Patent ID: 6913132

Claim:
A variable-capacity store for elongated elements of the tobacco industry, the store ( 1 ; 50 ) comprising an input station ( 3 ) and an output station ( 4 ) arranged in series along a path (P) of the elongated elements ( 2 ); a first fixed transmission member ( 13 ); a second fixed transmission member ( 14 ); a third movable transmission member ( 15 ) located between the first fixed transmission member ( 13 ) and the second fixed transmission member ( 14 ); actuating means ( 24 ) which move the third transmission member ( 15 ) between the first fixed transmission member ( 13 ) and the second fixed transmission member ( 14 ); and an endless conveyor ( 8 ) having a conveying branch ( 9 ) for transferring the elongated elements ( 2 ) from said input station ( 3 ) to said output station ( 4 ), and a return branch ( 10 ) extending from the output station ( 4 ) to the input station ( 3 ); wherein the conveying branch ( 9 ) is wound about the first fixed transmission member ( 13 ) and the third movable transmission member ( 15 ) for forming a first coil ( 31 ) defined by a succession of turns ( 32 ) arranged with a given first spacing (P 1 ); and wherein the return branch ( 10 ) is wound about the second fixed transmission member ( 14 ) and the third movable transmission member ( 15 ).