Method and apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or the like

Claim 3

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of placing articles into said first axial positions comprises moving the articles lengthwise and subjecting successive articles of said series to a braking action during such lengthwise movement thereof.

Claim 4

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the speed of lengthwise movement of articles to said second positions is determined substantially exclusively by the speed of movement of the respective regions.

Claim 5

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the articles in said second axial positions thereof form at least one row of transversely aligned articles which move sideways.

Claim 6

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said regions are moved continuously.

Claim 7

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said regions are moved stepwise.

Claim 8

A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the extent of movement of said regions lengthwise of the respective articles to thereby change the second axial positions of such articles.

Claim 11

Apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a receiving conveyor having a plurality or parallel article-receiving means and drive means for moving said receiving means sideways along an endless path past a first and a second station; feeding means for introducing articles into successive receiving means at said first station so that each article assumes a first axial position; evacuating means for evacuating air from predetermined regions of successive receiving means, each of said predetermined regions being adjacent to one end of the respective article in said first position thereof to attract such article and said conveyor further having moving means for moving said regions lengthwise of the respective receiving means during travel from said first toward said second station to thereby effect lengthwise movement of the respective articles to second axial positions; and mens for accepting articles from said receiving means at said second station.

Claim 12

Apparatus for manipulating cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, comprising a receiving conveyor having a plurality or parallel article-receiving means and drive means for moving said receiving means sideways along an endless path past a first and a second station; feeding means for introducing articles into successive receiving means at said first station so that each article assumes a first axial position; evacuating means for evacuating air from predetermined regions of successive receiving means, each of said predetermined regions being adjacent to one end of the respective article in said first position thereof to attract such article and said conveyor further having moving means for moving said regions lengthwise of the respective receiving means during travel from said first toward said second station to thereby effect lengthwise movement of the respective articles to second axial positions; and mens for accepting articles from said receiving means at said second station.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting portions of said moving means to thereby change said second axial positions of the articles.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor comprises a rotary hollow cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes which constitute said receiving means and further comprising sealing means for partially sealing said flutes from the atmosphere during travel from said first toward said second station.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having a plurality of channels each connected to said evacuating means and each extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between each of said flutes and a selected channel during travel of flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with the respective channels.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said moving means comprises a second portion surrounded by said cylindrical portion and having at least one channel connected to said evacuating means and extending at least in part at an oblique angle with reference to said flutes, and port means provided in said cylindrical portion to establish communication between said channel and said flutes during travel of the respective flutes from said first toward said second station, said regions being located at positions where said flutes communicate with said channel.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion is a stationary cylindrical core and said channel is provided in the periphery of said core.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises wall means defining said channel and sealingly engaging said cylindrical portion, said second portion defining compartments flanking said channel and containing air at a pressure exceeding the pressure in said channel.

Claim 19

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes a row of discrete orifices extending lengthwise of the respective flute.

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said port means includes an elongated slot extending lengthwise of the respective flute.

Claim 21

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said sealing means is apertured to permit limited inflow of atmospheric air into said flutes.

Claim 22

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said second portion comprises a first section provided with said channel and a second section having at least one auxiliary channel extending at an oblique angle to said flutes, and further comprIsing means for moving said second section with reference to said first section to thereby place said auxiliary channel into and out of communication with said first mentioned channel, said port means communicating with said auxiliary channel during movement from said first toward said second station.

Claim 23

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said feeding means includes means for moving the articles lengthwise into the respective receiving means.

Claim 24

Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises pneumatic braking means for braking the articles during lengthwise movement toward said first axial positions thereof.

Claim 25

Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said braking means is connected to said evacuating means.

Claim 26

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving conveyor further comprises holding means for holding the articles in said second positions during sidewise movement toward said second station.

Claim 27

Apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said receiving conveyor includes a rotary cylindrical portion having axially parallel peripheral flutes constituting said receiving means and said holding means comprises means connected to said evacuating means and arranged to hold the articles by suction in second axial positions thereof.