) in a so-called filter tipping machine to form with the plain 
cigarettes a series of filter cigarettes of desired length. 
The machine 4 of each maker 1 in the group A is followed by a tray filling 
unit 6 wherein successive empty trays receive arrays of parallel filter 
rod sections, normally in a so-called quincunx formation. A tray which can 
be filled in a unit 6 is normally designed in such a way that it is open 
from above and at its front side but includes two sidewalls, a rear wall 
and a bottom wall. Certain tray filling units which can be utilized (at 6) 
in or with the makers 1 of the group A (and enjoy widespread use in the 
field of filter cigarette making) are known as HCF and are described and 
illustrated in the assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,534 granted Dec. 15, 
1984 to Rolf Gomann et al. for "APATUS FOR FILLING TRAYS WITH 
CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE". Successive filled trays are delivered to a 
so-called full-tray accepting station of the unit 6, and this station is 
associated with a transporting unit 7 which can be used to deliver filled 
trays into empty containers 8. Transporting units which can be utilized at 
7 in each of the makers 1 forming part of the group A shown in FIG. 1 are 
fully described and illustrated in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,219 
(granted Jan. 28, 1997 to Matthias Horn et al. for "MOBILE RECEPTACLES FOR 
CIGARETTE TRAYS"), in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,988 (granted Sep. 
10, 1996 to Matthias Horn et al. for "METHOD OF AND APATUS FOR 
MANIPULATING CONTAINERS FOR CIGARETTE TRAYS"), and in German patent 
application Serial No. 196 22 995 A 1 (published Dec. 11, 1997, entitled 
"METHOD OF AND APATUS FOR THE MANIPULATION OF CIGARETTE TRAYS" and 
naming Matthias Horn as the sole inventor). The just enumerated U.S. 
patents and German patent application further show the details of suitable 
trays and containers. Transporting units which can be utilized at 7 in the 
apparatus of FIG. 1 are also known as CHS and are used extensively in 
cigarette making plants in the United States of America as well as abroad. 
Containers which confine filled trays are shown at 8 at the discharge ends 
of the transporting units 7. 
The apparatus or assembly which is shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a 
group or battery B of processing machines and filling arrangements 11. A 
machine 11 is or can be provided for each maker 1, and each such machine 
includes or constitutes a pneumatic conveyor 12 for filter rod sections, 
Each conveyor 12 comprises a set of tubes 13 which guide filter rod 
sections into filter tipping machines (see the machines 118 in FIG. 2), 
e.g., machines of the type known as MAX. Conveyors of the type adapted to 
be utilized (at 12) in the group B of FIG. 1 are known as FILTROMAT and 
are described and shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,066 granted 
Dec. 1, 1987 to Peter Kageler et al. for "METHOD AND APATUS FOR 
PNEUMATICALLY TRANSPORTING FILTER ROD SECTIONS AND THE LIKE". 
Each conveyor 12 is Preceded by a tray evacuating unit 14 which is designed 
to remove filled trays from their containers 8 and which can be of the 
type known as CHS. Reference may be had, for example, to the 
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,219 to Horn et al., to the 
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,988 to Horn et al., and/or to the 
aforementioned published German patent application Serial No. 196 22 995 A 
1 of Horn. 
The filled trays which are removed from their containers 8 by the 
respective evacuating units 14 are delivered to discrete article removing 
or evacuating units 16, e.g., of the type known as MAGOMAT and described 
and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,385 granted Jul. 14, 1981 to Dietrich 
Bardenhagen et al. for "APATUS FOR TRANSFERRING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE 
FROM TRAYS INTO MAGAZINES OF KING MACHINES OR THE LIKE". When 
necessary, filter rod sections which are removed from trays by a removing 
unit 16 are delivered into a magazine of the corresponding conveyor 12. 
Such magazine supplies filter rod sections to the respective set of tubes 
13 which, in turns deliver filter rod sections to the consuming machines 
(e.g., of the type known as MAX). 
Empty trays are delivered to the empty tray evacuating unit 16 (such as the 
aforementioned MAGOMAT) and thence back to the evacuating unit (CHS) 14. 
The unit 14 includes means for introducing empty trays into empty 
containers 8, and the thus filled or refilled containers are temporarily 
stored in a magazine Z or are returned directly to the respective maker 1. 
A container 8 which confines an array of empty trays is relieved of such 
trays by the respective transporting unit (CHS) 7, and each unit 7 
delivers empty trays to the respective tray filling unit (HCF) 6. Such 
trays are refilled with arrays of parallel filter rod sections by the 
corresponding filter tow processing machine (AF) 3 and the associated 
filter rod making machine (KDF) 4. 
The aforementioned magazine Z is installed between (i.e., it is flanked by) 
the batteries or groups A, B and comprises two sections 21, 22 each of 
which can comprise a set of shelves (at different levels) with facilities 
or compartments 23 for temporary confinement of containers 8 which store 
filled or empty trays. A transfer device 24 which delivers containers 8 to 
and/or withdraws such contaners from the facilities or compartments 23 can 
be said to constitute a carriage in that it is movable along an elongated 
horizontal rail 26. An elevator platform 27 which is adjacent an upright 
guide column 28 is movable up and down along or adjacent the column 28 
and, when raised, along a second elongated horizontal rail 29 at a level 
above and parallel to the lower rail 26. 
A telescopically extendable or shortenable arm is employed to transfer 
filled containers 8 from the makers 1 into the compartments 23 of the 
magazine section 21 or 22. The arm and the platform 27 of the transfer 
device 24 can further serve to deliver filled containers 8 from one of the 
makers 1 directly to the group B, e.g., directly to an evacuating unit 
(CHS) 14, when the device 24 receives an appropriate signal from the 
controls of the improved apparatus. In other words, temporary storage of 
containers 8 in the magazine Z is optional. 
The sections 21, 22 of the magazine Z are provided with openings or windows 
for containers 8; the windows are located in the paths of advancement of 
containers between a maker 1 and the corresponding (aligned) processing 
machine 11, i.e., from a maker 1 to the aligned processing machine 11 or 
in the opposite direction. 
The arrangement can be such that the section 21 or 22 can receive and 
temporarily store only filled (first) containers whereas the section 22 or 
21 receives and temporarily stores only empty (second) containers 8. 
However, it is presently preferred to resort to a so-called chaotic 
storage which involves storage of empty and filled containers 8 in at 
least one or in each of the sections 21, 22. Identification of the 
locations of empty and filled containers 8 in the section 21 and/or 22 can 
be effected electronically. 
The transfer device 24 can be of any known design, For example, one can 
employ an automatically controllable transfer device known as DESTAMAT II 
which is distributed by the Firm Mannesmann Demag Fordertechnik AG having 
a place of business at D-58286 Wetter, Federal Republic Germany. 
The mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is as follows: 
A filter tow processing machine 3 cooperates with the filter rod making 
machine 4 of the respective maker 1 to furnish filter rod sections which 
are confined in trays by the associated tray filling unit 6, and the 
latter delivers freshly filled trays to the transporting unit 7 which 
introduces, at proper times, filled trays into empty containers 8. The 
column 28 of the device 24 is advanced to those machines 3, 4 which are 
ready to deliver a container 8 confining a supply of filled trays. The 
aforementioned telescoped arm of the device 24 engages the filled 
container 8 and delivers it to the platform 27. In the next step, the 
column 28 is advanced to an unoccupied compartment 23 which receives the 
filled container for temporary storage in the section 21 or 22 of the 
magazine Z; such introduction can involve a lifting or a lowering of the 
platform 27 to the level of the selected empty compartment 23. The actual 
delivery of a filled container 8 from the platform 27 into the selected 
empty compartment 23 is effected by the aforementioned telescoped arm of 
the transfer device 24. 
The minimum duration of storage of a container 8 in the selected 
compartment 23 is normally and preferably selected in such a way that the 
plasticizer and/or the adhesive of each filter rod section in a filled 
tray is allowed to set. 
If a processing machine 11 (or its pneumatic conveyor 12) transmits a 
signal denoting that such machine requires a fresh supply of filter rod 
sections, the column 28 and the platform 27 are advanced along one of the 
guide rails 26, 29 and on to the chosen compartment 23 confining a filled 
container 8 (namely, to any one of the compartments 23 which contain 
filled containers 8), the aforementioned telescoped arm withdraws the 
filled container 8 from the selected compartment 23 and deposits the 
withdrawn container on the platform 27 for delivery to the evacuating unit 
(CHS) 14 of the processing machine 11 which has reported the need for 
filter rod sections. 
Filter rod sections are removed from the filled trays of the container 8 on 
the platform 27 at the selected processing machine 11, and the container 8 
with empty trays is delivered by the transfer device 24 to a selected 
empty compartment 23 of the magazine Z. Such container 8, with an array of 
empty trays therein, remains in the corresponding compartment 23 until the 
transfer device 24 receives a signal denoting that one of the combinations 
of machines 3, 4 is in need of empty trays. The container 8 with empty 
trays is delivered to the transporting unit 7 of such combination of 
machines 3 and 4. 
The delivery of containers 8 by means of the transfer device 24 amounts to 
a direct coupling between the groups or batteries A, B and renders it 
possible to eliminate the need for the conventional floor-mounted 
conveyors. 
If the nature of the filter rod sections which are turned out by the 
combinations of machines 3, 4 is such that there is no need for a setting 
time or that the required setting times are short (or very short), the 
container transfer device 24 can be used to bypass the magazine Z, i.e., 
to deliver containers 8 with filled trays directly from the machines 3, 4 
of the group A to the selected processing machine 11 of the group B. 
FIG. 2 illustrates certain details of an apparatus which can be utilized to 
transport containers 108 for filled or empty trays from the group or 
battery A of cigarette makers 101 to the group or battery B of cigarette 
processing machines 111, either directly or by way of a magazine Z. The 
parts shown in FIG. 2 and corresponding to the parts in the apparatus of 
FIG. 1 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 100. For example, 
the magazine Z of FIG. 2 has two sections 121, 122 provided with 
facilities or compartments 123 for containers 108 which confine arrays of 
filled or empty trays for plain cigarettes or filter cigarettes. 
The group A of the apparatus which is shown in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality 
of producing machines or makers 101 each of which can constitute or 
comprise a cigarette rod making machine 117 of the type known as PROTOS 
and fully described and shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,721,119 
(granted Jan. 26, 1988 to Dieter Ludszeweit et al. for "ROD MAKING MACHINE 
WITH MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF WRAPPING MATERIAL") and 5,072,742 
(granted Dec. 17, 1991 to Uwe Heitmann for "METHOD OF AND APATUS FOR 
MAKING A FILLER OF SMOKABLE MATERIAL"). 
Cigarettes which are produced in the makers 101 (or filter cigarettes of 
e.g., unit length) are stored in suitable trays in a tray filling unit 
(HCF) 106, and a transporting unit (CHS) 107 is employed to deliver filled 
trays into successive containers 108. A transfer device 124 is provided to 
transport filled containers 108 into empty compartments 123 of the section 
121 or 122 of the magazine Z; alternatively, and when the need arises, the 
platform of the transfer device 124 can deliver filled containers 108 from 
a transporting unit 107 directly to one of the series of processing 
machines 111 of the group B. For example, each processing machine 111 can 
include or constitute or form part of a cigarette packing machine. Packing 
machines (known as COMPAS) which can be utilized at 111 in the group B 
shown in FIG. 2 are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,767 
granted May 29, 1973 to Friedel Kruse et al. for "METHOD AND MACHINE FOR 
THE MAKING OF CIGARETTE KS OR THE LIKE". 
The manner in which containers 108 (confining arrays of empty or filled 
trays for the storage of cigarettes) can be introduced into or withdrawn 
from the compartments 123 of the sections 121 and/or 122 is the same as or 
clearly analogous to that already described with reference to the magazine 
Z in the apparatus of FIG. 1. 
Containers 108 which are withdrawn from the compartments 123 of the 
sections 121 or 122 (or which are transported directly to the selected 
processing machines 111) are delivered to the selected tray evacuating 
units (CHS) 114 which, in turn, deliver filled trays to the associated 
cigarette removing or evacuating units (MAGOMATS) 116. The selected unit 
116 delivers plain or filter cigarettes to the magazine of the respective 
packing machine (COMPAS) 111. Empty trays are returned to the respective 
transporting units (CHS) 107 which, in turn, transport such trays to the 
respective filling units (HCF) 106 which introduce the trays into empty 
containers 108. The thus filled containers 108 (which contain empty trays) 
are delivered into empty compartments 123 of the section 121 or 122 in the 
magazine Z, or directly to the selected transporting units (CHS) 107 for 
delivery to the respective filling units (HCF) 106. The units 106 retain 
empty trays until such trays are again filled by the respective makers 
101. 
FIG. 2 shows that each maker 101 can comprise a machine 117 for the making 
of plain cigarettes and a tipping machine 118 which is designed to receive 
plain cigarettes from the machine 117 and filter rod sections (e,g., from 
a set of tubes 13) to form filter cigarettes. A conveyor system 119 serves 
to deliver filter cigarettes from the tipping machine 118 to the 
corresponding filling unit (CHS) 106. 
The processing machines 111 in the group B of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 
can comprise well known packing machines 131 which are designed to confine 
arrays of say twenty filter cigarettes in so-called hard packs, and 
wrapping machines 132 which are set up to confine the hard packs in 
transparent or translucent wrappers or the like. 
An important advantage of the improved apparatus is its simplicity. Thus, 
the aforementioned floor conveyors are no longer necessary, containers 8 
or 108 with filled trays can be delivered into the magazine Z or directly 
to a particular processing machine, and containers with empty trays can be 
delivered to the magazine or directly to selected producing machines. 
Another advantage of the improved apparatus is that the operation of its 
mobile parts (such as those shown in FIG. 1 at 6, 7, 24, 14 and 16) can be 
automated in a simple and efficient manner. 
Furthermore, the improved apparatus and its magazine are relatively simple, 
compact and inexpensive, and the transfer of rod-shaped articles from the 
makers into trays, of filled trays into containers, of filled containers 
into storage or to the processing machines, as well as of empty trays into 
empty containers and of containers (confining empty trays) in the opposite 
direction can be completed within surprisingly short intervals of time. 
It is clear that the improved apparatus is susceptible of numerous 
additional modifications without departing from the spirit of the present 
invention. For example, the construction of the transfer device 24 or 124 
can be greatly simplified if the magazine Z contains a single section 
(such as 21, 22, 121 or 122) and has a single storey, i.e., a single layer 
of compartments 23 or 123 all of which are located at the same level. It 
will be seen that each of the two sections 21, 22 of the magazine Z which 
is shown in FIG. 1 contains several storeys of compartments 23. 
The elevator including the platform 27 of the transfer device 24 shown in 
FIG. 1 (and the corresponding elevator of the transfer device 124) can be 
designed to move containers 8 between two or more levels or stories along 
a vertical path or along a path merely having a vertical component. 
An important advantage of the magazine Z is that it can temporarily confine 
smaller or larger numbers of containers 8 or 108 with empty or filled 
trays when the rate of processing rod shaped articles by the machines 11 
or 111 exceeds the rate at which the articles are turned out by the 
producing machines 1 or 101, or vice versa. Moreover, and as already 
mentioned above, certain types of filter rod sections must be stored for 
predetermined periods of time to ensure adequate setting of plasticizer 
and/or adhesive before the filter rod sections are ready to be assembled 
with plain cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or the like in a filter tipping 
machine. 
The aforementioned telescoped arm of the transfer device 24, 124 can be of 
any known design. For example, one can employ a retractable and 
extendable, pressure-medium-actuated telescopic member illustrated in 
EP-patent 0 643 002. 
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of 
the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, 
readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, 
from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential 
characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of the above outlined 
contribution to the art of apparatus for transporting rod-shaped articles 
of the tobacco processing industry and, therefore, such adaptations should 
and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of 
equivalence of the appended claims.