Device For Filling Storage Containers With Cigars And Like Rod-Shaped Objects

What is this patent about?

'986 is related to the field of automated filling of containers with rod-shaped objects, specifically cigars. The background involves the challenge of efficiently and gently loading these items into partitioned containers, maintaining their orderly arrangement without damage. Existing methods often lacked the speed and precision needed for high-volume production.

The underlying idea behind '986 is to use a cyclic batch distribution system to load the rod-shaped objects. Instead of a continuous stream, the invention employs an intermediate container with a movable base that opens and closes at predetermined intervals. This allows for controlled release of the objects into the final container's compartments, synchronized with the movement of the container itself.

The claims of '986 focus on a device comprising a continuous feed mechanism, an intermediate container with a cyclically operated movable base, and a closing-off device. The intermediate container receives the rod-shaped objects from the continuous feed, and the movable base releases them into the compartments of the final container. The closing-off device temporarily halts the flow from the continuous feed while the base is open.

In practice, a conveyor belt with cross-strips feeds cigars into a hopper-shaped intermediate container. The bottom of this hopper has flaps that open and close, releasing batches of cigars. A sliding support, driven by a cam and lever system synchronized with the conveyor, temporarily blocks the flow of cigars into the hopper while the flaps are open, preventing overloading. The final container, with its compartments, moves beneath the hopper to receive the released batches.

The key differentiation lies in the synchronized, cyclic operation. Prior approaches might have relied on continuous flow, leading to uneven filling and potential damage. By introducing the intermediate container and the precisely timed opening and closing of its base and the closing-off device, the invention ensures that each compartment receives the correct number of cigars in an orderly fashion. Furthermore, a vertically moving filling plate inside each compartment prevents the cigars from falling too far and incurring damage.