Abstract: A cigarette packaging machine provided with a wrapping wheel to wrap products in wrapping sheets. The wrapping wheel has peripheral pockets to receive the products and the wrapping sheets, a first loading station to load the products in succession into the peripheral pockets, and a second loading station to load, in succession, first wrapping sheets of the wrapping sheets into the peripheral pockets. The wrapping wheel also has a third loading station to load, in succession, second wrapping sheets of the wrapping sheets into the peripheral pockets, thus reducing the bulk of a packaging machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine (1) to form packets (3) of smoking articles (2), in particular cigarettes, comprising a wrapping wheel (13), in order to wrap, at least partially, products (4) in wrapping sheets (6, 8), comprises a plurality of peripheral pockets (14) to receive the products (4) and the wrapping sheets (6, 8), a first loading station (PSC) to load the products (4) in succession into the peripheral pockets (14), and a second loading station (SSC) to load, in succession, first wrapping sheets (6) of the wrapping sheets (6, 8) into the peripheral pockets (14; 114). The wrapping wheel (13) also comprises a third loading station (TSC) to load, in succession, second wrapping sheets (8) of the wrapping sheets (6, 8) into the peripheral pockets (14), thus reducing the bulk of a packaging machine (11) including said wrapping machine (13).

Abstract: A container (1; 48; 52; 54) for tobacco articles, the container (1; 48; 52; 54) being formed from folded sheet material (9), and having at least one wall (7) defined by an inner portion (22, 23) and an outer portion (21, 24) of sheet material superimposed at least partly on each other; and the part of the inner portion (22, 23) covered by a corresponding part of the outer portion (21,10 24) is drawn to accommodate the thickness of the corresponding part of the outer portion (21, 24), so that the relative wall (7) has a substantially continuous outer surface with no steps or exposed free edges (31).

Abstract: A method and unit for feeding collars for packets of cigarettes to a continuous packing line, whereby the collars, picked up successively and in steps by a transfer device, are transferred rapidly by the transfer device to a continuously-moving supply assembly, which feeds the collars successively to the packing line after squarely folding two lateral wings of each collar; the collars being fed on to the packing line with the lateral wings crosswise to a traveling direction of the line.

Abstract: A method and device for bending the end tabs of blanks for producing rigid flip-top cigarette packets. The blanks are loaded on a conveyor and are fed continuously along a path with the end tabs slidably engaged in a helical slit, which is in part defined by facing helical surfaces of first and second helical guide elements. The blanks wind over an arc of 180.degree. for bending the end tabs in a U and enabling the bent end tabs to be fed between two pressure rollers of a stabilizing unit.

Abstract: A method of feeding and folding sheet material on a flip-top cigarette packing machine, whereby a wrapping wheel on the wrapping line of the packing machine is connected to a supply device whereby flat portions of sheet material, from which to form internal collars and, if necessary, coupons, are fed successively to the wrapping wheel and into contact with the outer surface of respective groups of cigarettes already present on the wheel; the collars being formed by folding the flat portions of sheet material about respective groups as these are transferred to a further wrapping wheel on the wrapping line.

Abstract: A method of packing cigarettes in hard flip-flop packs,whereby flat hard pack blanks and preformed groups of unpacked cigarettes are fed, the former continuously and the latter intermittently, on to a continuously rotating packing wheel, and the packsformed on the packing wheel are unloaded from the same on to an intermittent output unit; the packing wheel presenting a number of seats, each designed to receive a blank and a respective preformed unit, and each connected to the packing wheel by a respective articulated support the configuration of which is controlled in such a manner as to feed the respective seat at constant speed through a station for loading the blanks, and to stop the respective seat in a station for loading the preformed groups and in a station for unloading the finished packs.

Abstract: A gumming device for applying adhesive on to cardboard blanks on a packing machine, on which the blanks are fed crosswise in relation to their longer axis by a suction roller the surface of which presents transverse projections which cause the blanks to flex in such a manner as to expose only given portions requiring adhesive to the action of a gumming element substantially tangent to the aforementioned suction roller.