Abstract: A method is described for making a pack of smoking products having an ordered group of packets containing smoking products and positioned in contact with each other, wherein the group of packets has a closed lateral surface around a theoretical axis of the group of packets, which delimits two opposite surfaces of the group of packets, each of which surfaces is defined by the set of homologous surfaces of all the packets. The method includes unwinding from a reel at least one adhesive tape and applying it to the closed lateral surface and completely around the latter, to hold the packets of the group together solely by means of the at least one adhesive tape.

Abstract: A method for replacing a working component in an automatic machine comprises a mapping phase and a working phase. The mapping phase involves defining a first reference point fixed relative to the automatic machine and a position in machine of the working component. The working phase involves: starting a procedure of configuration change in the automatic machine which prepares the same for the picking up of the working component from the position in machine; detecting the first reference point; determining the position in machine of the working component; positioning a gripping device at the position in machine; picking up the working component from the position in machine by means of the gripping device; releasing the working component in a storing position; picking up a replacement working component from a stocking position by means of the gripping device; positioning the gripping device at the position in machine; and inserting and fixing the replacement working component in the position in machine.

Abstract: A packing method and unit to pack articles, includes: moving first seats by a first conveyor and second seats by a second conveyor along first and second paths at first and second moving speeds, respectively; and cyclically transferring an article from a first seat to a second seat in a transfer station. The first seats and second seats each designed to house an article. During normal operation with no rejected articles, the first moving speed is functionally equal to the second moving speed, and the same number of first and second seats pass through the transfer station in a given time interval. Where at least one article is rejected in a first seat, the second moving speed is functionally decreased relative to the first moving speed so that two first seats (one containing the rejected article) passes through the transfer station in the time interval as one second seat.

Abstract: A method for applying adhesive on a wrapping band of a smoking article includes moving the band along a feed direction, the band has a longitudinal direction of extension, opposing first and second surfaces, a first plurality of portions having a first thickness and a second plurality of portions having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the portions of the first and second pluralities being disposed alternately along the direction of extension. A nozzle having a delivery end, and the band are moved towards/away from each other between a first position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a first distance which is less than or equal to the second thickness, and a second position, where the delivery end and the second surface are at a second distance greater than the second thickness. An adhesive is delivered on the first surface through the nozzle.

Abstract: A method to set up at least one movable operating member (5, 7) of an automatic machine (1) for manufacturing consumer articles (3) comprising the steps (16, 17) of: defining a first motion profile (FP) of the movable operating member (5, 7), determining possible imperfections in the processing of the articles (3), defining a corresponding second motion profile (SP) of an electric actuator system (8, 9), which, through a motion transmission system (12), is mechanically connected to the movable operating member (5, 7) and moves the movable operating member (5, 7) with the first motion profile (FP), correcting, by means of an interface device (15) of the automatic machine (1) and based on the possible determined imperfections, at least one conversion parameter (50) concerning the processing on the articles (3) performed by the movable operating member (5, 7); processing the first motion profile (FP), thus obtaining a first modified profile (MFP) of the movable operating member (5, 7).

Abstract: A pack of smoking articles having: a container; an inner wrap enclosing a group of smoking articles housed in the container; a hinged lid movable between open and closed positions; a collar glued on the inside of the container so as to partially project out of an open top end and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is in a closed position; a slider firmly connected to the lid and coupled in a sliding manner to the container so as to slide relative to the container; and a locking system interposed between the container and the slider and, in the closed position of the lid, prevents the slider from sliding relative to the container. The hindering of the slider can be deactivated by external action of the user who elastically deforms at least part of the front wall of the container.

Abstract: Rigid pack for rod-shaped articles includes; a parallelepiped-shaped container, which houses the group of articles and has at least a lower wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls; and a support system arranged in the container and has at least a first containing wall, which is parallel to the lower wall and is provided with a plurality of through holes, each engaged by a corresponding smoking article. The support system consists of a first articulated parallelogram having a frame glued to the rear wall of the container, two cranks and a connecting rod, which only rests against the front wall of the container, so that, while the rigid pack is being manufactured, the support system can be formed with the first articulated parallelogram in a flat condition and can subsequently be expanded by opening the first articulated parallelogram by rotation of both cranks.

Abstract: A machine for making a continuous tubular element with filling from web material, including first and second means for feeding respective continuous webs, a forming station configured to perform a folding and/or deformation of a first continuous web in a shaped configuration, and a wrapping station wherein the second continuous web is wound in a tubular shape around the first continuous shaped web to obtain the continuous tubular element. Upstream of the wrapping station there is a first gluing device configured to apply at least one longitudinal line of glue on at least one of the continuous webs in such a way as to define at least one gluing zone, said longitudinal line of glue being positioned in such a way as to coincide with a zone of superposing and contact between the two continuous webs feeding out of the wrapping station.

Abstract: A package with a sliding opening for consumer goods can include a group of consumer goods; a container that is tub-shaped, which contains the group of consumer goods and comprises an extraction opening for the extraction of consumer goods; a closing label, which is fixed in a repositionable manner to the first container to open and close the extraction opening; a covering of the first container, which is made starting from a blank of wrapping material; a casing made starting from a blank of wrapping material. The casing is arranged externally to the covering and is slidingly coupled to the covering to be movable between a closing position, in which access to the group of consumer goods is not allowed, and an opening position, in which access to the group of consumer goods is allowed.

Abstract: A compacting unit for the tobacco industry includes a conveyor drum configured to convey groups of segments disposed perpendicularly to the feed direction. A first compactor and a second compactor have a first contact portion and a second contact portion, respectively. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are respectively adapted to be placed in contact with a first axial end and a second axial end of a group of segments in transit in the compacting station. The first contact portion is compliant, preferably elastically compliant, along a longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments upon interaction with the first axial end. The second contact portion defines a rigid abutment along the longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments suitable for setting a predetermined position for the second axial end.

Abstract: A pack comprising: at least one product; a blister provided with a pocket, which houses the product and has an open end surrounded by a flat edge, and a closing tab, connected to the flat edge of the pocket to close the open end; and a support body, which houses the blister in a sliding manner to allow the blister to move relative to the support body between a closing position, in which the product cannot be removed from the pocket, and an extraction position, in which the product can be removed from the pocket. A connection end of the closing tab is fixed to the support body in a permanent and inseparable manner so that the sliding movement of the blister relative to the support body from the closing position to the extraction position causes a progressive separation of the closing tab from the flat edge of the pocket.

Abstract: A food-safe paper straw, including an outer tubular element made of paper material which extends along a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal insert made of paper material positioned inside the outer tubular element and stably connected to an inner surface of the outer tubular element, said insert having a profile, in transversal cross section, defined by a line at least partly corrugated and/or partly broken in such a way as to increase the bending strength of the straw, wherein said insert is stably connected to the inner surface of the outer tubular element in at least two connecting zones, preferably at least three connecting zones, angularly spaced from each other about said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A label-rejecting station, where labels are carried by a support band along an advancing path. The rejecting station includes a deviator element and a contrast element. The deviator element is arranged along the advancing path and movable between an inactive position and an active position wherein it contacts the support band at a first surface thereof, deviating the advancing path. The contrast element is arranged along the advancing path downstream of the deviator element and includes: an abutting surface provided for receiving partially thereon a second surface of the support band, opposite to the first surface; and a detachment edge provided for detaching a label from the support band when the deviator element moves into its active position.

Abstract: A method for the predictive maintenance of an automatic machine for manufacturing or packing consumer articles comprising the steps of: detecting and recording at least a sampling series relating to at least one motorization metric of at least one electric actuator, by means of at least one respective local control unit; transmitting the recorded sampling series to a data processing unit; defining at least one multidimensional tolerance horizon within an anomaly matrix having as dimensions at least two statistical features based on at least one sampling series detected and relative at least to the detected motorization metric; calculating the two statistical features in order to define the position of an actual condition within the anomaly matrix; determining, based on the position of the actual condition in the anomaly matrix and the multidimensional tolerance horizon, the imminence of necessary maintenance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package of smoking articles comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; a bottom; two side walls; and at least a first support wall, which has a first group of seats for receiving, each one, a smoking article and is arranged in proximity to the front wall so as to be transversal to the front wall and to the rear wall. Each side wall has: a first portion proximal to the front wall; a second portion proximal to the rear wall; and a folding line arranged between the first portion and the second portion so as to allow the folding of the first portion on the second portion, or vice versa, causing the mutual distancing and approach of the front wall and of the rear wall.

Abstract: Rigid pack for rod-shaped articles includes; a parallelepiped-shaped container, which houses the group of articles and has at least a lower wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls; and a support system arranged in the container and has at least a first containing wall, which is parallel to the lower wall and is provided with a plurality of through holes, each engaged by a corresponding smoking article. The support system consists of a first articulated parallelogram having a frame glued to the rear wall of the container, two cranks and a connecting rod, which only rests against the front wall of the container, so that, while the rigid pack is being manufactured, the support system can be formed with the first articulated parallelogram in a flat condition and can subsequently be expanded by opening the first articulated parallelogram by rotation of both cranks.

Abstract: A machine for making a continuous tubular element with filling from web material, including first and second means for feeding respective continuous webs, a forming station configured to perform a folding and/or deformation of a first continuous web in a shaped configuration, and a wrapping station wherein the second continuous web is wound in a tubular shape around the first continuous shaped web to obtain the continuous tubular element. Between the forming station and the wrapping station there is at least one guide bar about which the first continuous web is at least partly formed and/or guided.

Abstract: A machine for making a continuous tubular element with filling from web material, including first and second means for feeding respective continuous webs, a forming station configured to perform a folding and/or deformation of a first continuous web in a shaped configuration, and a wrapping station wherein the second continuous web is wound in a tubular shape around the first continuous shaped web to obtain the continuous tubular element. Upstream of the wrapping station there is a first gluing device configured to apply at least one longitudinal line of glue on at least one of the continuous webs in such a way as to define at least one gluing zone, said longitudinal line of glue being positioned in such a way as to coincide with a zone of superposing and contact between the two continuous webs feeding out of the wrapping station.

Abstract: A pack of smoking articles having: a container; an inner wrap enclosing a group of smoking articles housed in the container; a hinged lid movable between open and closed positions; a collar glued on the inside of the container so as to partially project out of an open top end and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is in a closed position; a slider firmly connected to the lid and coupled in a sliding manner to the container so as to slide relative to the container; and a locking system interposed between the container and the slider and, in the closed position of the lid, prevents the slider from sliding relative to the container. The hindering of the slider can be deactivated by external action of the user who elastically deforms at least part of the front wall of the container.