Discharge hopper and method of discharing trays, in particular shaft trays, filled with rod-shaped articles

摘要

A discharge hopper for a tray discharge station discharges a tray filled with rod-shaped products. A receiving chamber for the products flowing from the tray is open at the top in the direction of the tray and at the bottom is defined by a channel formed by a conveying element that carries away the products. Flow regulating elements within the receiving chamber control the flow of products within the discharge hopper. A monitoring unit is arranged and constructed for detecting the level of products within the tray. The monitoring unit is operatively connected to the flow regulating elements for individual control of the flow regulating elements.