WO2023170481A1

WO2023170481A1 - A method for making a package of smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2023170481A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/050837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan ARMENI; Davide Parazza; Francesco Bertuzzi
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2022-03-10
Filing date: 2023-01-31
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Also published as: IT202200004583A1

Abstract

A method is described for making a package (100) of smoking articles comprising an ordered group of packets (102) containing smoking articles, comprising the steps of: - making a succession of packets (102) advance along a first advancing-path (K1), wherein said succession comprises a repeating series of packets comprising a first packet (1021) and at least one further packet ( 102n), wherein the packets of the series have a homologous side with a given orientation; - applying at least one predetermined quantity of glue on the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102^I) or of the first packet (102^I) of the repeating series of packets; - grouping the packets (102) of the repeating series of packets along a first grouping direction (X2) orthogonal to the homologous sides (102A) of the packets, wherein the step of grouping includes pushing the at least one further packet 102^II) along the first grouping direction (X2) bringing the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102^II) or of the first packet (102^I) against the first packet (102^I) or the at least one further packet (102^II), so that the glue applied to the homologous side of the at least one further packet (102^II) or of the first packet (102^I) produces a joint between the first packet (102^I) and the at least one further packet (102^II), the first packet (102^I) and the at least one further packet (102^II) thus forming an ordered group or sub-group (103) of packets glued together.

Description

“A method for making a package of smoking articles”

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for producing a package of smoking articles comprising an ordered group of packets containing smoking articles. A package of this type is commonly referred to as a "carton" of packets.

A "carton" solution that has been known for a very long time and widely used on the market envisages an inner container, usually formed by a sheet of folded cardboard, within which the ordered group of packets is housed, and an outer wrapping, usually in cellophane or polypropylene, which completely envelops the inner container.

In more recent years, solutions have also been developed which use a smaller quantity of packaging material, with a view both to reducing the production cost of the package and to reducing the so-called environmental impact of the package itself.

For example, packages have been proposed without the inner container of folded cardboard, and consisting only of the outer cellophane wrapper.

Furthermore, packages have also been proposed wherein the packets of smoking articles are held together only by strips of adhesive material applied along certain sides of the ordered group of packets.

Another package, proposed in the patent IT 1253890, only provides layers or dots of glue that connect the packets of the package to each other in a releasable manner, in the absence of any packaging material applied to the packages themselves.

Each of the solutions indicated above represents a technological challenge with respect to the realization of an industrial method for producing such packages that is highly automated. Furthermore, in this sector there is a constant need to increase production volumes, reduce waste, and maintain the highest and most uniform quality possible.

In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for making a package of smoking articles of the type mentioned above which provides mutual gluing of the packets.

The aforesaid object is achieved by means of a method according to claim 1. The present invention also relates to a packaging machine of smoking articles according to claim 10.

The attached claims form an integral part of the disclosure provided here.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the description that follows with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

- Figure 1 represents a packaging machine for implementing the method described herein according to a preferred embodiment;

- Figure 2 represents the packaging machine of Figure 1 according to a front view;

- Figure 2A represents a packaging machine for implementing the method described herein according to a further preferred embodiment;

- Figure 3 represents a detail of the packaging machine of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 represents a further detail of the packaging machine of Figure 1;

- Figures 5A and 5B illustrate two examples of packaging of smoking articles which can be made according to the method described herein;

- Figure 6 represents a packaging machine for implementing the method described herein according to a further preferred embodiment;

- Figures 7A and 7B illustrate two ways of applying glue on packets according to the method described here.

In the following description various specific details are illustrated aimed at a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.

The references used here are only for convenience and do not therefore define the field of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, these illustrate two examples of packaging of smoking articles which can be made by means of the method described herein.

In general, the package of smoking articles of the type described here - indicated as a whole by the reference number 100 - comprises an ordered group of packets 102 which are mutually glued at respective directly facing sides.

The package 100 of Figure 5A comprises, in particular, two main extension directions XI, X2 along which the group of packets of the package extends.

In particular, along the direction X2, the package 100 comprises - in an ideal sectional plane of the package - two packets 102 arranged in series which form a pair 103 of packets. The two packets of the pair 103 are glued together at their respective facing sides 102A, 102B.

Along the direction XI, the package 100 comprises, instead, five pairs of packets 103 arranged in series, which are joined together by means of glue at the respective facing sides 103 A, 103B.

On the other hand, the package 100 of the example of Figure 5B has a single extension direction X2 along which the group of packets of the package extends. In this case, the package comprises a series of ten packets arranged along the direction X2 and joined together by means of glue at the respective facing sides 102A, 102B.

The number of packets indicated above along the directions XI, X2 are clearly only examples.

Preferably, the packets 102 each comprise an outer wrapper made of plastic material, for example cellophane. In this regard, the Applicant was able to verify that the hot glue used to join the packets together acts effectively in contact with an outer wrapper of this type.

With reference now to the packaging machine of Figures 1 - 4, this comprises a conveyor 20 for advancing a succession of packets 102 along an advancing path KI. Preferably, the conveyor 20 is operated according to a stepwise movement.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, in the aforesaid succession, the packets 102 are laid down and preferably abutting, each to the preceding packet and to the subsequent packet. Furthermore, each packet 102 has the respective side 102A facing upwards.

The conveyor 20 may, for example, be a belt conveyor. At least along its end portion, the conveyor 20 may comprise opposite side guides 22 to precisely align the packets 102 along an advancing direction Yl. The packaging machine 10 includes a glue-applying station 40 for applying a predetermined amount of glue 105 (see Figure 1) on the side 102A of some of the packages 102 advancing on the conveyor 20, according to the criterion that will be described below.

The station 40 may comprise one or more dosing devices 42 for dispensing predetermined quantities of glue 105, which may be of a known type and comprise, for example, a dispensing nozzle and a glue flow control disc through the nozzle, controlled pneumatically or by an electromechanical actuator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method described herein, the dosing devices 42 may be controlled to deposit the glue in the form of dots or strips and to make overall, on the sides 102 A, glue deposits of various configurations according to the requirements of the specific applications. For example, as shown schematically in Figure 7 A, on the same side 102A the dosing devices 42 may make multiple mutually spaced apart glue deposits 1051, 105II, for example, a first glue deposit 1051 near the downstream end of the packet 102, and a second glue deposit 105II near the upstream end.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the station 40 comprises two dosing devices 42 positioned side-by-side along a direction transverse to the advancing direction Yl, so as to dispense the glue on mutually spaced apart regions and, preferably, arranged in proximity of opposite edges, parallel to the direction Yl, of the side 102A.

Preferably, the method described herein employs hot glue to ensure that the parts of the packets that are glued together fasten together very quickly.

The packaging machine 10 further comprises a grouping station 60 for grouping the packets 102 along a first grouping direction X2.

In particular, returning to the package 100 of the example of Figure 5 A, the grouping station 60 performs the function of forming the pairs of packets 103. The grouping direction of the station has been indicated with the reference X2 also used to indicate the homonymous extension direction of the package 100, precisely for the object of facilitating the understanding of the way in which the pairs of packets 103 are formed in this station.

With reference to Figure 3, in one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the grouping station 60 comprises a vertical guide channel 61, which extends along the grouping direction X2 and within which the pair 103 of packets is formed, and a pusher member 62, which is movable along the grouping direction X2 between a lowered position Pl for receiving the single packet 102 from the conveyor 20, and a raised position P2 for releasing the packet 102 inside the guide channel 61. Preferably, the channel 61 comprises vertical walls 61A (only some of which are visible in the figures) which delimit, at least partially, a rectangular plan profile corresponding to the perimeter of the side 102A of the packets 102. Obviously, the configuration of the channel 61 may vary according to the geometry of the packets 102.

Furthermore, the grouping station 60 comprises an upper abutment 63 which closes the guide channel 61 at the top.

The guide channel 61 also comprises a pair of inner supports 6 IB which protrude inside the channel 61 and are retractable to allow the passage of the single packet 102, which is moved by the pusher member 62 from the receiving position Pl to the raised release position P2 within channel 61. The inner supports 6 IB perform the function of vertically supporting the packets 102 once they have been released inside the channel 61.

Returning for a moment to the conveyor 20, it will be noted that with respect to the pairs of packets 103 to be made at the grouping station 60, the succession of packets 102 carried by conveyor 20 comprises a repeating series of packets 102¹, 102¹¹ which will form a single pair of packets 103.

In the glue-applying station 40, the glue is applied only to the side 102A of the packet 102¹¹, which is the second packet of the series along the advancing direction Yl. Conversely, glue is not applied to the packet 102¹, which is the first packet of the series along the advancing direction Yl.

Returning again to the grouping station 60, the guide channel 61 is initially empty and the pusher member 62 is in the lowered receiving position P 1 awaiting a first packet 102¹ for producing a new pair of packets 103. When the packet 102¹ reaches the position Pl, the pusher member 62 rises so as to insert the packet 102¹ inside the guide channel 61 up to the release position P2, in which the packet 102¹ is supported vertically by the supports 6 IB.

Subsequently, the pusher member 62 returns to the receiving position Pl and receives the second packet 102¹¹. At this point, the pusher member 102 rises again taking the second packet 102¹¹ to the release position P2. During this movement, the pusher member 62 and the second packet 102¹¹ intercept the first packet 102¹ and lift it until it abuts against the upper abutment 63. In this step, the side 102 A of the second packet 102¹¹, on which the glue was previously applied in the station 40, contacts the side 102B of the first packet 102¹, and, once the first packet 102¹ is brought into contact with the upper abutment 63, the two sides 102A, 102B are pressed against each other with a predetermined force, with the glue interposed between them, due to the pressure action exerted on the packets in opposite directions by the pusher member 62 and of the upper abutment 63.

The aforesaid pressure action between the two sides 102A, 102B allows a solid connection to be obtained between the two packages 102¹ and 102¹¹.

In view of the above, it now appears evident that the glue is not applied on the first packet 102¹ of the aforesaid series that advances on the conveyor 20, but only on the second packet 102¹¹, due to the fact that the side 102A of the first packet 102¹ finds itself facing in the opposite direction to the second packet 102¹¹, inside the grouping station 60, while the side 102 A of the second packet 102¹¹ instead finds itself directly facing the first packet 102¹. It will also be understood that in an alternative embodiment wherein within the grouping station 60 the packets 102 are directed downwards, instead of upwards as in the illustrated example, along the grouping direction X2, the glue instead is applied on the side 102A of the first packet 102¹, while it is not applied on the second packet 102¹¹.

It should also be noted that, on the basis of the same operating principle illustrated above, the grouping station 60 in collaboration with the glue-applying station 40 are capable of forming sub-groups of mutually glued packets of any number.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the packaging machine 10 also comprises a second conveyor 70 for advancing the succession of pairs of packets 103 made by the grouping station 60 along a second advancing path K2. Preferably, the conveyor 70 is operated according to a stepwise movement.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the second conveyor 70 comprises a transfer wheel 72 equipped with a plurality of seats 72A distributed along its peripheral region, to receive, in each, a respective pair of packets 103. The transfer wheel 72 rotates about an axis of rotation I parallel to the advancing direction Yl.

In this case, the second advancing path K2 thus extends along a circular trajectory.

The seats 72A receive a respective pair of packets 103 in a position P3, directly from the grouping station 60, by means of a pusher member 68 (see Figure 3), which is movable with reciprocating motion along a direction Y2 orthogonal to the advancing direction Y 1 and which, whenever a pair of packets 103 has been formed inside the vertical channel 61, advances along the direction Y2 to transfer the pair of packets 103 into the seat 72A of the wheel 72 which is located at the position P3. Incidentally, it will be understood that the channel 61 therefore has open sides facing the pusher member 68 and the transfer wheel 72, respectively, precisely to allow the passage of the pusher member 68 and the pair of packets 103.

Each pair of packets 103 received in the respective seat 72A of the wheel 72 has a side 103 A perpendicular to the radial direction of the wheel 72, which faces outwards.

The packaging machine 10 also comprises a second glue-applying station 80 for applying a predetermined amount of glue 107 (see Figure 2) on the side 103 A of some of the pairs of packets 103 which advance along the advancing path K2, according to the criterion that will be explained below.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, similarly to the glue-applying station 40, the station 80 may comprise one or more dosing devices 82 for dispensing predetermined quantities of glue 107, which may be of a known type and comprise, for example, a dispensing nozzle and a glue flow control disc through the nozzle, controlled pneumatically or by an electro-mechanical actuator.

During operation, the dosing devices 82 may be controlled to deposit the glue in the form of dots or strips and to make overall, on the sides 103 A, glue deposits of various configurations according to the requirements of the specific applications. For example, as shown schematically in Figure 7B, on the same side 103 A, the dosing devices 82 may make multiple mutually spaced apart glue deposits 1071, 107II, for example a first glue deposit 1071 near a downstream side of the pair of packets 103 and a second glue deposit 107II near an upstream side.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated (see Figure 1), the glue-applying station 80 comprises two dosing devices 82, which are arranged side-by-side along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation I of the wheel 72, so as to dispense the glue on mutually spaced apart regions of the side 103A and, preferably, positioned close to opposite edges, parallel to the path K2, of the side 103 A.

The packaging machine 10 also comprises a second grouping station 90 for grouping the pairs of packages 103 which are fed by the transfer wheel 72, to make the final packages 100.

In particular, the second grouping station 90 is arranged to group the pairs of packets 103 along a second grouping direction XI orthogonal to the first grouping direction X2.

This grouping direction has been indicated with the reference XI, also used to indicate the homonymous extension direction of the package 100, illustrated in Figure 5 A, in order to facilitate the understanding of the way in which the packages 100 are formed in this station.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the second grouping station 90 comprises a horizontal guide channel 91, which extends along the grouping direction XI, and within which the single package 100 is formed, as will be seen hereinafter, through the mutual union of the pairs of packets 103 along the grouping direction XL

The second grouping station 90 also comprises a pusher member 92, which is movable along the direction XI between a position P4 for receiving the single pair of packets 103 from the transfer wheel 72, and a position P5 for releasing the pair of packets 103 within guide channel 91.

According to an embodiment, the guide channel 91 may comprise a horizontal sliding plane of the packets and two opposite side guides (not visible in the figures), arranged to keep the pairs of packets 103 in mutual alignment along the grouping direction XL

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the grouping station 90 also comprises an opposing device 93, which is arranged to engage each pair of packets 103, which is in the position immediately downstream of the position P5 along the grouping direction XI, for the function which will be described below. In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the opposing device 93 comprises a pressure member 93A controlled by an actuator or by elastic means, which is arranged to act along a direction orthogonal to the grouping direction XI, on one corresponding side, parallel to the direction XI, of the pair of packets 103. The pusher member 93 A acts on the aforesaid side to generate friction forces which determine a given resistance to the sliding of the pair of packets 103 along the direction XI, as will be seen below, in opposition to the thrust action exerted by the pusher member 92.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the grouping station 90 also comprises a blocking device 94, arranged at the position P5, which performs the function of holding the pair of packets 103 released in this position, once the pusher member 92 separates therefrom. Apart from its different function, the blocking device 94 may be the same as the opposing device 93.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 2 A, instead of the two devices 93, 94, a pair of motorized belts 95 is provided, arranged opposite each other, into which the single pairs of packets 103 advancing along the direction XI are transferred by the pusher member 92 from position P4 to position P5. The belts in question engage the single pair of packets 103, on corresponding opposite sides of the same pair, and are moved along the direction XI, preferably by means of a single actuator, according to a speed slightly lower than the movement speed of the pusher member 92. In this way, a retention action opposite to the thrusting action exerted by the pusher member 92 is exerted on the single pair of packets 103, similarly to the function performed by the opposing device 93. In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the belts 95 constitute at least one part of the guide channel 91. Preferably, the belts 95 extend towards the transfer wheel 72 up to the same release position P5, overlapping this position, so as to be able to block the pair of packets 103 which is released in the release position P5 by the pusher member 92.

Returning to the transfer wheel 72, the succession of pairs of packets 103 fed by it to the grouping station 90 comprises a repeating series of pairs of packets which will form a single package 100, composed of a first pair of packets 103¹ and subsequent pairs of packets 103¹¹. The method described here envisages that, for each series of packets thus defined, the glue is applied to the side 103 A of the successive pairs of packets 103¹¹ and, instead, is not applied to the side 103A of the first pair of packets 103¹.

With reference now to the grouping station 90, initially the guide channel 91 is empty and the pusher member 92 is in the receiving position P4 waiting to receive the first pair of packets 103¹ for making a new package 100. When the first pair of packets 103¹ moves to position P4, the pusher member 92 advances along the grouping direction XI so as to extract the pair of packets 103¹ from the transfer wheel 72 and insert it inside the channel 91 up to the release position P5.

Subsequently, the pusher member 92 performs the same movement to carry a second pair of packets 103¹ from the receiving position P4 to the release position P5 inside the channel 91.

During this movement, the pusher member 92 and the second pair of packets 103¹¹ intercept the first pair of packets 103¹, which is thus made to advance by one step along the direction XI. In this step, the side 103 A of the second pair of packets 103¹¹, on which the glue has previously been applied, comes into contact with the side 103B of the first pair of packets 103¹. Furthermore, the first pair 103¹ is engaged by the opposing device 93, which exerts a retention action on it opposite to the thrust action exerted on the second pair of packets 103¹¹ by the pusher member 92. In this way, the two sides 103 A, 103B, respectively, of the subsequent pair of packets 103¹¹ and of the first pair of packets 103¹ are pressed together, with glue placed between them. This pressing action on the sides 103 A, 103B ensures a firm connection between the two pairs of packets 103¹, 103¹¹.

The operations indicated above are repeated to add a pair of packets 103¹¹ at each cycle until the package 100 is complete.

The package 100 is then extracted from the channel 91 and transferred, for example, to a conveying line 50 for feeding the finished packages 100 to subsequent treatment and/or handling stations for the packages.

Also in this case, it now appears evident that the glue is not applied on the first pair of packets 103¹ of the aforesaid series which advances along the path K2, but only on the second pair of packets 103¹¹, due to the fact that the side 103A ofthe first pair of packets 103¹ finds itself facing in the opposite direction to the second pair of packets 103¹¹, inside the grouping station 90, while the side 103A of the subsequent pair of packets 103¹¹ finds itself, on the other hand, directly facing the first pair of packets 103¹. It will also be understood that in an alternative embodiment wherein, inside the grouping station 90, the pairs of packets 103 are addressed to the right (with reference to Figures 1 and 2), instead of to the left as in the illustrated example, along the grouping direction XI, the glue is instead applied to the side 103 A of the first pair of packets 103¹, while it is not applied to the second pair of packets 103¹¹ which, ultimately, will complete the package 100.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the packaging machine 10 comprises a detection unit 12 for detecting the glue applied to the sides 102A of the packets 102¹¹, when these are still on the conveyor 20.

Furthermore, in one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the packaging machine 10 comprises a second detection unit 14 for detecting the glue applied to the sides 103A of the pairs of packets 103 ⁿ, when these are still on the wheel 72.

In one or more preferred embodiments, the aforesaid detection units 12, 14 may be, for example, a video camera or a thermal imaging camera.

A control unit 18 of the machine 10 may be configured to identify a defective glue application on the sides 102A, 103A, for example a lack of glue or an inadequate glue deposit, according to the images taken by the two detection units 12, 14.

In one or more preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the packaging machine 10 may also provide a packet reject position P6, which, preferably, is arranged at the transfer wheel 72 so as to be reached by the pairs of packets 103 which, transported by the wheel 72 around the rotation axis I, pass the position P5 and precisely reach the position P6.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method described here, if, for example, the detection unit 12 or 14 detects a defective glue application on the side 102A of a packet 102¹¹, or on the side 103 A of a pair of packets 103¹¹, the pair of packets 103¹¹ which includes the same packet 102¹¹ with defective glue application on the side 102 A, or the pair of packets 103¹¹ with defective glue application on the side 103 A, is advanced by the wheel 72 beyond the position P5, up to the position P6, where it is discarded.

In alternative embodiments, the transfer wheel 72 could also be absent, and be replaced, for example, by a simple linear translator operating along the direction XI.

In any case, in view of the above it will be noted that the transfer wheel 72 provides the great advantage of orienting the pairs of packets 103 so as to be able to apply the glue on the respective sides 103 A according to a glue dispensing in a vertical direction, from top to bottom, and, moreover, the advantage of allowing the detection unit 74 and the reject position P6 to be arranged immediately downstream and in close proximity to the glue applying station 80, so as to considerably limit the overall dimensions of the machine.

With reference now to Figure 6, this illustrates a packaging machine for implementing the method described here in order to make the package 100 of Figure 5B.

The packaging machine of this embodiment shares with the machine of the previously described embodiment the conveyor 20, the first glueapplying station 40 and the first grouping station 60.

In this case, the grouping station 60 operates to form the entire package 100 along the grouping direction X2 of the station, according to the same grouping method of the packages already described above with reference to the embodiment of Figures 1 - 4.

Furthermore, the upper abutment 63 is vertically -movable to raise by one step each time a new packet, starting from the third, which is about to be inserted into the channel 61, following the growth of the package 100 being formed, so as to be able to operate in the same mode described previously.

The package 100, made inside the grouping station 60, may subsequently be overturned in a lying position on a conveyor 51 located downstream and configured for feeding the finished packages 100 to subsequent treatment and/or handling stations of the packages.

It should now be noted that the method described above may also vary with respect to the preferred embodiments illustrated above.

For example, the second grouping direction XI may be oriented parallel (and not orthogonal) to the advancing direction Yl.

Furthermore, the first grouping direction X2 may also be inclined with respect to the vertical or be horizontal (this with reference both to the embodiment of Figures 1-4 and to the embodiment of Figure 6).

With reference to the embodiment of Figures 1-4, in an alternative embodiment, the grouping station 60 - whatever the orientation of its grouping direction X2 - may be used to create long lines, for example, of five packets, while the grouping station 90 - whatever the orientation of its grouping direction XI - may be used to couple together two successive rows of packets created by the grouping station 60.

The means described above for implementing the method described herein may also vary.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those illustrated here, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for making a package (100) of smoking articles comprising an ordered group of packets (102) containing smoking articles, comprising the steps of:

- making a succession of packets (102) advance along a first advancing-path (KI), wherein said succession comprises a repeating series of packets comprising a first packet (102¹) and at least one further packet (102¹¹), wherein the packets of the series have a homologous side with a given orientation;

- applying at least one predetermined quantity of glue (105) on the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or of the first packet (102¹) of the repeating series of packets;

- grouping the packets (102) of the repeating series of packets along a first grouping direction (X2) orthogonal to the homologous sides (102A) of the packets, wherein the step of grouping includes pushing the at least one further packet (102¹¹) along the first grouping direction (X2) bringing the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or of the first packet (102¹) against the first packet (102¹) or the at least one further packet (102¹¹), so that the glue applied to the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or of the first packet (102¹) produces a joint between the first packet (102¹) and the at least one further packet (102¹¹), the first packet (102¹) and the at least one further packet (102¹¹) thus forming an ordered group or sub-group (103) of packets glued together.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising, furthermore:

- making a succession of sub-groups of reciprocally-glued packets (103), each formed by the first packet (102¹) and the at least one further packet (102¹¹) glued to the first packet, advance along a second advancingpath (K2), wherein said succession comprises a repeating series of subgroups of packets comprising a first sub-group of packets (103¹) and at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹), wherein the sub-groups of packets of the series have a homologous side (103 A) with a given orientation;

- applying at least one predetermined quantity of glue (107) on the homologous side (103 A) of the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) of the repeating series of sub-groups of packets;

- grouping the sub-groups of packets (103) of the repeating series of subgroups of packets along a second grouping direction (XI) orthogonal to the homologous sides (103 A) of the sub-group of packets, wherein the step of grouping includes pushing the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹) along the second grouping direction (XI) bringing the homologous side (103 A) of the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) against the first subgroup of packets (103¹) or the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹), so that the glue applied to the homologous side of the at least one further subgroup of packets (103¹¹) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) produces a joint between the first sub-group of packets (103¹), and the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹), the first sub-group of packets (103¹) and the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹) thus forming an ordered group (100) of packets glued together.

3. A method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the first grouping direction (X2) is vertical and wherein grouping the packets (102) includes piling up the first packet (102¹) and the at least one further packet (102¹¹) along the first vertical grouping direction (X2).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the second direction of grouping (XI) is horizontal, and wherein grouping the sub-groups of packets (103) includes arranging in line the first sub-group of packets (103¹) and the at least one further sub-group of packets ( 103 ⁿ) along the second horizontal grouping direction (XI).

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the first advancing path (KI) extends along a horizontal advancing direction (Yl) and the second grouping direction is orthogonal or parallel to said horizontal advancing direction (Yl) of the first advancing path (KI).

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the second advancing path (K2) of the succession of sub-groups of packets extends along a circular trajectory about an axis (I) orthogonal to the second grouping direction (XI).

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes detecting by means of a detecting unit (12) the glue applied on the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or of the first packet (102¹) during the advancement of the at least one further packet ( 102ⁿ) or of the first packet (102¹) along the first advancing path (KI).

8. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, including detecting by means of a detecting unit (14) the glue applied to the homologous side (103 A) of the at least one further sub-group of packets ( 103 ⁿ) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) during the advancement of the at least one further sub-group of packets ( 103 ⁿ) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) along the second advancing path (K2).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes, after application of the glue, rejecting a possible defective packet or sub-group of packets during the advancement of the packets or of the subgroups of packets (103) along the first or second advancing path (KI, K2).

10. A machine for packaging smoking articles for implementing a method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- a conveyor (20) for making the succession of packets (102) advance along the first advancing path (KI);

- a glue-applying station (40) for applying the predetermined quantity of glue on the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet or of the first packet of the repeating series of packets;

- a grouping station (60) for grouping the packets of the repeating series of packets along the first grouping direction (X2), wherein the grouping station (60) includes a guiding channel (61) wherein the packets of the repeating series of packets are received one after another and grouped together along the grouping direction (X2), and a pushing member (62), which is movable along the grouping direction (X2) between a position for receiving the single packet from the conveyor (20) and a position for releasing the packet within the guiding channel (61).

11. A machine according to claim 10, wherein:

- the grouping direction (X2) is vertical and the guiding channel (61) is a vertical channel;

- the pushing member (62) is movable between a lowered receiving position (Pl) and a raised releasing position (P2);

- the grouping station (60) comprises an upper abutment (63) configured in such a way that the first packet (102¹) and the at least one further packet (102¹¹) received within the guiding channel (61) are pressed against the upper abutment (63) by the pushing member (62), when the latter reaches the raised releasing position (P2).

12. A machine according to claim 11, wherein the vertical guiding channel (61) comprises one or more inner supports (6 IB) for vertically supporting the packets grouped within the channel (61), which project into the channel and are retractable to allow the single packet to pass through when moved by the pushing member (62) to the releasing position (P2).

13. A machine according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising:

- a second conveyor (70) for making the succession of sub-groups of packets (103) advance along the second advancing path (K2);

- a second glue-applying station (80) for applying the predetermined quantity of glue on the homologous side (103 A) of the at least one further sub-group of packets or of the first sub-group of packets of the repeating series of sub-groups of packets;

- a second grouping station (9) for grouping the sub-groups of packets of the repeating series of sub-groups of packets along the second grouping direction (XI), wherein the second grouping station (90) includes a guiding channel (91) in which the sub-groups of packets of the repeating series of subgroups of packets are received one after another and grouped together along the second grouping direction (XI), and a pushing member (92) which is movable along the second grouping direction (XI) between a position for receiving the single sub-group of packets from the second conveyor (70) and a position for releasing the sub-group of packets within the guiding channel (91).

14. A machine according to claim 13, wherein:

- the second grouping direction (XI) is horizontal and the guiding channel (91) is a horizontal channel;

- the grouping station (90) comprises an opposing device (93) configured to operate on a subgroup of packets (103) downstream of the releasing position (P5) along the second grouping direction (XI), for exerting on the sub-group of packets (103) finding itself in this downstream position, an action opposing to the pushing action exerted by the pushing member (92) on the sub-group of upstream packets, during the movement of the pushing member (92) from the receiving position (P4) to the releasing position (P5).

15. A machine according to claim 13 or 15, wherein the second conveyor (70) comprises a transfer wheel (72), which is provided with a plurality of seats (72A) distributed along its peripheral region, each for receiving a respective sub-group of packets, and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (I) orthogonal to the second grouping direction (XI).

16. A machine according to claim 13, wherein the first advancingpath (KI) extends along a horizontal advancing direction (Yl) and the second grouping direction (XI) is orthogonal or parallel to said horizontal advancing direction (Yl) of the first advancing path (KI).

17. A machine according to claim 10, comprising a detection unit (12) for detecting the glue applied on the homologous side (102 A) of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or the first packet (102¹) during the advancement of the at least one further packet (102¹¹) or of the first packet (102¹) along the first advancing path (KI).

18. A machine according to claim 13, comprising a detection unit (14) for detecting the glue applied on the homologous side (103A) of the at least one further sub-groups of packets (103¹¹) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) during the advancement of the at least one further sub-group of packets (103¹¹) or of the first sub-group of packets (103¹) along the second advancing path (K2).