Patent ID: 7437860

Claim:
A stamping apparatus for applying tax stamps to packages of cigarettes, the stamping apparatus comprising: a support structure; a conveyor assembly mounted to the support structure, the conveyor assembly configured to move cartons of cigarettes along a path in a downstream direction from an upstream area to a downstream area; a measuring station proximate the upstream area, the measuring station including a base connected to the support structure and a carton-engaging structure that is movably mounted to the base such that the carton-engaging structure engages cartons of cigarettes in the measuring station and moves in a direction having components of movement that are transverse to the path and parallel to the path, the measuring station further including a sensor that measures a position of the carton-engaging structure to thereby measure a height of cartons of cigarettes at the measuring station; an opening station proximate the measuring station, the opening station including an opening member that at least partially opens cartons of cigarettes being processed in the stamping apparatus to provide access to individual packages of cigarettes in the cartons, wherein the opening member is transversely movable, under power, relative to the conveyor assembly to accommodate cartons of different sizes; a stamping station downstream from the opening station, the stamping station including a stamping head that applies tax stamps to packages of cigarettes, the stamping head being powered for transverse movement relative to the conveyor to accommodate cartons of different sizes; and a controller receiving a signal from the height measuring device indicative of the height of a carton of cigarettes, the controller causing the opening member and the stamping head to move relative to the conveyor assembly to accommodate cartons of cigarettes having different height dimensions.