Abstract: A continuous tobacco rod generated by a machine for making tobacco products is separated into reclaimable lengths by a device that comprises a pair of tension rollers designed to exert a pulling force on the rod, also a pair of brake rollers operating upstream of the tension rollers and serving to offer a measure of resistance to the action of the tension rollers; as a result of the interaction between the tension rollers and the brake rollers, the portion of the continuous rod extending between them is forced to break by tearing apart.

Abstract: A machine for the production of groups of roll products includes a second unit (5) for turning and grouping a plurality of product groups (4) and comprising: an endless drive system (6) mounting a plurality of paddles (7) protruding radially from the path line (P6) of the drive system (6); each paddle (7) forming, with the next one, a space (S) for receiving a product group (4) and turning it through at least a right angle (a); the second unit (5) comprises a set number of paddles (7); a division of the paddles (7) into two distinct groups (7a, 7b) connected respectively to a first drive system (6a) and a second drive system (6b) in such a way that the paddles (7) are positioned alternately; means (8) for adjusting one of the groups (7a) of paddles (7) relative to the other group (7b), in such a way as to define two different operating positions between the two groups (7a, 7b) of paddles (7), namely, a first position in which the paddles (7) of the two groups (7a, 7b) are equally spaced to form a working cont

Abstract: A method for producing a pack (1) for groups (2) of rolls of products comprises the following steps: forming of a tube of film (3) around a frame (5) forming a channel (6) for the passage of the product groups (2); creation of a first seal (S1) on the front edges (7) of the film (3); insertion in the channel (6) of product groups (2), fed until they are close to the closed front end (7) of the film (3); further feeding of the product groups (2) with simultaneous feeding of the film (3) and formation of the further portion of the pack (1) beyond the frame (5); creation of a second, longitudinal seal (S2) on the overlapping longitudinal edges of the film (3) simultaneously with the further feed step; creation of a third seal (S3) on the rear edges (11) of the film (3) designed to close the pack (1) at the rear of the product groups (2) bagged; between the step of insertion of product groups (2) in the channel (6) and the further feeding of the product groups (2), there being a step of feeding the film (3) wound

Abstract: A machine for the production of groups of roll products includes a second unit (5) for turning and grouping a plurality of product groups (4) and comprising: an endless drive system (6) mounting a plurality of paddles (7) protruding radially from the path line (P6) of the drive system (6); each paddle (7) forming, with the next one, a space (S) for receiving a product group (4) and turning it through at least a right angle (?); in the second unit (5) each paddle (7) consists of an element divided into an upper section (16), constituting a part that supports and pushes the groups (4) of products, and an open lower section, and means (17) are provided for adjusting the supporting depth (H7) of the product groups (4) on the paddles (7) according to the type of configuration, and act at least along an arc-shaped section of the paddle (7) drive path (P6) between the above mentioned product group (4) pickup area, where each paddle (7) lies in the same plane as the first unit (3), and the position of the paddle (7)

Abstract: A machine for the production of groups of rolls of products, each group consisting of a plurality of products grouped together to constitute a format and wrapped and closed in a sheet of film. Along a feed line the machine comprises: a first unit for transporting the groups of products one after another towards a second unit for picking up and grouping a plurality of groups of products; a first work surface with batch selection and forming means; a programmable control unit controlling the selection and forming means and the second unit, and designed to allow, immediately downstream of the second unit, relative to the feed line, formation of the batches of products depending on their type of destination downstream of the second unit.

Abstract: A unit for forming packs of products for a packaging machine comprises at least three feed surfaces (3, 4, 5) for layers of products (2) and a receiving station (6) for the layers of products (2). The receiving station (6) comprises an elevator (7), mobile only between a position for loading the products (2) and a position for releasing the products (2), to transfer the layers of products (2) to a packaging machine (8). The three feed surfaces (3, 4, 5) comprise synchronization means so that they simultaneously release the respective layers of products (2) onto the elevator (7).

Abstract: In a station for forming a pile of layers of items, a surface receives layers of items to be transferred to a first support plane situated after the receiving surface. The items arranged in layers are moved along the receiving surfaces and the first support plane by driving chains connected by rods set crosswise to the receiving surface and support plane. The support plane is spaced apart from the receiving surface to define a window and a descending ramp is situated below the window. An additional conveyor formed by narrow slats or rolls, is situated at the window and is operated so that one flexible plate moves to cover and uncover the window, so that layers of items are alternately either carried from the receiving surface to the support plane or made to pass through the window and released on the descending ramp. The ramp can change inclination so as to connect the receiving surface to either one or the other of second and third support planes situated below the first support plane.

Abstract: An outer package for groups of rolls of products, each group consisting of a plurality of rolls of products wrapped and closed in a piece of plastic film to form a pack; the outer package comprises a sheet of film for packaging one or more packs, which can be wrapped around said packs by forming a tubular wrapper with the sheet by gradually folding it in such a way as to obtain a tubular shape with a pair of longitudinal edges and two external edges, front and rear of the outer package, which can be closed on the packs with relative seals; the sheet of film consists of a material with a heat conducting value, and at least on the edges of its surface which can be placed opposite the packs, a zone with heat conducting properties lower than the afore-mentioned value and designed to allow, respectively, a seal for the pair of longitudinal edges overlapping one another and close to the packs and relative folding of the front and rear edges so that each forms two folded wings, which can be placed overlapping one an

Abstract: Unit for packaging and palletizing rolls of paper comprising a bagging and/or forming machine adapted to sort packages of said rolls into batches or to bag said sorted loose packages in a plastic bag, and a palletizing station comprising at lease one manipulator provided with grippers to handle loose packages of delivered products from said bagging and/or forming machine. The products are conveyed to said palletizing station with a predetermined stepped sequence and spaced from one another in at least one row on a conveyer element, wherein said at least one robot and said bagging and/or forming machine are interconnected and are programmed respectively to sort said products in batches of different forms and dimensions according to a sequence which is continuously variable to form a layer of a pallet with different batches of products adjacent to and engaged with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping groups of rolls of products with a sheet of film comprises a station for packaging and moving, with a stepping motion, in a predetermined direction, a succession of groups of products wrapped in a sheet of film, having an open front side defined by two opposite flaps, and means for closing the open side comprising a unit consisting of: two pairs of mobile elements, arranged side by side in said direction, to allow the flaps of film of the two groups of products arranged one after another to be brought together and closed; first movement means for the unit, allowing synchronized movement of the two pairs of elements, respectively, in the same direction as the groups, for one group feed step, bringing together and closing the flaps, and a movement opposite to said direction over a distance equal to the distance previously traveled, simultaneously with a feed step of the groups to be packaged, so as to position the unit at two further and subsequent groups of products to be closed.

Abstract: In a device for closing side ends of packages enclosing only one roll or one row of rolls in an automatic packaging machine, operating apparatus are connected to the machine packaging line. A package, partially wrapped by a sheet, is fed to the packaging line in a forward direction, so that only the outer cylindrical surface of the package is touched by the operating apparatus. The operating apparatus translate and rotate the package about an axis, in the forward direction, so that edges of the sheet wrapping the package, during transferring along said packaging line, hit edges of stationary folding apparatus situated beside the packaging line, and become twisted.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping groups of rolls of products with a sheet of film comprises a station for packaging and moving, with a stepping motion, in a predetermined direction, a succession of groups of products wrapped in a sheet of film, having an open front side defined by two opposite flaps, and means for closing the open side comprising a unit consisting of: two pairs of mobile elements, arranged side by side in said direction, to allow the flaps of film of the two groups of products arranged one after another to be brought together and closed; first movement means for the unit, allowing synchronized movement of the two pairs of elements, respectively, in the same direction as the groups, for one group feed step, bringing together and closing the flaps, and a movement opposite to said direction over a distance equal to the distance previously traveled, simultaneously with a feed step of the groups to be packaged, so as to position the unit at two further and subsequent groups of products to be closed.

Abstract: A printing unit for printing a strip on an automatic machine, wherein a pressure roller cooperates with a printing roller, having printing areas, to press the strip against the printing roller; a television camera, facing the printed surface of the strip downstream from the printing roller, optically determines the intensity of the print on the printed surface, and, depending on the intensity of the print, an actuator is activated to adjust the position of the pressure roller with respect to the printing roller.

Abstract: A continuous cigarette rod is prepared by a unit comprising a looped conveyor on which a continuous stream of tobacco particles advances toward the entry point of a forming station where the rod is assembled. Also forming part of the unit, ordered in sequence along a predetermined feed path, are a first trimming device designed to produce a cyclical skimming action, a compactor device operating synchronously with the first trimming device, serving to increase the density of the stream selectively at points coinciding with the portions skimmed by the first trimming device, and a second trimming device by which the thickness of the stream is reduced uniformly to a prescribed value.

Abstract: In a device for closing side ends of packages enclosing only one roll or one row of rolls in an automatic packaging machine, operating means are connected to the machine packaging line. A package, partially wrapped by a sheet, is fed to the packaging line in a forward direction, so that only the outer cylindrical surface of the package is touched by the operating means. The operating means translate and rotate the package about an axis, in the forward direction, so that edges of the sheet wrapping the package, during transferring along said packaging line, hit edges of stationary folding means situated beside the packaging line, and become twisted.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing tobacco products, typically cigarettes, includes a primary processing station in which the tobacco is conditioned, and a station in which the cigarettes are made and packed. Both of the stations are served by a single heat exchange device using a fluid procured from a convenient source, which is circulated initially through the one station to cool the cigarette making and packing machinery, then directed into the other station so that the thermal energy recovered from the preceding exchange of heat can be exploited to maintain the temperature required for the primary processing treatments. The fluid is released ultimately from the primary processing station to a discharge station.

Abstract: A continuous tobacco rod generated by a machine for making tobacco products is separated into reclaimable lengths by a device that comprises a pair of tension rollers designed to exert a pulling force on the rod, also a pair of brake rollers operating upstream of the tension rollers and serving to offer a measure of resistance to the action of the tension rollers; as a result of the interaction between the tension rollers and the brake rollers, the portion of the continuous rod extending between them is forced to break by tearing apart.

Abstract: The outfeed unit of a cigarette maker establishes a feed path along which at least one cigarette rod is caused to advance in a predetermined direction from the outfeed end of a beam, on which the rod is formed, toward a cutter device by which the rod is divided into sticks constituting single cigarettes; the unit is equipped with a cut-off device located in close proximity to the outfeed of the forming beam, by which the rod is severed and diverted from the feed path, and, at a given point downstream of the cut-off device, with pinch rollers by which a portion of the rod separated through the action of the cut-off device is removed from a final stretch of the feed path between the cut-off device and the cutter device.

Abstract: The outfeed unit of a cigarette maker establishes a feed path along which at least one cigarette rod is caused to advance in a predetermined direction from the outfeed end of a beam, on which the rod is formed, toward a cutter device by which the rod is divided into sticks constituting single cigarettes; the unit is equipped with a cut-off device located in close proximity to the outfeed of the forming beam, by which the rod is severed and diverted from the feed path, and, at a given point downstream of the cut-off device, with pinch rollers by which a portion of the rod separated through the action of the cut-off device is removed from a final stretch of the feed path between the cut-off device and the cutter device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a cigarette rod containing an additive material in a cigarette making machine, in which a continuous tobacco rod is fed along a vacuum conveyor and particles of the additive material are fed to and incorporated along the axis of the cigarette rod by a distributor which comprises a conveyor having a hollow drum with a cylindrical side wall on which there is a plurality of seats designed to house the particles; the drum rotating within a ring-shaped structure and the seats, during rotation of the drum, passing through an ejector unit designed to eject the particles from the seats and incorporate them in the tobacco rod through a feed pipe, so as to control the distribution of the particles of the additive material along the tobacco rod, obtaining a preset positioning of the particles in each cigarette length.