Method of and apparatus for manipulating coupons and the like in cigarette packing machines

Abstract

Succesive lowermost coupons of a stack in a magazine are withdrawn by suction heads borne by a turnable suction wheel and a pivotable arm to be advanced along one or more arcuate first guides into a second guide which directs the coupons to predetermined positions beneath discrete U-shaped collars of the type forming part of so-called hinged lid packs for confinement of plain or filter cigarettes or other smokers' products. A coupon which has assumed such predetermined position is thereupon expelled from the second guide and is confined, together with the collar and the pack, in an outer envelope of cardboard or the like. An advantage of the method and apparatus is that the collar need not be lifted during advancement of a coupon to its predetermined position to thus reduce the likelihood of misalignment of the collar and the coupon relative to each other preparatory to and during their confinement in the outer envelope of the ultimate product.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of manipulating blanks in a machine for packing smokers' products wherein the blanks are stored in a magazine and are associated with collars at an assembling station prior to confinement in outer envelopes jointly with packs of smokers' products, comprising the steps of: 
 transporting successive collars of a series of collars from a source to the assembling station; and    conveying successive blanks from the magazine, along a predetermined path, and on to the assembling station so that each blank reaches said station while a collar is at a standstill thereat, including positively guiding each blank at least along a portion of said path.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said guiding step includes positively guiding each blank along each portion of said path.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of delivering to said station a series of successive packs, positioning each pack at said station in a manner such that at least a portion of a blank at said station is disposed between the pack and a collar, and jointly evacuating the pack, the blank and the respective collar from said station.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of terminating said step of positively guiding upon completed delivery of each of said series of successive packs to said station.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said terminating step includes the application of pressure to the blank at said assembling station.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said evacuating step includes terminating said step of positively guiding upon completed delivery of each of said series of successive packs to said station.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said evacuating step further includes introducing each pack, together with a blank and a collar, into a pocket of an indexible packing conveyor.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the blanks is a coupon.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of said conveying steps includes conveying a blank to a position beneath the collar at said station.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said guiding step includes simultaneously guiding several portions of a blank in said portion of said path.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for manipulating blanks in a machine for packing smokers' products wherein the blanks are stored in a magazine and are associated with collars at an assembling station prior to confinement in an outer envelope jointly with packs of smokers' products, comprising: 
 means for transporting successive collars of a series of collars from a source of collars to the assembling station;    means for temporarily maintaining each collar at said station in a predetermined position;    means for conveying a succession of blanks from the magazine, along a predetermined path, and on to said station so that each blank reaches said station while a collar is at a standstill thereat in said predetermined position thereof; and    guide means for positively guiding each blank at least along a portion of said path.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a collar dwelling at said station in said predetermined position thereof is located at least in part at a level above a blank at said station.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said means for temporarily maintaining includes a device having at least one pocket located beneath the blank at said station, said guide means being arranged to releasably hold a blank at said station against unintentional entry into said pocket.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising means for moving a blank at said station from said guide means into said at least one pocket.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising means for delivering packs into the at least one pocket at said station.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said moving means is arranged to push a blank at said station from said guide means toward the pack in said at least one pocket.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said guide means is spaced apart from the collar at said station.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said conveying means includes at least one wheel and at least one suction head on said at least one wheel.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising means for separating blanks from said at least one suction head not later than at said station.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the blanks include coupons.