Abstract:
In a manufacturing system utilizing a cigarette maker linked to a packer, cigarettes temporarily surplus to requirements are stored in containers, each provided with an opening by way of which it can be filled and emptied. An empty container is picked up from a first magazine stocked with a supply of the empty containers, filled with cigarettes at a loading hopper, and placed in a second magazine lying alongside the first magazine and holding full containers; the transfer movement from the hopper to the second magazine is brought about along a circular path centered on a vertical axis between the magazines, utilizing a rotary mechanism equipped with plates on which the single containers are taken up, filled and carried through the circular trajectory.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a method and to equipment for the handling and transfer of tobacco products in batches.  
         [0002]     The invention finds application to advantage in complete lines for manufacturing tobacco products, cigarettes in particular, and is utilized for the purpose of feeding such products from a maker to a wrapping machine, or packer.  
         [0003]     Conventionally, cigarettes are fed to the packer adopting two distinct methods. The first consists in connecting the cigarette maker directly to a hopper of the packer by way of a conveyor, along which the cigarettes are directed en masse. Using the second method, cigarettes emerging from the maker are ordered in containers, known as trays, which are stored in readiness and then emptied at the hopper of the packer when required.  
         [0004]     The trays must be filled, transferred and stored at a relatively fast rate, in order to keep up with the production tempo of the cigarette maker, and at the same time exercising particular care, in order to ensure that the cigarettes will not be disturbed from their orderly arrangement and suffer damage in the process.  
         [0005]     The object of the present invention is to provide a method and equipment for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products in accordance with the second method aforementioned, by which the trays and the products contained in them can be processed with extreme care and at high speed.  
         [0006]     In particular, the object of the invention is to devise a method and equipment for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products that will be compatible with high speed operation and allow the management of a considerable quantity of cigarettes for loading into containers.  
         [0007]     A further object of the invention is to provide a method and equipment allowing surplus tobacco products to be stored temporarily when the demand at the packer falls below the output from the cigarette maker, and thereafter supplied to the packer when demand at the packer exceeds the output of the cigarette maker.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The stated object is realized according to the present invention in a method for the batch handling and transfer of tobacco products storable en masse and in ordered arrangement internally of containers, each container presenting an opening by way of which it can be filled or emptied, including the steps of picking up an empty container from a first magazine in which empty containers are stored, filling the container with tobacco products from a loading hopper, and placing the full container in a second magazine lying alongside the first magazine, in which full containers are stored; the method disclosed includes the further step of carrying the container toward the second magazine by causing to rotate about a vertical axis.  
         [0009]     The aforementioned objects are realized similarly in equipment for the batch handling and transfer of tobacco products storable in containers, each presenting an opening by way of which it can be filled with or emptied of tobacco products; the equipment disclosed comprises a device for feeding, filling and distancing the containers, composed of a hopper with a bottom opening from which tobacco products are loaded into the containers, a first magazine in which empty containers are stored, located near the hopper, a second magazine in which full containers are stored, located alongside the first magazine, and a carrier assembly installed between the two magazines and rotatable about a vertical axis, by which empty containers are transferred from the first magazine to the hopper and full containers are placed in the second magazine. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an overall front perspective view of equipment embodied in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view showing a first element of the equipment in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the equipment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4, 5 ,  6  and  7  illustrate a portion of the equipment of  FIG. 1 , seen in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the step of emptying a container;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view showing a second element of the equipment in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 9, 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  illustrate the equipment of  FIG. 1 , seen in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the steps of filling and storing a container;  
         [0017]      FIG. 15  illustrates the element of  FIG. 8  in an alternative embodiment;  
         [0018]      FIG. 16  illustrates the element of  FIG. 15  with certain parts omitted better to reveal others;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 17, 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22  illustrate the element of  FIG. 15  in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the steps of filling and storing a container. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , the invention relates to equipment denoted  1  in its entirety, by which tobacco products  2 , cigarettes in particular, are handled in batch mode using containers  3  known as trays, or feedboxes, and transferred thus from a cigarette maker  4  to a cigarette packer  5 . Both machines  4  and  5  are of familiar type and therefore illustrated only in schematic outline.  
         [0021]     The equipment  1  comprises a main conveyor  6  by which cigarettes  2  are directed from the cigarette maker  4  toward the packer  5 ; the conveyor  6  operates in conjunction with a unit  7  for managing the movement of the containers  3 , each of which is able to hold a plurality of cigarettes  2  arranged in ordered alignment.  
         [0022]     Each container  3  presents a rectangular bottom  8 , of which the shorter side is matched substantially to the length of a single cigarette  2  and the longer side compasses several tens of cigarettes  2  disposed side by side, also a main wall  9 , likewise rectangular, set at right angles to the bottom  8  and joined along one longer side to a corresponding longer side of the bottom  8 . The cigarettes  2  lie with one end offered in contact to the main wall  9 , which presents a shorter side compassing several tens of cigarettes  2  disposed side by side; thus, the container  3  will accommodate several thousand cigarettes, ordered quincuncially. The container  3  also presents two mutually opposed and parallel side walls  10  perpendicular to the bottom  8  and to the main wall  9 , combining to delimit an opening  11  on the side opposite from the bottom  8 , through which the container  3  can be filled and emptied, and an auxiliary opening  12  on the side opposite from the main wall  9 .  
         [0023]     The main conveyor  6  presents a filler opening  13  communicating with a main loading hopper  14 , placed beneath the selfsame opening  13 , from which empty containers  3  are filled.  
         [0024]     In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the main conveyor  6  comprises a first transport belt  15  looped around pulleys  16 , extending between the cigarette maker  4  and the hopper  14  and presenting a top branch  17  on which cigarettes  2  emerging from the maker  4  are carried, lying side by side. A second transport belt  18 , looped over relative pulleys  19  and aligned in the same plane as that occupied by the first belt  15 , extends between the hopper  14  and the cigarette packer  5  and presents a top branch  20  carrying cigarettes  2  about to enter the packer  5 . The first and second belts  15  and  18  present respective ends  21  and  22  positioned facing one another and combining to delimit the opening  13  aforementioned.  
         [0025]     The hopper  14  comprises a back wall  23   a , also two side walls  23   b  extending downward divergently from the ends  21  and  22  of the belts  15  and  18  to a distance marginally less than the width of one container  3 , and thereafter descending parallel. Each side wall  23   b  is also of width approximately equal to the length of one cigarette  2 , so that the hopper  14  presents a bottom discharge opening  24  substantially identical in terms of outline and dimensions to the bottom  8  of a single container  3 ; the opening  24  is closed by a movable shutter  24   a.    
         [0026]     The container management unit  7  comprises a device  25  by which empty containers  3  are fed to and filled at the loading hopper  14 , and by which filled containers  3  are distanced from the hopper, also a device  26  by which cigarettes  2  are unloaded from the full containers  3  onto the main conveyor  6  at a point downstream of the filler opening  13 .  
         [0027]     In detail, the feeding, filling and distancing device  25  serves to bring empty containers  3  stored in a first magazine  27  to the loading hopper  14 , where they will be filled. This first magazine  27  consists in a first belt conveyor looped over respective pulleys  28  and extending transversely to the main conveyor  6 . The first belt conveyor  27  terminates at one end  29  adjacent to the loading hopper  14 , alongside the bottom opening  24 , and is of width less than that of the single container  3 . The empty containers  3  are positioned each with the bottom  8  resting on a top branch  30  of the belt conveyor  27 , projecting beyond the longitudinal edges of the belt on either side, and with the auxiliary opening  12  facing toward the hopper  14 . The first conveyor  27  is capable of movement in two opposing directions so as to carry the containers  3  toward or away from the hopper  14 .  
         [0028]     The device  25  in question also comprises a second magazine  31  in which containers  3  are placed and stored after being filled at the loading hopper  14 . The second magazine  31  consists in a second belt conveyor looped over respective pulleys  32  (one of which shown in  FIG. 3 ), extending parallel with and alongside the first belt conveyor  27  and with one end  33  lying near the corresponding end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27 . The second conveyor  31  is capable of movement likewise in two opposing directions and presents a top branch  34  on which the containers  3  are carried, each resting on the bottom  8  with the auxiliary opening  12  facing away from the end  33  of the belt located near the main conveyor  6  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ).  
         [0029]     Finally, the feeding, filling and distancing device  25  comprises a rotary carrier assembly  35  installed at the ends  29  and  33  of the first and second belt conveyors  27  and  31 , by which single containers  3  filled at the loading hopper  14  are transferred to the second belt conveyor  31 .  
         [0030]     With reference in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the rotary carrier assembly  35  lies beneath the aforementioned ends  29  and  33  of the first and second belt conveyors  27  and  31  and comprises a frame  36 , mounted on a platform  36   a  and rotatable about a vertical axis  37  located virtually between these same two conveyors. The frame  36  presents an elongated appearance and is equipped at one end  38 , the end remote from the fulcrum established by the vertical axis  37 , with a first vertical track  39  engaged slidably by a cantilevered first horizontal carrier plate  40  serving to support a respective container  3 .  
         [0031]     The frame  36  is equipped similarly at a second end  41  with a second vertical track  42  rotatable, relative to the frame, about the vertical axis  37 . A second cantilevered horizontal carrier plate  43  is associated slidably with the second track  42 . Both plates  40  and  43  can be made thus to rotate independently about the axis  37  and to traverse vertically on the relative tracks  39  and  42  through the agency of suitable motors (not illustrated).  
         [0032]     In particular, each carrier plate  40  and  43  is capable of movement between a first position, lying beneath the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27  (plate  40  on the right in  FIG. 9 ), a second position, associated with the bottom opening  24  of the hopper  14  (plate  40  on the right in  FIG. 10 ), a third position, lying beneath and distanced from the hopper  14  (plate  40  on the right in  FIG. 12 ), a fourth position, lying beneath and distanced from the end  33  of the second conveyor  31  (plate  40  on the left in  FIG. 14 ), a fifth position, lying alongside the end  33  of the second conveyor  31  (plate  43  on the left in  FIG. 12 ), and a sixth position, lying beneath the end  33  of the second conveyor  31  (plate  43  on the left in  FIG. 13 ).  
         [0033]     In addition, each horizontal carrier plate  40  and  43  presents gripping means  44  able to lay hold on one of the containers  3  occupying the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27 , when the plate  40  or  43  is in the first position, and place the container  3  on the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 , when between the fifth and the sixth position.  
         [0034]     Looking more closely at the constructional detail of the example illustrated ( FIG. 8 ), the single plate  40  and  43  is joined rigidly to a linear guide member  45  cantilevered in part from the plate  40  and  43  and extending in a horizontal direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the selfsame plate. The linear member  45  slides in a shoe  46 , which is mounted in turn to a carriage  47  capable of movement along the respective vertical track  39  and  42 , consisting in this instance of two rails. The gripping means  44  comprises a gripper composed of two jaws  48  positioned at opposite ends of the carrier plate  40  and  43 , each pivotable on a hinge pin  48   a  disposed parallel to the linear guide member  45  between an open position and a closed position. The single plate  40  and  43  also presents a pair of spacers  49 , each mounted adjacent to a relative jaw  48 , which are set apart at a distance greater than the width of the belt conveyors  27  and  31  so that the container  3  can be supported and held clear of a top surface  50  presented by the relative plate  40  and  43 , in accordance with the method of operation described in due course.  
         [0035]     FIGS.  15  to  22  show an alternative embodiment of the rotary carrier assembly  35 , which is again positioned below the aforementioned ends  29  and  33  of the first and second belt conveyors  27  and  31 .  
         [0036]     In this instance, the rotary carrier assembly  35  comprises a first cross member  101  mounted on a platform  102  and able to rotate about a vertical axis  103  located substantially between the first and second belt conveyors  27  and  31 .  
         [0037]     The carrier assembly  35  also comprises a second cross member  104  positioned below the hopper  14  and slidable on a first track  105 , along a vertical axis  105   a  parallel to the vertical pivot axis  103  of the rotatable first cross member  101 .  
         [0038]     The second cross member  104  is capable thus of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that an empty container  3  can be filled from the hopper  14  during the downward movement.  
         [0039]     Accordingly, the second cross member  104  serves to pick up an empty container  3  from the first belt conveyor  27  and, in the elevated position, place it beneath the hopper  14  so that it can be filled with cigarettes  2 .  
         [0040]     With the second cross member  104  in the lowered position, the filled container  3  is released to the rotatable first cross member  101  and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with the second belt conveyor  31 .  
         [0041]     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the assembly  35  further comprises a pivoting plate  106  mounted to the platform  102  and centered on a vertical fulcrum axis  107  passing through the hopper  14 .  
         [0042]     The pivoting plate  106  presents a first end  106   a  coupled hingedly to a connecting rod  108  driven by an electric motor  109  and a relative crank  110 . The plate  106  is thus caused by the motor  109  to pivot to and fro on its fulcrum.  
         [0043]     Also coupled to this same first end  106   a  is a further rod  111  serving to connect the plate  106  to the vertical first track  105 . The first track  105  is mounted slidably on ways  112  anchored rigidly to the platform  102 , and translatable thus in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor  27 .  
         [0044]     With this arrangement, the alternating motion of the pivoting plate  106  causes the first track  105  to travel along the aforementioned ways  112 .  
         [0045]     Accordingly, the second cross member  104  is also rendered capable of movement along a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor  27 , thereby ensuring that the empty container  3  taken up by the second cross member  104  at the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27  can be traversed toward and positioned under the hopper  14  in readiness to be filled.  
         [0046]     The rotary carrier assembly  35  further comprises a third cross member  113  slidable on a second vertical track  114  along a axis  115  parallel to the axis  103  of rotation of the first cross member  101 . The third cross member  113  is mounted to the platform  102  and capable of movement beneath the second belt conveyor  31 , between a lowered position and an elevated position, in such a way that a full container  3  can be taken up from the rotatable first cross member  101  and released onto the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 .  
         [0047]     The second vertical track  114  is also traversable along a direction parallel to the transport direction of the second belt conveyor  31 , so that when the third cross member  113  is brought into alignment with the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 , it can move toward the conveyor  31  and release the full container  3  directly onto the top branch  34  of the relative belt. The translational movement of the second track  114  in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the second belt conveyor  31  is induced by a motor  109   a  and occurs along ways  116  at the base of the selfsame track  114 .  
         [0048]     The rotary carrier assembly  35  further comprises a fourth cross member  117  which, like the second, is positioned under the hopper  14  and slidable on a third track  118  along a vertical axis  119  parallel to the axis  103  of rotation of the first cross member  101 .  
         [0049]     The fourth cross member  117  is substantially identical to the second cross member  104  and capable of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that an empty container  3  can be filled from the hopper  14  during the downward movement.  
         [0050]     The fourth cross member  117  is able to pick up an empty container  3  from the first belt conveyor  27  and, in the elevated position, place it beneath the loading hopper  14  in readiness to be filled with cigarettes  2 .  
         [0051]     With the fourth cross member  117  in the lowered position, the filled container  3  is released to the rotatable first cross member  101  and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with the second belt conveyor  31 .  
         [0052]     To avoid any interference between the movements of the second and fourth cross members  104  and  117 , the two operate in mutually opposite phase.  
         [0053]     Thus, when the second cross member  104  occupies the elevated position, the fourth cross member  117  will occupy the lowered position, and vice versa.  
         [0054]     Similarly, the movements of the second and fourth cross members  104  and  117  in a direction concurrent with the transport direction of the first belt conveyor  27  are phased oppositely one to another, so that the two cross members  104  and  117  always operate in mutually parallel planes but never in a common plane.  
         [0055]     With this purpose in view, a second end  106   b  of the pivoting plate  106 , or rather the end on the side of the fulcrum axis  107  remote from the first end  106   a , carries a connecting rod  120  coupled to the third track  118 . In like manner to the first track  105 , the third track  118  is mounted slidably on ways  121  anchored rigidly to the platform  102 , and translatable in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor  27 .  
         [0056]     The alternating motion of the pivoting plate  106  thus causes the third track  118  to travel along the ways  121 , its movement phased oppositely to and induced in the same direction as that of the first track  105 , so that the second and fourth cross members  104  and  117  will always operate in mutually parallel planes distanced one from another.  
         [0057]     The carrier assembly  35  is equipped with gripping means  122  installed on each of cross member  101 ,  104 ,  113  and  117 , serving to lay hold on and retain a single container  3  stably during the handling steps.  
         [0058]     Observing FIGS.  1  to  7 , the unloading device  26  will be seen to comprise an auxiliary conveyor  51  that presents a bearing surface  51   a  capable of translational movement along a predetermined feed direction X, with a discharge end  52  lying above the main conveyor  6 . The unloading device  26  also comprises a first manipulator  53   a  operating above the feeding, filling and distancing device  25 , such as will overturn and position full containers  3  above the bearing surface  51   a  of the auxiliary conveyor  51  with the opening  11  directed toward the selfsame conveyor  51 , and a second manipulator  53   b  by which emptied containers  3  are distanced from the auxiliary conveyor  51 .  
         [0059]     In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the auxiliary conveyor  51  consists in a belt  54  looped around two pulleys  55 , extending parallel with and above the main conveyor  6  and straddling the filler opening  13 . A top branch  56  of the auxiliary conveyor  51  provides the aforementioned bearing surface  51   a  and is set motion continuously along the same direction as the main conveyor  6 , so that the cigarettes  2  are caused to drop onto the top branch  20  of the second transport belt  18 .  
         [0060]     As illustrated to advantage in  FIG. 3 , the first manipulator  53   a  comprises a first arm  57  installed above the second belt conveyor  31  and serving to transfer each container  3  filled with cigarettes  2  from this same conveyor  31 , that is, from the second magazine storing full containers, to a position above the auxiliary conveyor  51 .  
         [0061]     The first arm  57  presents a first end  58  hinged about a horizontal axis  59  extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearing surface  51   a  and that of the main conveyor  6 , and a second end  60  equipped with a gripper  61  designed to engage the side walls  10  of a single container  3 .  
         [0062]     Thus, the first arm  57  is capable of movement between a position allowing a container  3  to be picked up, in which the gripper  61  lies above the second belt conveyor  31  ( FIG. 5 ), and a position allowing cigarettes  2  to be unloaded, in which the gripper  61  lies above the auxiliary conveyor  51  ( FIGS. 1, 2  and  7 ).  
         [0063]     In greater detail, the first arm  57  incorporates two plates  62  of “S” outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to the horizontal axis  59  and presenting first ends  58  hinged along this same axis  59  to a mounting  63  stationed above the second belt conveyor  31  and forming part of a frame  64  associated with the equipment  1 , illustrated only in part.  
         [0064]     Two jaws  65  forming part of the gripper  61  extend from respective second ends  60  of the plates  62  and are capable of movement along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis  59  toward and away from one another so as to grip or release a container  3 .  
         [0065]     Also attached to the first arm  57  is a closure wall  66  capable of movement between an extended position ( FIGS. 1, 3 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 ) of alignment with the gripper  61 , in which the opening  11  of the container  3  held between the jaws  65  is closed off, and a retracted position ( FIG. 4 ) set back from the gripper  61 , in which the opening  11  of the container  3  is left unobstructed.  
         [0066]     In the position where a container  3  is picked up ( FIG. 5 ), the first arm  57  extends cantilevered from the mounting  63  and away from the auxiliary conveyor  51 , whereas in the unloading position ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) the arm  57  extends toward the auxiliary conveyor  51 .  
         [0067]     The second manipulator  53   b  comprises a pivoting second arm  67  installed above the first belt conveyor  27  and serving to transfer the single containers  3 , when empty, from the auxiliary conveyor  51  to the aforementioned conveyor  27 , that is to say the magazine storing empty containers.  
         [0068]     The second arm  67  presents a first end  68  hinged about a horizontal axis  69  extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearing surface  51   a  and that of the main conveyor  6 , and a second end  70  equipped with a respective gripper  71  designed to engage the side walls  10  of a single container  3 ; the gripper  71  is also rotatable relative to the second arm  67  about a further axis  72  perpendicular to the horizontal axis  69 .  
         [0069]     Thus, the second arm  67  is capable of movement between a position allowing a container  3  to be picked up, in which the gripper  71  lies above the auxiliary conveyor  51  ( FIGS. 1, 3  and  7 ), and a position allowing the container  3  to be unloaded onto the magazine  27 , in which the gripper  71  lies above the first belt conveyor  27  ( FIG. 5 ), rotated through 180° about its axis  72  from the pick-up position.  
         [0070]     In greater detail, the second arm  67  incorporates two plates  73  of “L” outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to the horizontal axis  69  and presenting first ends  68  hinged along this same axis  69  to a mounting  74  stationed above the first belt conveyor  27  and forming part of the frame  64  aforementioned.  
         [0071]     A shaft  75  mounted rotatably at a point between the two plates  73  is aligned on the aforementioned axis  72  perpendicular to the horizontal axis  69  and carries two jaws  76  belonging to the gripper  71  of the second arm  67 . The jaws  76  are capable of motion along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis  69  toward and away from one another so as to grip or release a container  3 .  
         [0072]     In the position where a container  3  is picked up ( FIGS. 1, 3  and  7 ), the second arm  67  extends toward the auxiliary conveyor  51 , whereas in the unloading position ( FIG. 5 ) the arm  67  extends cantilevered from the mounting  74  in the opposite direction, away from the auxiliary conveyor  51 , with the gripper shaft  75  perpendicular to the top branch  30  of the first belt conveyor  27  and the jaws  76  of the gripper  71  directed toward the auxiliary conveyor  51 .  
         [0073]     The equipment  1  further comprises a rectilinear track  77  located above the auxiliary conveyor  51 , fitted to a member of the aforementioned frame  64  and extending parallel to the top branch  56  of the conveyor  51 , also a carriage  78  mounted to the track  77 , lying above the selfsame top branch  56  of the auxiliary conveyor  51  and consequently above the bearing surface  51   a . The carriage  78  glides on the track  77 , set in motion by suitable means not shown in the drawings, alternating between a first station  79  and a second station  80  located one next to the other on the auxiliary conveyor  51 .  
         [0074]     As illustrated to advantage in  FIG. 2 , the carriage  78  consists in a movable hopper presenting a top opening  81  alignable with the opening  11  of the container  3 , and a bottom opening  82  offered to the bearing surface  51   a.    
         [0075]     In more detail, the hopper  78  presents a vertical back wall  83  associated with the track  77 , by way of a glide for example (not illustrated), a first side wall  84  directed toward the first station  79  and presenting a bottom edge  85  distanced from the bearing surface  51   a , and a second side wall  86  directed toward the second station  80  and presenting a bottom edge  87  in close proximity to the bearing surface  51   a.    
         [0076]     The side walls  84  and  86  extend parallel from two opposite ends of the back wall  83  and delimit a passage  88  offered to the cigarettes  2  dropping from the container  3 , which is set on a top edge  89  of the carriage  78  by the first arm  57  of the first manipulator  53   a  when in the unloading position, with the opening  11  directed toward the passage  88 .  
         [0077]     With a container  3  positioned on the carriage  78 , possibly held in position by retaining means (not illustrated), and the carriage  78  traversing from the first position toward the second position, cigarettes  2  dropping from the container  3  can be distributed along the auxiliary conveyor  51 , as will described in due course.  
         [0078]     The carriage  78  is also equipped with a plurality of flow dividers  90  mounted to the back wall  83  and occupying the passage  88  filled by the cigarettes  2  dropping from the container  3  onto the auxiliary conveyor  51 , of which the function is to separate the cigarettes  2  descending through the hopper  78  into a plurality of ordered streams and ensure they are not turned skew.  
         [0079]     As illustrated to advantage in  FIG. 2 , each flow divider  90  comprises a box-like body  91  with a wedge portion  92  uppermost, hinged along a relative vertex  93  to a pivot  94  extending parallel to the vertex  93  and anchored orthogonally to the back wall  83 , and a parallelepiped portion  95  beneath, thereby appearing as a “gabled hut”. The descending cigarettes  2  thus slide down inclined surfaces  96  presented by the wedge portions  92 , thence through channels  97  delimited by the dividers  90  and by the first side wall  84  and the second side wall  86  of the hopper  78 .  
         [0080]     Three such flow dividers  90  are shown in the example illustrated, positioned side by side and spaced apart one from the next so as to combine with the side walls  84  and  86  of the carriage  78  in defining four flow channels  97 , and presenting respective parallelepiped portions  95  of dissimilar vertical proportions. More exactly, the height of the single flow divider  90  increases progressively, and its clearance from the bearing surface  51   a  is reduced correspondingly, departing from the divider  90  nearest the first side wall  84  of the hopper  78 ; each flow divider  90  is also free to swing on the relative pivot  94 .  
         [0081]     Using the equipment  1  described, cigarettes  2  coming from the cigarette maker  4  can be stored in the containers  3  and supplied to the packer  5  as and when required, and in accordance with a method that will now be described.  
         [0082]     The method in question includes a step of filling empty containers  3  with cigarettes  2  turned out by the cigarette maker  4 , invoked in particular when the infeed capacity of the cigarette packer  5  drops below the output of the cigarette maker  4 .  
         [0083]     During the filling step, a proportion of the cigarettes  2  emerging from the maker  4  and advancing along the conveyor  6  toward the packer  5  will gravitate through the opening  13 , ultimately filling the hopper  14 , whereas the remainder will roll over the cigarettes  2  occupying the top part of the hopper  14 , passing beyond and into the packer  5  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0084]     In the specific case of the example illustrated, cigarettes  2  advance on the top branch  17  of the first transport belt  15  as far as the opening  13 , and on the top branch  20  of the second transport belt  18  up to the cigarette packer  5 .  
         [0085]     At the same time, empty containers  3  lying in storage on the first conveyor  27  are fed toward the hopper  14 , filled one at a time with cigarettes  2  from the selfsame hopper  14 , then distanced and stored (FIGS.  9  to  14 ).  
         [0086]     To this end, a container  3  is offered to the hopper  14  with the top opening  11  directed upwards and the auxiliary opening  12  facing the hopper  14  (container  3  on the right in  FIG. 9 ), and placed with the bottom  8  beneath the bottom discharge opening  24  of the hopper  14 , so that the hopper  14  is effectively positioned inside the container  3  (container  3  on the right in  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0087]     Next, the cigarettes  2  contained in the hopper  14  are released by a movement of the shutter  24   a , and will drop through the bottom opening  24  onto the bottom  8  of the container  3 , the container itself also being lowered gradually to free more space (container  3  on the right in  FIG. 11 ).  
         [0088]     When the container  3  is full (container  3  on the right in  FIG. 12 ), it will be transferred beneath the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31  with the auxiliary opening  12  directed toward this same conveyor  31  (container  3  on the left in  FIG. 14 ), elevated to the end  33  of the belt  31  (container  3  on the left in  FIG. 12 ) and directed onto the belt  31  (container  3  on the left in  FIG. 13 ), where it remains stored (container  3  on the left in  FIG. 14 ).  
         [0089]     This latter step will be effected preferably by rotating the container  3  through 180° about the aforementioned axis  37 , which lies parallel to the side walls  10  and to one side of the container  3 , and thereupon elevating the container.  
         [0090]     In the case of the equipment  1  described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the steps of rotating and elevating the container  3  are effected by the rotary carrier assembly  35 .  
         [0091]     More exactly, as a container  3  reaches the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27 , one of the carrier plates  40  or  43 , for example the first plate  40 , is elevated to a level beneath the end  29  of the conveyor so that the spacers  49 , projecting beyond the first belt conveyor  27  on either side, will make contact with and support the container  3  (first position of the plate,  FIG. 9 ).  
         [0092]     Thereafter, the jaws  48  close on the container  3  and the linear guide member  45  slides relative to the shoe  46 , moving the plate  40  into the second position beyond the end  29  of the conveyor  27  and beneath the hopper  14  ( FIG. 10 ).  
         [0093]     At the same time, the second plate  43  will be carrying an already full container  3  beneath the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 , ready to be elevated to this same end  33  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ).  
         [0094]     Once the shutter  24   a  of the hopper  14  has been retracted, the carriage  47  slides downward on the vertical track  39  and the first carrier plate  40  carries the container  3  into the third position as it is filled with cigarettes  2  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). In the meantime, the second plate  43  is elevated with the container  3  full of cigarettes  2 , bringing the bottom  8  of the container  3  into alignment with the top branch  34  of the second belt conveyor  31  ( FIG. 12 ), whereupon the linear guide member  45  slides relative to the shoe  46 , positioning the second plate  43  below the end  33  of the belt conveyor  31  and the bottom  8  of the container  3  above the end  33  of the belt  31 . Thus, the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31  slips between the plate  43  and the container  3 , which rests on the spacers  49  ( FIG. 13 ). Finally, the carriage  47  slides downward on the vertical track  39  so that the container  3  settles on the second conveyor  31 , by which it is transported to a storage location with the auxiliary opening  12  directed away from the main conveyor  6  and the opening  11  directed upwards ( FIG. 14 ).  
         [0095]     The frame  36 , together with the first vertical track  39  and the first carrier plate  40 , is caused to turn on the axis  37  of rotation through 180°, bringing the container  3  into the fourth position ( FIG. 14 ). At the same time, the second vertical track  42  and the second carrier plate  43 , currently positioned higher than the first plate  40 , rotate through 180° in the opposite direction and into a position of alignment with the end  29  of the first conveyor  27 , ready to receive another container  3  ( FIG. 14 ). This further empty container  3  can be offered to the hopper  14 , lowered and filled, at the same time as the container  3  filled previously, carried by the first plate  40 , is being rotated or elevated toward the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 . At this point, the first plate  40  is elevated following the same steps as described previously in respect of the second plate  43 .  
         [0096]     The cycle thus described will be repeated until the cigarettes  2  that cannot be handled immediately by the packer  5  have been put into containers  3  and stored on the second conveyor  31 .  
         [0097]     Utilizing a rotary carrier assembly  35  as in the alternative embodiment illustrated, a container  3  reaches the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27  at the same time as either the second cross member  104  or the fourth cross member  117 , and for example the second  104 , is elevated to a position of alignment with the end  29  of the conveyor  27 , at which point the container  3  can be engaged and supported by the gripping means  122  of the selfsame cross member ( FIG. 17 ).  
         [0098]     Next, the first vertical track  105  is caused to slide along the relative ways  112  by the pivoting plate  106 , positioning the second cross member  104  beyond the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27  and beneath the hopper  14 .  
         [0099]     At the same time, the third track  118  is made to slide along the relative ways  121  by the pivoting plate  106  with the result that the fourth cross member  117 , currently in the lowered position, is aligned directly below the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27 .  
         [0100]     Once the shutter  24   a  of the loading hopper  14  has been retracted, the second cross member  104  is made to slide downwards on the first vertical track  105  ( FIG. 18 ). At the same time, the fourth cross member  117  will slide upwards on the third vertical track  118 .  
         [0101]     As the descending second cross member  104  reaches the lowered position, the fourth cross member  117  draws adjacent to the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27 , from which it proceeds to pick up an empty container  3 , whereupon the steps already described in respect of the second cross member  104  will be repeated.  
         [0102]     With the second cross member  104  in the lowered position, the first track  105  will be translated by the pivoting plate  106  into a position of alignment with the end  29  of the first belt conveyor  27  ( FIG. 19 ).  
         [0103]     In the same movement, the third track  118  is shifted by the pivoting plate  106  in the opposite direction, so that the fourth cross member  117  and the empty container  3  taken up previously are moved into position under the hopper  14 .  
         [0104]     At this point, the full container  3  is taken up from the second cross member  104  by the rotatable first cross member  101 , through the agency of the relative gripping means  122 , and swung preferably through 180° about the axis  103  of rotation of the selfsame first cross member ( FIG. 20 ).  
         [0105]     At the same time, the second cross member  104  is elevated and the fourth cross member  117  lowered, and the cycle of steps described above in respect of the second and fourth cross members  104  and  117  will be repeated.  
         [0106]     With the rotation of the first cross member  101  completed, the full container  3  is transferred to the third cross member  113 , through the agency of the relative gripping means  122  ( FIG. 21 ).  
         [0107]     The third cross member  113  is now elevated on the second track  114 , and the container  3  raised to a level above the second belt conveyor  31 .  
         [0108]     Next, the second track  114  is traversed along the relative ways  116  toward the end  33  of the second belt conveyor  31 , bringing the container  3  into a position directly over the conveyor  31  ( FIG. 22 ).  
         [0109]     The full container  3  can now be released onto the second belt conveyor  31  and stored.  
         [0110]     The second track  114  is traversed back along the ways  116  and the cross member  113  returned to the lowered position in readiness to transfer another full container  3  into the magazine.  
         [0111]     The cycle thus described will be repeated until the cigarettes  2  that cannot be handled immediately by the packer  5  have been put into containers  3  and stored on the second conveyor  31 .  
         [0112]     The method according to the invention includes a further step of emptying full containers  3  and feeding cigarettes  2  to the packer  5 , which will be invoked in particular when demand at the cigarette packer  5  exceeds output from the cigarette maker  4 .  
         [0113]     The first in the row of full containers  3  stored on the second conveyor  31  is taken up by the first arm  57 , overturned and positioned above the bearing surface  51   a  of the auxiliary conveyor  51 , in such a way that the top opening  11  is directed downwards and will allow the cigarettes  2  to drop onto the surface  51   a  as it advances along the predetermined feed direction X.  
         [0114]     With reference in particular to the equipment  1  described above, the first arm  57  is deployed at the pick-up position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the closure wall  66  is extended to close off the top opening  11  of the container  3 , and the jaws  65  engage the two side walls  10  of the container  3 , whereupon the arm is rotated through 180° about its horizontal axis  59  ( FIG. 6 ) so as to position the container  3  over the hopper  78 , which will be approaching the first station  79 , still occupied by cigarettes  2  emptied from the previous container  3  and flowing through onto the auxiliary conveyor  51  ( FIG. 7 ).  
         [0115]     The container  3  remains above the hopper  78  for a few moments ( FIG. 1 ), whereupon the wall  66  is retracted and the cigarettes  2  in the container  3  are able to drop onto the cigarettes  2  still in the hopper  78 , whilst the container  3  rests on the top edge  89  of the hopper  78  and the first arm  57  is withdrawn ( FIG. 4 ). In this first emptying step, the container  3  remains stationary at the first station  79 , above the advancing bearing surface  51   a  on which the cigarettes  2  are carried toward the discharge end  52 .  
         [0116]     Thereafter, in the course of a second emptying step, the hopper  78 , together with the container  3  resting on the top edge, is displaced toward the second station  80  along a direction Y parallel and opposite to the feed direction X of the bearing surface  51   a  as the cigarettes  2  continue to flow through the hopper  78 , now at a faster rate than during the first step, since the movement of the auxiliary conveyor  51  along the relative feed direction X is compounded by the movement of the carriage  78  in the opposite direction ( FIG. 5 ). At the same time, the first arm  57  returns to the pick-up position.  
         [0117]     On reaching the second station  80 , the hopper  78  and the container  3  remain stationary above the bearing surface  51   a , which continues to advance, as part of a third emptying step during which the container  3  is emptied completely and another full container  3  is brought by the first arm  57  into the first station  79  ( FIG. 6 ).  
         [0118]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth emptying step in which the hopper  78 , located below the container  3  and above the bearing surface  51   a  and moving as one with the container  3  during the first, second and third steps, is separated from the container  3  at the second station  80  and set in motion along a direction Y′, concurrent with the feed direction X followed by the bearing surface  51   a  toward the first station  79 , as the cigarettes  2  still in the hopper  78  continue to unload ( FIG. 7 ).  
         [0119]     On reaching the first station  79 , the hopper  78  is ready to recommence the cycle ( FIG. 1 ), whilst the empty container  3  is taken up from the second station  80  by the second arm  67  and deposited on the first conveyor belt  27  (sequence of steps shown in  FIGS. 1, 4  and  5 ).  
         [0120]     More exactly, the container  3  is taken up at the second station  80  by the gripper  71  of the second arm  67  and lifted a short distance to separate it from the hopper  78 . Only when the hopper  78  reaches the first station  79  will the second arm  67  then rotate on its horizontal axis  69  through 180° and the gripper  71  simultaneously swivel on the axis  72  perpendicular to the horizontal axis  69  so as to position the empty container  3  with the bottom  8  resting on the first belt conveyor  27  and the auxiliary opening  12  facing toward the auxiliary conveyor  51 , hence toward the loading hopper  14 . Thus, the empty container  3  can either be carried by the first belt conveyor  27  toward a storage area or directed toward the hopper  14  to be refilled.  
         [0121]     Throughout the entire sequence of emptying steps, the cigarettes  2  are separated into distinct and ordered streams by the flow dividers  90  installed in the hopper  78 , which are caused by the movement of the selfsame cigarettes  2  and by the momentum of the carriage  78  itself to sway compliantly and thus prevent the cigarettes  2  from being turned skew and jamming the hopper  78 .