Abstract: A method of transferring elongated articles from a first path to a second path crosswise to the first, whereby the articles are fed longitudinally along the first path in a first and second succession side by side and parallel to each other, and are fed transversely along the second path; the articles in the first succession are picked up by means of a first pickup member, and the articles in the second succession by means of a second pickup member; the first pickup member and respective article are fed along a first portion of a first annular trajectory extending about a first axis; the second pickup member and respective article are fed along a second portion of a second annular trajectory extending about a second axis; and the lengths of the first and second portions depend on the arrangement of the articles along the second path.

Abstract: The rigid hinged-lid packet for long elements comprises a cup-shaped container, a lid, also cup-shaped, hinged at the top rear end of the container to close an open end of the container, and an inner frame, partly inside the container and fixed to a front surface and two side surfaces of the container; the front surface of the container having a window, designed to show a given zone of the inner frame behind it, the zone presenting a given image, and the window being covered by a tear-off closing element. ?FIG. 2!.

Abstract: A continuous cigarette manufacturing machine wherein an input feedbox presents at least two outputs located at a loading station and for successively feeding respective groups of cigarettes directly into respective folding spindles on a wrapping wheel rotating continuously about its axis; the spindles are divided into groups, each presenting a number of spindles equal to the number of outputs of the feedbox; and the spindles in each group are activated by respective actuating devices moving with the wrapping wheel, and presenting respective spindle supporting elements oscillating differently in relation to the wrapping wheel by virtue of respective cam devices.

Abstract: A continuous cigarette manufacturing machine presenting at least two outputs for respective items; the outputs being located at a loading station, and successively feeding the respective items directly into respective pockets on a conveyor wheel presenting a drive shaft rotating continuously about its axis; the pockets are divided into groups, each presenting a number of pockets equal to the number of outputs; and each group of pockets defines a respective conveying unit movable with the drive shaft and oscillating in relation to the drive shaft by virtue of a single cam device common to all the conveying units.

Abstract: A brazier for cooking foodstuffs includes a support for the foodstuffs that is mounted on a swivelling frame in such a way as to be able to turn around its own axis, in front of a source of heat, when operated by a drive mechanism. The swivelling frame turns around an axis that is placed at a certain distance from, and parallel to, the axis of the support, and the support is attached to a cross bar whose end parts move alternately along a fixed track when the support is turned around its axis. This causes the frame to swivel around its own axis.

Abstract: A rigid, hinged-lid packet for elongated elements, particularly cigarettes, presenting a cup-shaped container; a cup-shaped lid hinged to the rear end edge of the container to close the open end of the container; and a collar projecting outwards from the open end of the container; the lid presents a front wall in turn presenting an inner reinforcing tab, one portion of which is gummed to a portion of the collar; and one of the above two portions is torn off.

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: On a cigarette packing machine, groups of cigarettes forming the content of respective packets are inserted inside a folding spindle and wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material which is folded on to the outer surface of the spindle before being unloaded off the spindle together with the respective group; the spindle being defined by a tubular shell, the relatively thin walls of which are reinforced internally by substantially triangular longitudinal ribs, each engaging, in use, the longitudinal gap defined by two adjacent peripheral cigarettes in the group.

Abstract: A cigarette manufacturing unit at least partly defining a cigarette manufacturing and processing line, and wherein a first machine, located along the line, presents two outputs for substantially similar streams of cigarettes, and each connected to the input of a respective second machine by a bulk conveyor; the second machines being located along the manufacturing line and being independent of each other; and the conveyors being connected to each other by a compensating conveyor.

Abstract: A method of feeding a continuous packing machine with groups of tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, composed of at least one layer of items, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor with pockets for respective groups is supplied successively with the groups, each of which is expelled from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items by arresting the items inside the feedbox and over the expelled items.

Abstract: On a filter assembly machine, a succession of groups, each including two cigarette portions, a double filter between the two cigarette portions, and a gummed strip connected integral with and projecting from the group, is fed by an input conveyor to a transfer station where each group is transferred into a respective seat on a rolling device with multiple rolling channels: each gummed strip being fed on to the respective group so as to project forwards from the group in the traveling direction of the input conveyor.

Abstract: A method of feeding tobacco items, particularly cigarettes, to a continuous packing machine, whereby a continuously-moving conveyor, presenting pockets for respective groups composed of a number of superimposed layers of items, is supplied successively with the layers, each of which is withdrawn from a feedbox in a substantially transverse direction in relation to the items in the layer, and by rotating the layer in relation to the items in the adjacent upper layer inside the feedbox.

Abstract: A device for reducing the pitch between two consecutive elements in a succession of elements, whereby the pitch is changed by feeding the elements by way of a conveyor about a first axis, and changing the distance between the elements and the first axis between a loading station at which the elements are loaded on to the conveyor, and an unloading station at which the elements are unloaded off the conveyor; the distance change being achieved by rotating each element about a respective eccentric second axis traveling with the conveyor.

Abstract: On a filter assembly machine, a succession of groups, each having two cigarette portions, a double filter between the two cigarette portions, and a gummed strip connected integral with, along a generating line of, and projecting forwards from the group, is fed by an input conveyor to a loading station where each group is transferred into a respective seat on a rolling device with multiple rolling channels; the groups being unloaded off the rolling device with a smaller pitch as compared with the input pitch.

Abstract: A cigarette packet of the rigid type having a hinged lid is fashioned in a mold, composed of a bottom die and a top die which combine to create two distinct voids and a slender channel by which the voids are interconnected. A moldable material is directed between the bottom die and top die, filling the voids and the channel completely and resulting in the formation respectively of a container, a lid, and a hinge connecting the lid to the container.

Abstract: A method of controlling tobacco flow on cigarette manufacturing machines, whereby a first stream of shredded tobacco, containing tobacco in excess of the required amount, is fed on a conveyor along a path extending through a shaving station where the excess tobacco is removed by shaving members cooperating with the first stream; the shaved-off tobacco being removed by a throwing device, which forms a jet of tobacco, at the output of the shaving station, directed on to a screen connected to a load cell for emitting a control signal varying according to the kinetic energy transmitted by the jet to the screen.

Abstract: A device for perforating cigarette wrapping material by means of at least one-laser beam, whereby the wrapping material, in the form of a strip, is fed past a focusing head which is supplied with a pulsed laser beam by a laser source and focuses it on to the strip by moving the focused beam in a plane slanting in relation to the traveling direction of the strip; a shutter element, made of material impervious to the laser beam, being used for intercepting and restricting the focused beam to a sector of given shape and size, and so preventing the beam from impinging on given portions of the strip.

Abstract: A method of producing two continuous streams of cigarettes, whereby a continuous paper strip is cut longitudinally into two strips which are fed, through a tobacco loading station and along respective guides for forming respective continuous cigarette rods, to a transverse cutting device by means of respective conveyor belts looped about a number of common pulleys and more specifically about a common drive pulley, and the speed of which is controlled by respective tensioning devices operating at the same pressure.

Abstract: In a machine for simultaneously producing two continuous cigarette rods from respective layers of tobacco, shredded tobacco is fed by an air current along an upfeed duct, closed off at the top by a first and a second suction conveyor, in such a manner as to form two substreams mainly consisting respectively of light and heavy tobacco particles and directed respectively towards the first and second conveyor. Each of the two substreams impinges, along the upfeed duct, on respective deflecting and mixing elements, which deflect part of each substream towards the other substream so as to feed two substantially identical final secondary streams onto the suction conveyors.

Abstract: In a cigarette manufacturing machine of the double rod type, two fillets of tobacco carried by two first conveyor belts are deposited onto two second conveyor belts, positioned beneath the first and carrying two respective strips of paper. Permeable to air, the four belts operate in conjunction with suction devices, ensuring that the tobacco and the papers remain pinned firmly against the respective belts, and are looped round top and bottom supports encompassing a void which is flanked on either side by the belts and exposed thus to suction; at least one of the two supports incorporates a passage by means of which the void is maintained at a pressure substantially identical to that of the environment surrounding the belts and the supports, thereby neutralizing the partial vacuum that otherwise would be created in the void with suction generated continuously through the belts.