Method and apparatus for separating selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a series of rapidly moving equidistant articles

Abstract

Cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles are conveyed sideways in equidistant flutes of a rotary drum at a speed of at least one thousand articles per minute and along an ejecting station having a width which substantially exceeds and can be a multiple of the distance between a pair of neighboring flutes. Selected articles are ejected from their flutes in response to electric or pneumatic signals by being subjected to the action of a mechanical force and/or to the action of a force produced by a stream of gaseous fluid whereby the point of application of the force moves with the flute which contains the respective selected article while such flute travels through the ejecting station. The articles can be held in their flutes by suction or by mechanical means, and the suction or the mechanical retaining action is terminated when a selected article reaches the ejecting station so that the selected articles are separated under the action of gravity and/or under the action of centrifugal force. The action of gravity and/or centrifugal force can be assisted by directing against selected articles in the ejecting station one or more streams of a compressed gaseous fluid which are caused to move with the respective flutes at the same speed and in the same direction while such flutes travel along the ejecting station.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
       1. In a method of individually removing selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a predetermined path for a series of equidistant discrete articles moving at an elevated speed and forming at least two groups, the articles of one of said groups alternating with the articles of another of said groups and the removal of selected articles being effected by a separating force to the action of which a selected article is subjected in response to a signal, the steps of transmitting signals for removal of selected articles of said one group along a first route; transmitting signals for removal of selected articles of said other group along a second route; starting the action of said separating force in response to the thus transmitted signals and in a direction which crosses said path at a point coinciding with the locus of the respective selected article; and moving said point of application of said separating force along said path at said elevated speed and through a predetermined distance substantially exceeding the distance between a pair of neighboring articles of said series. 
     
     
       2. In a method as defined in claim 1, the additional steps of subjecting the articles of said series to the action of a retaining force which is stronger than said separating force and acts on the articles in a direction to retain the articles in said path, and terminating the action of said retaining force upon a selected article when such article occupies said locus. 
     
     
       3. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said separating force is a mechanical force. 
     
     
       4. In a method as defined in claim 3, wherein said mechanical force is the force of gravity. 
     
     
       5. In a method as defined in claim 3, wherein said path is an arcuate path and said mechanical force is the centrifugal force. 
     
     
       6. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said separating force is furnished at least in part by a gaseous fluid. 
     
     
       7. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said selected articles include each n-th article of said series and wherein n is a whole number exceeding 1. 
     
     
       8. In a method as defined in claim 7, wherein said separating force is furnished at least in part by a gaseous fluid. 
     
     
       9. In a method as defined in claim 7, wherein said predetermined distance is between n-1 and n times the distance between a pair of neighboring articles of said series, and wherein n is a whole number exceeding 1. 
     
     
       10. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said separating force is furnished at least in part by a compressed gaseous fluid. 
     
     
       11. In a method as defined in claim 10, wherein said gaseous fluid forms at least one stream which is directed against the respective selected article when such article occupies said locus, and said step of moving said point of application comprises moving the stream at said speed so that the stream continues to cross said path through said predetermined distance. 
     
     
       12. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application of said separating force is triggered by electric signals. 
     
     
       13. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the application of said separating force is triggered by pneumatic signals. 
     
     
       14. In a method as defined in claim 1, the additional steps of testing the condition of successive articles upstream of said point and producing said signals in response to detection of defective articles. 
     
     
       15. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said series of articles is moved at a speed of at least 1,000 articles per minute. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus for individually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a series of equidistant discrete articles which form at least two groups and wherein the articles of one of said groups alternate with the articles of another of said groups, comprising conveyor means arranged to move said series of articles along a predetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means having equidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejector means actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to the action of a separating force acting transversely of said path to thereby remove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, said force being effective along a predetermined portion of said path whose length substantially exceeds the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving means; control means for moving the point of application of said separating force at said elevated speed along said predetermined portion of said path; and means for actuating said ejector means when a selected article of said series reaches said predetermined portion of said path, including means for generating signals representing selected articles of said one group and said other group, means for transmitting to said ejector means along a first route signals representing said selected articles of said one group, and means for transmitting to said ejector means along a second route signals representing said selected articles of said other group. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said ejector means comprises retaining means movable to and from an operative position in which said retaining means retains the articles of said series in the respective receiving means with a second force which exceeds said separating force. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said separating force is the force of gravity. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said path is an arcuate path and said separating force is the centrifugal force. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said ejector means comprises at least one pneumatic ejector. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said ejector means comprises at least one valve. 
     
     
       22. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said signal generating means is arranged to furnish electric signals. 
     
     
       23. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said signal generating means is arranged to furnish pneumatic signals. 
     
     
       24. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said signal generating means comprises means for testing the articles of said series and for producing said signals in response to detection of defective articles. 
     
     
       25. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said actuating means is arranged to actuate said ejector means for separation of each n-th article of said series and wherein n is a whole number exceeding 1. 
     
     
       26. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said control means comprises a valve member having a plurality of grooves each extending along said predetermined portion of said path, said conveyor means comprising a plurality of channel means each permanently communicating with a different receiving means and communicating with one of said grooves during travel of the respective receiving means along said predetermined portion of said path, said ejector means comprising means for conveying a stream of gaseous fluid through said grooves and discrete valve means for each of said grooves, each of said valve means being movable between open and closed positions to thereby respectively permit and terminate the flow of gaseous fluid through the respective groove, said actuating means being arranged to effect movements of said valve means from one to the other position thereof when a channel means communicating with the receiving means for a selected article communicates with the respective groove. 
     
     
       27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said means for conveying comprises a source of compressed gaseous fluid and said actuating means is arranged to effect movements of said valve means to open positions. 
     
     
       28. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said means for conveying comprises suction generating means and said actuating means is arranged to effect movements of said valve means to closed positions. 
     
     
       29. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the length of said grooves is between n-1 and n times the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving means and wherein n is a whole number exceeding 1. 
     
     
       30. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said valve member is a stationary valve plate and said conveyor means is arranged to rotate about a predetermined axis and has an end face in sealing engagement with said valve plate. 
     
     
       31. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said valve member is rigid with said conveyor means. 
     
     
       32. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said ejector means comprises a discrete ejector for each of said receiving means, said discrete ejectors being arranged to move with said conveyor means at said elevated speed so as to remain in unchanged positions with reference to the respective receiving means. 
     
     
       33. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said conveyor means is arranged to transport said series of articles at a speed of at least 1,000 articles per minute. 
     
     
       34. Apparatus for individually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a series of equidistant discrete articles, comprising conveyor means arranged to move said series of equidistant articles along a predetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means having equidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejector means actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to the action of a separating force acting transversely of said path to thereby remove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, said force being effective along a predetermined portion of said path whose length substantially exceeds the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving means; control means for moving the point of application of said separating force at said elevated speed along said predetermined portion of said path; signal generating means for actuating said ejector means when a selected article of said series reaches said predetermined portion of said path; and means for transmitting signals from said signal generating means to said ejector means, including a shift register arranged to transport signals in synchronism with movements of the respective selected articles and means for transmitting signals from said shift register to said ejector means when the selected articles reach said predetermined portion of said path. 
     
     
       35. Apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein said means for transmitting signals from said shift register to said ejector means comprises cooperating first and second signal transmitting portions respectively provided on said conveyor means and adjacent to said conveyor means and being out of contact .[.from.]. .Iadd.with .Iaddend.each other. 
     
     
       36. Apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said signal transmitting portions include photosensitive means. 
     
     
       37. Apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said signal transmitting portions include electromagnetic means. .Iadd. 38. In a method of individually removing selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a predetermined path for a series of equidistant discrete articles moving at an elevated speed and forming a plurality of groups, the articles of one of said groups alternating with the articles of another of said groups and the removal of selected articles being effected by a separating force to the action of which a selected article is subjected in response to a signal, the steps of transmitting signals for removal of selected articles of said one group along a first route; transmitting signals for removal of selected articles of said other group along a second route; starting the action of said separating force in response to the thus transmitted signals and in a direction which crosses said path at a point coinciding with the locus of the respective selected article; and moving said point of application of said separating force along said path at said elevated speed and through a predetermined distance not appreciably less than the distance between two neighboring articles of said series. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 39. In a method as defined in claim 38, wherein said step of starting the action of said separating force is initiated prior to arrival of the respective selected article at said locus so that said separating force is built up and is fully effective as soon as the respective selected article reaches said locus. .Iaddend..Iadd. 40. In a method as defined in claim 38, wherein said separating force is furnished at least in part by a gaseous fluid. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 41. Apparatus for individually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a series of equidistant discrete articles which form a plurality of groups and wherein the articles of one of said groups alternate with the articles of another of said groups, comprising conveyor means arranged to move said series of articles along a predetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means having equidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejector means actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to the action of separating forces acting transversely of said path to thereby remove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, each of said forces being effective along a predetermined portion of said path whose length is not appreciably less than the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving means; control means for moving the points of application of said separating forces at said elevated speed along said path; and means for actuating said ejector means not later than when a selected article of said series reaches said predetermined portion of said path, including means for generating signals representing selected articles of said one group and said other group, means for transmitting to said ejector means along a first route signals representing said selected articles of said one group, and means for transmitting to said ejector means along a second route signals representing said selected articles of said other group. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 42. Apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein said ejector means comprises a discrete pneumatic ejector for each of said plurality of groups. .Iaddend..Iadd. 43. Apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein said signal generating means comprises means for testing the articles of said series and for producing said signals in response to detection of defective articles. .Iaddend..Iadd. 44. Apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein each of said signal transmitting means comprises means for actuating said ejector means before a selected article of said series reaches said predetermined portion of said path so that the removal of such selected article begins as soon as the article to be removed reaches said predetermined portion of said path. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 45. Apparatus for selectively removing discrete cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped smokers' products from equally spaced product-receiving means of a conveyor, comprising at least one control means which is operative to release products to the action of separating forces acting in a direction to remove the products from the respective receiving means; means for supplying signals for operation of said control means so as to maintain said control means in operative condition for an interval of time which is longer than that necessary to move a selected receiving means through a distance equal to that between two neighboring receiving means on said conveyor; and ejector means for applying said separating forces to a product in said selected receiving means while said control means is in operative condition and for an interval of time which at most equals the interval necessary to move said selected receiving means through said distance. .Iaddend.