IT202100004178A1 - PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ITEMS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the industrial invention entitled:

"Packaging Machine and Wrapping Method for Producing a Packet of Smoking Articles."

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention ? relating to a packing machine and a wrapping method for producing a packet of smoking articles.

The present invention finds advantageous application to the production of a rigid packet of cigarettes with a hinged lid, which the following discussion will address explicit reference without losing generality.

EARLIER ART

Rigid cigarette packs with hinged lids are currently the most popular cigarette packs in the world. widespread on the market as they are simple to make, are easy and practical to use, and offer good protection to the cigarettes contained within them.

Patent application EP3680185A1 describes a packing machine for producing a rigid packet of cigarettes with a hinged lid; the packaging machine includes a final wrapping wheel which ? mounted rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and comprises a plurality? of peripheral wrapping pockets which are pitched along a circular wrapping path by intermittently rotating about the axis of rotation. During the rotation of the wrapping wheel around the axis of rotation, each wrapping pocket passes in succession: an infeed station, where the wrapping pocket receives a wrapping (consisting of a group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallic paper) surrounded by a collar folded into a ?U? and a corresponding blank powered by a l?unit? infeed, a series of folding stations where the blank is folded around the wrapping and around the collar to form a rigid outer container, and finally an outfeed station where the cigarette pack is transferred to a drying conveyor at tape completing the folding of the blank during the exit from the wrapping pocket by folding the external wings which constitute part of the lateral walls against the corresponding internal wings which constitute the remaining part of the lateral walls. The drying conveyor advances the packets through a drying zone which constitutes an outlet of the packing machine and feeds the cigarette packets towards a subsequent cellophane wrapping machine which applies a transparent plastic overwrap around each packet of cigarettes.

In the known packaging machines currently on the market, the unit? feeder (which feeds the blanks to the infeed station) ? relatively bulky and accessibility? not always optimal as it tends to protrude out of the encumbrance of the remaining part of the packaging machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Purpose of the present invention? provide a packing machine and a wrapping method for producing a packet of smoking articles, which packing machine and wrapping method do not have the drawbacks described above (therefore allow for reduced dimensions and excellent accessibility) and are at the same time easy to and economic construction.

In accordance with the present invention, a packing machine and a wrapping method are provided for producing a packet of smoking articles, as claimed in the appended claims.

The claims describe embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will come now described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

? figure 1 ? a front perspective view and in a closed configuration of a rigid cigarette pack;

? figure 2 ? a rear perspective view of the cigarette packet of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;

? figure 3 ? a front perspective view of a wrapper of the package of Figure 1 ;

? figure 4 ? a perspective view of a group of cigarettes contained in the wrapping of figure 3;

? figure 5 ? a plan view of a sheet of wrapping used to make the wrapping of figure 3;

? figure 6 ? a plan view of a collar of the cigarette packet of Figure 1;

? figure 7 ? a plan view of a blank used to make an outer container with a hinged lid of the cigarette pack of Figure 1;

? the figure 8 ? a perspective view and with parts removed for clarity of a packing machine which produces the packet of cigarettes of FIG. made in accordance with the present invention;

? figure 9 ? a perspective and schematic view of part of the packing machine of figure 8;

? figure 10 ? a schematic plan view of part of the packaging machine of Figure 8;

? figure 11 ? a perspective view and with parts removed for clarity of part of the packing machine of FIG. 8;

? figure 12 ? a schematic view of a pusher of the packing machine of figure 8;

? figure 13 ? a front view and schematic of a unit? feed of blanks of the packing machine of figure 8; And

? figure 14 ? a perspective view of some elements of the unit? of power supply of figure 13.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In figures 1 and 2 with the number 1 ? shown as a whole a rigid cigarette pack with a hinged lid. The packet 1 of cigarettes comprises an external container 2 made of rigid cardboard or cardboard and shaped like a cup and a wrapping 3 (illustrated in figure 3) housed inside the container 2.

Does the outer container 2 have one end? upper open and ? provided with a lid 4, which ? shaped like a cup and ? hinged to the external container 2 along a hinge 5 (illustrated in figure 2) to rotate, with respect to the external container 2 itself, between an open position (not illustrated) and a closed position (illustrated in figures 1 and 2) of the end ? top open. The outer container 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape oriented according to a predominantly vertical direction of development, ? shaped like a cup, and has the? extremity? upper open, a lower wall 6 opposite the extremity? open top, a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8 (in which the hinge 5 is formed) parallel and opposite each other, and two lateral walls 9 parallel and opposite each other. Four longitudinal edges are defined between the front 7, rear 8 and side 9 walls of the outer container 2, while four transverse edges are defined between the walls 7, 8 and 9 and the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2.

The lid 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, ? shaped like a cup, and has one end? lower open end (facing the upper open end of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), an upper wall 10 (which is parallel and opposite to the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position closure), a front wall 11 (which is parallel and aligned with the front wall 7 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), a rear wall 12 (which is parallel and aligned with the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position and is hinged to the rear wall 8 of the external container 2 along the hinge 5), and two lateral walls 13 parallel to each other and opposite (which are parallel and aligned, in particular coplanar and adjacent, to side walls 9 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position). Four longitudinal edges are defined between the front 11, rear 12 and side 13 walls of the lid 4, while four transversal edges are defined between the walls 11, 12 and 13 and the upper wall 10 of the lid 4. The longitudinal edges and the transverse edges of the lid 4 are parallel and aligned with the corresponding longitudinal and transverse edges of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 ? in the closed position. The wrapping 3 encloses a group 14 of cigarettes (illustrated in figure 4) having a parallelepiped shape and ? formed by folding a sheet 15 of wrapping (shown in FIG. 5 ) around the group 14 of cigarettes; in the embodiment illustrated in figure 3, the wrapping 3 has a removable portion at the top and front which is separated from the rest of the wrapping 3 by a pre-weakened tearable line while according to a different embodiment not shown the wrapping 3 is separated from the rest of the wrapping 3 by a pre-weakened tearable line. sealed and ? provided with an opening for extracting the cigarettes covered by a resealable closure label.

As illustrated in figure 6, the packet 1 of cigarettes also comprises a rigid collar 16, which is connected (by gluing) folded into a ?U? inside the external container 2 to partially protrude outside the end? open top of the outer container 2 and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid 4 when the lid 4 itself is placed in the closed position. As illustrated in figure 7, the outer container 2 and the lid 4 are made by folding a blank 17 of the conventional type in which each lateral wall 9 of the outer container 2 made by overlapping and gluing two wings 9? and 9? (ie an external wing 9? to an internal wing 9?) and each lateral wall 13 of the lid 4? made by overlapping and gluing two wings 13? and 13? (that is, an external 13? wing to an internal 13? wing). Furthermore, the front wall 11 of the lid 4 is formed by superimposing and gluing a panel 11? and a flap 11?.

In particular, the blank 17 has two pre-weakened longitudinal fold lines (which define the longitudinal edges of the outer container 2 and of the lid 4) and a plurality of pre-weakened transverse fold lines (which define the transverse edges of the outer container 2 and of the lid 4) which delimit, between the two longitudinal fold lines, a panel 7? which constitutes the front wall 7 of the outer container 2, a panel 6? which constitutes the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2, a panel 8? which constitutes the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2, a panel 12? which constitutes the rear wall 12 of the lid 4, a panel 10? which constitutes the upper wall 10 of the lid 4, a panel 11? which constitutes the front wall 11 of the lid 4, and the flap 11? of reinforcement that is folded 180? and glued against an internal surface of the panel 11? (that is against an inner surface of the front wall 11 of the lid 4).

Does blank 17 include a pair of wings 9? exteriors, which are disposed on opposite sides of the panel 7?, are connected to the panel 7? along the two longitudinal fold lines, and constitute an outer part of the side walls 9 of the outer container 2. Does blank 17 include a pair of wings 9? internals, which are disposed on opposite sides of the panel 8?, are connected to the panel 8? along the two longitudinal fold lines, constitute an internal part of the lateral walls 9 of the external container 2, and are glued and superimposed on the corresponding wings 9? external. Each wing 9? internal includes a flap that is folded 90? compared to wing 9? inside to be subsequently placed and glued to panel 6?.

Does blank 17 include a pair of wings 13? exteriors, which are disposed on opposite sides of the panel 11?, are connected to the panel 11? along the two longitudinal fold lines, and constitute an external part of the side walls 13 of the lid 4. The blank 17 comprises a pair of wings 13? interiors, which are disposed on opposite sides of the panel 12?, are connected to the panel 12? along the two longitudinal fold lines, constitute an internal part of the side walls 13 of the lid 4, and are glued and superimposed on the corresponding wings 13? external. Each wing 13? internal includes a flap that is folded 90? compared to wing 13? inside to be subsequently placed and glued to the panel 10?.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of sprays (as will be described later) are sprayed onto the blank 17. of glue dots 18-23: hot glue dots 18 (ie quick-setting glue) and a cold glue dot 19 (slow-setting and normally vinyl-based) on flap 11? to glue the flap 11? to panel 11?, dots of cold glue 20 on panel 8? to glue panel 8? to wrapper 3, dots of cold glue 20 on the wings 9? inside to glue the wings 9? inside the side walls of the collar 16, of the dots of cold glue 21 on the panel 7? to glue panel 7? to a front wall of the collar 16, dots of cold glue 21 on the wings 9?and 13? outside to glue the wings 9?and 13? outside wings 9? and 13? inside, and dots of hot glue 23 on the wings 9?and 13? outside to paste the 9?and 13? outside wings 9? and 13? internal. The (few) points of cold glue 22 on the wings 9? and 13? are redundant with respect to the (more numerous) hot glue points 23 and have the function of guaranteeing a solid connection between the wings 9? and 13? external and wings 9? and 13? internal even if the pack 1 of cigarettes is heated to relatively high temperatures (for example if it were left in the summer on the dashboard of a car parked in the sun).

In figure 8, with the number 24 ? indicated as a whole a packing machine (only partially illustrated) which ? adapted to form the pack 1 of cigarettes described above and operates with intermittent motion (ie a motion which provides for a cyclical alternation of motion phases and rest phases).

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the packing machine 24 comprises a wrapping wheel 25 (that is, a wrapping conveyor) which? rotatably mounted (with intermittent motion, or ?step by step?) around an axis 26 of horizontal rotation. The wrapping wheel 25 supports twelve pockets 27 (one of which is schematically illustrated in figure 10), each of which is adapted to house inside it a wrapping 3 coupled to a collar 16 and to a blank 17 (according to a different embodiment, the wrapping wheel 25 supports eight pockets 27).

The rotation of the wrapping wheel 25 around the rotation axis 26 cyclically advances each pocket 27 along a circular wrapping path P1 and through: an input station S1 in which a wrapping 3 (containing the group of cigarettes 14), a collar 16 and a blank 17 are inserted radially (that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 26) inside the pocket 27 (when entering the pocket 27 the blank 17 folds into a "U" around the wrapping 3 and the collar 16), and an exit station S2 in which the almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes is extracted radially (that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 26) from the pocket 27. Between the entry station S1 and the exit station S2 and around the wrapping wheel 25 a series of folding devices are arranged which fold the blank 17 around the wrapping 3 and the collar 16 until the configuration shown in figure 10 is obtained in which, to complete the pack 1 of cigarettes, there remains to be folded by 90? wings 9? and 13? outside against wings 9? and 13? interior previously folded (in particular when the blank 17 enters a pocket 27 together with a wrapping 3 and a collar 16). According to a preferred embodiment, the folding devices arranged around the wrapping wheel 25 comprise only fixed folding elements which have no moving parts.

At the input station S1, a wrapping 3 together with a corresponding collar 16 and a corresponding blank 17 are ?pinched? (i.e. gripped) between a pusher and a counter-pusher and then are moved from a pocket of a previous wrapping wheel (not shown) to a pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 by means of a synchronized and concordant movement of the pusher and the counter-pusher.

As illustrated in figure 10, in the exit station S2, a pusher 28 partially extracts (as will be better explained hereinafter) an almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes (that is, with the outer wings 9? and 13? still to be folded) from a pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 by a movement along a transfer direction D1 which ? horizontal and perpendicular to the wrapping path P1 and to the axis 26 of rotation (ie arranged radially with respect to the axis 26 of rotation). In the exit station S2 ? arranged a linear gumming conveyor 29 which ? suitable for extracting an almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes (that is, with the outer wings 9? and 13? still to be folded) from a pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 by advancing the almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes along a straight gumming path P2 and perpendicular to the circular wrapping path P1. The gumming conveyor 29 comprises, among other things, a pusher 30 which is movable with reciprocating motion (ie with a cyclical alternation of outward strokes and return strokes) along the rectilinear gumming path P2 by means of a movement along a transfer direction D2 which ? horizontal and perpendicular to the D1 direction of transfer. In other words, the almost complete packets 1 of cigarettes are extracted from the pockets 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 by the pusher 30 of the gumming conveyor 29 which crosses from side to side a pocket 27 stopped at the exit station S2.

Along the straight gumming path P2 there are two gumming devices 31 (only one of which is shown in figure 10) which apply the hot glue dots 23 on the wings 9? and 13? still to be folded of each blank 17. The straight gumming path P2 extends from the exit station S2, where each almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes exits the wrapping wheel 25 and enters the linear gumming conveyor 29, to a station S3 transfer process, in which each almost complete and gummed pack 1 of cigarettes (that is, provided with the glue 23) comes out of the linear gumming conveyor 29. Suitable guides and contrasts are arranged along the gumming path P2 which keep the almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes well composed and squared.

According to a possible embodiment, the two gumming devices 31 apply only the dots of hot glue 23 on the wings 9? and 13? still to be folded of each blank 17; according to a different embodiment, the two gumming devices 31 apply both the hot glue dots 23 and the cold glue dots 22 on the wings 9? and 13? still to be folded of each blank 17 (obviously in this case each gumming device 31 must comprise a gun for applying the hot glue dots 23 and another gun for applying cold glue dots 22).

In the transfer station S3, a pusher 32 transfers, by a movement along a transfer direction D3 which ? horizontal, perpendicular to the gumming path P2 and parallel to the transfer direction D1, each almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes from the linear gumming conveyor 29 to a subsequent linear packing conveyor 33 which is suitable for advancing the almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes 1 along a rectilinear packing path P3 perpendicular to the gumming path P2. In other words, the linear packing conveyor 33 receives the almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes from the gumming conveyor 29 and adapted to advance the almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes along the straight wrapping path P3. According to a preferred embodiment, the pusher 32 is part of the packing conveyor 33 and advances the almost complete packs 1 of cigarettes along the straight packing path P3.

Along straight wrapping path P3 ? placed a 34-folder device that folds 90? wings 9? and 13? outside against wings 9? and 13? interior previously folded (in particular when the blank 17 enters a pocket 27 together with a wrapping 3 and a collar 16) completing the formation of the pack 1 of cigarettes. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the folding device 34 comprises only fixed folding elements which have no moving parts and are arranged along the wrapping path P3; in particular, the folding device 34 ? consists of two contrasts arranged at the two ends? opposite of the wrapping path P3 and between which the packets 1 of cigarettes are passed. The straight wrapping path P3 develops from the transfer station S3 in which each almost complete and gummed packet 1 of cigarettes (i.e. provided with the glue 23) exits the gumming conveyor 29 and enters the linear wrapping conveyor 33 to a station S4 of transfer in which each complete pack 1 of cigarettes exits the linear wrapping conveyor 33.

At the transfer station S4, each complete pack 1 of cigarettes exits the linear wrapping conveyor 33 and enters a subsequent linear drying conveyor 35 which is adapted to advance the complete pack 1 of cigarettes along a straight drying path P4, parallel and coaxial to the straight wrapping path P3. According to a possible embodiment, the drying conveyor 35 comprises two opposite conveyor belts, each of which ? wrapped around two pulleys end? (one motorized and one neutral).

According to a preferred embodiment, a subsequent pack 1 of cigarettes entering the wrapping conveyor 33 (being pushed by the pusher 32) pushes in turn onto the previous packs 1 of cigarettes (which are all packed one against the other) by inserting the first packet 1 of row cigarettes in the drying conveyor 35; ie the thrust generated by the pusher 32 is transmitted to all the packets 1 of cigarettes present in the wrapping conveyor 33 thus pushing the first packet 1 of cigarettes in the row into the drying conveyor 35.

The P2 straight lagging path ? horizontal and parallel to the axis 26 of rotation of the wrapping wheel 25. The straight wrapping path P3 ? horizontal and perpendicular to the axis 26 of rotation of the wrapping wheel 25 (or is perpendicular to the gumming path P2). Is the straight drying path P4 ? horizontal and parallel (coaxial) to the wrapping path P3.

According to a preferred embodiment, at the end of the gumming path P2 (ie on the opposite side of the pusher 30 and after the transfer station S3)? a reject station S5 is arranged to which any defective packs 1 of cigarettes are directed (identified for example by means of control cameras arranged along the wrapping path P1 and/or along the gumming path P2). In the waste station S5 ? arranged a collection device 36 which receives the packets 1 of defective cigarettes; typically, the collection device 36 is willing more bottom of the gumming conveyor 29 and the defective packs 1 of cigarettes fall by gravity? towards the underlying collection device 36. ? it is important to point out that the glue 23 is not applied to a possible defective pack 1 of cigarettes by the gumming device 31 (simply by not activating the gumming device 31 when the defective pack 1 of cigarettes passes). To direct a defective pack 1 of cigarettes to the reject station S5 ? it is sufficient not to activate the pusher 32 so that the defective pack 1 of cigarettes does not enter the packing conveyor 33 and remains at the bottom of the gumming conveyor 29: the next pack 1 of cigarettes which advances along the gumming path P2 when it arrives in the transfer station S3 pushes the defective packet 1 of cigarettes remaining in the transfer station S3 out of the packing conveyor 33. According to a possible embodiment, pneumatic blowers could be provided which are activated to generate an additional thrust which contributes to pushing the defective pack 1 of cigarettes out of the wrapping conveyor 33 (so as to reduce the stresses on the subsequent pack 1 of cigarettes which must push the defective packet 1 of cigarettes out of the wrapping conveyor 33).

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, ? Also present in the exit station S2 is the pusher 28 which partially extracts an almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes from a respective pocket 27 (parked in the exit station S2), or slightly moves the almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes away from the pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 placing the almost complete pack 1 of cigarettes against a fixed abutment plane (support plane) which ? outside the wrapping wheel 25 and ? opposite the pocket 27 (in this way it is possible to improve the retention of the almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes and to make the positioning of the almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes more precise). AND? it is important to underline that the pusher 28 does not completely extract a packet 1 of cigarettes from a respective pocket 27 (parked at the exit station S2), or rather it does not completely separate the packet 1 of cigarettes from the pocket 25; on the contrary, the pusher 28 only partially extracts (removes) a packet 1 of cigarettes from a respective pocket 27 (parked at the exit station S2) while still leaving the packet 1 of cigarettes at least partially inserted in the pocket 27. important to note that the overall stroke of the pusher 28 ? modest, or ? between 2 and 5 mm, as its function is not ? completely extracting the pack 1 of cigarettes from a respective pocket 27 (parked in the exit station S2) but ? of only partially extracting the pack 1 of cigarettes from a respective pocket 27 (parked at the exit station S2); in figure 10, the distance between the gumming conveyor 29 and the wrapping wheel 25 (ie the stroke of the pusher 28) is? been artificially exaggerated for the benefit of drawing clarity (i.e. to avoid overlapping too many lines).

According to a different embodiment not shown, the pusher 28 is absent and in the outfeed station S2 the almost complete packets 1 of cigarettes are extracted from the pockets 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 by the pusher 30 of the gumming conveyor 29 without the packets 1 of cigarettes themselves being preliminarily and partially extracted radially from the pockets 27 of the wrapping wheel 25. This embodiment ? on the one hand more simple by dispensing with the pusher 28, but on the other hand it does not allow placing, in the outfeed station S2, an almost complete packet 1 of cigarettes against a matching surface opposite the pocket 27. In this embodiment, along one side initial path P2 gumming pu? an inclined plane must be provided which, while the pack 1 of cigarettes advances along the gumming path P2 pushed by the pusher 30, moves the pack 1 of cigarettes laterally (i.e. transversely and therefore perpendicular to the gumming path P2) to place the pack 1 of cigarettes against the abutment plane parallel to the gumming path P2 and opposite the wrapping wheel 25.

In the presence of the pusher 28, the gumming path P2 followed by the packets 1 of cigarettes ? perfectly straight; on the other hand, in the absence of the pusher 28, the gumming path P2 followed by the packets 1 of cigarettes? substantially rectilinear since in the initial part of the rubberizing path P2 the inclined plane also causes a slight lateral displacement (transversal) which however in a first approximation can? be overlooked.

As previously stated, a subsequent pack 1 of cigarettes entering the wrapping conveyor 33 (being pushed by the pusher 32) in turn pushes onto the previous packs 1 of cigarettes (which are all packed one against the other) by inserting the first pack 1 of cigarettes of the row in the drying conveyor 35; ie along the wrapping path P3 the cigarette packets 1 accumulate forming a row of cigarette packets 1 in which the cigarette packets 1 are in mutual contact at the front and rear walls 7-8 and 11-12. Consequently, the row of packets 1 of cigarettes advances step by step along the wrapping path P3, in a synchronized manner with the movement of the pusher 32.

According to a preferred embodiment, on opposite sides of the wrapping path P3 braking members 37 are arranged which (slightly) squeeze from opposite sides and towards each other the lower wall 6 and the upper wall 10 of each packet 1 of cigarettes in such a way as to increase the friction between the packet 1 of cigarettes and the fixed walls of the wrapping conveyor 33 (that is, to increase the force resistant to the advancement of the packets 1 of cigarettes along the wrapping path P3 and therefore increase the force required to advance the packs 1 of cigarettes along the wrapping path P3); alternatively, the compression members 37 could act on the lateral walls 9 and 13 of each packet 1 of cigarettes. The purpose of the braking members 37 ? to improve the packing of the packets 1 of cigarettes located in a row along the wrapping path P3 so that the packets 1 of cigarettes always remain in close mutual contact without ever creating ?holes? between two adjacent packs 1 of cigarettes. Preferably, the braking members 37 are arranged at the end of the wrapping path P3 in such a way as to make their packing effect of the row felt along the entire wrapping path P3, i.e. the braking members 37 are arranged close to the of the transfer station S4 wherein the packets 1 of cigarettes enter the drying conveyor 35. According to a preferred embodiment, the braking members 37 consist of fixed plates against which the packets 1 of cigarettes slide; alternatively, the braking members 37 could consist of conveyor belts which accompany the advancement of the packets 1 of cigarettes.

In order to avoid that, once released by the pusher 32, the packet 1 of cigarettes just inserted in the wrapping conveyor 33 can be pushed back by the other packets 1 of cigarettes already present in the wrapping conveyor 33, a retaining member 38 could be provided which allows the packets 1 of cigarettes to move forward along the wrapping path P3 and prevents the packets 1 of cigarettes from going back along the wrapping path P3. According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining member 38 comprises a pair of triangular-shaped teeth which are pushed towards the inside of the wrapping conveyor 33 by respective springs: when a packet 1 of cigarettes advances forward along the path P3 of wrapping progressively compresses the teeth by pushing on one of their inclined sides and consequently compressing the respective springs, while, when a pack 1 of cigarettes has passed the teeth, the teeth themselves due to the effect of the push exerted by the respective springs return to protrude inside of the wrapping conveyor 33 offering to the packet 1 of cigarettes a straight wall thereof which prevents the packet 1 of cigarettes from going back along the wrapping path P3 (ie the teeth prevent the packet 1 of cigarettes from moving back). According to a different embodiment, the teeth are motorized (ie they are moved by an electric actuator) and therefore their movement can take place independently of the thrust exerted by the packets 1 of cigarettes in transit; in this embodiment, the teeth may not be coupled to the springs (being moved in both directions by the electric actuator) and may not have a wedge shape (or a triangular shape), as they no longer have to? being pushed by packs 1 of cigarettes in transit.

According to what is illustrated in figure 12, the pusher 30 is mounted on a support shaft 39 that ? both axially movable along the transfer direction D2 and rotatable around the transfer direction D2 (ie rotatable around an axis of rotation coaxial and coinciding with the transfer direction D2). In particular, the support shaft 39 (therefore the pusher 30 mounted on the support shaft 39) is? rotatable between an angular working position, in which the pusher 30 is capable of engaging a packet 1 of cigarettes located in the exit station S2 along the gumming path P2, and an angular return position, in which the pusher 30 is not? capable of engaging a packet 1 of cigarettes located in the exit station S2 along the gumming path P2.

The shaft 39 of support ? operated by an actuator device 40 which imparts to the support shaft 39 both an axial movement along the transfer direction D2 and a rotation about the transfer direction D2. Preferably, the actuator device 40 receives the rotary motion from a main motor (master) of the packaging machine 24, has a first cam which controls the axial movement along the transfer direction D2 of the support shaft 39, and has a second cam which controls the rotational movement about the transfer direction D2 of the support shaft 39. Alternatively, the actuator device 40 has one or two electric motors which control the movements of the support shaft 39.

In use, the support shaft 39 (hence the pusher 30 mounted on the support shaft 39) is held in the angular working position when the support shaft 39 performs a forward working stroke to push a packet 1 of cigarettes which is located in the outlet station S2 along the gumming path P2 and is instead maintained in the angular return position when the support shaft 39 performs a return stroke. In this way, while the support shaft 39 (therefore the pusher 30 mounted on the support shaft 39) performs a return stroke, a new packet 1 of cigarettes can? be pushed by the pusher 28 out of a pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 without having to wait for the support shaft 39 (therefore the pusher 30 mounted on the support shaft 39) to arrive in the starting position.

Preferably, the pusher 30 ? mounted on the support shaft 39 eccentrically with respect to the support shaft 39 so that the rotation of the support shaft 39 causes a greater displacement of the pusher 30.

According to a different embodiment, the pusher 30 is composed of a roto-translating part and also of a translating part only: the roto-translating part (also illustrated in Figure 12) of the pusher 30 pushes the packets 1 of cigarettes to advance the packets 1 of cigarettes along the gumming path P2, while the only translating part of the pusher 30 comprises the abutment plane against which a packet 1 of cigarettes is pushed by the pusher 28 (or by the inclined plane which replaces the pusher 28) when the packet 1 of cigarettes is extracted from a pocket 27 in the station S2 output. That is, in this embodiment, the pusher 30, with respect to what is illustrated in figure 12, also comprises a further translating part which has the function of constituting the abutment plane against which a pack 1 of cigarettes is pushed by the pusher 28 when the packet 1 of cigarettes is extracted from a pocket 27. In other words, in this embodiment, the abutment plane (which is always present) against which a packet 1 of cigarettes is pushed by the pusher 28 when the packet 1 of cigarettes is extracted from a pocket 27 in the output station S2 not ? more fixed but translates together with the pusher 30 (without however rotating together with the pusher 30); in this way, each pack 1 of cigarettes never slides with respect to this abutment plane and therefore tends to break up less (ie to "open" by moving the previously folded parts of the blank 17 away from the desired position). According to a possible embodiment, the abutment plane which translates together with the pusher 30 also comprises (at least) a push tooth which also contributes to the translation of a pack 1 of cigarettes along the gumming path P2 by pushing on the front wall 11 of the lid 4 thus avoiding that the front wall 11 of the lid 4 can overlap the front wall 7 of the external container 2. Summarizing, in this embodiment the pusher 28 (or the inclined plane which replaces the pusher 28) pushes a pack 1 of cigarettes coming out of a pocket 27 against an abutment plane which moves together (i.e. in an integral and synchronized way) with the pusher 30 and ? obviously opposite to pocket 27.

As previously stated, in the input station S1 a blank 17 is placed between a pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25 and a wrapping 3 surrounded by a collar 16 folded into a ?U? so that the blank 17 enters the pocket 27 folded into a ?U? around the wrapping 3 surrounded by the collar 16. In particular, the packing machine 24 comprises a unit? 41 (illustrated in Figures 8 and better illustrated in Figure 13) which feeds the partially gummed and partially folded (as will be described hereinafter) blanks 17 in succession to the input station S1.

According to what is illustrated in figure 13, the unit? 41 for feeding comprises a hopper 42 which houses a pile of blanks 17 and has a lower outlet from which single blanks 17 can be extracted.

The unit 41 includes a feed wheel 43 which? rotatably mounted (with intermittent, or ?stepwise?) motion about a horizontal rotation axis 44 (parallel to the rotation axis 26). The feed wheel 43 supports five suction gripping heads 45, each of which is adapted to retain a blank 17. The rotation of the feed wheel 43 about the axis 44 of rotation advances each gripping head 45 cyclically along a circular path and through: a gripping station S6 in which a blank 17 is picked up from the mouth of lower outlet of the hopper 42, and a subsequent exchange station S7 into which the blank 17 is transferred.

The unit 41 includes a feed wheel 46 which? rotatably mounted (with intermittent motion, or ?step by step?) around a horizontal rotation axis 47 (parallel to the rotation axis 44). The feed wheel 46 supports five suction gripping heads 48, each of which is adapted to hold a blank 17. The rotation of the feed wheel 46 about the axis 47 of rotation advances each gripping head 48 cyclically along a circular path and through: the exchange station S7 in which a blank 17 is received by a head 45, and a subsequent exchange station S8 in which the blank 17 is transferred.

The unit 41 comprises a belt feed conveyor 49 provided with a conveying belt 50 wound around two end pulleys 51 and 52; as shown in FIG. 11, pulley 51 has a (significantly) larger size than pulley 52. Also, pulley 51 can? pulley in order to retain the blanks 17 on it. The feed conveyor 49 has a continuous motion law (i.e. a constant feed speed) unlike the two feed wheels 43 and 46 which have a law of intermittent motion. The rotation of the two pulleys 51 and 52 cyclically advances the conveyor belt 50 through: the exchange station S8 in which a blank 17 is received by a gripping head 48, and the subsequent input station S1 in which the blank 17 is transferred to a corresponding pocket 27 of the wrapping wheel 25.

The feed wheel 43, the feed wheel 46, and the feed conveyor 49 feed the blanks 17 transversely, i.e. with the pre-weakened longitudinal fold lines oriented perpendicular to the feed direction and with the pre-weakened transverse fold lines oriented parallel to the direction of travel.

At the intake station S6 ? placed an arm 53 transfer that ? mounted for rotation (with intermittent motion, or ?stepwise?) about a horizontal rotation axis 54 (parallel to the rotation axis 44). The transfer arm 53 supports a suction gripping head 54 adapted to hold a blank 17. Rotation of the transfer arm 53 about the axis of rotation 54 advances the gripping head 55 back and forth between the lower outlet of the hopper 42 and the feed wheel 43 for transferring the blanks 17 from the lower outlet of the hopper 42 to the feed wheel 43.

At the exchange station S7 ? arranged an arm 56 transfer that ? mounted for rotation (with intermittent motion, or ?step by step?) around a horizontal rotation axis 57 (parallel to the rotation axis 54). The transfer arm 56 supports a suction gripping head 57 adapted to hold a blank 17. Rotation of the transfer arm 56 about the axis of rotation 57 moves the gripping head 58 back and forth between the feed wheel 43 and the wheel 46 for transferring the blanks 17 from the feed wheel 43 to the feed wheel 46.

As shown in FIG. 14, the feed wheels 43 and 46 and the transfer arms 53 and 56 are "comb" so that the transfer arm 53 can fit inside the feed wheel 43 and the arm 56 can be inserted alternatively inside the feed wheels 43 and 46.

According to what is illustrated in figure 13, the unit? 41 comprises a yielding station S9, which ? coupled to the feed wheel 43, ? disposed between the pick-up station S6 and the transfer station S7, and ? provided with a yielding device 59 which performs a yielding (ie a pre-folding) of the blank 17 carried by a gripping head 45 along the two pre-weakened longitudinal folding lines. The stress device 59 could be deactivated or could be absent if its function is not needed.

The unit 41 comprises a gumming station S10, which ? coupled to the feed wheel 46, ? arranged between the transfer station S7 and the transfer station S8, and ? equipped with a unit 60 which performs a gumming of the blank 17 carried by a gripping head 48. In particular, the unit? 60 comprises a series of spray gumming devices (in particular six spray gumming devices) which cold deposit the glue 19, 20, 21 and 22 (shown in figure 7). ? It is important to note that the gumming devices 31 apply the glue 23 along a longitudinally directed line while the blank 17 advances longitudinally (ie with the most favorable orientation for applying the glue 23 along a longitudinally directed line); instead, the gumming devices of the unit? Gumming 60 applies the glue 19, 20, 21 and 22 along a transversely directed line while the blank 17 advances transversely (i.e. with the most favorable orientation for applying the glue 19, 20, 21 and 22 along a transversely directed line) .

Downstream of the unit? 60 for gumming (possibly also alongside the unit 60 for gumming or integrated with the unit for gumming 60), ? arranged an additional unit? 61 comprising a spray gumming device which deposits the hot glue 18 (illustrated in figure 7), or deposits a dot of hot glue 18 (illustrated in figure 7) on the flap 11? and next to the previously applied cold glue 19. The unit 41 includes a folding station S11, which ? coupled to the feed conveyor 49, ? disposed between the exchange station S8 and the input station S1, and ? provided with a folding device 62 which carries out the folding of 180? of flap 11? of each blank 17 against panel 11?.

The unit 41 power pu? include a printing station S12, which ? coupled to the feed conveyor 49, ? disposed between the bending station S11 and the entry station S1, and ? provided with a marking device 63 which prints an identification code (for example indicating the place and date of production) on each blank 17.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two feed wheels 43 and 46 have different motion laws: both the two feed wheels 43 and 46 have an intermittent motion (i.e. a motion which provides for a cyclical alternation of motion and dwell phases), but the feed wheel 43 has more dwell phases? long and of the phases of motion pi? short (possibly even without stretches at constant speed) while the feed wheel 46 has shorter stop phases? short and of the phases of motion pi? long and especially with a stretch at speed? constant (relatively) prolonged. The function of the feed wheel 43 ? to receive the blanks 17 coming from the lower outlet of the hopper 42 and therefore requires, in order to operate optimally, a prolonged pause phase to have time to calmly extract a blank 17 from the lower outlet of the hopper 42; instead, the function of the feed wheel 46 ? allow the? application of glue 28-22 and therefore requires, to operate in an optimal way, a section at speed? constant (relatively) prolonged as the glue 28-22 is applied on a blank 17 in a more? precise when the blank 17 advances at speed? constant.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 13, the unit? 41 power includes only the? unit? 60 rubber that ? placed along the feed wheel 46 and applies all the glues 18-22; according to a different embodiment, the unit? 60 rubber that ? arranged along the feed wheel 46, it applies only the cold glue 19 while the cold glue 20-22 is applied by a further unit? 64 rubber that ? disposed along the feed conveyor 49.

The embodiments described here can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The packaging machine 24 described above has numerous advantages.

Firstly, in the packing machine 24 described above, the deposition of the hot glue 23 can be performed using only two gumming devices 31 (one for each side of the blank 17) instead of eight gumming devices which are normally required in a similar traditional packing machine; this result is obtained thanks to the fact that in correspondence with the two gumming devices 31 the blank 17 advances longitudinally (that is, with the most favorable orientation for applying the glue 23 along a longitudinally directed line).

Furthermore, in the packing machine 24 described above, the gumming devices 31 are very close to the folding device 34 (which folds the outer wings 9? and 13? against the inner wings 9? and 13?) and consequently the packets 1 of cigarettes there are very few (one or even none) between the gumming devices 31 and the folding device 34; This ? important, since in the event of a stop of the packing machine 24, all the packets 1 of cigarettes which are found between the gumming devices 31 and the folding device 34 must be discarded because at the time of the next restart the hot glue 23 ? now dry and therefore unable to take hold (even in the case of a very short stop, as the hot glue 23 dries in a very few seconds). AND? It is important to note that having one or even no packet 1 of cigarettes between the gumming devices 31 and the folding device 34, stopping the packing machine 24 in the appropriate phase (the result is always obtainable when the stop is programmed and is not performed under emergency) ? 1 packs of unwrapped cigarettes can be completely undone.

In the packing machine 24 described above and along the packing path P3, a pack 1 of cigarettes which is ?closed? by the folding device 34 always remains in contact with the previous pack 1 of cigarettes already? ?closed? and with the following pack 1 of cigarettes to ?close? subsequently; in this way, the pack 1 of cigarettes which is ?closed? from the device 34 the folder always remains well ?packed? to the full advantage of the final precision of the folds.

? important to underline that in use the gumming devices 31 are completely fixed, ie in use they do not perform any type of movement and therefore always remain in the same position while the packing machine 24? working; this characteristic considerably simplifies the construction of the gumming devices 31 and allows to obtain greater precision in the deposition of the hot glue 23. AND? important to observe that the gumming devices 31, only when the packing machine 24 ? when parked or when the gumming devices 31 are not in use, they could move towards a bleeding position (cleaning, parking); however, this ? a very slow movement which occurs occasionally only when the packing machine 24 ? stopped while in use (that is, when they have to deposit the glue 23), the gumming devices 31 are completely stopped (that is, they are completely fixed).

The packing machine 24 described above also makes it possible to reduce the quantity? aggregate of cold glue to be applied to each blank 17; in this way, the production costs of the packets 1 of cigarettes are reduced and the overall size of the unit is also reduced. 60 (this also contributes to making the feed unit 41 more compact and therefore completely houseable within the overall dimensions of the remaining part of the packing machine 24).

The packing machine 24 described above has a reduced number of format parts compared to a similar known packing machine; in particular, in the packaging machine 24 described above and in the event of a format change, it is not It is necessary to modify the cam which moves the counter-pusher which is located in the entry station S1 and accompanies the radial entry into a pocket 27 of a wrapping 3, of a collar 16 and of a blank 17.

Finally, the packing machine 24 described above is compact and has an accessibility? optimal to all its components; in fact, an operator who is in front of the packing machine 24 ? able to reach with one's own hands all the active parts of the packaging machine 24 in a simple, fast and ergonomic way.

This result is also obtained thanks to the conformation of the unit? 41 power that ? particularly compact and easy to access not projecting out of the encumbrance of the remaining part of the packing machine 24.

The embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures refers to the production of a pack of cigarettes, but the present invention ? also applicable without substantial modifications to the creation of any other type of package of smoking articles (for example a package of cigars, a package of electronic cigarettes of the liquid vaporization type, a package of new generation cigarettes without tobacco combustion? ).

Claims (11)

1) Packing machine (24) for making a packet (1) of cigarettes provided with an external container (2) and a hinged lid (4) obtained by folding a blank (17) around a wrapping (3) which encloses a group (14) of smoking articles; the packing machine (24) comprises: a wheel (25) of wrapping that ? mounted rotatably and preferably with intermittent motion around a first axis (26) of rotation and advances a pocket (27) along a circular wrapping path (P1) which extends between an infeed station (S1) where the wrapping ( 3) and the blank (17) are inserted into the pocket (27) and an exit station (S2); and a unit? (41) which feeds the blank (17) to the input station (S1) and comprises: a hopper (42) which houses a stack of blanks (17) and has a lower outlet mouth, and a first wheel (43 ) of progress that ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion around a second axis (44) of rotation and supports at least one first suction gripping head (45) adapted to receive the blank (17) coming from the lower outlet mouth of the hopper (42); the packing machine (24) ? characterized by the fact that the unit? (41) Supply includes: a second feed wheel (46) which ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion about a third axis (47) of rotation and supports at least one second suction gripping head (48) adapted to receive the blank (17) from the first gripping head (45); and a belt feed conveyor (49) which ? provided with a conveyor belt (50) which ? wrapped around two pulleys (51, 52) of extremities? and advances preferably with a continuous motion to receive the blank (17) from the second gripping head (48) and deliver the blank (17) to the wrapping wheel (25) in the input station (S1). 2) Packing machine (24) according to claim 1, wherein a pulley (51) arranged at the second feed wheel (46) has a larger size than a pulley (52) arranged at the feeding station (S1). entrance. 3) Packing machine (24) according to claim 1 or 2 and comprising a first transfer arm (53) which ? interposed between the hopper (42) and the first feed wheel (43), ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion about a fourth axis (54) of rotation, and supports a third suction gripping head (54) which is adapted to take the blank (17) from the lower outlet mouth of the hopper (42) and deliver the blank (17) to the first gripping head (45). 4) Packing machine (24) according to claim 1, 2 or 3 and comprising a second transfer arm (56) which ? interposed between the first feed wheel (43) and the second feed wheel (46), ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion about a fifth axis (57) of rotation, and supports a fourth suction gripping head (58) which is suitable for taking the blank (17) from the first gripping head (45) and transferring the blank (17) to the second gripping head (48). 5) Packing machine (24) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and comprising a yielding device (59) which ? coupled to the first feed wheel (43) and ? adapted to perform a yielding of the blank (17) carried by the first gripping head (45). 6) Packaging machine (24) according to one of the claims from 1 to 5 and comprising a first unit? (60) gumming that ? coupled to the second feed wheel (46) and ? suitable for rubberizing the blank (17) carried by a second gripping head (48). 7) Packaging machine (24) according to one of the claims from 1 to 6 and comprising a second unit? (64) gumming that ? coupled to the feed conveyor (49) and ? suitable for performing a gumming of the blank (17) carried by the conveyor belt (50). 8) Packing machine (24) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and comprising a folding device (62) which ? coupled to the feed conveyor (49) and ? able to perform the bending of 180? of a flap (11)? of the blank (17). 9) Packing machine (24) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and comprising a marking device (63) which ? coupled to the feed conveyor (49) and ? suitable for printing an identification code on the blank (17). 10) Packing machine (24) according to one of claims from 1 to 9, in which the two feed wheels (43, 46) have different motion laws: does the first feed wheel (43) have more dwell phases? long and of the phases of motion pi? court; And does the second feed wheel (46) have more dwell phases? short and of the phases of motion pi? long and presenting a stretch at speed? prolonged constant. 11) Wrapping method for making a packet (1) of cigarettes provided with an external container (2) and a hinged lid (4) obtained by folding a blank (17) around a wrapping (3) which encloses a group (14 ) of smoking articles; the wrapping method includes the phases of: advance, by means of a wheel (25) of wrapping that ? rotatably mounted and preferably with intermittent motion around a first axis (26) of rotation, a pocket (27) along a circular wrapping path (P1) which extends between an infeed station (S1) where the wrapping (3 ) and the blank (17) are inserted into the pocket (27) and an exit station (S2); and feed the blank (17) to the input station (S1) by means of a unit? (41) which comprises: a hopper (42) which houses a stack of blanks (17) and has a lower outlet mouth, and a first feed wheel (43) which ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion around a second axis (44) of rotation and supports at least one first suction gripping head (45) adapted to receive the blank (17) coming from the lower outlet mouth of the hopper (42); the wrapping method ? characterized by the fact that it includes the phases of: preferably advance the blank (17) with an intermittent motion by means of a second feed wheel (46) which ? rotatably mounted preferably with intermittent motion about a third axis (47) of rotation and supports at least one second suction gripping head (48) adapted to receive the blank (17) from the first gripping head (45); preferably advance the blank (17) with continuous motion, by means of a belt feed conveyor (49) which ? provided with a conveyor belt (50) which ? wrapped around two pulleys (51, 52) of extremities? and advances preferably with a continuous motion to receive the blank (17) from the second gripping head (48) and deliver the blank (17) to the wrapping wheel (25) in the input station (S1); And transferring the blank (17) to the wrapping wheel (25) in the input station (S1).