Abstract: A device for folding flat die-cuts through 180.degree. has a flipper of which the movement is guided by linkages composed of at least two rectilinear slots, occupying a common plane and compassing an acute angle, and at least two slides free to traverse along the two slots. The flipper is connected pivotably to the slides, and the folding action is generated by a single linear actuator stroking in a direction substantially parallel to one of the slots, its rod end being hinged to the respective slide.

Abstract: The depletion of a roll strip material onto a relative core and rotatable about its own axis, typically as in wrapping machines, is monitored by a device comprising light-sensitive optoelectronic transducers associated directly with the roll, mounted pivotably in such a way as to advance gradually closer to the core in a substantially radial direction as the strip decoils; the transducers respond to the color presented by a given area of the roll, and will generate a signal on sensing a hue or shade that matches a previously selectable reference value.

Abstract: A method of producing cartons of cigarettes, whereby groups of packets of cigarettes are formed wherein the packets are arranged in at least two side by side stacks, and wherein each packet in each stack is laid flat with its longer axis horizontal and aligned with the longer axis of a corresponding packet in the other stack; and each group is fed, crosswise to the longer axes of the packets and together with a flat blank from which to form a rigid hinged-lid wrapping, into a folding spindle, the bottom wall of which supports the group with the interposition of a panel of the blank corresponding to a lateral wall of the rigid wrapping.

Abstract: A lift truck for transferring reels, and presenting a supporting platform adjustable in height; and a variable-capacity container for receiving at least one reel on edge, and connected to the supporting platform so as to travel between two limit positions in relation to the supporting platform and in a substantially horizontal direction parallel to the axis of the reel.

Abstract: Continuous strip materials supplied in rolls are spliced automatically at the moment of use by a series of steps in which the leading end of the strip decoiled from a new roll is arranged first on the locating and striking face of a suction bar capable of movement between an at-rest position and a splicing position, whereupon the trailing end of the depleted strip decoiling from the roll still in use is restrained against a fixed reference surface coinciding with the splicing position, a transverse cut made through the trailing end of the depleted strip, and the leading end of the new strip brought into contact with the area of the trailing end of the depleted strip terminating in the cut, and the joined ends are then secured by heat-sealing or by applying an adhesive or a double-sided sticker.

Abstract: A method and device for splicing narrow strips, whereby a first portion of a first strip is superimposed on a second portion of a second strip; and an adhesive connecting element is folded in a U about the strip portions.

Abstract: A method and device for laterally joining product wrappings, whereby the connection of two overlapping longitudinal portions of a tubular wrapping defined by a sheet of wrapping material wrapped about the product inside a wrapping seat is at least completed as the wrapped product is unloaded from the wrapping seat by a heated counterpusher.

Abstract: A method of feeding portions of wrapping material, cut off a continuous strip, to a packing line, which method, for feeding each portion, includes stages consisting in making in the strip at least a first partial transverse cut by means of a first fixed blade cooperating with a movable blade; and in making in the strip at least a second partial transverse cut, aligned longitudinally with the first partial transverse cut and completing detachment of the portion, by means of a second fixed blade cooperating with the movable blade; the strip, in the course of making the second partial transverse cut, being drawn by feed elements not involving the strip portion in which the second partial transverse cut is to be made.

Abstract: A method and device for producing cartons of cigarettes from respective groups of equioriented packets forming a first and second row arranged one on top of and contacting the other, whereby the two rows of packets in each group are parted to enable the first row to be rotated substantially 180.degree. in relation to the second prior to restoring the first row to the superimposed mutually contacting position.

Abstract: A method of producing cartons of packets of cigarettes, whereby a blank, folded in a U about a respective group of packets so as to leave three exposed surfaces from each of which at least two tabs of the blank project outwards, is finish-folded, over at least one of the exposed surfaces, by a respective single folding head having a folding device for each tab, and which provides for folding the tabs in the course of one linear movement in a direction parallel to the tabs for folding and to the respective exposed surface, and with the blank maintained stationary, together with the respective group of packets, in a folding station.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing cartons of cigarettes, each consisting of a number of packets of cigarettes housed inside a box formed from a flat blank divided by yield lines into a number of panels; the carton being formed by feeding the blank along a first path to a prefolding station where the blank is folded substantially in a U, and by transferring the prefolded blank to a loading station where a respective group of packets is fed inside the prefolded blank, and is pushed further, along a further path, so as to feed the blank and respective group of packets into a folding channel for closing the box.

Abstract: A device for supplying packets, in particular packets of cigarettes, wherein a conveyor feeds the packets successively and in steps into seats on a wheel by which the packets are transferred in steps to a cartoning machine for forming groups of "n" packets each; the packets being fed by the wheel through an exchange station where the wheel cooperates with a reintegrating store for supplying any empty seats with respective packets, and which is reloaded by receiving from the wheel the packets in a continuous sequence of "n" seats, so that the cartoning machine is fed with a gap which it absorbs by performing a no-load cycle.

Abstract: A method and device for successively feeding portions of wrapping material to a wrapping machine, whereby the portions are drawn towards a transfer station by gripping devices on the forward branch of a conveyor having two belts and the return branch of which is located facing a folding seat on the wrapping machine; at the transfer station, each portion on the forward branch of the conveyor being moved through both belts and towards a respective folding seat by a respective product fed perpendicularly to the transportation surface of the conveyor.

Abstract: A rigid package, particularly for cigarettes, substantially in the form of a rectangular prism and defined by a cup-shaped body having, at the open end, a collar and a lid hinged to the rear edge of the cup-shaped body; the package being formed from a blank incorporating the collar, and wherein a central panel with lateral tabs defines the front wall of the package, and presents, together with the tabs, a precut line for detaching the front edge and lateral edges of the lid from corresponding edges of the cup-shaped body.

Abstract: A conveyor device for sheets of wrapping material, whereby the sheets are transferred, from a first conveyor to a second conveyor forming an angle of other than zero, by a conveyor designed to swing between a forward position wherein the sheets are removed off the first conveyor, and a withdrawn position wherein the sheets are transferred to the second conveyor.

Abstract: Intended typically for slender tear strips, the automatic splicer comprises at least two supply reels wound with respective strips, the one in use and the other a replacement, set in rotation singly or together by a common drive, and feed wheels with peripheral grooves positioned with axes normal to the axes of the reels, by which the two strips are directed into a splicing station where the trailing end of the strip uncoiling from the reel in use is joined to the leading end of the strip uncoiled from the replacement reel; the splice is effected by means of a positioning and restraining component and a reference and reaction component stationed on either side of the strip in use, which can be drawn together until the ends of the strips are fully in contact, with the leading end of the replacement strip positioned and restrained in a longitudinal groove afforded by the relative component. The ends of the strips are trimmed automatically by separate cutters.

Abstract: A method and device for simultaneously closing a first and adjacent second box having respective lateral openings, each closed by a pair of lateral tabs, which are folded one on top of the other by a first and second folding device on either side of the two boxes; the tabs being arranged, prior to folding, facing and parallel to one another, so as to define two inner tabs and two outer tabs; and each folding device moving along a respective path for folding the outer tab of the adjacent box and the inner tab of the other box.

Abstract: A device wherein at least one feedbox housing a stack of sheet elements presents a first and second wall parallel to each other, and an actuating device for moving the two walls in relation to and parallel to each other, so as to define a channel varying in width between a maximum and minimum value; the section of the channel at maximum width being approximately equal to but no smaller than the surface of the sheet element.

Abstract: A product wrapping method and device for producing tubular wrappings, whereby a first and second opposite longitudinal portion of a wrapping element, folded in a U about a respective product inside a respective seat on a wrapping conveyor, project outwards through the input opening of the seat, and are folded one on top of the other into an overlapping position by a folding unit, a first fixed folding device of which folds the first portion located downstream in the traveling direction of the conveyor, and a second folding device of which, fitted to the conveyor, folds the second portion down on top of the first, and holds it in this position for a given length of time. (FIG. 1 ).

Abstract: In a machine utilizing rolls of strip material for whatever purpose, typically a wrapping machine, the depleted rolls are replaced by new rolls taken up in succession from a magazine by a transfer unit including a gripping head that can be traversed along a guide, which in turn can be rotated about and reciprocated along the dispensing axis of the magazine. Being thus rotatable about a permanent axis, the guide can be made selectively to assume different angular positions, each coinciding with a line connecting this same axis with the axis of a respective uncoiling pivot provided by the machine.