Abstract: In a method of feeding wrapper material, typically as utilized by machines for the manufacture of tobacco products, a first and a second strip presenting two longitudinal side edges and of dissimilar transverse dimensions are advanced along respective predetermined first feed lines, positioned one relative to another in a direction transverse to the respective first feed lines in such a way as to bring about their alignment along one longitudinal edge and finally joined face to face before advancing together along a predetermined common feed line toward a machine unit.

Abstract: The selection device includes a sensor unit which checks the flatness of the free surface of a sheet pack at an edge, and which moves vertically away from and into contact with the free surface of the pack; the sensor unit extends along an axis transversal to a direction of feed and operates a blade which defines the ream and is opposite and attached to the said sensor unit, moving with the unit near to the edge, and may be positioned parallel to the free surface of the pack; drive means are envisaged for the blade, to move it from a position away from the edge until it makes contact with the ream, at which point the blade penetrates the pack, and a position in which it defines a gap between the ream and the pack, in which the blade is turned about the transversal axis through an angle sufficient to allow the transfer means to penetrate the ream.

Abstract: The conveying arm is composed of a first lower portion by which products assembled for wrapping are restrained, and a supporting upper portion embodied integrally with the first, which affords two slots occupying the full width of the arm as measured transversely to the conveying direction and designed to couple with two respective rails; the first such slot is located in and accessible from the face of the upper portion directed toward the products, and functions as a sliding bearing, whilst the second slot is located to the rear of the first. The arm is fashioned in a deformable material and its deformability enhanced by a narrow extension of the rear slot, in such a way that the upper portion can be locked to and released from the rail swiftly by applying a corresponding force parallel to the conveying direction.

Abstract: The mount is formed by at least two sheets of transparent plastic material and an optional opaque intermediate sheet, all of quadrilateral shape, with bevelled corners, fixed to each other along part of their perimeter so that they form one or two back-to-back pockets of such a size that they hold with a sufficient margin a photograph with either a horizontal or a vertical disposition, the said pocket or pockets being provided for this purpose with apertures on two consecutive sides, through which the photographs can be inserted into the mount with the necessary orientation to enable them to be correctly viewed from a fixed observation point without the necessity of rotating the mount. The mount is provided with internal welds which ensure correct centering and retention of the photographs in the mount, regardless of their orientation. The opaque intermediate sheet is preferably of any suitable colour contrasting with the photographs and has a rough surface to keep the photographs in place.

Abstract: On a cigarette manufacturing machine, a continuous cigarette rod is fed to a cutting device by a conveyor belt engaging a number of guide pulleys and a drive pulley fitted to a drive shaft; the traveling speed of the continuous rod being controlled by continuously determining the diameter of the drive pulley, for obtaining a first control signal as a function of the surface speed of the drive pulley and, consequently, as a function of the speed of the conveyor belt, and by comparing the first control signal with a second control signal as a function of the desired surface speed of the drive pulley, for obtaining an error signal for controlling the angular speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: In a machine for wrapping rolls of household paper in plastic film, the standard heat seal roller is modified by fitting an offset device in the form of a bar set forward of the revolving heated sector in relation to the path followed by the packs of rolls and in the direction of rotation of the roller; the bar projects radially from the roller, and impinges on the sheet of film wrapped around each pack of rolls directed into the heat seal station, causing the two overlapping edges to shift one in relation to the other such that the wrapping is slackened marginally before the edges are joined, affording space into which the rolls can expand once beyond the confines of the heat seal station.

Abstract: The semiautomatic equipment included a pair of horizontal knives disposed mutually parallel, adjustable for height, and positioned a short distance from the edge of a stack of sheets for penetrating the depth of one ream, selected previously by hand. The knives are carried slidably by a beam suspended over the stack of sheets between the rails of a frame and are therefore capable of relative movement parallel with the width of the stack. The knives are movably attached to the beam by way of a carriage having guides which provide a degree of movement parallel with the length of the stack, such that an operator can bring about the initial insertion by hand before applying an actuator to lock the knives to the carriage when fully penetrated within the stack of sheets. The entire assembly of beam, carriage and knives is traversed along the frame by further actuators that are triggered to operate by a sensor mounted to the knives, and thus causing the separated ream to be moved forward to a wrapping station.

Abstract: Reams of paper advancing in a horizontal direction on a first belt are straightened initially by interaction with a transverse vertical barrier, while wrapping paper is drawn out from below the first belt and directed onto a third belt; the paper is pulled upright into the path of the ream by the elevation of a first gate affording a gap of height at least equal to that of the ream whereupon the ream is directed through the gap, becoming partially enveloped by the paper, then stopped on the third belt while the wrapping paper is cut near to the gate and the trailing edge simultaneously moistened with gum. Finally a second gate identical to the first is raised at the entry to the third belt, drawing up the remaining portion of the paper, and the conveying direction is reversed to take the ream back through the relative gap; the ream is thus enveloped completely and the gummed edge of the wrapping paper flattened and secured.

Abstract: In a device ensuring safety and protection around the unit by which a cigarette rod is dried and sealed in cigarette manufacturing machinery, a hinged guard is positioned alongside the area of the machine where the heat plate of the drying and sealing unit moves and operates; the guard is capable of movement between a shut position denying access to the operating area and a position whereby access is afforded to the area. A microswitch senses when the guard is in the shut position, denying access to the operating area, and relays an enabling signal to the control valve piloting the cylinder by which the heat plate is lowered, only when the guard is in this same safe position.

Abstract: A machine for simultaneously manufacturing two continuous cigarette rods, whereby a continuous stream of shredded tobacco particles is fed to the bottom end of conveying means by which it is fed on to a pair of parallel suction conveyors traveling in a given direction, for forming on each conveyor a layer of tobacco of a given thickness; which conveying means comprise an upright defining internally a single upflow duct defined laterally by two walls extending in the traveling direction of the conveyors, and closed at the top by the two suction conveyors and by a separating member located between the same; provision also being made for pneumatic means for regulating the tobacco stream fed on to the conveyors.