EP3873813B1

EP3873813B1 - Packing machine

Info

Publication number: EP3873813B1
Application number: EP19805869.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Ghiotti
Original assignee: Sasib SpA
Current assignee: Sasib SpA
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-25
Also published as: PL3873813T3; IT201800009892A1; WO2020089754A1; EP3873813A1

Description

Technical field

This invention relates to the technical sector of machines for packaging products.
In particular, the invention relates to a machine for packaging articles in the tobacco industry, such as, for example, cigarettes, using hinged-lid packets.

Background art

Hinged-lid packets are packets substantially formed by a box-shaped body, which defines a containment space inside of which the product is enclosed, and a lid hinged to an open end of the container body to rotate between an open position and a closed position of the latter.
Each packet is generally made from a blank which has a plurality of crease lines, which substantially delimit the various panels which will form the walls of the container following folding of the blank.
Prior art packing machines form the packet and wrap the blank around the product.
For example, if the product to be packaged is a group of smokers' articles, such as cigarettes, the prior art machines wrap the group in a first wrapping material, usually aluminium, making a partial wrapping, proceeding in subsequent steps to the making of the complete packet.
In particular, the prior art machines comprise a succession of folding stations in which the blank, after having been coupled to the partial wrapping, is progressively folded around it to form the complete packet. However, the Applicant has observed that the prior art has drawbacks which make the use not very well performing and unsuitable for the requirements of the sector.
In effect, the production process delineated by these machines requires alignment with the production speeds of the upstream processes which are designed for making or transferring the article to be packaged.
However, the continuous movement of the prior art machines makes the transfer to the machine of the products to be packaged extremely complex, in particular if these products are formed by a group of articles which must all be moved together.
Document WO 2014/013478 A1 discloses a packaging machine comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the invention is to propose a packaging machine which overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a packaging machine which is able to be effectively integrated inside a production plant, maintaining high levels of quality and production.
The technical purpose indicated and the aim specified are substantially achieved by a packaging machine with the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.
The invention describes a machine for packaging articles in the tobacco industry, in particular for packaging cigarettes using hinged-lid packets, which comprises a first section which moves intermittently and a second section which moves continuously.
A succession of groups of articles are fed to the first section and at least a first wrapping material designed to wrap around each group of articles to obtain a semi-finished packet defining a partial wrapping of each group of articles, in particular an inner wrapper.
The second section, which is configured to receive the semi-finished packets from the first section, and is fed with at least a second wrapping material, in particular a blank made of cardboard, intended to wrap the semi-finished packet to obtain a complete packet.
Advantageously, this structure makes it possible to optimise the process for transferring the articles to the packaging machine and their subsequent processing to make the complete packet.
The dependent claims correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features of the invention and its advantages are more apparent in the non-limiting description below, with reference to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a packaging machine, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine according to the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 show more specifically the first section and a relative detail;
Figure 4 shows in particular the second section;
Figures 5 and 6 show details of the second section.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 100 denotes in general the machine for packaging articles in the tobacco industry according to the invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as the machine 100.
The machine 100 is particularly designed and suitable for packaging articles in the tobacco industry, such as, for example, cigarettes, by means of hinged-lid packets and comprises a first section 100a which moves intermittently and a second section 100b which moves continuously.
The first section 100a, shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, is fed, from production or transport processes situated upstream of the machine 100, with a plurality of articles which will be divided into groups "A" and at least a first wrapping material "B" designed to wrap each group "A" of articles to obtain a semi-finished packet "C" which defines a partial wrapping.
The first wrapping material "B" is, for example, defined by a web of aluminium, tin foil or other paper suitable for covering in a sealed fashion a group of cigarettes retaining the aroma.
The second section 100b, shown in more detail in Figures 4 to 6, is fed from the first section 100a with the semi-finished packet "C" and, from production or transport processes situated upstream of the machine 100, at least a second wrapping material "D", such as, for example, a cardboard blank, designed to wrap the semi-finished packet "C" to make the complete packet "E".
This functional separation of the machine 100, in two areas which work according to different movements, guarantees a correct integration of the machine 100 inside the production plant in which it operates, optimising in particular the process for feeding the articles to be processed.
In effect, the machine 100 is able to process in parallel groups "A" of articles which it receives from the upstream processes, making a semi-finished packet "C" which is then fed to the portion of the machine 100 which operates continuously and is designed for making the complete packet "E".
The making of the semi-finished packet "C" makes it possible to guarantee the containment of the product "A" inside the machine 100, from when it is received in the first section 100a until it is transferred to its second section 100b, where the complete packet "E" will be made.
To transfer the semi-finished packet "C" from the first section 100a to the second section 100b, the machine 100 comprises an interface conveyor 110, interposed between them and configured to receive in an intermittent fashion the semi-finished packets "C" from the first section 100a and then transfer them continuously to the second section 100b.
The interface conveyor 110 therefore makes it possible to mediate the passage of the semi-finished packets "C" from that part of the machine 100 which makes them and which operates intermittently to that part of the machine 100 designed to make the complete packet "E" and which operates continuously.
In particular, the interface conveyor 110 comprises a conveyor belt 111 supported on a support 112 and having a plurality of drawers 113 designed to receive and retain the semi-finished packets "C" arriving from the first section 100a.
Moreover, the conveyor belt 111 defines a closed path which has a forward branch 111a and a return branch 111b.
The forward branch 111a defines a straight forward path facing the first section 100a wherein the semi-finished packets "C" can be transferred intermittently to the interface conveyor 110 from the first section 100a. The return branch 111b defines a straight return path, parallel to the straight forward path, facing the second section 100b, wherein the semi-finished packets "C" can be transferred continuously from the interface conveyor 110 to the second section 100b.
In other words, the forward branch 111a has a discontinuous feed speed, in particular intermittent, whilst the return branch 111b has a continuous and constant feed speed.
To allow the correct coupling and operation of the interface conveyor 110 relative to the first section 100a and to the second section 100b simultaneously, the support 112 is movable along a sliding direction "X" parallel to the path defined by the forward branch 111a and the return branch 111b, according to a loading movement and a repositioning movement.
In particular, the support 112 is always moved along the sliding direction "X" with a feed direction opposite the following movement.
In other words, during operation of the machine 100, the support 112 is moved alternately along the sliding direction "X" according to a loading movement, therefore with a first feed direction, or according to the repositioning movement, therefore with a second feed direction opposite to the first feed direction.
In particular, during the loading movement the speed of movement of the support 112 is of equal module and direction and opposite sense relative to a tangential speed of movement of the forward branch 111a of the conveyor belt 111 in such a way that the drawers 112 present in the forward branch 111b are substantially stationary relative to the first section 100a to receive from it semi-finished packets C, with intermittent motion.
In other words, during the loading movement, the support 112 moves along the sliding direction "X" at a speed such as to compensate overall for the speed of rotation of the forward branch 111a of the conveyor belt 111 relative to the support 112 (for example, by feeding the support 112 and making the forward branch 111a slide backwards).
In this way, the drawers 113 present in the toward branch 111a are substantially fixed, both relative to the first section 100a and relative to the second section 100b.
On the other hand, the drawers 113 present in the return branch 111b have an overall speed, relative to the first section 100a and to the second section 100b, greater than only the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 111, since the positive contribution given by the speed of movement of the support 112 will be added, which has the same direction as the tangential speed of movement of the return branch 111b.
In particular, when the support 112 is moved according to the loading movement, the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 111 in the return branch 111b added to the speed of movement of the support 112 will be equal to a predetermined transfer speed designed to allow the continuous transfer of the semi-finished packets "C" from the interface conveyor 110 to the second section 100b.
On the other hand, during the repositioning movement, the speed of movement of the support 112 is equal to a tangential speed of movement of the forward branch 111a of the conveyor belt 111 in such a way that the drawers 113 present in the forward branch 111a are movable relative to the first section 100a and in particular with a speed greater than the speed (constant) with which the drawers 113 of the return branch 111b move.
In other words, during the repositioning movement, the drawers 113 which have been filled when the support 112 follows the loading movement move away from the forward branch 111a, therefore no longer facing the first section 100a, and gradually move close to the return branch 100b in such a way as to face the second section 100b.
In the same way, the further empty drawers 113 will progressively enter the forward branch 111a, in such a way that at the end of the repositioning movement they will be facing the first section 100a and will therefore be ready to receive the semi-finished packets "C" during the subsequent loading movement of the support 112.
At the same time, the drawers 113 present in the return branch 111b have an overall speed, relative to the first section 100a and to the second section 100b, which is less than the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 111, since the contribution given by the speed of movement of the support 112 will be subtracted, which in this case has a direction opposite to the tangential speed of movement of the return branch 111b.
However, it is necessary that, when the support 112 is moved according to the loading movement, the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 111 in the return branch 111b added to the speed of movement of the support 112 is in any case equal to the predetermined transfer speed.
In this way it is possible to guarantee that the speed of the drawers 113 present in the return branch 111b is always such as to allow the continuous transfer of the semi-finished packets "C" from the interface conveyor 110 to the second section 100b.
That is to say, the rotation speed of the conveyor belt 111 and of the movement of the support 112 are modified, only one or both, depending on whether the loading or repositioning movement is performed, in such a way that the drawers 113 present in the return branch 111b are movable relative to the second section 100b again according to the transfer speed, which remains constant irrespective of the movement performed by the support 112, in such a way as to allow continuous transfer to the second section 100b of the semi-finished packets "C" which have been received from the first section 100a.
More in detail, the first section 100a comprises a grouping station 120, a station 130 for feeding the first wrapping material "B" and a wrapping station 140.
The grouping station 120 is configured to receive a plurality of articles from a process upstream of the machine 100, forming them in groups "A" and transferring them intermittently to the wrapping station 140.
In particular, the grouping station 120 comprises a vertical hopper 121 into which the articles are introduced through an infeed upper opening 121a.
The bottom portion of the hopper 121, of known type, is divided into a plurality of lower mouths 121b arranged side by side horizontally and each divided by a plurality of walls into substantially vertical channels arranged side by side horizontally.
Each of the channels is designed to receive into it a stack of articles superposed on each other.
Suitable extractor elements extract the articles in succession from the bottom ends of the channels, at each bottom mouth 121b of the hopper, to form them in separate groups "A" for example by releasing layers to form a group of standard cigarettes (for example twenty cigarettes).
The grouping station 120 comprises a grouping conveyor 122 which has a plurality of drawers 122a designed to receive respective groups "A" of articles after they have been formed at the outfeed from the hopper 121. The drawers 122a have lateral openings to allow insertion of the articles on one side and extraction on the other side. Preferably, in the case of cigarettes, the direction of insertion and extraction coincides with the axis of the cigarettes.
The drawers 122a are moved intermittently along a first path in which they face the outfeed of respective lower mouths 121b of the hopper 121, in such a way as to be able to receive from them the groups "A" of articles, and along a second path in which they face the wrapping station 140, in such a way as to be able to transfer to it the groups "A" of articles. Advantageously, the first section 100a of the machine 100 comprises pushing means, not shown in the accompanying drawings, configured for pushing each group "A" of articles entering the respective drawer 122a of the grouping conveyor 122 along a feed direction "Y", perpendicular to the sliding direction "X" of the support 112 of the interface conveyor 110, which is preferably parallel to a main direction of extension of the articles. The first section 100a also comprises pushing means configured to push each group "A" of articles feeding out of the respective drawer 122a of the grouping conveyor 122 along the feed direction "Y" to facilitate their transfer to the wrapping station 140.
The station 130 for feeding the first wrapping material "B" is configured for feeding and positioning the first wrapping material "B" lying transversal to the feed direction "Y" of the groups "A" of articles coming out from the grouping station 122 in such a way that each group "A" of articles meets and deforms the respective first wrapping material "B" obtaining an at least partial wrapping around the group A of articles, preferably obtaining a partial winding in a "U" shape.
In particular, the feed station 130 comprises supports 131, configured to retain reels of first wrapping material "B", and guides 132, configured to grip the sides of a web of first wrapping material "B" which can be unwound from the reels, guiding it along a working path.
The feed station comprises cutting means positioned along the working path and configured for cutting the web made of first wrapping material "B" along a cutting direction transversal to the feed direction of the web along the working path.
In this way, the continuous web made of first wrapping material "B" is separated into a plurality of sheets "F" which are separate and each designed to make the partial wrapping around a respective group "A" of articles.
Moreover, the guides 132 extend beyond the cutting means until they are interposed between the grouping station 120 and the wrapping station 140.
In this way it is possible to guide the sheets "F" in such a way that they are interposed, preferably lying flat, between the grouping station 120 and the wrapping station 140, so that the groups "A" feeding out of the drawers 122a of the grouping conveyor 122 engage respective sheets "F" deforming them and pulling them inside the wrapping station 140, disconnecting them from the guides 132 and obtaining the partial U-shaped wrapping.
It should be noted that the pushing members, as well as allowing the transfer of the groups "A" to and from the grouping conveyor 122, also perform the function (preferably by a single movement) of pushing each group "A" until it encounters the sheet "F" made of first wrapping material "B", favouring the at least partial wrapping of the sheets "F" around the respective groups "A", also promoting the disengagement from the guides 132.
The wrapping station 140, shown in detail in Figure 3, is configured to receive the group "A" of articles at least partially wrapped in the first wrapping material "B" from the grouping station 120 and comprising respective folding means designed to completely fold the first wrapping material "B" around the group "A" of articles producing the semi-finished packet "C".
In particular, the wrapping station 140 has fixed folding guides 140a at the infeed which facilitate the partial folding of the sheet "F" into first wrapping material "B".
The folding guides 140a have a shape such as to define a passage for inserting the group "A" wherein the sheets "F" are gradually folded closing around the respective group "A" of articles.
Moreover, the wrapping station 140 is configured to define a position for stopping the group "A" at least partly wrapped in the first wrapping material "B", in particular in a respective sheet "F", in such a way that the folding means can act by completely folding the first wrapping material "B" around the group "A" of articles when this is stationary in the stop position, making the semi-finished packet "C".
The wrapping station 140 also comprises feed means 141 configured for conveying the semi-finished packet "C" from the stop position towards the interface conveyor 110.
In other words, the pusher elements push the groups "A" of articles in such a way that the latter engage respective sheets "F" made of first wrapping material "B" and are transferred to the wrapping station 140, inside of which they reach the stop position.
During this transfer, under the action of the groups "A" pushed by the pushing members and thanks to the presence of the folding guides 141a, the sheets "F" are partly wrapped around the respective groups "A".
At this point, the folding means complete the wrapping of the first wrapping material "B" around the respective group "A", thereby making the semi-finished packet "C".
It is therefore necessary to move the semi-finished packets "C", by means of the feed means 141, at the outfeed from the wrapping station 140, to be able to feed them to the interface conveyor 110.
More in detail, the feed means 141 comprise one or more loop conveyors 142 with intermittent movement each equipped with pushing and/or stopping fingers 143.
The fingers 142 are movable along a closed path in such a way as to stop each group "A" of articles coming from the grouping station 120 and at least partly wrapped in the first wrapping material "B" and/or for pushing the corresponding semi-finished packet "C" towards the interface conveyor 110.
The number of loop conveyors 142, in the embodiment of Figure 3 equal to three, may be selected as a function of the ratio between the time necessary for completion of folding of the sheet F on the group "A" of articles and the release frequency of the semi-finished packets "C" to the interface conveyor 110.
In particular, an increase in the folding time may correspond to a greater number of loop conveyors 142 to compensate for the need for a predetermined release frequency.
Moreover, the loop conveyors 142 operate in parallel and can operate simultaneously or with times offset from each other, in particular each of them releases a semi-finished packet "C" whilst the semi-finished packets "C" in the other loop conveyors 142 are still in folding step in the stop position.
Once completed, the semi-finished packet "C" is then transferred, by means of an interface conveyor 110, to the second section 100b where the production of the complete packet "E" will be finalised.
In particular, the second section 100b, shown in Figure 4, comprises a transfer conveyor 150, a station 160 for preforming the second wrapping material "D" and a coupling station 170.
The transfer conveyor 150 is equipped with continuous movement and comprises a plurality of pockets 151 designed to receive respective semi-finished packets "C" from the interface conveyor 110, moving them along a direction parallel to the sliding direction "X".
The preforming station 160, shown in more detail in Figure 5, is configured to preform the second wrapping material "D" in such a way as to prepare it to wrap around the semi-finished packet "C" and to convey it to the coupling station 170 where the actual assembly of the two elements will occur.
According to the preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying drawings, the second wrapping material "D" is made in the form of blanks "G", preferably made of cardboard, which have a first portion designed to make a box-shaped body and a second portion designed to make a hinged opening/closing lid.
Preferably, also, the blank "G" is of the type having a main direction of extension parallel to the direction of extension of the packet obtained therefrom (and parallel to the cigarettes contained therein in the case of cigarette packets).
In particular, the preforming station 160 comprises a station 161 for transferring blanks "G", a station for preparing collars "H" and assembly means 163 designed to receive the blanks "G" and the collars "H" coupling them stably to each other.
The transfer station 161 in turn comprises a magazine 161a in which the blanks "G" are positioned and at least one intermediate conveyor 161b configured to retain, preferably by suction, a succession of blanks "G" picked up from the magazine 161a and transfer them to the assembly means 163.
The station 162 for preparing collars "H" comprises, on the other hand, supports configured for retaining reels made of material designed to make the collars "H".
The preparing station 162 also comprises preparing means configured for unrolling the above-mentioned reels and cutting the portions to make the collars "H", feeding them to the assembly means 163.
The assembly means 163 designed to receive the blanks "G" and collars "H" and are configured for forming a coupling, preferably by gluing, of each collar "H" to the first portion of a respective blank "G" and to form a next fold of the first portion of the blank "G" to form the box-shaped body in such a way that it has a mouth facing the second portion of the blank "G". In other words, the assembly means are configured for picking up collars "H" and blanks "G" constraining them stably to each other and folding the blanks around the collars "H", thereby forming the container body.
In particular, the assembly means 163 comprise an assembly carousel 164 equipped with a plurality of peripheral spindles 165 and configured for moving each spindle 164 about an axis of the carousel 165 through the station 162 for preparing the collars "H", wherein each collar "H" is rested and preferably folded on a respective spindle 165, and subsequently towards the transfer station 161 of the blanks "G", in which a respective blank "G" is rested and preferably partly folded on the spindle 165 and on the respective collar "H" after having been glued to the collar.
In other words, the assembly means 163 comprise a plurality of spindles 165 mounted on the assembly carousel 164 which is moved in such a way as to define an assembly path along which the collars "H" are first picked up and then the respective blanks "G".
The assembly carousel 164 comprises a plurality of folding units 166 configured for folding the first portion of the blank "G" about the respective spindle 165 in such a way as to form the container body, without operating on its second portion, in such a way that the blank "G" has a box-shaped body with a mouth facing the axis of rotation of the assembly carousel 164.
In this way, the spindles 165 collect in succession a respective collar "H" on which is then rested a respective blank "G", which under the action of the folding units 166 is folded about the spindle 165 which performs the function of supporting and allows the making of the box-shaped body around the collar "H".
Each spindle 165 is also slidably movable along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the assembly carousel 164, in such a way as to be axially removable from the mouth of the respective box-shaped body whilst it is supported independently by the spindle 165 (and in particular by means which are described below).
For example, the preforming station 160 may comprise gripping means (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) configured for retaining and supporting the container body preventing a deformation during and after the withdrawal of the respective spindle 165, that is to say, before and during its transfer to the coupling station 170.
In this way, the box-shaped body of the blank "G" is kept in shape even once the respective spindle 165 has been extracted.
The coupling station 170, shown in more detail in Figure 6, is therefore configured for receiving each semi-finished packet "C" from the transfer conveyor 110 coupling it with a respective blank "G" partly folded and coupled with a collar "H", making a complete packet "E".
More in detail, the coupling station 170 comprises an insertion station 171, in which the semi-finished packet "C" is inserted in the box-shaped body, and a finishing station 172 in which the folding of the second portion of the blank "G" to make the lid of the container is performed.
In particular, the insertion station 171 is configured for receiving a succession of semi-finished packets "C" from the transfer conveyor 110 and a succession of blanks "G" partly folded and having the respective box-shaped body and for inserting each semi-finished packet "C" in a respective box-shaped body through its mouth, along a direction of insertion parallel to the feed direction "Y".
The insertion station 171 in turn comprises an insertion carousel 173 alongside the transfer conveyor 150 and equipped with peripheral gripping units 174 configured to retain respective blanks "G", partly folded and having the respective box-shaped body, with the mouth facing towards the transfer conveyor 150.
As well as holding in position the blank "G", these peripheral gripping units 174 allow the structural integrity to be maintained, preventing the mechanical stress to which it is subjected due to the high operating speeds of the machine 100 from damaging the container body.
The insertion station 171 also comprises a respective pushing unit configured to transfer each semi-finished packet C from the respective pocket 151 of the transfer conveyor 150 towards the mouth of a box-shaped body held by a respective peripheral gripping unit 174 of the insertion carousel 173.
In other words, the transfer conveyor 150 has a portion facing the insertion station 171 at which there is the pushing unit, which extracts the semi-finished packet "C" from the respective housing 151, pushing it inside the container body, in such a way that the semi-finished packet is coupled to the second wrapping material "D", in particular inserted inside it.
More in detail, the pushing unit of the insertion station 171 has an alternating movement along a direction of movement parallel to the direction of movement of the pushing unit of the first section, that is to say, parallel to the feed direction "Y".
In order to favour the correct coupling of the semi-finished packet "C" with the second wrapping material "D", the insertion station 171 may comprise insertion guides (not illustrated) configured for guiding the semi-finished packet "C" when this is moved by the pushing unit inserted in the container body defined by the partly folded blank "G".
The finishing station 172 is positioned downstream of the insertion station 171 and comprises a finishing carousel 175, located downstream of the insertion carousel 173 and equipped with peripheral finishing units configured to fold the second portion of the blank "G" to form the hinged lid.
It should be noted, therefore, that in the second section 100b there is the complete packet "E" which couples an inner wrapper, that is, the semi-finished packet "C", with an outer wrapper, that is, the second wrapping material "D", in the form of a blank "G" partly folded to make the body of a container which defines a containment space inside of which to insert the semi-finished packet "C".
Advantageously, the machine 100 according to the invention makes it possible to make separately the inner and outer wrapper of the complete packet "E", and it is not therefore necessary to apply the second wrapping material "D" to the semi-finished packet "C" by folding it around the latter. This avoids subjecting the semi-finished packet "C" to a continuous and significant mechanical stress due to the action of respective folding means which manipulate the blank "G" to form the container.
According to an aspect of the invention, the second section 100b also comprises a transfer wheel 178 operating between the assembly carousel 164 and the insertion station 171 to grip each blank "G", at the box-shaped body, whilst it is positioned on the assembly carousel 164 facilitating the extraction of the respective spindle 165, and for transferring the blank "G" to the insertion station 171 with an orientation such as to face the mouth of the box-shaped body to the transfer conveyor 150.
Moreover, downstream of the finishing station 172, the machine 100 comprises an outfeed station 180 configured for picking up the complete packets "E" and conveying them in the direction of a further process, for example production, transport or storage, located downstream of the machine 100.
In particular, the outfeed station 180 comprises an outfeed conveyor 181 configured to receive and transport the complete packets "E" and a drum 182 acting between the finishing station 172 and the outfeed conveyor to grip each complete packet "E" and to transfer it to the outfeed conveyor 181.
More in detail, the drum 182 has a plurality of arms designed to pick up and retain, preferably by suction, respective complete packets "E".
These arms are movable in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum and are configured to rotate by 180° the complete packets "E" before transferring them to the outfeed conveyor 181.
Advantageously, the invention achieves the preset aims overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art by providing the user with a high efficiency packaging machine which is able to produce high quality complete packets "E".
In effect, the machine 100 according to the invention is able to interface optimally with the production processes upstream, receiving from them the articles to be packaged and providing complete packets "E" to the production processes downstream.

Claims

A machine for packaging articles in the tobacco industry, in particular for packaging cigarettes by means of hinged-lid packets, comprising a first section (100a) equipped with intermittent motion and to which, during the operation, are fed a plurality of articles and at least one first wrapping material (B) intended to wrap respective groups (A) of the articles to obtain a semi-finished packet (C) defining a partial wrapping of each group (A) of articles, in particular an inner wrapper; and a second section (100b) equipped with continuous motion configured to receive the semi-finished packets (C) from the first section (100a) and to which, during the operation, is fed at least a second wrapping material (D), in particular a blank (G) made of cardboard, intended to wrap the semi-finished packet (C) to obtain a complete packet (E);
in which the machine comprises an interface conveyor (110) interposed between the first and the second section (100a, 100b), the interface conveyor (110) being configured to receive the semi-finished packets (C) according to an intermittent movement from the first section (100a) and to transfer the semi-finished packets (C) to the second section (100b) according to a continuous movement;

the machine being characterized in that the interface conveyor (110) comprises:
- a conveyor belt (111) having a plurality of drawers (113) designed to receive and retain the semi-finished packet (C) and defining a closed path, the closed path having an forward branch (111a) defining a straight forward path facing the first section (100a) and a return branch (111b) defining a straight return path, parallel to the straight forward path, facing the second section (100b);

- a support (112) of the conveyor belt (111), which is movable along a sliding direction (X), parallel to the paths defined by the forward (111a) and return (111b) branches, according to a loading movement and a repositioning movement;

wherein during the loading movement the speed of movement of the support (112) is of equal module and direction and opposite sense relative to a tangential speed of movement of the forward branch (111a) of the conveyor belt (111) in such a way that the drawers (113) present in the forward branch (111a) are substantially stationary relative to the first section (100a) to receive from the first section (100a) semi-finished packets (C), with intermittent motion; wherein during the repositioning movement the speed of movement of the support (112) is of equal direction and sense and different module relative to a tangential speed of movement of the forward branch (111a) of the conveyor belt (111) in such a way that the drawers (113) present in the forward branch (111a) are movable relative to the first section (100a) and wherein during the loading and repositioning movement the drawers (113) present in the return section (111b) are movable relative to the second section (100b) with a constant speed to transfer products to the second section (100b) in a continuous fashion.
The machine according to claim 1, wherein the first section (100a) comprises:
- a grouping station (120) configured to receive a plurality of articles, forming respective groups (A);

- a station (130) for feeding the first wrapping material (B) configured for feeding and positioning the first wrapping material (B) lying transversal to a feed direction (Y) of the groups (A) of articles coming out from the grouping station (120) in such a way that each group (A) of articles meets and deforms the respective first wrapping material (B) obtaining an at least partial wrapping of the first wrapping material (B) around the group (A) of articles, preferably obtaining a partial winding in a "U" shape;

- a wrapping station (140) configured to receive the groups (A) of articles at least partially wrapped in the first wrapping material (B) from the grouping station (120) and comprising respective folding means designed to completely fold the first wrapping material (B) around the group (A) of articles producing the semi-finished packet (C).
The machine according to claim 2, wherein the first section (100a) comprises at least one pushing unit configured to push each group (A) of articles coming out from the respective drawer of the grouping station (120) along the feed direction (Y) until the group (A) of articles encounters the respective first wrapping material (B) to obtain the at least partial wrapping of the first wrapping material (B) around the group (A) of articles.
The machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wrapping station (140) is configured to define a stop position of the group (A) of articles at least partly wrapped in the first wrapping material (B) in such a way that the folding means completely fold the first wrapping material (B) around the group (A) of articles in the stop position defining the semi-finished packet (C), the wrapping station (140) also comprising feed means (141) configured to convey the semi-finished packet (C) from the stop position towards the interface conveyor (110).
The machine according to claim 4, wherein the feed means (141) comprise a loop conveyor (142) with intermittent movement equipped with fingers (143) for pushing and/or stopping movable along a closed path in such a way as to stop each group (A) of articles coming from the grouping station (120) and at least partly wrapped in the first wrapping material (B) and/or for pushing the corresponding semi-finished packet (C) towards the interface conveyor (110).
The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second section (100b) comprises:
- a transfer conveyor (150) equipped with continuous movement and comprising a plurality of pockets (151) designed to receive respective semi-finished packets (C) from the interface conveyor (110);

- a station (160) for preforming the second wrapping material (D);

- a coupling station (170) configured to receive each semi-finished packet (C) from the transfer conveyor (150) and coupling the semi-finished packet (C) with the respective second wrapping material (D), forming a complete packet (E).
The machine according to claim 6, wherein the preforming station (160) of the second wrapping material (D) comprises:
- a station (161) for transferring the second wrapping material (D), the second wrapping material (D) comprising a plurality of blanks (G), preferably made of cardboard, having a first portion designed to make a box-shaped body and a second portion designed to make a hinged opening/closing lid;

- a station (162) for preparing collars;

- assembly means (163) designed to receive the blanks (G) and collars (H) and designed for forming a coupling, preferably by gluing, of each collar (H) to the first portion of a respective blank (G) and to form a next fold of the first portion of the blank (G) to form the box-shaped body in such a way that the box-shaped body has a mouth facing the second portion of the blank (G).
The machine according to claim 7, wherein the assembly means (163) comprise an assembly carousel (164) equipped with a plurality of spindles (165) and configured for moving each spindle (165) through the station (162) for preparing the collars (H), wherein each collar (H) is rested and preferably folded on a respective spindle (165), and the feed station (130) of the blanks (G) in which a respective blank (G) is rested and preferably partly folded on the spindle (165) and on the respective collar (H); the assembly carousel (164) having a plurality of folding units (166) configured for folding the first portion of the blank (G) about the respective spindle (165) in such a way that the mouth of the box-shaped body is facing the axis of rotation of the assembly carousel (164).
The machine according to claim 8, wherein each spindle (165) is slidably movable along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the assembly carousel (164) in such a way as to be axially removable from the mouth of the respective box-shaped body whilst the box-shaped body is supported independently by the spindle (165).
The machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the coupling station (170) comprises:
- an insertion station (171) configured to receive a succession of semi-finished packets (C) from the transfer conveyor (150) and a succession of blanks (G) which are partly folded and having the respective box-shaped body; and for inserting each semi-finished packet (C) in a respective box-shaped body through the mouth of the box-shaped body along an insertion direction;

- a finishing station (172) located downstream of the insertion station (171) and configured to fold the second portion of the blank (G) to form the hinged lid.
The machine according to claim 10, wherein the insertion station (171) comprises an insertion carousel (173) alongside the transfer conveyor (150) and equipped with peripheral gripping units (174) configured to retain respective blanks (G), partly folded and having the respective box-shaped body, with the mouth facing towards the transfer conveyor (150); and a respective pushing unit configured to transfer each semi-finished packet (C) from the respective pocket of the transfer conveyor (150) towards the mouth of a box-shaped body held by a respective peripheral unit of the insertion carousel (173).
The machine according to claim 11, wherein the pushing unit (171) of the insertion station has alternating motion along a direction of movement parallel to the direction of movement of the pushing unit of the first section (100a).
The machine according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the insertion station (171) comprises insertion guides configured to facilitate the partial insertion of the semi-finished packet (C) inside the box-shaped body of the respective blank (G).
The machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the finishing station (172) comprises a finishing carousel (175) located downstream of the insertion carousel (173) and equipped with peripheral finishing units configured to fold the second portion of the blank (G) to form the hinged lid.
The machine according to claim 10 when it depends on claim 8, wherein the second section (100b) also comprises a transfer wheel (178) operating between the assembly carousel (164) and the insertion station (171) to grip each blank (G), at the box-shaped body, whilst it is positioned on the assembly carousel (164) facilitating the extraction of the respective spindle (165), and for transferring the blank (G) to the insertion station (171) with an orientation such as to face the mouth of the box-shaped body to the transfer conveyor (150).