A replenishing device for replenishing a flute of a transporter with a rod-like element, wherein the transporter comprises multiple flutes located transversally with respect to a transporting direction and adapted to transport rod-like elements, the replenishing device comprising: a feeding duct for feeding the rod-like element; a rotary replenishing element having an axis of rotation, comprising at least one transferring seat for receiving the rod-like element from the feeding duct in a receiving zone and for transferring the rod-like element to the flute of the transporter in a transferring zone, wherein the rotary replenishing element is adapted to repeatedly pass the same rod-like element through the transferring zone before transferring that rod-like element to the flute of the transporter; and a transferring mechanism for effecting the transfer of the rod-like element from the transferring seat to the flute of the transporter.

A reservoir (1) for rod-like elements (R) for tobacco industry, configured to be connected to a first feeding duct (2), to a second feeding duct (3) and to a receiving duct (10) for receiving the rod-like elements (R) from the reservoir (1), wherein the reservoir (1) has adjustable capacity and is coupled with filling level sensing means (14, 15) for sensing a filling level of the reservoir (1). The reservoir comprises two chambers (12, 13) having adjustable capacity and separated by a partition (24). The first chamber (12) is coupled with a first filling level sensing means (14) for sensing a filling level of the first chamber (12), and the second chamber (13) is equipped with a second filling level sensing means (15) for sensing a filling level of the second chamber (13).

A reservoir (1) for rod-like elements (R) for tobacco industry, configured to be connected to a first feeding duct (2), to a second feeding duct (3) and to a receiving duct (10) for receiving the rod-like elements (R) from the reservoir (1), wherein the reservoir (1) has adjustable capacity and is coupled with filling level sensing means (14, 15) for sensing a filling level of the reservoir (1). The reservoir comprises two chambers (12, 13) having adjustable capacity and separated by a partition (24). The first chamber (12) is coupled with a first filling level sensing means (14) for sensing a filling level of the first chamber (12), and the second chamber (13) is equipped with a second filling level sensing means (15) for sensing a filling level of the second chamber (13).

An apparatus and method for buffering and processing loose rod-like articles including a feeder belt in communication with an inlet rotary portion, an intermediate rotary portion in communication with the inlet rotary portion and a discharge rotary portion, and a discharge belt in communication with the discharge rotary portion. The inlet rotary portion, intermediate rotary portion, discharge rotary portion define a transit path that serves buffering and/or processing purposes for a rod segment or rod segment group. Mechanical separators are distributed circumferentially about a periphery of each of the rotary portions, with processing compartments formed between respective mechanical separators to receive the rod segment or rod segment group. One or more supplementary processing zones are distributed adjacent a circumference of one or more rotary portions with an assembly proximate the supplementary processing zones. The assembly exerts a controlled process transversely through the transit path.

An apparatus and method for buffering and processing loose rod-like articles including a feeder belt in communication with an inlet rotary portion, an intermediate rotary portion in communication with the inlet rotary portion and a discharge rotary portion, and a discharge belt in communication with the discharge rotary portion. The inlet rotary portion, intermediate rotary portion, discharge rotary portion define a transit path that serves buffering and/or processing purposes for a rod segment or rod segment group. Mechanical separators are distributed circumferentially about a periphery of each of the rotary portions, with processing compartments formed between respective mechanical separators to receive the rod segment or rod segment group. One or more supplementary processing zones are distributed adjacent a circumference of one or more rotary portions with an assembly proximate the supplementary processing zones. The assembly exerts a controlled process transversely through the transit path.

A method of forming groups of smoking articles so that each group forms an individual bundle of smoking articles for receipt in a respective smoking article pack is disclosed. The method includes supplying a receptacle of an apparatus for forming groups of smoking articles with different types of smoking articles such that they mix in the receptacle and each group is formed from the mixture of different types of smoking articles by said apparatus. An apparatus for forming groups of smoking articles and a multipack comprising a plurality of smoking article packs is also disclosed.

A method of forming groups of smoking articles so that each group forms an individual bundle of smoking articles for receipt in a respective smoking article pack is disclosed. The method includes supplying a receptacle of an apparatus for forming groups of smoking articles with different types of smoking articles such that they mix in the receptacle and each group is formed from the mixture of different types of smoking articles by said apparatus. An apparatus for forming groups of smoking articles and a multipack comprising a plurality of smoking article packs is also disclosed.

The system for transferring rod-shaped articles comprises a reservoir for holding a plurality of rod-shaped articles and a conveyor band comprising a seat adapted to receive a rod-shaped article from the reservoir. The system further comprises a speed compensator for compensating a speed variation of a portion of the conveyor band such that a speed of another portion of the conveyor band is kept constant. There is also provided an arrangement for retaining rod-shaped articles in a conveyor band. The arrangement comprises a conveyor wheel, wherein the seat is guidable in the conveyor band around the conveyor wheel and comprises an offset conveyor band arranged in parallel and at a distance to the conveyor band along a section of the conveyor band.

The system for transferring rod-shaped articles comprises a reservoir for holding a plurality of rod-shaped articles and a conveyor band comprising a seat adapted to receive a rod-shaped article from the reservoir. The system further comprises a speed compensator for compensating a speed variation of a portion of the conveyor band such that a speed of another portion of the conveyor band is kept constant. There is also provided an arrangement for retaining rod-shaped articles in a conveyor band. The arrangement comprises a conveyor wheel, wherein the seat is guidable in the conveyor band around the conveyor wheel and comprises an offset conveyor band arranged in parallel and at a distance to the conveyor band along a section of the conveyor band.

A cleaning system for a transporting and storing device having adjustable capacity for tobacco industry rod-like elements, the device comprising at least one circular conveyor located on a stationary support element of the device and at least one circular conveyor of the device located on a rotary support element, wherein the conveyors are arranged one above another. The cleaning system comprises a plurality of cleaning units attached to the support elements and oriented towards a transporting surface of the conveyor located below a corresponding cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units and configured to remove contaminations from the transporting surface of the conveyor. At least a first cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units is attached to the stationary support element and at least a second cleaning unit of the plurality of cleaning units is attached to the rotary support element.