Patent GB-932575-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for supplying cigarettes to cigarette packing machines
IPC: A24C5/356
Filed: 1961-02-16
Abstract: 932,575. Feeding cigarettes. D. W. MOLINS, R. H. G. RAINE, A. G. JEFFERYS, and MOLINS MACHINE CO. Ltd. Feb. 14, 1962 [Feb. 16, 1961], No. 5826/61. Class 78 (1). General.-Cigarettes are fed into hopper H (Fig. 1) on trays T, the trays being progressed along track 2 by means of tray feeder 6. The tray is pushed by feeder 6 on to elevator 4 which raises the tray to its upper position at which the cigarettes are pushed out from the tray by pusher plate 12 on to surface 17, and thence on to surface 18. The surface 18 is formed of pivoted flaps 18 which rotate about a horizontal axis to allow the cigarettes to fall into hopper H. The whole operation is controlled by light cell 121 which detects the level of cigarettes in hopper H. The empty trays are withdrawn by pusher plate 12 as it makes its return movement; and the empty trays thus pass on to upper track 3 along which they are discharged to the right by tray feeder 74a. Tray feeder 6 (Figs. 4 and 13).-The oncoming filled tray T is progressed leftwards along lower track 2 by feeder 6 which carries pawls 5 which engage successive trays. The feeder also carries pawls 29 which face rearwards so that an operator may slip the next tray under the pawls 29 from the rear. The feeder also carries stop pawl 24 to limit the forward movement of the tray by pawls; and a further stop pawl 26 pivoted to a fixed frame is also provided. The tray T is finally pushed on to elevator 4 by nose 25A of pawl 25. The feeder is reciprocated by the oscillatory rotation of screw 11 (Fig. 1), the nut 10 on which is secured to the feeder. The feeder runs on pinions 60 along racks 61 so that its position is accurately located. Elevator 4 (Fig. 5).-Elevator 4, which receives a tray from lower track 2 and elevates it to a raised position at which the cigarettes therein are pushed out by pusher plate 12 on to surface 17, is driven by the rotation of screw 7, the driven nut 30 on which is secured to elevator 4. Elevator 4 receives the tray on arm 32 which is guided in its upward movement by guides 9 and 35, the tray passing over springs 37 and being retained thereby when the elevator descends. Pusher plate 12 (Fig. 6).-Pusher plate 12 (which pushes the cigarettes out from the tray on to surface 17) is carried by arms 38, which are guided at 39 and are formed with a sleeve 13 embracing guide rod 14, the sleeve 13 being secured to nut 15 which is progressed by the rotation of screw 16 to cause the pusher plate 12 to advance to push out the cigarettes and then to return, pawls 43 serving to engage the empty tray upon the said return movement and to deliver it to the upper track 3. Surface 18 (Fig. 7).-The surface is formed by flaps 18 secured to respective horizontal pins 45 carried by bar 46, the flaps being rotated by racks 48 and 49 to the vertical position so that the cigarettes may fall therebetween into the hopper H below. Racks 48 and 49 are operated by lever 50, the lever being secured to the racks by pin 54 and being carried by rod 51 which is oscillated by the pusher plate. The movement of the racks is made against the retarding action of dashpot 59 and includes a movement whereby the flaps oscillate when vertical so as to assist the downward movement of the cigarettes. Springs 57 effect the return movement of the racks. Tray feeder 74A (Figs. 10 and 11).-Feeder 74A (which discharges empty trays to the right along upper track 3) runs on rollers 75A and carries pawls 77 to progress the tray rightwards. Additionally, the feeder is provided with pawls 78 which face backwards in order to permit the empty tray to be slid underneath said pawls at the commencement of its movement to the right. The feeder carries pinions 80 which run on racks 79 to define the reciprocating movement of the feeder, the movement of which is effected via handle 81.