Patent ID: 7328783

Claim:
A device for controlling a mass of cylindrical articles and comprising: conveying means ( 2 ) for feeding the cylindrical articles transversely along a path (P) from an input station ( 3 ) to an output station ( 5 ) via at least one intermediate station ( 4 ) located between the input station ( 3 ) and the output station ( 5 ); and at least one operating unit ( 7 ) located at the intermediate station ( 4 ) to determine variations in the quantity of cylindrical articles along the path (P) caused by differences between the number of cylindrical articles fed through the input station ( 3 ) and the number of cylindrical articles unloaded through the output station ( 5 ); wherein the operating unit ( 7 ) comprises a variable-volume store ( 8 ) and a substantially fixed boundary member ( 9 ) laterally bounding said store ( 8 ), and an arm ( 10 ) which is movable to adjust the volume of the store ( 8 ); the arm ( 10 ) rotating about a first axis ( 11 ) substantially parallel to the cylindrical articles along the path (P), and comprising a first segment ( 12 ), and at least a second segment ( 15 ) hinged to the first segment ( 12 ) to rotate about a second axis ( 17 ) substantially parallel to the first axis ( 11 ); and wherein the arm ( 10 ) extends from said first axis ( 11 ) to a point beyond said boundary member ( 9 ).