Abstract: A product change method for a cigarette manufacturing machine, wherein an input hopper receives a first type of shredded tobacco from a supply header, and feeds it to at least one channel for forming, on a conveyor, a bead of tobacco, which is released onto a paper strip travelling along a forming table for forming a continuous cigarette rod; the method provides for cutting off supply of the first type of shredded tobacco to the header, emptying the header, cutting off communication between the header and the input hopper, cutting off supply of the paper strip, keeping the manufacturing machine running to form a waste stream of shredded tobacco of the first type and empty the manufacturing machine, and feeding a second type of shredded tobacco through the supply header and the input hopper to fill the manufacturing machine completely before starting up supply of the paper strip.

Abstract: A product change method for a cigarette manufacturing machine, wherein an input hopper receives a first type of shredded tobacco from a supply header, and feeds it to at least one channel for forming, on a conveyor, a bead of tobacco, which is released onto a paper strip travelling along a forming table for forming a continuous cigarette rod; the method provides for cutting off supply of the first type of shredded tobacco to the header, emptying the header, cutting off communication between the header and the input hopper, cutting off supply of the paper strip, keeping the manufacturing machine running to form a waste stream of shredded tobacco of the first type and empty the manufacturing machine, and feeding a second type of shredded tobacco through the supply header and the input hopper to fill the manufacturing machine completely before starting up supply of the paper strip (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped packet (1) for cigarettes (3) bas a lateral surface (8) defined by two flat, parallel, facing minor lateral walls (11), and by two facing major lateral walls (12), each of which has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to both the minor lateral walls (11) along sharp edges (13), and forms, with the two minor lateral walls (11), respective obtuse dihedral angles (14); the packet (1) also has a top lid (6) hinged to a bottom cup-shaped container (4) by a hinge (7) parallel to the minor lateral walls (11).

Abstract: In a cigarette packet with an inner wrapping enveloping a group of cigarettes, and an outer wrapping folded around the inner wrapping, the outer wrapping is fashioned from a layered material consisting in a first inner layer of paper material and, bonded to the first layer, a second layer of exposed finish material different to the paper material of the inner layer.

Abstract: A cigarette packet of the rigid type having a hinged lid presents four side faces of which at least one is convexly profiled and associated with the two adjoining side faces along dihedral angles that are effectively obtuse, softening the contours of the packet.

Abstract: A rigid packet with a hinged lid for cigarettes, the packet being defined by a cup-shaped container, and by a cup-shaped lid hinged to an open top end of the container so as to rotate between an open and closed position respectively opening and closing the container; the packet presenting a front wall, and two lateral walls connected to the front wall by two connecting walls presenting a curved cross section with a radius of curvature equal to about 1.5 times the radius of curvature of a normal cigarette.

Abstract: A method of manipulating products, each of which is transferred twice between a first and a second seat facing, parallel to, and opposite each other, to perform an operation on the product at each transfer; the two operations permitting, for example, the formation of a tubular wrapping about the product.

Abstract: A group-forming device for use with cigarette packing machines, wherein each group consists of a number of cigarettes arranged in at least two adjacent and offset layers, with each group being formed in a single motion on the end wall of an outlet of a feed box, such outlet being divided into a number of side-by-side channels. Respective rows of cigarettes, arranged crosswise to the direction of travel, are fed downwards along channels of dissimilar lengths, such channels being inclined approximately 60.degree. in relation to the end wall of the outlet, at least at the layers of offset cigarettes.

Abstract: The shock-absorbing safety device has lateral protection elements which extend along the sides of a truck. Actuation devices move the lateral protection elements transversely with respect to the truck between a loading position, in which the lateral protection elements are adjacent to the sides of the truck, and a transport position in which the lateral protection elements are spaced therefrom. End protection elements provide, in the transport position, substantial continuity with the lateral protection elements, and control devices detect any collisions transmitted by the lateral protection elements and the end protection elements.

Abstract: In a conventional cigarette packet with an inner wrapping of tin foil and paper, at least one surface of the tin foil is treated with a photocorrosive substance to the end of enhancing its biodegradability.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for temporarily storing products (2), including two mutually coaxial equal wheels (6, 16) rotatable intermittently with identical laws of motion and provided peripherally with respective pluralities of equidistant radial compartments (8, 17) for containing respective products (2), a feeder device for introducing the products (2) in succession into the compartments (8) of a first (6) of the two wheels, an extractor device (15) for removing the products (2) in succession from the compartments (17) of the second (16) of the two wheels, a drum (11) positioned between the two wheels (6, 16) and provided with a plurality of peripheral compartments (12) to each contain a plurality of products (2), the compartments (12) having their longitudinal ends facing respective compartments (8, 17) of the two wheels (6, 16), and a transfer device (21) for simultaneously extracting a plurality of products (2) from a like number of compartments (8) of the first wheel ( 6) and inserting them into corresponding co

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of cigarettes into groups each consisting in at least one layer of single cigarettes lying parallel with and side by side one another. The cigarettes exit from the bottom of a plurality of channels, arranged side by side and forming part of the outlet of an infeed hopper, and come to rest side by side on a shelf, forming one layer. Pushers provided on either side of the layer effect a sideways compaction of the cigarettes, and a suction-generating seat incorporated into the shelf retains one cigarette at the middle of the layer so as to disallow its moving sideways during operation of the pushers.

Abstract: A method and device for handling items, whereby each item is transferred from a first wheel turning in one direction, on to a second wheel turning in the opposite direction, along circular trajectories about the axes of the aforementioned wheels; which transfer is made in a position wherein the two wheels are set a minimum distance apart, and wherein in a seat for an item on the first wheel is aligned and coincides substantially totally with a corresponding seat on the second wheel.

Abstract: A filter assembly machine having an input roller with spaced peripheral seats for cigarette groups, each group being to coaxial cigarettes with a double filter therebetween; and a rolling unit for said groups; the rolling unit having first and second conveying apparatus for the groups, supply apparatus to supply each group with a connecting strip, and wrapping apparatus to wrap a strip about the double filter and the ends of the two cigarettes, the first conveying apparatus having spaced group supports cooperating with the input roller for successively receiving said groups from said input roller, and for advancing said groups along a first portion of a given route; the second conveying apparatus being a speed-change conveying apparatus which is substantially tangent with said first conveying apparatus, and cooperates with the group supports for successively receiving said groups from the first conveying apparatus, and feeding the groups at reduced speed along a second portion of said route, said second route