Feed module for feeding segments, apparatus for manufacturing a multi-segment product, and method for feeding segments for manufacturing a multi-segment product - Patents.com

Abstract

A feeding module (20, 70) for feeding segments to produce a multi-segment product is adapted to cut a rod (MA, ME) into a plurality of segments (A, E) and feed the plurality of segments (A, E), and comprises a hopper (21, 71) for storing the rods (MA, ME), a receiving drum (22, 72) for receiving the rods (MA, ME) from the hopper (21, 71), a cutting head (24, 74) for cutting the rods (MA, ME) into individual segments (A, E), a shift drum (25, 75) for changing the relative position of the segments (A), and an alignment drum (26, 76) for forming at least one stream of the segments (A, E), and the feeding module (20, 70) is adapted to cut a rod (MA, ME) into a plurality of segments (A, E) and feed the plurality of segments (A, E), and comprises: a feed drum (21, 71) for storing the rods (MA, ME), a receiving drum (22, 72) for receiving the rods (MA, ME) from the hopper (21, 71), a cutting head (24, 74) for cutting the rods (MA, ME) into individual segments (A, E), a shift drum (25, 75) for changing the relative position of the segments (A), and an alignment drum (26, 76) for forming at least one stream of the segments (A, E), The module (20, 70) comprises a supply channel (110, 116) extending from the hopper (21, 71) to the receiving drum (22, 72) and a filling sensor (115) which generates an empty longitudinal groove (28) signal when the longitudinal groove (28) of the receiving drum (22, 72) remains empty within the measurement area of ​​the filling sensor (115), and the supply module (20, 70) is adapted to supply the rods (MA, ME) to the empty longitudinal groove (28) of the receiving drum (22, 72) by means of a supply device (118) provided downstream of the filling sensor (115) in response to the empty longitudinal groove (28) of the receiving drum (22, 72) signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The subject of the present application is a segment feeding module, an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-segment product, and a method for feeding segments in the manufacture of a multi-segment product. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the tobacco industry produces rod products that are comprised of multiple elements, such as a tobacco element containing tobacco or processed tobacco, a filter element, an element containing flavoring substances, an isolation element used to cool tobacco smoke, etc. In this application, these various elements are referred to as "segments," and products containing such segments are referred to as "multi-segment products" or "multi-segment rod products."

[0003] In an apparatus for assembling groups of filter segments, a device for feeding rod-shaped products from a hopper through a multi-channel system. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a device for feeding rod-shaped products from a hopper with multiple independent channels to a receiving drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014188306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In tobacco industry machines, rod-shaped products must be transported in mono- or multi-phase flows, requiring temporary bulk storage in hoppers. Semi-finished products in the manufacturing process must be transported without losing quality. When designing hoppers and mass flow channels, it must be taken into account that this type of storage and transport entails a risk of product deformation. This risk arises, for example, in multi-stage rod-making machines, when rod-shaped products are fed from the hopper into the grooves of the receiving drum, because the grooves move to the lowest area of ​​the hopper (area of ​​high pressure). A solution to this problem is to use multiple channels to feed the product to the receiving drum. However, in systems that feed rod-shaped products from hoppers to multiple channels, a system is needed to ensure that the grooves are filled to the maximum extent possible, even if one of the conveying channels becomes clogged or fails.

[0006] The subject of the present invention is a feed module for supplying segments for producing a multi-segment product. The feed module is adapted to cut a rod into a plurality of segments and to supply the plurality of segments. The feed module comprises a hopper for storing the rod, a receiving drum for receiving the rod from the hopper, a transport drum for transporting the rod, a cutting head provided on the transport drum for cutting the rod into individual segments, a shift drum for varying the relative positions of the segments, and an alignment drum for forming at least one stream of the segments. The feed module comprises a feed channel extending from the hopper to the receiving drum and a fill sensor that generates an empty longitudinal groove signal when the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum remains empty within a measurement area of ​​the fill sensor. The feed module is further adapted to supply the rod into the empty longitudinal groove of the receiving drum by a feed device provided downstream of the fill sensor in response to the empty longitudinal groove signal of the receiving drum.

[0007] The supply module is characterized in that the supply channel is equipped with a jam sensor, and the signal of an empty longitudinal groove is generated by the fill sensor of the receiving drum or by the jam sensor of the supply channel.

[0008] The supply module is characterized in that the supply channel is a gravity channel.

[0009] The supply module is characterized in that the walls of the supply channel are formed by belts which direct the movement of the rods towards the receiving drum.

[0010] The supply module is characterized in that the supply device is adapted to replace the continuous supply of the rods performed by any of the supply channels by continuously supplying the rods.

[0011] The subject of the present invention is an apparatus for producing a multi-segment product, characterized in that it comprises at least two supply modules according to the invention for supplying the segments formed by cutting the rod, an assembly unit with a drum conveyor for receiving the segments from the supply modules and forming groups of segments, a first packaging module for supplying sections of a first packaging material and packaging the groups of segments to form a multi-segment rod, a cutting unit for cutting the formed rod into multi-segment rod halves, a supply module according to the invention for cutting further rods and supplying further segments between the multi-segment rod halves, and a second packaging module for supplying sections of a second packaging material and packaging groups comprising the further segments and the multi-segment rod halves.

[0012] The subject of the present invention is a method for supplying segments for producing a multi-segment product, comprising the steps of: supplying a plurality of rod segments to a hopper, transporting the rods to a receiving drum via at least two supply channels, receiving the rods from the supply channels in longitudinal grooves of the receiving drum, transferring the rods from the longitudinal grooves of the receiving drum to the longitudinal grooves of the transport drum, cutting the rods into individual segments by a cutting head provided on the transport drum when transporting the rods in the longitudinal grooves of the transport drum, changing the relative positions of the segments on a shift drum, and forming at least one stream of the segments on an alignment drum. The method according to the invention is further characterized in that the presence of the rod in the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum is checked by a filling sensor, an empty longitudinal groove signal is generated by the filling sensor when the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum remains empty within the measurement area of ​​the sensor, and the rod is fed into the empty longitudinal groove of the receiving drum by a feeding device arranged downstream of the filling sensor in response to the empty longitudinal groove of the receiving drum signal.

[0013] An advantage of this invention is that in the process of feeding rods through feed channels, one of the channels can be temporarily disabled while maintaining the expected performance of the machine. Using channels with guaranteed individual product flow rates allows for inspection of the quality of individual segments—for example, the length of the segment or even the quality of the segment tip—because access to each flowing product is guaranteed. Furthermore, it is also possible to inspect the length of the rod. When feeding multi-segment rods, it is also possible to inspect the rods comprehensively. Feeding rods through channels reduces the pressure on the lowest rod in the hopper, eliminating the risk of rod deformation. Furthermore, rods in channels have fewer contact points with adjacent rods, reducing the chance of rods sticking together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] The subject matter of the invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a multi-stage product manufacturing device. [Figure 2a] 1 shows simplified steps in the manufacturing process for a multi-stage product in a first embodiment; [Figure 2b] 4 shows simplified steps in the manufacturing process for a multi-stage product in a second embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 shows a supply module in a first embodiment; [Figure 3a] 1 shows a group of rods and segments formed after cutting the rods. [Figure 4] 1 shows a supply module in a second embodiment; [Figure 5] 10 shows a supply module in a third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 shows a supply module in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The apparatus 1 for producing multi-segment products comprises an assembly device 10, a first packaging module 40, a cutting unit 50, a rearrangement unit 60, a further supply unit 70 and a second packaging module 80 (Fig. 1).

[0016] The assembly apparatus 10 includes at least two feed modules 20 and an assembly unit 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly apparatus 10 includes four feed modules 20, 20', 20'', and 20''', each adapted to cut at least one type of rod and feed at least one type of segment. Feed modules adapted to cut two types of rod and feed two types of segments are also known.

[0017] The feeding module 20 includes a hopper 21 for the rod MA, a receiving drum 22 with circumferentially arranged longitudinal grooves in which the rod MA fed from the hopper 21 is placed, and a drum for forming a stream of segments A formed by cutting the rod MA. The rod MA from the hopper 21 is fed to the receiving drum 22 through feed channels arranged between the hopper 21 and the receiving drum 22. These feed channels will be explained in more detail later in this description. The receiving drum 22 transfers the rod MA to a transport drum 23. The transport drum 23 is equipped with a cutting head 24 equipped with one or more circular knives 24A for cutting the rod MA. The feeding module 20 includes at least one shift drum 25 and at least one alignment drum 26. The shift drum 25 is also called a cascade drum because successive segments are placed in successive longitudinal grooves of the shift drum.

[0018] The supply module 20 supplies the segments A in at least one stream. In the illustrated embodiment, in the supply modules 20, 20', 20'', 20'', 20''', the rods MA, MB, MC, MD are cut into segments A, B, C, D, respectively, and these segments are supplied in streams to the assembly unit 30.

[0019] The rods MA stored in the hopper 21 are fed through a feed channel and fill the circumferentially arranged longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22 during the drum's rotation (FIG. 3). The rods MA are held in the longitudinal grooves 28 by vacuum applied through holes in the bottom of the grooves 28. The receiving drum 22 transfers the rods MA at transfer point X to the longitudinal grooves 29 of the conveying drum 23, where they are also held by vacuum. If the rods MA consist of multiple segments A, they are cut into individual segments A, while segments A formed from a single rod MA form a group G (FIG. 3a). The group G of subsequent segments A is transferred via a shift drum 25 to an alignment drum 26, forming a stream of individual segments A.

[0020] The supply module 20 includes a feed channel for feeding rods MA from a hopper 21 to the longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22. In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the supply module includes two gravity-fed feed channels 110, each of which has a filler device 111 at its end, the filler device 111 including a rotary filler member 112 having two cavities 113 into which the rods MA are placed. The rotational movement of the filler member 112 is synchronized with the rotational movement of the receiving drum 22, thereby bringing the cavities 113 into contact with the longitudinal grooves 28 and transporting the rods MA. The movement of the fillers 111 and 111′ is synchronized to alternately feed rods MA into successive longitudinal grooves 28. A supply module may include any number of feed channels 110, in which case successive longitudinal grooves are cyclically filled by successive fillers 110. The supply module 20 is provided with a filling sensor 115 for checking the presence of a rod MA in the longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22, the filling sensor 115 being arranged on a side of the receiving drum 22, the measuring area of ​​the filling sensor covering at least one longitudinal groove 28 of the receiving drum 22. The supply module 20 further comprises a supply device 118 including a filling device 119 arranged at the end of a channel 120 branching from a hopper 121. The supply device 118 is arranged downstream of the filling sensor, taking into account the transport direction of the rod MA moving in the longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22. When the filling sensor 115 detects the absence of a rod MA in the longitudinal grooves 28, the supply device 118 is activated, and the filling device 119 rotates to transfer the rod MA into the longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22, provided that an empty longitudinal groove 28 is within the operating area of ​​the filling device. The repeated absence of a rod MA indicates that one of the supply channels 110 is clogged.

[0021] Any number of supply channels 110 can be used. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a supply module with four supply channels 110. The total supply capacity through the supply channels 110 is equal to the required capacity of the receiving drum 22, which depends on the capacity of downstream equipment in the production process. Each supply channel 110 is provided with a clog sensor 114 that detects whether the flow rate of rods through the supply channel 110 is normal. If a clog is detected in a supply channel 110, the control device S receives a clog detection signal. As in the previous embodiment, the supply module 20 is provided with a fill sensor 115 that checks the presence of rods MA in the longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22. The supply module 20 may be equipped with either the clog sensor 114 or the fill sensor 115, or with both sensors. Based on the signal from the fill sensor 115 or the clog sensor 114, the control device S receives information that some supply channels 110 are not functioning normally and that not all longitudinal grooves 28 of the receiving drum 22 are filled. These signals are sometimes collectively referred to as empty longitudinal groove signals. That is, the control device receives information that an empty longitudinal groove has already occurred or will occur in the future. A condition in which one of the channels is clogged is illustrated in FIG. 4, specifically, a condition in which one of every four longitudinal grooves 28 on the receiving drum 22 is unfilled. The feeder 118 is adapted to fill the single longitudinal groove 28 that remains unfilled due to a temporary interruption in the operation of the feed channel 110. Furthermore, the feeder 118 is adapted to replace the supply of any of the feed channels 110. That is, the feeder 118 is adapted to continuously supply rod MA to replace the continuous supply of rod MA provided by any of the feed channels. For example, if a blockage occurs in one of the feed channels 110, the feeder 118 temporarily takes over the operation of the clogged feed channel 110 and continues until the blockage is cleared, allowing the feed module 20 to continue operating.Thus, if the supply channel 110 itself becomes damaged, the supply channel 110 can be temporarily disabled and the supply device 118 can take over operation of the damaged supply channel 110 while the damaged supply channel 110 is repaired.

[0022] In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the supply module 20 comprises five supply channels 110. As in the previous embodiment, the supply devices not only take over the operation of the supply channels but are also able to replenish individual missing rods MA. In a fourth embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the supply module comprises three supply channels 116, which in this embodiment have walls formed by belts 117. It is also possible to implement supply modules with more supply channels. As in the previously described embodiments, the filler elements 112 of the individual supply channels 116 are synchronized with each other and with the receiving drum 22. The function of the supply devices 118 is similar.

[0023] The assembly unit 30 comprises assembly drums 31, 31', 31'', 31''' and transport drums 32, 32', 32'', 32''', which are provided with longitudinal grooves for receiving and transporting the segments. The assembly drums 31, 31'', 31'', 31'', 31''' are adapted to receive and transport the streams of segments A, B, C, and D, respectively. The first assembly drum 31 is adapted to receive only segment A, while the assembly drum 31' is adapted to receive the stream of segment A from the supply module 20 via the transport drum 32 and the stream of segment B from the supply module 20', where the streams of segments A and B are combined on the assembly drum 31'. Similarly, the streams of segments A and B are received together on the assembly drum 31'', and the stream of segment C is received from the supply module 20''. The streams of segments A, B, and C are received together on the assembly drum 31''', and the stream of segment D is received from the supply module 20'''. In the assembly unit 30, the stream of segments A, B, C, D is arranged so that adjacent segments in the longitudinal groove are spaced apart from one another. The assembly unit 30 is adapted to feed a first packaging module 40 which packages groups G1 consisting of segments A, B, C, D. As they are conveyed on the drum, the segments A, B, C, D of group G1 are pressed together by known devices for pressing rod-shaped products together to form groups G2 consisting of pressed segments A, B, C, D.

[0024] The first packaging module 40 comprises a supply unit 41 for supplying the first packaging material MW1, a cutting unit 42 for cutting the strands of the first packaging material MW1 into segments of the first packaging material W1, and a packaging unit 43 for packaging the groups of segments. The first packaging module 40 comprises a conveying drum 44 adapted to convey the groups of segments G2. The packaging unit 43 is adapted to wrap the pieces of the first packaging material W1 around the groups of segments G2. The rod thus formed is designated R (stage g).

[0025] A cutting unit 50, arranged downstream of the first packaging module 40 (in the direction of the production process T), is equipped with a circular knife 51 for cutting the multi-segment rod R into two half rods (R1 and R2) (stage h in FIG. 2a). The cutting is performed so as to cut a segment B of the multi-segment rod R into two half segments.

[0026] The repositioning module 60 is adapted to change the orientation of the half multi-segment rods R1 and R2 relative to each other—i.e., to change the relative positions of the rods R1 and R2 as they are transported. The repositioning module 60 may comprise a repositioning drum known in the tobacco industry, which, in addition to circumferential transport, repositions the rod-shaped products during transport axially and / or laterally relative to their axes. The repositioning module 60 may comprise a rotating drum known in the tobacco industry, which, in addition to circumferential transport, rotates the rod-shaped products during transport about an axis substantially perpendicular to their circumferential surfaces. The repositioning module 60 is adapted to adjust the relative positions of the rod-shaped products R1 and R2. As a result of the operation of the repositioning module 60, the rods R1 and R2 are repositioned such that the segments D, which are the ends of the rods R1 and R2 that were originally positioned opposite each other, are now positioned facing each other, while the half segments B of the rods R1 and R2 that are positioned opposite the segments D, which were originally positioned facing each other, are now positioned opposite each other. Furthermore, the rods R1 and R2 are arranged coaxially, and a gap is maintained between the rods R1 and R2.

[0027] The additional supply module 70 comprises a hopper 71 and a receiving drum 72 with a circumferentially arranged groove for receiving the rod ME supplied from the hopper 71. Similar to the supply module 20 described above, the additional supply module 70 has a supply channel for supplying the rod ME from the hopper 71 to the receiving drum 72, and the structure of the additional supply module 70 may be identical to that of the supply module 20. The rod ME is transferred to a conveying drum 73 through the supply channel, as described for the supply module 20. A cutting head 74 with one or more circular knives for cutting the rod is disposed on the conveying drum 73. The additional supply module 70 comprises at least one shift drum 75 and at least one alignment drum 76. The additional supply module 70 is adapted to supply a stream of additional segments E. After supplying the additional segments E, a spaced-apart group S1 including a semi-multi-segment rod R1, a segment E, and a semi-multi-segment rod R2 is formed. The elements of group S1 are pressed together by known devices for pressing rod-shaped products together as they are transported on the drum, thereby forming group S2 comprising pressed members R1, E, R2.

[0028] The second packaging module 80 includes a supply unit 81 for supplying the second packaging material MW2, a cutting unit 82 for cutting the second packaging material MW2 into sections of the second packaging material W2, and a packaging unit 83. The second packaging module 80 includes a conveying drum 84 for conveying a group S2 including a semi-multi-segment rod R1, a segment E, and a second semi-multi-segment rod R2. The conveying drum 84 is adapted to convey the group S2 consisting of the pressed-together members R1, E, and R2 together with the section of the second packaging material W2. The packaging unit 83 is adapted to wrap the section of the second packaging material W2 around the group S2 on the packaging drum 83A. The rod thus formed is designated P.

[0029] In the embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing multi-segment rods shown in Figure 1, all supply modules, i.e., supply module 20 in assembly apparatus 10 and additional supply module 70, are configured similarly, i.e., the supply channel 110 or 116 for feeding the rods to receiving drums 22, 72 is located below hoppers 21, 71, respectively. In the embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing multi-segment rods shown in Figure 1a, only additional supply module 70 is provided with a supply channel 110 or 116 for feeding the rods.

[0030] In the simplified process for manufacturing a multi-segment rod shown in FIG. 2a, a supply module 20 cuts a rod MA into segments A and supplies two segments A to an assembly unit 30 (step a in FIG. 2a), a supply module 20′ cuts a rod MB and supplies segment B (step b), a supply module 20″ cuts a rod MC and supplies two segments C (step c), and a supply module 20′″ cuts a rod MD and supplies two segments D (step d). Segments A, B, C, and D are transported through the assembly unit 30, which supplies a segment group G1 including segments A, B, C, and D. Segments A, B, C, and D are further transported and pressed together to form a segment group G2 (step e). In the wrapping module 40, a piece of the first packaging material W1 is cut from the strand of the first packaging material MW1 and wound around a group of segments G2 (step f). The piece is then wound around the rolling drum 43A by the rolling unit 43B to form a rod R (step g). The rod R is cut into two half-segment rods R1 and R2 by the cutting unit 50 (step h). The rods R1 and R2 are positioned coaxially adjacent to the half-segment B. The rods R1 and R2 are reoriented in the reorientation unit 60 (steps i, j, k, l, m, n). After the reorientation, the rods R1 and R2 are again positioned coaxially with their ends spaced apart from each other. That is, the half-segment B is positioned farther apart from each other, and the segment D is positioned closer to each other. In the process of reorienting the rods R1 and R2 shown in FIG. 2a, the rods R1 and R2 are rotated as shown in step k. Although steps j and l represent the movement of the rod before and after rotation, these steps may be omitted. An additional feeding module 70 cuts the rod ME into segments E and feeds the segments E between rods R1 and R2. After inserting the segments E, a group S1 including rod R1, segment E, and rod R2 is formed (step o). At this time, the gap between rod R1, rod R2, and segment E is maintained.After the rods R1, R2 and the segments E are pushed in, a group S2 is formed without gaps between the rods R1, R2 and the segments E (stage p). In the second wrapping module 80, a piece of second packaging material W2 is cut from the strand of second packaging material MW2 and wound around the group of segments S2 (stage r), which is then wound around the rolling drum 83A by the rolling unit 83, forming a rod P (stage s).

[0031] In the multi-segment rod manufacturing process of the second embodiment shown in simplified form in FIG. 2b, the supply module 20 cuts the rod MB into segments B and supplies the segments B to the assembly unit 30 (step a in FIG. 2b), the supply module 20′ cuts the rod MA and supplies two segments A (step b), the supply module 20″ cuts the rod MD and supplies two segments D (step c), and the supply module 20′″ cuts the rod MC and supplies two segments C (step d). Process steps e to h are performed as described in the first embodiment. In stages i and j, the half multi-segment rods R1 and R2 are moved transversely relative to the axes of the rods R1 and R2. In stages k, l, and m, after the axial movement of the rods R1 and R2, the orientation of the rods R1 and R2 is adjusted so that the half segments B move away from each other and the half segments D move towards each other. In stages m and n, rods R1 and R2 are moved laterally relative to the axis, and rods R1 and R2 are arranged coaxially. The subsequent steps are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Claims

1. a feeding module for feeding segments to produce a multi-segment product, the feeding module being adapted to cut a rod into a plurality of segments and feed the plurality of segments; a hopper for storing the rods; a receiving drum for receiving the rod from the hopper; a transport drum for transporting the rod; a cutting head mounted on the conveying drum for cutting the rod into individual segments; a shift drum for varying the relative positions of the segments; A registration drum forming at least one stream of said segments Equipped with the supply module includes a supply channel extending from the hopper to the receiving drum, and a fill sensor that generates an empty longitudinal groove signal when a longitudinal groove of the receiving drum remains empty within a measurement area of ​​the fill sensor; The supply module is further adapted to supply the rod to the empty longitudinal slot of the receiving drum by a supply device provided downstream of the filling sensor in response to a signal of an empty longitudinal slot of the receiving drum.

10. A supply module comprising:

2. 2. A supply module according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply channel is provided with a jam sensor, and the empty longitudinal groove signal is generated by the fill sensor of the receiving drum or the jam sensor of the supply channel.

3. 3. A supply module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply channel is a gravity channel.

4. A supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the walls of the supply channel are formed by a belt which directs the movement of the rods towards the receiving drum.

5. 5. A supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the supply device is adapted to continuously supply the rods to replace the continuous supply of the rods carried out by any of the supply channels.

6. 1. An apparatus for producing a multi-segment product, comprising: at least two supply modules according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which supply the segments formed by cutting the rod; an assembly unit including a drum conveyor for receiving the segments from the supply module and forming segments; a first packaging module for providing a section of a first packaging material and packaging a group of segments to form a multi-segment rod; a cutting unit for cutting the formed rod into half multi-segment rods; a further supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for cutting further rods and supplying further segments between the half multi-segment rods; a second packaging module for supplying a section of second packaging material and packaging a group including the further segment and the half multi-segment rod; An apparatus comprising:

7. 1. A method of providing segments for producing a multi-segment product, comprising: Multiple rod segments are fed into the hopper, the rods are conveyed to a receiving drum via at least two feed channels; the rod is received from the supply channel within a longitudinal groove of the receiving drum; The rod is transferred from the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum to the longitudinal groove of the transport drum; the rod is cut into individual segments by a cutting head provided on the transport drum when transporting the rod in the longitudinal groove of the transport drum; The relative positions of the segments on the shift drum are changed; At least one stream of said segments is formed on a registration drum. having stages, the presence of the rod in the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum is checked by a fill sensor; an empty longitudinal groove signal is generated by the filling sensor when the longitudinal groove of the receiving drum remains empty within the measurement area of ​​the sensor, A rod is fed into the empty longitudinal slot of the receiving drum by a feeding device located downstream of the fill sensor in response to a signal of the empty longitudinal slot of the receiving drum. A method characterized by:

Images