Apparatus for inserting packs into the gaps of a moving file of cigarette packs or the like

Claim 1

Apparatus for filling gaps which develop at times in a file of cigarette packs or like block-shaped commodities having a predetermined width and a predetermined length and advancing from a supplying to a processing machine, comprising a conveyor defining an elongated first path along which said file of commodities moves between said machines in a predetermined direction; a magazine adjacent to one side of and partly overlying said path, said magazine being arranged to store a supply of superimposed spare commodities including a lowermost commodity and said magazine including a support for the lowermost commodity, said support being disposed at a level at least slightly above said path and supporting the lowermost commodity for movement to a position of registry with successive commodities as well as with successive gaps in said path; and means for transferring the lowermost commodity from said magazine to said position whence such lowermost commodity can descend by gravity into an oncoming gap of the file in said path, including a device movable along a second path making an acute angle with said first path so that the lowermost spare commodity which is transferred from said magazine to said position preparatory to descending into said first path has a first component of movement along said support in said direction and a second component of movement along said support at right angles to said direction, the distances covered by the lowermost spare commodity on its way from said magazine to said position of register with a gap therebelow in and at right angles to said direction being respectively less than said predetermined length and width.