APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BUFFERING AND PROCESSING MULTI-SEGMENT ROD-LIKE ARTICLES

摘要

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.