EP0994023B1

EP0994023B1 - Feeder/applicator unit of components for making packagings, such as inserts, in particular in cigarette packing machines

Info

Publication number: EP0994023B1
Application number: EP99120329A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Valter Spada
Original assignee: SASIB SpA
Current assignee: SASIB SpA
Priority date: 1998-10-14
Filing date: 1999-10-12
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-12
Also published as: DE69919290D1; ITSV980057A1; ITSV980057A0; EP0994023A1; IT1305418B1

Description

The invention relates to a feeder/applicator unit of packaging components, such as inserts or inner frames of hinged lid boxes for packaging individual products in manufacture such as individual groups of cigarettes, particularly in packaging machines or similar, witch a main manufacturing flow path of the products in the machine and with a supply path of the packaging components to an applicator station, in which the packaging components are applied to the products, according to the preamble of claim 1. A feeder/applicator unit of this kind is known from the document EP-A-0 324 160.

In particular in the cigarette packing machines it is known to insert in the packagings that form the cigarette packet inserts in the form of coupons on which messages of different types are placed. In the packing machines for making rigid packets, with flip lid hinged to the box part, however, in addition to the coupon that forms a non essential component of the packaging, the box has a stop component of the part of the lid that is generally arranged in a recessed position with regards to the external surfaces of the part of the box to allow for an aligned arrangement of the surfaces of the lid part with the adjacent surfaces of the box part. Said components or said stop surfaces, generally provided on the front of the box and on the narrower lateral faces adjacent to the front face are called inner frames and are formed by separate components that are fed to the packing machines at suitable stations provided in the flow of packets in an intermediate position of the making path between the individual stations which provide for wrapping the cigarettes in an inner, and outer enevelope and more precisely in an intermediate position between the wrapping station of a consecutive orderly group of cigarettes in an inner foil envelope and the wrapping station of the said groups wrapped in foil in an external envelope of packaging material such as paper or board to form the packet or the box.

In the feeder/applicator unit known from the document EP-A-0 324 160, the applicator station, in which the inner frames of hinged lid boxes are applied to the groups of cigarettes, is situated in the main manufacturing flow path of the groups of cigarettes, i. e. the supply path of the inner frames joins the main manufacturing flow path of the groups of cigarettes and the applicator station is situated in the join of the two paths. With the applicator station are associated transfer means for transferring the groups of cigarettes during the application of the inner frames to them, but these means move back and forth in the main manufacturing flow path of the groups of cigarettes without leaving it and form part of the applicator station, i. e. do not connect the main manufacturing flow path with an applicator station situated outside of this path.

The object of the invention is to provide a feeder/applicator unit of the above mentioned type, which is able to supply in a positive manner and with a rational and not excessively expensive construction a succession of said packaging components to the individual products on the main manufacturing flow path of the packaging machine, permitting high speeds of operation and accomplishing at the same time a construction which do not cover or limit excessively the visual and physical access to the products on the main manufacturing flow path.

The invention attains the above aims with a feeder/applicator unit according to the preamble of claim 1 and characterized in that the applicator station is laterally staggered to the main manufacturing flow path of the products and is placed in an intermediate position between this main manufacturing flow path and the supply path of the packaging components, transfer means being provided for transferring the products from the main manufacturing flow path in the laterally staggered applicator station and for transferring the products together with the applied packaging components from the applicator station back to the main manufacturing flow path.

Further developments and advantageous embodiments of the feeder/applicator unit according to the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The features of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom are better evidenced in the following description of an executive example illustrated in a non limiting manner in the attached drawing, where:

The Fig.s 1 and 2 show in perspective the group according to the invention and an enlarged detail of the same.

The Fig. 3 illustrates a section according to a transversal vertical plane of the device according to the preceding Figures.

The Fig.s 4 and 5 show a detail of section according to Fig. 3 relative to the transfer device of the inner frames from the intermediate station to the aplicator station and in two different operating conditions respectively.

The Fig.s 6 and 7 show a detail in cross-section of the transfer device according to the preceding Fig.s 4 and 5 with the picker arms raised and lowered respectively.

The Fig. 8 illustrates an horizontal cross-section of the device according to Fig.s 6 and 7.

The Fig.s 9 and 10 illustrate a schematic view of the cutting station of the inner frame from a continuous web of material.

The Fig.s 11 and 12 show an enlarged detail of the cutting means of the inner frame respectively before and after the cutting of the same.

The Fig.s 13 and 14 show two inner frames for two different shapes of a rigid cigarette packet.

The Fig. 15 shows an enlarged detail of a housing pocket of the horizontal transfer wheel of the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station of the inner frame.

The Fig. 16 illustrates an enlarged detail of the vertical transfer wheel of the inner frame from the cutting station to the intermediate one of transfer, together with the reject means of the inner frame.

With reference to the Fig.s 1 and 2, a feeder/applicator unit of the inner frames 1 to an ordered group of cigarettes wrapped in the inner envelop of foil comprises an horizontal transfer wheel 2 that has a plurality of peripheral pockets 102 each for an ordered group of cigarettes allready wrapped in the inner enevelop of foil.

The horizontal transfer wheel 2 rotates around its vertical axis and transfers one after the over the groups of cigarettes into an applicator station S1 of the inner frame 1 that is provided laterally staggered with regards to the direction of the main path indicated with the arrow P.

A web of material 3 to make the inner frame is fed in direction of the arrow N to a cutting station S2 of the inner frame provided additionally laterally staggered with regards to the main path P of the groups of cigarettes and with regards to the applicator station S1 of the inner frame 1 to the ordered group of cigarettes.

From the cutting station S2, the inner frames are transferred in succession to an intermediate transfer station S3 by means of a second transfer wheel 4 of octagonal shape and arranged vertically, that is with its own axis perpendicular to the axis of the transfer wheel of the group of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 of the inner frame.

From the intermediate transfer station S3 of the inner frame, a further pick up device 5 picks up the inner frame 1 and places it in a preset position on the top face of the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 of the inner frame, in particular inserting it between retaining stops associated with each housing pocket 102.

With reference to the Fig.s 3, 4, 5, and 15, the horizontal transfer wheel 2 has a body 202 to which are mounted in a removable manner the housing pockets 102 thanks to radial wings 302 that are clamped against the central body by means of screws or bolts, or similar and eventually with the aid of dowels, pins or other means of centring. Each housing pocket for a group of cigarettes is formed by a frame designed to overlap the narrower peripheral sides of the packet and has in correspondences to the longer sides of said frame two transversal extensions 402 designed to form a surface of support of the lateral wings 101 of the inner frame 1 that in the formed condition are folded against the said narrower and longer side of the groups of cigarettes. The transversal lateral extensions have limiting ribs or ridges 502 protruding upwards and that form a partial frame whithin which the inner frame has to be positioned. Advantageously the said retaining ribs are provided in correspondence to the two opposed lateral sides of the wings of the inner frame and in correspondence to the top end. Some or all of said ribs 502 have lead-in chamfers on the sides turned towards the corresponding edge of the inner frame.

To retain the inner frame in a position adhering to the group of cigarettes in the pocket 102 and to the pocket itself, the transversal extension 402 can be made to have suction, as indicated by the grooves to distribute the suction 702 into which open the suction ports 802.

The connection to the source of suction takes place by means of conduits made in the radial clamping wing 302 of the housing pockets and which connect to the actual source by means of a rotary vacuum distributor that is made in a substantitally known manner as in the suction drums or wheels.

With reference to the Fig.s 9 and 12, the inner frame is cut from a web of material 3 which is unwound from a bobbin (not illustrated) the web 3 is fed to a cutting station along a guide plane 6 that forms a supply conduit the opposite side of which is formed at least in the section of the cutting unit by a peripheral outer face 104 of the octagonal transfer wheel 4.

The cutting station S2 has a stationary knife 7 formed by a stationary component placed over the web 3 and that forms a narrow pass through slot for the same below the side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 and by a moving knife 8 in form of a die that engages with its cutting edge 108 turned towards the stationary knife 7 with the facing cutting edge 107 of the same. The two cutting edges 107, 108 are shaped in a complementary manner and corresponding to the edges 201 of the inner frame 1 (Fig.s 13 and 14). The inner frame 1 obtained by of means shearing is pushed by the additional stroke of the head 208 of the moving knife 8 up to against the face 104 is pushed by the additional stroke of the head 208 of the moving knife 8 against the face 104 of the vertical transfer wheel 4. This one is made under suction at least in the section of adherence of the inner frame 1. Said section is provided in correspondence with the front transversal top extremity 204 with reference to the direction of rotation.

The moving knife 8 is driven with a rectilineal vertical forward and backward stroke thanks to an articulated parallelogram 308 part of which is the drive rod 408 that carries the actual knife 8.

The octagonal transfer wheel 4 is fitted staggered on the extremity of an horizontal shaft 10 that is the output shaft of a transmission indicated overall with 11 and that is placed in front of the side of the octagonal wheel 4 opposite to the applicator station S1 of the inner frame. In the executive example illustrated, said transmission is therefore foreseen in front of the front surface of the octagonal wheel 4.

The input shaft 111 of said transmission 11 is connected by means of a removable coupling 12 to a drive shaft 13. The removable coupling 12 is of the type of axial engagement and disengagement of the two parts of the coupling connected to the drive shaft 13 and input shaft 211 of the transmission 11 respectively.

The octagonal wheel 4 has a transversal section in shape of a C and suction holes 204 of the conduits of distribution 304 that connect individual rows of holes or of the chambers of distribution 304 that connect all the holes 204 of the suction zone of the corresponding peripheral side 104 are provided in the axial surfaces corresponding to each section of the peripheral surfaces 104. The axial conduits or the chambers 304 distributing the suction pressure are connected to the vacuum source, in a manner customary for the suction wheels and drums, thanks to chambers for anular distribution or in shape of anular section foreseen in a fixed stator 404 and into which flow the open extremities of the axial conduits of the chambers of distribution 304.

The angular drive steps of the octagonal wheel 4 have an angular amplitude corresponding with each octagon section, in such a way that the wheel always has two diametrically opposed sides in an horizontal position, one facing towards the cutting station S3 and the other towards the top that forms the plane of support of the inner frame of the intermediate transfer station S3 of the inner frames 1.

The constructive unit, that is the box that encloses the transmission 11 of the octagonal wheel 4 is fitted removable, preferably hinged to the support structure of the machine in such a manner that it can be rotated around a vertical axis like a door. Therefore, the wheel and the transmission can be moved into an inactive position uncovering the supply path and the cutting station making them accessible both visibly as well as physically.

The transfer unit of the inner frames from the intermediate transfer station to the applicator station S1 is formed by a rotating pick up head that has a pair of small picker arms 15 with heads 115 to pick up and deposit the inner frame that can be alternatively connected to a vacuum source to carry out the pick up action and the one of discharge of the inner frame.

The small arms are oriented vertically downward and can be moved with a rotation of 180 degrees of the head each alternatively in a position of vertical alignment with the housing pocket 102 of the transfer wheel 2 of the groups of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 and with the horizontal top side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 in the intermediate transfer station S3. The heads 115 in said stations are aligned with the section housing the inner frame 1 circumscribed by the ribs 502 of the housing pocket 102 and with the section of the side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 on which the inner frame 1 is foreseen.

The small vertical arms constitute part of an articulated parallelogram one of the levers 215 of which extends itself 315 inside of the head 15 beyond the fulcrum 415 with an extremity that has a transversal roller protruding staggered from the same and is engaged between two radial

anular shoulders

116, 216 of a vertical rod 16 that is axially movable inside a tubular shaft 17 on the top end of which is mounted the head 15.

The vertical axial movement of the drive rod 16 takes place thanks to a cam 18 that is engaged on the two opposite sides of the track of the cam 118 by rollers with horizontal axes 316 carried by small radial arms 416 on the internal extremity of the same rod 16.

The tubular rotary drive shaft 17 of the head 5 has on its internal end rollers 117 that in turn engage with the cams 119 of an intermittor 19.

The cams 119 of the intermittor 19 and the drive cam 18 of the axial movement of the rod 16 are fitted on a common shaft 20 that is driven by a transmission indicated overall with 21 and of which only the output shaft is shown.

Conduits 22 to supply the suction to the heads 115 of the small arms 15 and that are connected to said heads by means of flexible conduits 23 are made in the body of the head 15 instead.

The pick up head 5, picks up the inner frame by suction on the top side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 in the intermediate transfer station S3 with a movement of discend of the small arms, by activating the suction and returning with an ascending motion to the starting position. The pick up head 5 carries out a rotation of 180 degrees bringing the inner frame in the correct position of alignment with the housing pocket 102 in the applicator station, then the small arms are lowered, the suction is cut off, with the contextual activation of the suction in the transversal extensions 402 of the pocket 102 to retain the inner frame 1 on the same, and the small arms 15 are again brought to the raised position. While one small arms carries out the aforesaid operations, the diametrically opposite arm carries out the same operations but shifted 180 degrees out of phase. That is, one arm picks up the inner frame from the intermediate station S2 and the other deposits the inner frame in the applicator station S1 and vice versa.

The motions of raising and lowering of the arms 15 are carried out at the same time by the two arms 15.

With reference to a further feature of the invention, in the cutting station S2 and/or on the octagonal wheel 4 or oriented against the support section of the inner frame of the octagonal wheel 4 sensors can be provided that detect the correct positioning and/or the correct shape of the inner frame. These sensors can be of any type known in itself and are foreseen in combination with means of rejection of a defective inner frame.

The reject station S4, is illustrated in fig. 16. The means of rejection 30 are formed by a separating/deflecting spatula 130 fitted on an articulated parallelogram for its movement in a parallel or tangential direction to the corresponding side of the octagonal wheel 4. The spatula 130 has a small camber relative to the top horizontal plane 104 of the octagonal wheel (4) in the reject station S4.

In particular, the separating/deflecting spatula 130 is made in shape of a comb, with protruding teeth in front 230 that are designed to penetrate in working condition into anular grooves 31 provided in the octagonal wheel 4. The grooves 31 have a circular bottom surface coaxial to the wheel 4 and extend themselves substantially at a level of a circle inscribed in the shape of the octagonal wheel 4 itself. The orientation of the spatula 30 is according to a secant of the octagonal wheel 4 and of the circular bottom of the grooves 31 and the comb shaped front edge of the spatula 30 is facing directly towards the front edge of the upstrteam side 104 with reference to the direction of rotattion of the octagonal wheel 4. The forward motion in a direction substantially parallel to itself causes the teeth 230 to penetrate into the anular grooves 31 and consequently the deflection of the inner frame on the bottom side of the spatula, whereby the same separates automatically from the side 104 when the octagonal wheel carries out the step of advancement. The rejected inner frame can be left to drop into a reject container 32 below or on conveyor means which remove the rejected inner frames to an appropriate reservoir.

Claims

Feeder/applicator unit of packaging components, such as inserts or inner frames (8) of hinged lid boxes for packaging individual products in manufacture such as individual groups of cigarettes, particularly in packaging machines or similar, with a main manufacturing flow path (P) of the products in the machine and with a supply path (N) of the packaging components to an applicator station (S1), in which the packaging components are applied to the products, characterized in that the applicator station (S1) is laterally staggered to the main manufacturing flow path (P) of the products and is placed in an intermediate position between this main manufacturing flow path (P) and the supply path (N) of the packaging components, transfer means (2) being provided for transferring the products from the main manufacturing flow path (P) in the laterally staggered applicator station (S1) and for transferring the products together with the applied packaging components from the applicator station (S1) back to the main manufacturing flow path (P).
Unit according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the transfer means (2) for transferring the individual products in the applicator station (S1) have holding or housing means (102) for the individual products, such that these are arranged at least in the applicator station (S1) with the face of application of the packaging components in a substantially horizontal position, while conveyor means (4, 5) of the packaging components are provided for transferring the packaging components on a path which is superimposed on said face of application on the products and carry out apart from the parallel motion at least on perpendicular motion to said face of the products, with which the packaging components are deposited on said face of application.
Unit according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the transfer means for transferring the products together with the packaging components from the applicator station (S1) back to the main manufacturing flow path (P) are equipped with retaining means (402, 502, 702, 802) of the packaging components in a position simply overlapping the associated products.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer means for transferring the products together with the packaging components from the applicator station (S1) back on the main manufacturing flow path (P) are formed by the same transfer means for transferring the products from the main manufacturing flow path (P) in the applicator station (S1).
Unit according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said transfer means are formed by a wheel (2) with a vertical axis that has peripherally a plurality of housing pockets (102) or the individual products.
Unit according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the retaining means (402) holding in position each inner frame (1) on its corresponding group of cigarettes during the transfer from the applicator stations (S1) back to the main manufacturing flow path (P) are constituted by housings (502) in shape of at least a partial seating frame for the inner frame or similar (1).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the inner frames or inserts (1) have wings (10) protruding from at least one preferably two peripheral sides of the group of cigarettes and/or the housing pockets (102), while the said housing pocket (102) of the groups of cigarettes has external extensions (402) that carry the -components of the partial seating frame (502) and whose support surfaces of the inner frame (1) are made to be under suction (702, 802).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the supply path (N) of the inserts or inner frames (1) is provided substantially in a position both laterally and vertically staggered relative to the applicator station (S1).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supply path (N) is foreseen in a plane parallel and in front with regards to the main manufacturing flow path (P) of the products and to the applicator station (S1).
Unit according to the claim 9, characterized by the fact that said supply path (N) has a branch substantially parallel to the main manufacturing flow path (P) of the products and a vertical branch, with which the inserts or inner frames (1) are taken to an intermediate station of transfer (S3) at the applicator station (S1).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that upstream of the intermediate transfer station (S3) a cutting station (S2) is provided for cutting the inserts or inner frames (1) from a continuous web of material (3).
Unit according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that said cutting station (S2) is foreseen staggered vertically downward with regards to the intermediate transfer station (S3).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it has transfer means (5) for transferring the inner frames (1) from the intermediate transfer station (S3) to the applicator station (S1) , the said transfer means (5) are suited to pick up the inner frame from the intermediate transfer station by means of a vertical lift and to move it into a position aligned with the partial seating frame (402, 502) on the transfer wheel (102) of the products in the applicator station (S1) by means of a transfer in a plane transversal to the lifting one and to deposit the inner frame (1) in the partial seating frame (402, 502), on the associated side of application of an ordered group of cigarettes by means of a vertical lowering.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the transfer means (5) of the inner frame (1) from the intermediate station (S3) to the applicator station (S1) are formed by at least one or by a plurality, in particular by at least one pair of suction picker arms (15, 115), protruding radially outwards relative to a coaxial support head (5) that is revolving around an axis coaxial witch regards to the picker arms (15) and in steps of rotation corresponding to the number of picker arms (15) and to the respective angular distance between each other and the said head (5) has means of articulation and drive (215, 315, 415) of the picker arms (15, 115) for carrying out the motion of lifting and lowering.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer means (5) of the inner frame (1) from the termediate transfer station (S3) to the applicator station (S1) to the ordered group of cigarettes, have at least one pair of picker arms (15) positioned diametrically opposed to each other with regards to the axis of rotation of the support head (5), while the intermediate transfer station (S3) of the inner frame (1) and the applicator station (1) are themselves also diametrically opposed with regards to the axis of rotation of the support head (5) of the picker arms (15) and complanate to each other , and the picker arms (15) being raised or lowered together while the preferably suction retaining means (22, 23, 115) of the inner frame (1) on the corresponding picker arm(15) are activated in the arm (15) coinciding with the intermediate pick up station (S3) and are deactivated in the applicator station (S1) to pick up the inner frame (1) from the intermediate transfer station (S3) and to release the inner frame (1) on the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station (S1) respectively.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the means are provided to cut (7, 8, 107, 108) the insert or inner frame (1) from a continuous web (3) that are formed by a die or a cutting unit, equipped with a punching head or with a moving knife that has a cutting edge with a shape corresponding to the outline of the insert or inner frame and a counterpart or stationary knife that is formed by the edge of a stationary component or by a stationary slit, whose cutting edge or edges engaging with the ones of the die or of the moving knife are of a shape corresponding to the cutting edge or to the blade of the die or of the knife.
Unit according to the claim 16, characterized by the fact that the peripheral outline of the insert or inner frame (1) is defined in such a way, whereby it becomes necessary to carry out only cuts substantially transversal to the web of malarial (3), in such a manner that the outline of the two transversal cuts is identical, obtaining the insert or the inner frame by means of a single transversal cut of separation that defines the profile of the opposed edges (201) of the inner frame (1), of the cut inner frame (1) and of the one immediately following it, as a moving knife (8) and a stationary knife (7) are provided with cooperating cutting edges or blades (107, 108) that extend themselves from side to side of the two longitudinal sides of the web of material (3) and that are of complementary shape.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that from the cutting station (S2) to the intermediate transfer station (S3), the inserts or the inner frames (1) are transferred thanks to a semicircular path by means of a rotary suction conveyor (4).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the moving cutting knife (8) forms the conveyor of the cut inner frame (1) to the intermediate rotary conveyor (4).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the rotary suction conveyor (4) has on its peripheral surface a plurality of preset suction zones that are equidistant between each other and that are brought in succession in correpondence of the cutting (S2) or punching station, with the suction zones coinciding with the free face of the cut insert or inner frame (1) and with the moving knife (8).
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the rotarty conveyor (4) is formed by a wheel, in particular by a polygonal wheel, especially octagonal, in order to have two diametrically opposed parallel surfaces (104), one coinciding with the cutting (S2) or punching station and the other that forms the support plane of the intermediate station (S3), preferably aligned in the same plane of the applicator station (S1), that is parallel to the surface of the product or of the housing pocket (102), that is of the ordered group of cigarettes on which the insert or inner frame has to be applied.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the axial peripheral surface (104) is aligned in axial direction with the lateral edges of the web (3) and of the cut inserts or inner frames (1) and the suction zone starts from the front edge of said wheel (4) with reference to the direction of rotation.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the wheel (4) is carried staggered by the output shaft (10) of a drive transmission (11) that is provided on the front side of the machine.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transmission (11) has an input shaft (111) that connects with a removable coupling (12) to a drive shaft (13), while the transmission box (11) and the polygonal transfer wheel (4) itself are supported movable, in particular oscillating in an outward and lateral position relative to the supply path (N) of the web (3) and to the cutting station (S2), which thus becomes easily accessible for inspections and maintenance.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer wheel (2) of the products in the applicator station (S1) is provided with removable housings (102) for the products and for the inner frames.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that in combination with the polygonal transfer wheel (4) also separator means (30) of the inner frames are provided for that are arranged in correspondence of an intermediate reject station (S4).
Unit according to claim 26, characterized by the fact that the separator means (30) consist of a deviating component, like a small spatula or similar (130) that on command is movable parallel to its itself between a position of rest, in which it does not engage with the transfer wheel (4), and an active position, in which it engages with said wheel (4) forming a deviating and separating surface of the inner frame from the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) on which it is held.
Unit according to claims 26 and 27, characterized by the fact that the small spatula (130) has a free front edge (230) turned towards the octagonal wheel (4) that is made with at least with one tooth protruding in front, preferably with more than one tooth, in particular in shape of a comb, while the octagonal wheel has in the position aligned with said front teeth (230) of the separating spatula (230) a respective anular groove (31) for each tooth of said spatula (130), the separating spatula (130) being in active position, is moved in direction of the octagonal wheel (4) by a dimension such, whereby the teeth (230) of the front in shape of a comb of the same penetrate into the anular grooves (31).
Unit according to claims 26 to 28, characterized by the fact that the front (230) of the separating spatula (130) is oriented towards the apex of the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) that with reference to the direction of rotation is placed upstream of the separating spatula (130) on each rest period.
Unit according to claims 26 to 29, characterized by the fact that the separating spatula (130) has preferably a smaller inclination than the one of the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) in the area of the reject station (S4) and such, whereby the inner frame (1) to be rejected undergoes a radial deviation outwards relative to the axis of the octagonal wheel (4) itself.
Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims 26 to 30, characterized by the fact that in combination with said deviator/separator means (30, 130, 230) detector means are provided of the correct position and peripheral outline of the insert or inner frame (1), the said means can consist of light sensors arranged both on the corresponding sides of the octagonal wheel (4) in the corresponding positions directly adjacent to some preset points or limits (502) within which the peripheral borders of the insert or inner frame (1) must extend themselves correctly positioned on the polygonal transfer wheel (4) or pointed towards the polygonal wheel (4) and that read the intensity of the reflected light.
Unit according to claim 31, characterized by the fact that the polygonal transfer wheel (4) has a contrasting colour or with a different coefficient of reflection relative to the inserts or inner frames (1) in particular with white inner frames, the octagonal transfer wheel (4) is of a dark colour, especially black.