EP4647350A2

EP4647350A2 - Cartoning machine and wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: EP4647350A2
Application number: EP25170590.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide Parazza; Terence TONELLI
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2024-04-17
Filing date: 2025-04-15
Publication date: 2025-11-12
Also published as: EP4647350A3

Abstract

Cartoning machine (8) and wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles. The following are provided: a wrapping drum (11) which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis (12) and supports at least one pocket (13) designed to contain a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; a first transfer station (S1) where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is inserted into the pocket (13); a second transfer station (S2) where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is removed from the pocket (13); a feeding device (14) configured to feed a wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) and in the area of the first transfer station (S1) so that the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, by entering the pocket (13), pulls along the wrapping sheet (10) which folds itself into a "U"-shape around the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; and a first folding device (18) which is arranged downstream of the first transfer station (S1) and is configured to fold a first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) projecting out of the pocket (13) by 90°. The feeding device (14) can be configured to place, in a first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that a second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) opposite the first end (15) lies inside the pocket (13) without projecting out of the pocket (13) or it can be configured to place, in a second operating mode, which is different from and alternative to the first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) also projects out of the pocket (13).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000008761 filed on April 17, 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cartoning machine and to a wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles.

PRIOR ART

A carton of packs for cigarettes contains a group of packs for cigarettes having a parallelepiped shape overall; generally, ten packs for cigarettes are provided, divided into two rows of five packs for cigarettes each. The group of packs for cigarettes is contained in a rigid container obtained by folding a rigid blank around the group of packs for cigarettes or in a soft wrapping obtained by folding a soft wrapping sheet around the group of packs for cigarettes. An overwrap made of transparent plastic material is generally wrapped around the rigid container or soft wrapping.
Patent applications IT201900004167A1 and IT201900004159A1 represent the closest state of the art and describe a packer machine for applying a transparent plastic overwrap to a pack for cigarettes.
Patent application JPH10139002A describes feeding the wrapping sheet to a packer machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a cartoning machine and a wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles, such cartoning machine and wrapping method being simple to achieve and allowing operating at a high production speed (measured as cartons produced in the unit of time).
In accordance with the present invention, a cartoning machine and a wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles are provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.
The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting example embodiments thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a plant for producing and packing cigarettes;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a wrapping drum of a cartoning machine of the production plant of Figure 1 which produces cartons of packs for cigarettes;
Figures 3-6 are four schematic views and at different operating instants of a wrapping conveyor of the cartoning machine;
Figure 7 is a schematic view of a variation of the wrapping drum of Figure 2;
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are three perspective views of respective groups of packs for cigarettes intended for forming cartons of packs for cigarettes;
Figure 11 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine forming the group of packs for cigarettes of Figure 8;
Figure 12 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine forming the group of packs for cigarettes of Figure 9;
Figure 13 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine forming the group of packs for cigarettes of Figure 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, a plant 1 for producing and packing cigarettes is schematically illustrated, which produces packs 2 for cigarettes which are joined in cartons 3.
Each pack 2 for cigarettes has a parallelepiped shape having two head walls opposite each other (which are the smaller walls of the pack 2 for cigarettes), two minor side walls opposite each other (which are the two intermediate sized walls of the pack 2 for cigarettes), and two major side walls opposite each other (which are the larger walls of the pack 2 for cigarettes). That is, in each pack 2 for cigarettes, the minor side walls are more extended (have a larger area) than the head walls and the major side walls are more extended (have a larger area) than the minor side walls (and thus of the head walls).
The plant 1 comprises a filtered-cigarette producing machine 4 (composed of the union of a manufacturing machine and a filter applying machine), a packer machine 5 which receives the cigarettes from the producing machine 4 (through an intermediate magazine 6) and makes the packs 2 for cigarettes, a cellophane-wrapping machine 7 which receives the packs 2 for cigarettes from the packer machine 5 and makes an overwrap of the packs 2 for cigarettes in respective wrapping sheets of transparent plastic material, and a cartoning machine 8 which forms groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes (typically composed of ten packs 2 for cigarettes each) and applies a paper/cardboard wrapper and a subsequent transparent plastic overwrap around each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes to form a respective carton 3.
The cartoning machine 8 operates with intermittent motion (i.e., a motion which includes a cyclic alternation of motion phases and stop phases) and comprises a forming unit in which the groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes are formed in succession, and a wrapping unit (schematically and partially illustrated in Figures 2-6) in which a respective rigid blank (not illustrated) is initially wrapped around each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes, and then a wrapping sheet 10 of transparent and heat-sealable plastic material (illustrated in Figure 2) is subsequently wrapped to make a carton 3. According to an alternative embodiment, only the wrapping sheet 10 (illustrated in Figure 2) is wrapped around each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes to make a carton 3.
According to what is illustrated in Figure 2, the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8 comprises a wrapping drum 11 (disposed vertically) which is mounted so as to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis 12 and supports four pockets 13, each of which is designed to contain a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes coupled to a wrapping sheet 10 (according to other embodiments not illustrated, the wrapping drum 11 may comprise a different number of pockets 13, for example only two pockets 13 or six or eight pockets 13). The wrapping drum 11 turning around the rotation axis 12 conveys each pocket 13 along a circular wrapping path P1 between a transfer station S1 where the pocket receives a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes coupled to a wrapping sheet 10 and a transfer station S2 where the pocket 10 yields the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes coupled to the wrapping sheet 10.
The cartoning machine 8 comprises a feeding device 14 which is arranged in the area of the transfer station S1 and is configured to feed in succession the wrapping sheets 10 in front of the pockets 13 of the wrapping drum 11, which are stationary in the transfer station S1; in this manner, each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes, by entering a respective pocket 10, which is stationary in the transfer station S1, pulls along the wrapping sheet 10, which folds itself into a "U"-shape around the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes.
When the wrapping sheet 10 folds itself into a "U"-shape around a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes entering a pocket 13, which is stationary in the transfer station S1, the wrapping sheet 10 has one end 15 which comes out of the pocket 13 and an opposite end 16 which lies inside the pocket 13 without projecting out of the pocket 13 and lies on a wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. In other words, the feeding device 14 is configured to place each wrapping sheet 10 in front of a pocket 13, which is stationary in the transfer station S1, so that the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 projects out of the pocket 13 and the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 opposite the end 15 lies inside the pocket 13 without projecting out of the pocket 13.
The cartoning machine 8 comprises a folding device 18 which is arranged immediately downstream of the transfer station S1 and is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 projecting out of the pocket 13 by 90° against a wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes which is perpendicular to the wall 17. The cartoning machine 8 further comprises a folding device 20, which is arranged in the area of the transfer station S2 and is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° on the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes when the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes coupled to the wrapping sheet 10 exits from the pocket 13 which is stationary in the transfer station S2.
According to a preferred but non-binding embodiment, the cartoning machine 8 comprises a fixed profile 21 which surrounds the wrapping drum 11 between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2 and constitutes both the folding device 18 and the folding device 20. In other words, the fixed profile 21 is a rigid body fixed to a frame of the cartoning machine 8 so as not to perform any type of movement in use, has a circumferential arc shape, and seamlessly surrounds the wrapping drum 11 between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2; an initial portion of the fixed profile 21 constitutes the folding device 18 while a final portion of the fixed profile 21 constitutes the folding device 20. Immediately downstream of the transfer station S1, the end 15 of a wrapping sheet 10 impacting against the initial part of the fixed profile 21 (which constitutes the folding device 18) is folded by 90° against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes and is kept in this position until the transfer station S2. In the transfer station S2, when the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes exits from the stationary pocket 10, the end 5 of the wrapping sheet 10 impacting against the final part of the fixed profile 21 (which constitutes the folding device 20) folds by 90° on the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes.
The cartoning machine 8 comprises a sealing device 22 (schematically illustrated in Figure 2) which is arranged downstream of the transfer station S2 and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10. That is, the sealing device 22 acts outside the wrapping drum 11 and downstream of the wrapping drum 11 (i.e., after the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 has exited from the respective pocket 13 of the wrapping drum 11).
According to what is illustrated in Figures 3-6, the cartoning machine 8 comprises a linear wrapping conveyor 23 which is configured to convey each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along a straight and horizontal wrapping path P2. According to a preferred embodiment, the wrapping conveyor 23 supports the sealing device 22, i.e., the sealing device 22 is integrated in the wrapping conveyor 23.
The wrapping conveyor 23 comprises fixed profiles 24, which are oriented parallel to the wrapping path P2 and delimit a channel, inside which the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 slides, being pushed from behind. Furthermore, the wrapping conveyor 23 comprises a rigid support body 25, pushing members 26 integral to the support body 25 and configured to push the groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the respective wrapping sheets 10 along the wrapping path P2, and sealing heads 27 which are integral to the support body 25 and are configured to apply pressure and heat to the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the wrapping conveyor 23 comprises three pushing members 26 and two sealing heads 27, but according to other embodiments a different number of pushing members 26 and sealing heads 27 is provided.
The pushing members 26 are integral to the support body 25 and are arranged at a distance from one another, which is equal to a conveying pitch of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2; similarly, the sealing heads 27 are integral to the support body 25 and are arranged at a distance from one another, which is equal to the conveying pitch of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2.
The wrapping conveyor 23 comprises an actuator device 28 configured to move the support body 25 both along a horizontal direction D1 parallel to the wrapping path P2, and along a vertical direction D2 perpendicular to the wrapping path P2 and to the direction D1.
The law of motion which the actuator device 28 cyclically applies to the support body 25 starting from an initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) to both convey the groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes along the wrapping path P2, and seal the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheets 10 is described below.
When the support body 25 lies in the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3), a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is removed from a pocket 10, which is stationary in the transfer station S2, and is inserted into the wrapping conveyor 23; in the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) the support body 25 is (relatively) far from the wrapping path P2 so that the pushing members 26 and the sealing heads 27 are outside the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24 (to allow the entry of a new group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes at the beginning of the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24).
The actuator device 28 is configured to apply to the support body 25 and starting from the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) an approaching stroke (illustrated in Figure 4) along the direction D2 which causes the sealing heads 27 to come into contact with the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the respective wrapping sheets 10 (as illustrated in Figure 4). Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a departure stroke (illustrated in Figure 5) to the support body 25 along the direction D2, which causes the sealing heads 27 to move away from the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the respective wrapping sheets 10 (to allow conveying the groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes), leaving the pushing members 26 inside the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24 (as illustrated in Figure 5). Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a conveying stroke (illustrated in Figure 6) to the support body 25 along the direction D1, which causes each pushing member 26 to come into contact with a respective group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 in order to convey the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2. Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a departure stroke to the support body 25 along the direction D2, which causes the pushing members 26 to move away from the wrapping path P2 and brings the pushing members 26 out of the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24. Finally, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a return stroke to the support body 25 along the direction D1, which takes the pushing member 26 back to the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3).
Lateral folding devices are arranged along the wrapping path P2, which are provided with fixed folding profiles (i.e., without moving parts), are coupled to the wrapping conveyor 23, and fold the two open ends of each wrapping sheet 10 which has been folded into a tube around a respective group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. Furthermore, lateral sealing devices are arranged along the wrapping path P2 and downstream of the lateral folding devices, are coupled to the wrapping conveyor 23 and laterally seal respective overlapping portions of the wrapping sheets 10.
In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the cartoning machine 8 can be reconfigured to operate in two different operating modes: a main operating mode described above and an alternative operating mode, in which each wrapping sheet 10 is fed by the feeding device 14 in front of the pocket 13, which is stationary in the transfer station S1, so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 also projects out of the pocket 13; in the alternative operating mode, in the area of the transfer station S1 there is a folding device 29 configured to fold the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes so that the folding device 18 folds the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes and on the end 16 folded previously (alternatively below the end 16 folded subsequently). Furthermore, in the alternative operating mode, a sealing device 30 is provided which is arranged between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2 and is configured, in the alternative operating mode, to seal overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10. In particular, the sealing device 30 is arranged in a sealing station S3 (arranged halfway between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2) where each pocket 13 is stationary.
According to a possible embodiment, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 and therefore in the alternative operating mode, there is also a sealing device lying in the transfer station S1 and pre-seals (quickly and with low resistance) the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10 before the final seal made by the sealing device 30.
In other words, the feeding device 14 can be configured to place, in a first operating mode illustrated in Figure 2, the wrapping sheet 10 in front of the pocket 13 so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 opposite the end 15 lies inside the pocket 13 without projecting out of the pocket 13, or it can be configured to place, in a second operating mode which is different from and alternative to the first operating mode and illustrated in Figure 7, the wrapping sheet 10 in front of the pocket 13 so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 also projects out of the pocket 13.
Therefore, the cartoning machine 8 is suited to install, in the area of the transfer station S2, the folding device 20 which can be used in the first operating mode and is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° on the end 16 and the cartoning machine 8 is suited to install the sealing device 22 which can be used in the first operating mode, is arranged downstream of the transfer station S2 and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10. Similarly, the cartoning machine 8 is suited to install the folding device 29 which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged in the transfer station S1 and is configured to fold the end 16 by 90° so that the folding device 18 folds the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° on or below the end 16 and the cartoning machine 8 is suited to install the sealing device 30 which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2, and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10.
In other words, the cartoning machine 8 has the space necessary to install the sealing devices 22 and 30 and the folding devices 20 and 29; these four devices 20, 22, 29 and 30 can all be present (but only two can be used from time to time in the first operating mode or in the second operating mode), only the devices 20 and 22 can be present (to use the first operating mode), or only the devices 29 and 30 can be present (to use the second operating mode).
Similarly, the cartoning machine 8 is suited to install a further sealing device which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged in the area of the transfer station S1 and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10.
In the first operating mode, the folding device 18 is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes, the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 lies on the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes perpendicular to the wall 19, and the folding device 20 is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 on the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes.
Three different embodiments of the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes are illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10, which can be made by different configurations of the cartoning machine 8 and which always comprise ten packs for cigarettes. In Figure 8, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is illustrated composed of two overlapping rows of packs 2 for cigarettes, where in each row the five packs 2 for cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of minor side walls. In Figure 9, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is illustrated composed of a single row of packs 2 for cigarettes, where in the row the ten packs 2 for cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of major side walls. In Figure 10, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is illustrated, consisting of two juxtaposed rows of packs 2 for cigarettes, where in each row the five packs 2 for cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of major side walls.
According to what is illustrated in Figure 1, the cartoning machine 8 is arranged in line with the cartoning machine 7, i.e., between an outlet of the cellophane-wrapping machine 7 and an inlet of the cartoning machine 8, there is a linear transport conveyor 31 which conveys the packs 2 for cigarettes along a linear transport path P3 (i.e., without curves). Figure 11 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 for making a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 8.
In the forming unit of Figure 11, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the minor and major side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and thus with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the major side walls oriented horizontally and with the minor side walls oriented vertically.
In the area of a final portion of the transport path P3, a pair of belts with a high adhesion surface are arranged, which engage the major side walls of the packs 2 for cigarettes on two opposite sides and impose a predetermined timing (position) on the packs 2 for cigarettes.
At the end of the transport path P3, a lifting device 32 is arranged, which cyclically pushes a pack 2 for cigarettes which lies in the transport path P3 vertically upwards to form, every two working cycles of the forming unit and in a stacking area A1, a stack composed of two packs 2 for cigarettes overlapping each other and in contact in the area of the major side walls. That is, in the stacking area A1, stacks of packs 2 for cigarettes are formed, each of which is formed, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, by two packs 2 for cigarettes disposed on top of each other.
Every two working cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 33 horizontally pushes a stack composed of two overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes from the stacking area A1 towards a grouping area A2 where five stacks are arranged in succession which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the minor side walls of the packs 2 for cigarettes, completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed composed of ten packs 2 for cigarettes; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed by juxtaposing side by side five stacks of two packs 2 for cigarettes by means of five corresponding transfers carried out by the pushing device 33.
Every ten working cycles of the forming unit, a lifting device 34 pushes the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes vertically upwards away from the grouping area A2 and subsequently a pushing device 35 pushes the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes horizontally towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.
In alternative embodiments, stacks composed of a different number (for example three, four or five) of vertically overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes could be formed in the stacking area A1 and groups 9 composed of a different number (for example three, four or six) of stacks of overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes could be formed in the grouping area A2.
Preferably, the lifting device 34 has two degrees of freedom of movement to be able to perform a return stroke after lifting a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes outside the grouping area A2. In this manner, during the return stroke of the lifting device 34, the grouping area A2 is free and is therefore available to form a new group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes, thus allowing the pushing device 33 to continue its pushing cycle without interruptions. Furthermore, in this manner the pushing device 35 has more time to carry out its working cycle and therefore is of simpler construction and subjects the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes to minor accelerations (stresses).
Figure 12 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 for making a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 9.
In the forming unit of Figure 12, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the minor and major side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and therefore with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the major side walls oriented vertically and with the minor side walls oriented horizontally.
In the area of a final portion of the transport path P3, a pair of belts with a high adhesion surface are arranged, which engage the major side walls of the packs 2 for cigarettes on two opposite sides and impose a predetermined timing (position) on the packs 2 for cigarettes.
At the end of the transport path P3, there is a pushing device 33 (completely similar, if not identical, to the pushing device 33 described above), which horizontally pushes each pack 2 for cigarettes which lies in the transport path P3 towards a grouping area A2 where ten packs 2 for cigarettes are disposed in succession, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the major side walls, completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed, which is composed of ten packs 2 for cigarettes; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed by juxtaposing side by side ten packs 2 for cigarettes by means of ten corresponding transfers carried out by the pushing device 33.
Every ten working cycles of the forming unit, a lifting device 34 (completely similar, if not identical, to the lifting device 34 described above) pushes the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes vertically upwards away from the grouping area A2 and subsequently a pushing device 35 (completely similar, if not identical, to the pushing device 35 described above) pushes the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes horizontally towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.
In alternative embodiments, groups 9 composed of a different number (for example six, eight or twelve) of juxtaposed packs 2 for cigarettes could be formed in the grouping area A2.
Preferably, the lifting device 34 has two degrees of freedom of movement to be able to perform a return stroke after lifting a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes outside the grouping area A2. In this manner, during the return stroke of the lifting device 34, the grouping area A2 is free and is therefore available to form a new group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes, thus allowing the pushing device 33 to continue its pushing cycle without interruptions. Furthermore, in this manner the pushing device 35 has more time to carry out its working cycle and therefore is of simpler construction and subjects the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes to minor accelerations (stresses).
The two forming units illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 can in fact be, from a structural point of view, the same forming unit which is simply and quickly adapted to two different operating modes, i.e., to operate according to what is illustrated in Figure 11 to make a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 8 or to operate according to what is illustrated in Figure 12 to make a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 9.
In particular, to pass from the forming unit illustrated in Figure 11 to the forming unit illustrated in Figure 12, it is necessary to disable (disassemble or not use) the lifting device 32 and modify the transport conveyor 31 both to bring the packs 2 for cigarettes at the end of the transport path P3 directly in the stacking area A1, and to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the minor and major side walls parallel to the transport path P3 (and therefore with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3), with the major side walls oriented vertically and with the minor side walls oriented horizontally. The pushing device 33 must also be reconfigured to horizontally push a single pack 2 for cigarettes from the stacking area A1 towards the grouping area A2 where a predetermined number of packs 2 for cigarettes are disposed in succession, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the major side walls, completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes.
Figure 13 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 for making a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 10.
In the forming unit of Figure 13, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the head walls and the major side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and therefore with the minor side walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 for cigarettes with the major side walls oriented horizontally and with the head walls oriented vertically. In the area of a final portion of the transport path P3, a pair of belts with a high adhesion surface are arranged, which engage the major side walls of the packs 2 for cigarettes on two opposite sides and impose a predetermined timing (position) on the packs 2 for cigarettes.
At the end of the transport path P3, a lifting device 36 is arranged, which cyclically pushes a pack 2 for cigarettes which lies in the transport path P3 vertically upwards to form, every five working cycles of the forming unit and in a stacking area A1, a stack composed of five packs 2 for cigarettes overlapping one another and in contact in the area of the major side walls. That is, in the stacking area A1, stacks of packs 2 for cigarettes are formed, each of which is formed, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, by five packs 2 for cigarettes disposed on top of one another.
Every five working cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 37 horizontally pushes a stack composed of five overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes from the stacking area A1 towards a tilting device 38 provided with a housing body which is configured to contain a stack composed of five overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes and is mounted rotatable so as to cyclically rotate around a horizontal rotation axis. Cyclically, the tilting device 38 receives a stack composed of five overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes oriented vertically and then tilts (i.e., rotates by 90°) the stack composed of five overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes to orient it horizontally.
A pushing device 39 horizontally pushes a stack composed of five overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes from the tilting device 38 towards a grouping area A2 in which two stacks are arranged in succession, which are in lateral contact with each other in the area of the head walls of the packs 2 for cigarettes, completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2, a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed composed of ten packs 2 for cigarettes; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is formed by juxtaposing side by side two stacks of five packs 2 for cigarettes by means of two corresponding transfers carried out by the pushing device 39.
Every ten working cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 40 pushes the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes horizontally from the grouping area A2 towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.
Preferably, the tilting device 38 comprises the housing body which is mounted so as to rotate around the horizontal rotation axis, has on one side an inlet opening facing the pushing device 37 and through which a stack of packs 2 for cigarettes enters the housing body pushed by the pushing device 37, and has on the other side an outlet opening (parallel and facing with respect to the inlet opening) facing the grouping station A2 through which a stack of packs 2 for cigarettes exits the housing body pushed by the pushing device 39.
In alternative embodiments, stacks composed of a different number (for example three, four or six) of vertically overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes could be formed in the stacking area A1 and groups 9 composed of a different number (for example three or four) of stacks of overlapping packs 2 for cigarettes could be formed in the grouping area A2.
The forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 can be modified to select one of the three possibilities illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13 for making the group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes (and also other possibilities not illustrated); in this modification, not all the components are completely replaced, but some components can be reused (with a simple modification of their configuration) or can be left in place and simply deactivated.
According to other embodiments not illustrated, each group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes is composed of a number other than ten packs 2 for cigarettes (for example five packs 2 for cigarettes, six packs 2 for cigarettes, eight packs 2 for cigarettes, twelve packs 2 for cigarettes...).
The embodiments herein described can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
The above-described cartoning machine 8 has numerous advantages.
Firstly, the above-described cartoning machine 8 allows obtaining a better quality of the final product and in particular a better quality in the folding of the wrapping sheet 10 around a group 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes. This result is obtained because the innovative feeding and folding methods of the wrapping sheets 10 in the pockets 13 of the wrapping drum 11 allow a better laying of the wrapping sheets 10 which have fewer wrinkles or other imperfections.
Furthermore, the above-described cartoning machine 8 is more robust and reliable. This result is obtained because the sealing device 22 is used only to make the seals (i.e., it does not have to perform other operations) and therefore guarantees stability over time and the absence of engulfment.
The above-described cartoning machine 8 is also very versatile, because it can be quickly adapted to make a different fold of the wrapping sheets 10 (as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 7) simply by modifying the settings of the feeding device 14, adding (or activating if already present) the folding device 29, adding (or activating if already present) the sealing device 30, and removing (or deactivating) the sealing device 22.
The grouping unit of the above-described cartoning machine 8 is very easy and compact in that it is formed by a small number of components, each of which is of simple construction. At the same time, the grouping unit of the above-described cartoning machine 8 is extremely flexible, since by modifying a few parts, it is possible to make different types of groups 9 of packs 2 for cigarettes.
The embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures refer to the production of a carton 3 of packs 2 for cigarettes, but the present invention is also applicable without substantial modifications to the manufacturing of any other type of carton 3 of packs for smoking articles (for example packs for cigars, packs for electronic cigarettes of the liquid vaporization type, packs for next-generation heat-not-burn cigarettes...).

LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

1: production plant
2: pack for cigarettes
3: carton
4: production machine
5: packer machine
6: magazine
7: cellophane-wrapping machine
8: cartoning machine
9: group
10: wrapping sheet
11: wrapping drum
12: rotation axis
13: pockets
14: feeding device
15: end
16: end
17: wall
18: folding device
19: wall
20: folding device
21: fixed profile
22: sealing device
23: wrapping conveyor
24: fixed profiles
25: support body
26: pushing member
27: sealing head
28: actuator device
29: folding device
30: sealing device
31: transport conveyor
32: lifting device
33: pushing device
34: lifting device
35: pushing device
36: lifting device
37: pushing device
38: tilting device
39: pushing device
40: pushing device
D1: direction
D2: direction
P1: wrapping path
P2: wrapping path
P3: transport path
S1: transfer station
S2: transfer station
S3: sealing station
A1: stacking area
A2: grouping area

Claims

A cartoning machine (8) to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles and comprising:
a wrapping drum (11), which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis (12) and supports at least one pocket (13) designed to contain a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles;

a first transfer station (S1), where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is inserted into the pocket (13);

a second transfer station (S2), where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is removed from the pocket (13);

a feeding device (14) configured to feed a wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) and in the area of the first transfer station (S1) so that the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, by entering the pocket (13), pulls along the wrapping sheet (10), which folds itself into a "U"-shape around the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; and a first folding device (18), which is arranged downstream of the first transfer station (S1) and is configured to fold a first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) projecting out of the pocket (13) by 90°;

the cartoning machine (8) is characterized in that:
the feeding device (14) can be configured to place, in a first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that a second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) opposite the first end (15) lies inside the pocket (13) without projecting out of the pocket (13) or it can be configured to place, in a second operating mode, which is different from and alternative to the first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) also projects out of the pocket (13);

the cartoning machine (8) is suited to install, in the area of the second transfer station (S2), a second folding device (20), which can be used in the first operating mode and is configured to fold the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) by 90° on the second end (16); and

the cartoning machine (8) is suited to install, in the area of the first transfer station (S1), a third folding device (29), which can be used in the second operating mode and is configured to fold the second end (16) by 90° so that the first folding device (18) folds the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) by 90° on or under the second end (16).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1, wherein, in the first operating mode:
the first folding device (18) is configured to fold the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) against a first wall (19) of the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles;

the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) lies against a second wall (17) of the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles perpendicular to the first wall (19); and

the second folding device (20) is configured to fold the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) on the second end (16) and against the second wall (17) of the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles.
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1 or 2 and comprising a fixed profile (21), which surrounds the wrapping drum (11) between the first transfer station (S1) and the second transfer station (S2) and constitutes both the first folding device (18) and the second folding device (20).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cartoning machine (8) is suited to install a first sealing device (22), which can be used in the first operating mode, is arranged downstream of the second transfer station (S2) and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 4 and comprising a linear conveyor (23), which is suited to support the first sealing device (22) and is configured to convey the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) downstream of the second transfer station (S2) and along a straight wrapping path (P2).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 5, wherein the wrapping conveyor (23) comprises:
a support body (25);

at least one pushing member (26), which is integral to the support body (25) and is configured to push the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) along the wrapping path (P2);

at least one sealing head (27), which is integral to the support body (25); and

an actuator device (28) configured to move the support body (25) both along a first direction (D1) parallel to the wrapping path (P2) and along a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the wrapping path (P2).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 6, wherein the wrapping conveyor (23) comprises fixed profiles (24), which are oriented parallel to the wrapping path (P2) and delimit a channel, inside which the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) slides pushed by the pushing member (26).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 6 to 7, wherein the actuator device (28) is configured to cyclically apply to the support body (25) and starting from an initial position:
an approaching stroke along the second direction (D2), which causes the sealing head (27) to come into contact with the overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10);

a first departure stroke along the second direction (D2), which causes the sealing head (27) to move away from the overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10);

a conveying stroke along the first direction (D1), which causes the pushing member (26) to come into contact with the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) in order to convey the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) along the wrapping path (P2);

a second departure stroke along the second direction (D2), which causes the pushing member (26) to move away from the wrapping path (P2); and

a return stroke along the first direction (D1), which takes the pushing member (26) back to the initial position.
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the wrapping conveyor (23) comprises:
at least two pushing members (26), which are integral to the support body (25) and are arranged at a distance from one another, which is equal to a conveying pitch of the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) along the wrapping path (P2); and

at least two sealing heads (27), which are integral to the support body (25) and are arranged at a distance from one another, which is equal to the conveying pitch.
The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 9, wherein the cartoning machine (8) is suited to install a third sealing device (30), which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged between the first transfer station (S1) and the second transfer station (S2) and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10).
The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 10, wherein the cartoning machine (8) is suited to install a fourth sealing device, which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged in the area of the first transfer station (S1) and is configured to seal overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10).
A cartoning machine (8) to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles and comprising:
a wrapping drum (11), which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis (12) and supports at least one pocket (13) designed to contain a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles;

a first transfer station (S1), where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is inserted into the pocket (13);

a second transfer station (S2), where the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles is removed from the pocket (13);

a feeding device (14) configured to feed a wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) and in the area of the first transfer station (S1) so that the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, by entering the pocket (13), pulls along the wrapping sheet (10), which folds itself into a "U"-shape around the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; and a first folding device (18), which is arranged downstream of the first transfer station (S1) and is configured to fold a first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) projecting out of the pocket (13) by 90°;

the cartoning machine (8) is characterized in that:
the feeding device (14) is configured to place the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that a second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) opposite the first end (15) lies inside the pocket (13) without projecting out of the pocket (13);

in the area of the second transfer station (S2) there is a second folding device (20) configured to fold the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) by 90° on the second end (16); and

downstream of the second transfer station (S2) there is a sealing device (22), which is arranged and is configured so as to seal overlapping portions of the first end (15) and of the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 12 and comprising a linear conveyor (23), which supports the sealing device (22) and is configured to convey the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) downstream of the second transfer station (S2) and along a straight wrapping path (P2).
The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 13, wherein the wrapping conveyor (23) comprises:
a support body (25);

at least one pushing member (26), which is integral to the support body (25) and is configured to push the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles wrapped in the wrapping sheet (10) along the wrapping path (P2);

at least one sealing head (27), which is integral to the support body (25); and

an actuator device (28) configured to move the support body (25) both along a first direction (D1) parallel to the wrapping path (P2) and along a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the wrapping path (P2).
A wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles and comprising the steps of:
causing a wrapping drum (11) supporting a pocket (13) designed to contain a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles to rotate around a rotation axis (12);

inserting, in a first transfer station (S1), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles into the pocket (13);

removing, in a second transfer station (S2), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles from the pocket (13);

feeding, by means of a feeding device (14), a wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) and in the area of the first transfer station (S1) so that the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, by entering the pocket (13), pulls along the wrapping sheet (10), which folds itself into a "U"-shape around the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; and folding a first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) projecting out of the pocket (13) by 90° by means of a first folding device (18) arranged downstream of the first transfer station (S1);

the wrapping method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
placing, in a first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that a second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) opposite the first end (15) lies inside the pocket (13) without projecting out of the pocket (13) or placing, in a second operating mode, which is different from and alternative to the first operating mode, the wrapping sheet (10) in front of the pocket (13) so that the second end (16) of the wrapping sheet (10) also projects out of the pocket (13);

installing, in the first operating mode and in the area of the second transfer station (S2), a second folding device (20) configured to fold the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) by 90° on the second end (16); and

installing, in the second operating mode and in the area of the first transfer station (S1), a third folding device (29) configured to fold the second end (16) by 90° so that the first folding device (18) folds the first end (15) of the wrapping sheet (10) by 90° on or under the second end (16).