Apparatus for conveying and temporary storage of cigarette packs or the

Abstract

A storing unit with a series of discrete and separately operable magazines is adjacent to the path of cigarette packs which are transported by a conveyor from a packing to a processing machine. First blocking devices are located downstream of those sections of the path which are adjacent to the magazines, a second blocking device is installed ahead of the foremost magazine, and a third blocking device is installed ahead of the second blocking device. When a magazine is to receive a row of packs, the corresponding first blocking device is moved into the path together with the second blocking device whereby the latter intercepts the oncoming packs and is removed from the path when the number of intercepted packs matches a preselected number. The thus obtained group is thereupon permitted to advance toward that first blocking device which extends into the path. At the same time, the third blocking device intercepts packs ahead of the second blocking device. The same procedure is repeated until the selected first blocking device accumulates a relatively long row of packs which are thereupon lifted off the conveyor and introduced into the corresponding magazine. The third blocking device is retracted when the second blocking device extends into the path, and vice versa. The magazines return long rows of packs into the corresponding sections of the path when the requirements of the processing machine exceed the output of the packing machine.