Abstract: A method and unit for transferring blanks on a packing machine, whereby stacks of blanks are transferred from a platform, on which the blanks are arranged in stacks, to a store wherein the blanks are packed successively and seamlessly along a path for supply to a pickup station of the packing machine; transfer of the stacks from the platform to the store including forming, at a loading station and by means of two gripping devices for gripping the stacks, a group of blanks defined by stacks superimposed and aligned in a container, feeding the container and the group along a path to an unloading station at the store, and transferring the group of blanks from the container to the store.

Abstract: A method of picking up stacks (3) of blanks by means of a gripping device (1) having a gripper (13, 14, 15) hinged to a frame (11) and equipped with a first gripping member (15) having a free end (P); and actuating means (30, 41; 24, 25) for opening and closing the gripper (13, 14, 15); the method providing for pressing the free end (P) on a support (F) on which a stack (3) for pickup rests, and feeding the free end (P) along the support (F) and beneath the stack (3) while pressing the free end (P) against the support (F).

Abstract: A suction gripping unit (7; 107) having a suction head (15; 115), which has a cavity (18; 118) for gripping a blank, is connected to a suction pump (14) by a conduit (20; 120) controlled by a valve (22; 122) housed inside the conduit (20; 120) and reciprocated between an open and a closed position; the suction gripping unit (7; 107 is provided with a venting hole (23; 123) for automatically venting the cavity (8; 118) when the valve (22; 122) is in the closed position.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring blanks and supplying a feed store of a packing machine has two transfer devices, and a first and a second store in which the blanks are arranged in stacks; and the transfer unit supplies the feed store by transferring the stacks of blanks selectively from the first store to the feed store, and from the second store to the feed store.

Abstract: To pack a group of cigarettes in a rigid packet, a collar, a respective inner sheet of wrapping material and a respective group of cigarettes are fed successively into a same conveying seat in which the collar and the inner sheet are at least partly folded together about the group of cigarettes as of respective flat initial configurations.

Abstract: A method and unit for transferring blanks on a packing machine, whereby stacks of blanks are transferred from a platform, on which the blanks are arranged in stacks, to a store wherein the blanks are packed successively and seamlessly along a path for supply to a pickup station of the packing machine; transfer of the stacks from the platform to the store including forming, at a loading station and by means of two gripping devices for gripping the stacks, a group of blanks defined by stacks superimposed and aligned in a container, feeding the container and the group along a path to an unloading station at the store, and transferring the group of blanks from the container to the store.

Abstract: A suction gripping unit (7; 107) having a suction head (15; 115), which has a cavity (18; 118) for gripping a blank, is connected to a suction pump (14) by a conduit (20; 120) controlled by a valve (22; 122) housed inside the conduit (20; 120) and reciprocated between an open and a closed position; the suction gripping unit (7; 107 is provided with a venting hole (23; 123) for automatically venting the cavity (8; 118) when the valve (22; 122) is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding blanks on a packing machine, whereby a store, having a horizontal axis, feeds a succession of blanks to a pickup station from which the blanks are withdrawn one by one; and the blanks are fed to an input station of the store in groups, wherein the blanks are positioned on edge and gripped together by a band, which is only removed once the groups are packed together along the store.

Abstract: The invention relates to a print unit for a packaging machine, in which a cavity, equipped with an armature made of ferromagnetic material and supporting, in operation, a blank to be printed, is mobile in front of a fixed electromagnet, which can be activated so as to attract the armature against a fixed print head, thus clamping the blank between the armature and the print head.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding blanks on a packing machine, whereby a conveyor feeds along a horizontal path a succession of blanks positioned perpendicular to the path; the path terminating at a pickup station having a stop surface defined by a frame, which has a withdrawal opening closed partly by fixed teeth and is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the path by the thrust exerted by the blanks and in opposition to a sensor for regulating a traveling speed of the conveyor to keep the thrust exerted by the blanks on the frame constant.