Feed unit

US10138073B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited · GB

Inventors

• Gary Fallon · London, GB
• Kie Seon Park · London, GB
• Martin Fuller · Kenilworth, GB
• Geoffrey Vernon · Kenilworth, GB
• Andrew Cleall · Coventry, GB
• James Stembridge · Kenilworth, GB
• Thomas Grunfeld · Kenilworth, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 18, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G19/02
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, has a guide member (14) and a plurality of pushers (21) arranged to push components (2) along a path defined by the guide member (14) for output from the feed unit. The guide member (14) is arranged to separate the components (2) into separate streams (63, 64) according to their orientation. The stream (63) of non-correctly oriented components (2) comprises a channel that is helically rotated to orientate correctly said components (2). Both streams (63, 64) converge downstream said helical section to achieve a single flow of components (2) of similar orientation.