DE2711474A1 - DEVICE FOR GUIDING AND HOLDING GROUPS OF CIGARETTES IN DEVICES FOR TRANSFERRING GROUPS OF CIGARETTES FROM A CONVEYOR TO A MACHINE FOR PACKAGING CIGARETTES IN PACKAGES WITH HINGED LIDS - Google Patents

Description

GRADUATE ENGINEER HELMUT LAMPRECHT PATENT ADVOCATE

271H74

βΟΟΟ MUNICH S · CORNELIUSSTRASSE 42 · TELEPHONE 2AO77S

2377

• 3 ·

G. D. Societa per Azioni Via Pomponia, 10

1-40124 Bologna

Device for guiding and holding groups of cigarettes

in devices for transferring the groups of cigarettes from a conveyor to a machine for packaging the cigarettes in packs with hinged lids

The present invention relates to a device for guiding and holding groups of cigarettes in facilities for transferring the groups of cigarettes from a conveyor to a machine for packing the cigarettes in packs with hinged lid, the packaging machine having a rotatable head which is connected to a plurality of in is provided with compartments arranged at equal angular intervals, each of which is formed by two pairs of stationary plates, each pointing in the direction of the axis of rotation of the head are spaced apart substantially equal to the length of the cigarette and are the same plates of each pair have a distance which is equal to the thickness of the cigarette group, and furthermore two tongs conveying

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POST CHECK ACCOUNT MUNICH ββ04β-β0β (BLZ 700 1 OO 80) O 'UTSCHE BANK MUNICH. PROM E NAOEPLATZ. ACCOUNT NO. 10/80 804 (bank code 700 700 10)

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mige pairs of movable elements are provided in which the elements of each pair are plane-parallel and opposite the stationary plates of the corresponding pair are arranged, and finally a first, second and third wall during the standstill of the rotatable head between the pair of stationary plates of one of these radial compartments and the guide and holding surfaces for the groups of cigarettes, the first wall being movable radially and tangentially relative to the compartment, the second wall being arranged within the compartment in the radial direction and the third wall is arranged plane-parallel to one of the stationary plates of the corresponding pair.

According to the known state of the art, the normal cigarette groups comprising 20 cigarettes, which are fed to machines for packing these groups in so-called soft packs or American packs, are used formed two layers of seven cigarettes each, between which a further layer of six cigarettes is inserted.

As can be seen from the attached FIG. 1, these groups of cigarettes have a substantially rectangular shape Shape that is symmetrical with respect to the middle layer, these groups, as below explained in more detail will have a structure that will prove to be sufficient during the various transfer phases has proven stable.

The machine for packing cigarettes in packs with hinged lids can, as is well known, with cigarette

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groups are fed as they are in Flg. 1 are shown, but also with groups of cigarettes In one of Flg. 2 arrangement.

The structure of the In Flg. 2 cigarette group shown is essentially thereby removed from that shown in FIG Group received that the middle layer of six cigarettes exchanged with one of the layers of seven cigarettes will. This structure is obviously less stable than the structure shown in FIG. 1, it finds its justification but in the special design of the hinged lid pack, from which it is to be recorded.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the package with the hinged lid comprises a package body 1 and a hinged lid 2 which is connected to the body 1 by means of a hinge 3. With 4 an inner element or a "collar" denotes, which consists of a central wall section 5 and two lateral wall sections 6. The inner element is connected to the inside of the packing body 1 in such a way that the middle wall element 5 and the two lateral wall elements 6 with the front side or the two side parts of this packing body 1 are glued and protrude from the upper opening of the package body in order, together with the closed hinged lid 2, to form a continuous element between the body 1 and to form the hinged lid.

From Flg. 3 it can be clearly seen that the two corners 7 of the inner element 4 in the vicinity of the joint 3 are relative

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are slightly bent inwards towards the body 1. This serves the Task to make it easier to close the hinged cover 2.

From the above it is clear why the cigarette group shown in Fig. 2 is preferable: As can be seen from FIG. 3, the layer comprising six cigarettes touches the rear side of the body 1.

If the group shown in Fig. 1 were inserted into the box with the hinged lid shown in Fig. 3, the pressure of the ends of the layer comprising seven cigarettes would push the inwardly bent corners 7 of the inner element 4 outwards, and thereby those of this particular one Reverse design to gain advantages.

In order to better understand the problems and difficulties that result from the above-justified choice of the cigarette group arrangement according to FIG. 2 for the pack with hinged lid shown in FIG The groups shown from the area in which they are formed to the packaging line are discussed. This is done with reference to a machine for packaging cigarettes in so-called American or soft packs, which are manufactured by the applicant and marketed under the designation ¹¹ X 1 ".

Cigarette groups of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 are according to the grouping described, for example, in the German patent application P 17 57 195.8 of the applicant.

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benen way takes place successively in a flat position a conveyor provided with compartments and moved step-by-step in a direction transverse to the cigarette axes is fed to a transfer station in which a ram works. The plunger is a horizontal reciprocating one Subjected to movement in the direction of the cigarette axes, as well as an oscillating movement in the plane normal to the direction of this reciprocating movement.

During each standstill phase of the conveyor, the pusher removes a group of cigarettes from the corresponding compartment of the conveyor and into a compartment of a plurality of compartments in a counterclockwise direction and gradually transferred head driven around a horizontal axis.

In this compartment, the cigarette groups rest with their lower long side on a first pair of horizontal lamellae attached to the rotating head. The introduction of the group of cigarettes into the compartment is guided by a stationary plate placed between the horizontal slats and in the same plane with the latter. A second pair, to the first pair of parallel lamellas holds the cigarette group firmly in that it acts on the upper longitudinal side thereof.

During the introduction of the groups of cigarettes into a compartment, the outside of the group of cigarettes is replaced by a flat one and vertical plate guided and then held. This plate is, as from the patent applications P 23 58 511.7 and

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P 17 57 195.8 of the applicant can be seen attached to means that they alternate in the direction of this outside the cigarette group and move back from it. The inner, d. H. the longitudinal side facing the axis of rotation of the head the cigarette group is held by two vertical plates arranged in the rotating head and between which there is a connection plate that is connected to the machine frame. This connecting plate acts here at the same time as a guide element during the introduction of the cigarette groups into the compartment.

It is known that the rotatable head - for example of the type with two compartments arranged opposite one another, as mentioned in the above-mentioned patent application P 23 58 511.7 - is provided with two pliers, the jaws around Axes are pivotable, which run parallel to the axis of rotation of the head.

The jaws of the tongs extend above and below the two compartments and are forked into two arms, the ends of which are provided with plates extending at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the arms.

During the introduction of the cigarette group into a compartment, the jaws of the tongs assigned to this compartment are open, but they close as soon as the introduction of the cigarette group into the head has ended. In this way the plates are at the end of the jaws on the outside of the cigarette group and on both sides of the vertical movable plate anlie gen. More specifically, the plates at the end of the Upper Bak are

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ken cooperate with the upper cigarette layer of the cigarette group and the two plates on the lower jaws with the lower layer of cigarettes.

The vertical moveable platen is then free to move back and the rotatable head is pivoted 180 degrees, whereby the compartment under consideration is moved to a station in which a horizontally reciprocating ram operates. During this rotation over 180 ° the other, empty compartment is moved into the position previously occupied by the first compartment.

The reciprocating plunger is operated in cooperation with a counter pusher acting on the outside of the cigarette group and after opening the pliers jaws insert the cigarette group together with a foil section for wrapping the cigarette group into the device of the packaging machine intended for this purpose.

From the above it can be seen that the cigarette groups of the type shown in Fig. 1 during the introduction into the Compartment of the rotatable head and during the subsequent transfer to the packaging device by stationary and movable means are guided and held, which are essentially formed by four walls or plates, which are parallel to each other in pairs and on the two layers of cigarettes, each comprising seven cigarettes, and on the Sides of the cigarette group.

These stationary and mobile means have Ip the

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Practice proved to be perfectly suitable for their task and sufficient to prevent any shifting or shifting of the cigarettes within the group.

It should be noted that the middle one, six cigarettes comprehensive position, although it does not come into contact with the stationary and movable means during the Transfer phase is completely held by the two layers, each comprising seven cigarettes.

Fig. 4 shows schematically a machine for packing cigarettes in packs with hinged lids. As stated above this machine can be used both with groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG. 1 and with groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG Fig. 2 are filled.

In this figure, 8 denotes a filling store for feeding and formation of cigarette groups. 9 denotes a compartment conveyor which is stepwise moved to group cigarette groups to be transferred to a station 10, which is formed by a head rotatable about a horizontal axis.

From the station 10, the cigarettes are fed to a station 11, one of which is rotatable about a horizontal axis Includes head in which these groups of cigarettes are enveloped by a section of tin foil or tin foil. from the station 11 from the cigarette groups are fed to a further station 12, which is by a vertical Axis rotatable head is formed in which these cigarette groups - if necessary or desired - with S £ your-

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banderoles or advertising, amebildern be provided.

The station 12 is followed by a station 13, which by a a vertical axis rotatable head is formed, and In which the cigarette groups already wrapped in stanlol are provided with the inner element 4 (as shown, for example, in patent applications P 24 47 916.1 and P 24 47 917.2 of the applicant is described), a corresponding blank 14 being fed to this station.

Finally, there follows a station 15, which by a horizontal axis rotatable head is formed, and are formed in the blanks 14 to packs with hinged lids.

It should be noted in particular that of the rotating about their axes, the stations 10 and 11 forming heads the former rotates counterclockwise and the second rotates clockwise, and that each has an output position diametrically opposite the input position.

The machine shown schematically in Fig. 4 has, in the section comprising elements 8, 9, 10 and 11, i.e. H. in the area which serves to form the groups of cigarettes and to wrap the groups in stanol the same structure as a machine for wrapping cigarettes in soft packs or American packs, as described for example in the patent applications P 17 61 160.8 and P 24 25 969.6 of the applicant.

It should be noted that the machine shown in FIG

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a station 10 having a jawed rotatable head of the type described above, if the machine is loaded with groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG.

Should the machine shown schematically in FIG. 4, on the other hand, be charged with groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG the groups of cigarettes are formed in a conventional manner, as in U.S. Patent No. 45,781 and the application P 17 57 195.8 of the applicant is described. It is also done in a known manner and without any problem the transfer of these groups of cigarettes from their production area by means of the compartment conveyor 9 to one The ram, which has the task of conveying the individual groups of cigarettes to station 10.

The means present in station 10 for guiding and holding the groups of cigarettes shown in FIG. 1 (which above and essentially comprising four flat, movable and stationary members, two of which are connected to the upper one Cigarette layer and two interacting with the lower cigarette layer) proved to be unsuitable and useless for Prevention of displacement, displacement or the like of those forming the group of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG Cigarettes. This is the case both during the transfer phase of the groups of cigarettes in one of the compartments of the aforementioned Head, as well as for the period during the next transfer after station 11.

The main reason for the instability of those shown in FIG

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Cigarette groups during the various phases of displacement of these cigarette groups consists in the fact that there are no guide and holding elements that interact with the particularly exposed cigarettes of the layer consisting of six cigarettes.

The movable and stationary side walls within the compartments should therefore also be provided with filling elements, which are at the level of the layer consisting of six cigarettes.

In other words, it has been found necessary to have good and constant monitoring of the individual cigarette groups during the transfer phases to prevent any Possibility of mutual relocation of the cigarettes, to provide the compartments of the rotating head with constrictions similar to those of six cigarettes Location are assigned.

In other words, it has been found necessary to keep the compartments of the rotating head with one of the six cigarettes comprehensive position adapted narrowing to keep the individual cigarette groups orderly during the transfer phases and every possibility of a change in position of the Exclude cigarettes to each other.

It has now been found that in the machine shown schematically in FIG. 4 for the correct arrangement of groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG. 2 in packs of the type shown in FIG. 3 it is necessary that the groups of cigarettes are fed to the rotatable head of the station 13 in such a way that

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that the six layers comprising Zlgaretten are on top.

Taking into account that each group of cigarettes during its transfer through the stations 10, 11 and 12 constituting it rotatable heads are rotated 360 about their longitudinal axis, d. H. 180 ° in station 10 and 180 ° in the station 11 (Fig. 4), so must in order to meet the requirement set out above, each cigarette group in such a way in the first Station 10 are introduced so that the layer comprising six cigarettes is on top.

Such an arrangement of the cigarette groups, in conjunction with the fact that the station 10 forms Turning the head counterclockwise does not make the problem concerning the instability of the cigarette group in easier Way to solve d. H. in that to achieve the aforementioned constriction filling elements with the outer Upper layer cigarettes are brought into contact. Such elements would resist rotation of the head.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a rotary head which is used in connection with the packaging machine of soft packs described, which is also used in packaging machines for the production of packs with hinged lids is used when the cigarette groups have the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, to be designed so that he Has guide and holding elements that are suitable, also according to the packaging of the particularly unstable cigarette groups Fig. 2 to allow.

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More general and in accordance with the above Object is an object of the invention to overcome the various problems that arise in the Packaging of groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG. 2 by means of packaging machines of the type shown in FIG. 4 schematically shown type.

These and other tasks, which will become clear below, are thereby achieved with the device mentioned at the beginning solved that the second wall comprises a stationary part and a movable part, wherein the movable part with one end of a two-armed lever is connected to the an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of this head is pivotable, that a connecting element with one end at one Projection of the first movable wall and is hinged at the other end to the other end of this two-armed lever, to move to and fro on this movable part and on the upper end of the first movable wall to transfer, and that the upper ends of the first movable wall and this movable part in the interior of the Jump forward compartment.

Further features and advantages emerge from the following description of a shown in the drawing, preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the claims.

It shows:

Fig. 1 and 2 two differently arranged cigarette groups seen in the direction of the cigarette axes,

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Flg. 3 is a perspective view of a cigarette pack with a hinged lid, which contains a group of cigarettes in FIG. 2 contains the type shown,

Flg. 4 is a perspective, schematic illustration of the various successive elements of the packaging line of a machine for packaging groups of cigarettes in packs with Hinged lid,

Fig. 5. a section along the line V-V in Fig. 6 through an element of FIG. 4 containing the device according to the invention,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the element shown in Fig. 5 with some parts removed to better illustrate other parts, and

7 is a graphical representation of the laws of motion of the important parts of the element shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 during an operating cycle of FIG Machine.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the above-mentioned station 10 comprises a rotary head, indicated generally at 16.

This rotary head is fed with groups of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG. The rotary head 16 in turn feeds the second rotating head, forming station 11, in which the groups of cigarettes are wrapped in an inner foil wrapper. The rotary head 16 is driven by a horizontal shaft 17

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carry, which emanates from the bed of the packaging machine, not shown and which is driven in a conventional manner intermittently counterclockwise, the shaft 17 rotates 180 ° with each step.

On the shaft 17 a sleeve 18 is attached coaxially to this, at the ends of which two vertical plates 19 and 20 are connected which are spaced apart from one another which is substantially equal to the length of the cigarette.

The rotary head 16 is provided with two radial compartments or pockets

21 and 22, which are diametrically opposed to each other and which have an asymmetrical construction with respect to a radial center plane. The compartments 21 and 22 are like this dimensioned so that they can accommodate a group of cigarettes of the type shown in FIG. 2, the axes of the cigarettes running parallel to the shaft 17.

If one considers, for example, the compartment 21 shown on the right in FIGS. 5 and 6, while the rotary head 16 is stationary, being the corresponding unbalanced elements of the compartment

22 are marked with the same reference numerals, this compartment is marked upwards by a first pair of right-angled, horizontal and in the same plane, narrow slats 23 and 24, which are connected to the plates 19 and 20 and downward by a second pair of rectangular, horizontal and in the same plane, narrow slats 25 and 26, which are only shown for the left-hand compartment are and which are connected to the plates 19 and 20 and have a distance from this first pair that is equal to the Dik-

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ke des In FIg. 2 is the bundle of cigarettes shown.

A pair of tongs 27 is assigned to each compartment 21 and 22. Whose Jaws each having two separate arms 28 are mounted pivotably on shafts 29, which run parallel to shaft 17 and with their ends on the two plates 19 and 20 are supported.

As can be seen, for example, on the right-hand compartment 21, the arms 28 of the corresponding tongs 27 extend over the compartment above and below to its end.

The free ends of the two lower arms 28 are each with a small plate 30 is provided which assumes a vertical position when the pliers are closed. The free ends of the two upper arms 28 are also provided with a block-shaped element 31, the one facing the compartment Side is beveled.

What has been described for the right pliers also applies to the pliers assigned to the left compartment 22, with the only difference that the plates 30 and the block-shaped elements 31 with respect to the corresponding Elements of the right pliers have an asymmetrical position in relation to the radial median plane between the two parts take in.

The upper and lower jaws of the two pliers are connected by first and second pairs of springs 32 and 33, respectively.

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The two pliers can also be known per se Means are opened and closed, as described in the above-mentioned patent application P 23 58 511.7 and which take effect as explained below.

The groups of cigarettes of the type shown in Fig. 2, the are arranged flat and rest on the outer layer of seven cigarettes, are individually detected by a plunger, not shown, which reciprocates and transversely is moved to the conveyor 9 and which oscillates in a plane which is normal to the direction of movement of this reciprocating movement. The pusher transfers the cigarette groups in the direction of the cigarette axes into the right compartment 21 of the rotary head 16, which is at a standstill.

At the beginning of this transfer movement, the layer of seven cigarettes rests on the lamella 25 and the upper layer comprising six cigarettes touches the lamella 23 the left side of the cigarette group touches the edge 19 'of the plate 19 which, at the level of the six cigarettes, has a projection 19' ', i. H. is profiled so that it touches the three layers of cigarettes.

There is also a movable wall 34 is provided, which serves as a guide and holding element for the right side of the cigarette group. This wall has a mirror-inverted profile to the edge 19 'and to the projection 19 "and thus also touches all three layers of cigarettes. It is not subject to a reciprocating movement in a direction normal to the shaft 17.

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subjugated.

The wall 34 is attached to a horizontal shaft 35 which is moved in a conventional manner such as that previously mentioned Patent application P 17 57 195.8 is described.

While the group of cigarettes is being transferred into the compartment, the leading end of the group of cigarettes slides Overcoming the lamella 25 on a plate 36 which is connected to a support 37 which is firmly connected to the machine bed is, and which serves as a connecting element between the slats 25 and 26 and lies in one plane with the latter.

As soon as the edge 19 'has now been passed, the lower section becomes the left side of the cigarette group is guided by a vertical edge 38 of the plate 36, this edge 38 is arranged tangentially relative to the two layers comprising seven cigarettes, while the upper one, six cigarettes comprehensive position of a rail 39 is approximated.

The rail 39 can be subjected to an oscillating movement relative to this guide position and is with the upper end a lever 40 connected to one end of an adjustable connecting rod 41, the other end of which is hinged to a projection 42 of the wall 34. The lever 40 is thus moved by the reciprocating shaft or Rod 35 controlled.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the wall 34 and the rail 39 are operated simultaneously and that they are close to the

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Cigarette group and can be moved back from this and act essentially in the manner of a pair of pliers, which is controlled by the reciprocating movement of the rod 35.

The group of cigarettes is guided completely through these stationary and movable parts into the compartment 21.

During the final phase of this introduction, the preceding one lies End of the group of cigarettes on the lamella 26, while its left side touches an edge 20 * of the plate 20, which also is provided with a projection 20 *, so that this edge is also applied to all three layers of the cigarette group.

To facilitate the introduction of the cigarette bundle into the compartment and to prevent the cigarettes from jamming, the various guide elements are provided with suitable chamfered sections on the sides along which the introduction of the cigarette bundle takes place.

As soon as the introduction of the bundle into the compartment is completed, the tongs 27 and the ends of their lower ones close Arms reach through openings which are provided in the lamellae 25 and 26 and approach the lower layer of cigarettes of the bundle, whereby the plates 30 are brought into contact with the two ends of the middle and lower layers, each comprising seven cigarettes, on the right-hand side of the bundle. The two upper arms are brought closer at the same time and grip through those provided in the slats 23 and 24

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Openings in the direction of the upper, six cigarette comprehensive layer, whereby the block-shaped elements 31 in contact with the two ends of the top layer comprising six cigarettes and the middle layer comprising seven cigarettes on top of the right side of the bundle.

The shaft 35 is now controlled so that it performs its return stroke, and thereby the wall 34 and the rail 39 of the Sides of the cigarette bundle removed.

The head 16 is rotated through 180 counter-clockwise and thus transfers the compartment 21 to the unloading position, i. H. the feeding position for the station 11 while the empty compartment 22 is moved to the position previously occupied by the compartment 21, to pick up a new bundle of cigarettes in the same way, as has been described with reference to compartment 21.

In the unloading position shown on the left in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is a plunger attached to the end of a rod 44 43. The rod 44 is supported by the support 37 in a reciprocating manner, horizontally and radially in relation to the rotary head 16 so as to be movable.

The abutment surface of the plunger 43 has the same profile as the plates 19 and 20, in which these two plates 19 and 20 limited area movable and acts with the right side (with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6) of the cigarette bundle together to thereby put this together with a section of packaging material, namely a foil, into which the station 11 to transfer forming rotary head.

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A new bundle of cigarettes is introduced into the empty compartment 22, and the machine cycle repeats.

The diagram in FIG. 7 shows the laws of motion as a function of the angle of rotation of a common drive shaft (cyclic shaft) the rotary head 16, the shaft 35 to which the wall 34 and the rail 39 are connected, and the ram 43.

In the curve relating to the rotary head 16, the section coinciding with the horizontal axis denotes the standstill time of this head, while the hatched section represents the moving time. In the parts 35 and 43 concerned In the curve, the horizontal sections denote the idle times, the rising sections the movement times of the forward stroke of this line 35 and 43 and the falling sections the movement times of the backward stroke of this line Parts.

From the curves it can be seen that after a bundle of cigarettes has been inserted into the compartment, the shaft 35 forwards briefly is moved (section between 55 and 75), thereby the elements 34 and 39 against the two opposite sides of the cigarette bundle. This is done to have a stabilizing effect on the cigarettes and to - during the closing phase of the tongs 27 - any displacement between the cigarettes and the plates 30 or the block-shaped Elements 31 to prevent.

From the above description it can be seen that ^ the

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inventive device the wrapping of cigarette bundles of the type shown in FIG. 2 by means of a packaging machine of the type shown schematically in FIG. 4. In particular is avoided by the rail 39 acting as a guide element and the associated wall 34 during the transfer of the cigarette bundle into the compartment that a displacement of the cigarettes takes place within the bundle.

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Claims (4)

G. D. SpA - ^ β - 2377 Expectations: l.yDevice for guiding and holding groups of cigarettes In facilities for guiding the groups of cigarettes from a conveyor to a machine for packaging the cigarettes in packs with hinged lids (hinged lld), the packaging machine having a rotatable head which is connected to a Plurality of equally angularly spaced tables 1st, each of which is formed by two pairs of stationary plates, each pointing in the direction of the axis of rotation of the Heads are spaced apart substantially equal to the length of the cigarette and are the same plates of each pair are spaced apart equal to the thickness of the group of cigarettes, and furthermore two tongs Pairs of movable elements are provided, in which the elements of each pair are arranged plane-parallel and opposite the stationary plates of the corresponding pair, and finally, first, second and third walls, during standstill of the rotatable head, lie between the pair of stationary plates of one of these radial compartments and form the guide and support surfaces for the groups of cigarettes, the first wall being movable radially and tangentially relative to the compartment , the second wall within the compartment in radial Direction is arranged, and the third wall is arranged plane-parallel to one of the stationary plates of the corresponding pair is characterized in that the second wall comprises a stationary part (38) and a movable part (39), wherein the movable part is connected to one end of a two-armed lever (40) which is parallel to the axis of rotation of this head - 24 - 709838/0915 DG SpA - VC- 2377 , 2711Α74 Axis (40 ¹ ) is pivotable that a connecting element (41) is hinged with one end to a projection (42) of the first movable wall and the other end at the other end of this two-armed lever to this part and to the upper end to impart a reciprocating motion to the first movable wall (34) and in that the upper ends of the first movable part and said movable part project into the interior of the compartment. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the projecting portion of the first movable wall (34) and the movable part (39) has a length substantially is half the diameter of a cigarette. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the projecting portion of the first movable wall (34) and said movable part (39) has a height substantially equal to the diameter of the cigarette. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (41) is designed in the manner of a turnbuckle is. 709838/0915