Patent GB-1537246-A (GB)
Title: Automatic apparatus for transferring cigarette containers from devices arranged to fill such containers to hopper loading mechanisms in packaging machines for forming packets of cigarettes
IPC: B65B19/00
Filed: 1975-11-28
Abstract: 1537246 Temporarily storing cigarette containers between making and packing machines G D SpA 28 Nov 1975 [11 Dec 1974] 48970/75 Heading B8A The outputs of cigarette making machines MC, MCI, and MCII, are loaded into containers CV which are fed by a conveyer system to a hopper TG feeding a packing machine M1. The conveyer system has a conveyer TMCP for storing containers if the machine M1 cannot accept the full output of the making machines. The container system also provides for the return of empty containers CV to the making machines. There is a conveyer TMCV1 for storing containers CV which cannot be immediately received by the machine MC (e.g. if the latter has shutdown). Similar storage conveyers TMCV2 and TMCV3 operate if necessary in respect of the machines MCI and MCII. The machine is automatic and includes a memory and control circuit (Figs. 6 and 7, not shown). Detailed description of transfer of full containers.-A filled container released from the machine MC is received by a conveyer TMC. It is engaged by a pusher TR2 and then by an elevator S2 which positions it on a conveyer TCP. This moves step-by-step in the direction arrowed, until the container is engaged by a pusher S (Fig. 3, this Figure being the other way round from Fig. 1) which conveys it axially of the conveyer-receiving-pockets of conveyer TCP, on to a similar pocket of the storage conveyer TMCP. If the machine M1 cannot accept the container, the conveyer TMCP starts running to retain the container in storage. Otherwise the container is pushed on axially until it is received in the holder 34 of an elevator TE. This lifts the container into engagement with the carrier of a bridge-like conveyer SA, which carries it to the hopper TG. Containers from the machine MCI and MCII receive a similar treatment (to the above), there being triplicated conveyers TMC (TMCI and TMCII), elevators S2, pushers S, elevators TE, and bridge-like conveyers SA(SAI and SAII). Return of empty containers.-If the container CP is destined for the machine MC, and the latter is temporarily shut-down, the container is passed to a storage conveyer TMCV1. Otherwise (or when the container is recalled from the storage conveyer TMCV1), the container is carried by the conveyer SA to a step-by-step leftwards (as viewed in Fig. 1) moving conveyer TCV. During a dwell in the movement of this conveyer, the container is carried on to the seat of an elevator S1 This lowers the container to the level of the conveyer TMC, which feeds it to the machine MC. Empty containers CP are similarly returned to the machine MCI and MCII via conveyer TCV and by respective bridge conveyers SAI and SAII. There are however respective storage conveyers TMCV2 (for storage of containers CP destined for the machine MCI) and TMCV3 (for containers for the machine MCII). The various movements may be followed on a block diagram (Fig. 5, not shown). There is also a time-phase diagram (Fig. 8, not shown).