Abstract: An extraction station for the extraction from a transport system for an at least partially complete cartridge; the extraction station has: a collecting device; at least one holding head, which is designed to grab at least one end of the cartridge; and a moving device which supports the holding head and moves the holding head between a pick-up position, in which the holding head is in the area of the transport system and grabs the cartridge, and a release position, in which the holding head releases the cartridge.

Abstract: A system for assembling and filling two groups of electronic cigarettes, includes first and second working stations for assembly/inspection operations on a first group of electronic cigarettes and disposed upstream and downstream of a first conveying path, respectively. Third and fourth working stations perform assembly/inspection operations on a second group of electronic cigarettes and are disposed upstream and downstream of a second conveying path, respectively. A single filling station receives the first group at a first loading zone and the second group at a second loading zone to fill the first group and the second group with a filling product; and releases the first group of filled electronic cigarettes at a first unloading zone and the second group of filled electronic cigarettes at a second unloading zone towards the second working station and towards the fourth working station, respectively.

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 manufacturing machine for producing disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes can have a manufacturing drum supporting at least one group of seats, each adapted to receive a component of the disposable cartridge; and a feeding unit which feeds the components of the disposable cartridges to the seats. Each seat has a housing through channel crossing the manufacturing drum from side-to-side to contain a component and a pair of opposite jaws mounted in the housing channel and movable between a gripping position, in which they engage a component arranged in the housing channel and a transfer position, in which they do not engage the component. Each pair of jaws has two teeth arranged at the top and projecting from the corresponding jaws towards the center of the seat, so that the two teeth hold the component inside the seat at the top when the two jaws are in the gripping position.

Abstract: A system for assembling and filling two groups of electronic cigarettes, includes first and second working stations for assembly/inspection operations on a first group of electronic cigarettes and disposed upstream and downstream of a first conveying path, respectively. Third and fourth working stations perform assembly/inspection operations on a second group of electronic cigarettes and are disposed upstream and downstream of a second conveying path, respectively. A single filling station receives the first group at a first loading zone and the second group at a second loading zone to fill the first group and the second group with a filling product; and releases the first group of filled electronic cigarettes at a first unloading zone and the second group of filled electronic cigarettes at a second unloading zone towards the second working station and towards the fourth working station, respectively.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for crimping a web of material for the tobacco industry, including the following steps: feeding a web of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path; crimping the web between two crimping rollers operatively coupled to make a plurality of longitudinal easy folding lines on the web; measuring a value of a thickness of the web before the step of crimping; The step of crimping the web is adjusted as a function of the thickness value measured during the step of measuring.

Abstract: A conveying method and system for a machine to fill bottles, with a non-circular cross-section, in particular for products in the pharmaceutical industry; the following are provided: a plurality of holding members designed to hold a plurality of bottles in a suspended position; movers to move the plurality of holding members along a processing path; and guides, which are arranged parallel to the processing path, allow the bottles to move only when the bottles are arranged according to a predetermined orientation, and force the bottles to assume and maintain the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Machine and method for producing a substantially cylindrical article, which comprises a tubular body, a container element, arranged in the area of one end of the tubular element, a heat generating element, partially housed inside the container element, and loose material for generating flavour; in use, the loose material is inserted into the container element, vertically oriented, and the heat generating element is partially inserted into the container element by being moved downwards, so as to obtain a combined element; subsequently, the combined element is at least partially inserted into the tubular body.

Abstract: A pack for smoking articles can include a group of smoking articles; an inner wrap, which houses the group of smoking articles; a rigid outer container which is cup-shaped, houses the inner wrap and has: an open upper end, a lower wall opposite the open upper end, a front wall and a rear wall opposite one another, and two side walls opposite one another; a lid, which is cup-shaped, is hinged to the outer container along a hinge so as to rotate, relative to the outer container, between an open position and a closed position, and has: an open lower end, an upper wall, a front wall and a rear wall opposite one another, and two side walls opposite one another; and a locking system.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

Abstract: A filling unit to fill a container, in particular a cartridge, with a liquid product of the pharmaceutical industry having: a dosing head, which is arranged in a filling station and is designed to feed a quantity of product into the container through an open upper end of the container; a capping device, which is arranged in a capping station and is designed to insert a closing element into the container and through the open upper end of the container; and a sucking device which is arranged in a degasification station located between the filling station and the capping station, is designed to engage the open upper end of the container in a sealing manner, and is designed to generate a depression inside the container in an upper volume, which is not occupied by the product.

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 for smoking articles having a group of smoking articles; an inner element with at least one wall; and a cup-shaped rigid outer container, housing the inner element and the group of smoking articles, and having an open upper end, a lower wall, oppositely disposed front and rear walls, and oppositely disposed side walls. A cup-shaped lid is hinged to the outer container to rotate, relative to the outer container, between open and closed positions to open and close the open upper end and has: an open lower end, an upper wall, oppositely disposed front and rear walls, and oppositely disposed side walls. The inner element is longitudinally shorter than the outer container coupled to the lid in the closed position and, keeping the lid in the closed position, can linearly slide inside the outer container along a longitudinal sliding direction, perpendicular to the outer container lower wall.

Abstract: A transport system for an at least partially complete cartridge has: at least one piece of movable equipment provided with at least one seat designed to contain the cartridge and delimited by a first wall and by a second wall beside and opposite one another; a conveyor to move the movable equipment along a path; and an operating device arranged along the path, outside of and independent from the movable equipment. The first wall is mounted on the movable equipment and movable closer to and away from the second wall between a holding position, in which there is a minimum distance between the first and second walls and a release position, in which there is a maximum distance between the first and second walls. An elastic element that pushes the first wall towards the holding position, and a control appendage moves the first wall towards the release position.

Abstract: A pack for smoking articles comprising: a group of smoking articles wrapped by an inner wrap and housed in a rigid outer container provided with a lid hinged to the outer container; a collar partially projecting from an open upper end; and a locking system comprising: a support element arranged in the outer container in contact with the collar and provided with two coupling wings, which project movably outwards to move closer or away from each other; and two first through openings, each obtained through a wall of the lid, houses at least a portion of a corresponding coupling wing, to activate the locking system, preventing the lid from rotating from the closed to the open position. An external action of the user releases the coupling wing to deactivate the locking system. The locking system can be reactivated by rotating the lid from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A method for transporting spacers for cigarette packs is disclosed, each spacer comprising a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions, said method comprising the step of arranging the spacers, stacked on one another, on a transport pallet, on each spacer being provided at least two through holes, the through holes of the spacers of a stack being vertically aligned with each other so that a vertical element of the transport pallet is inside the through holes of the spacers of the stack.

Abstract: A pack for smoking articles comprising: a group of smoking articles housed in an inner container; an outer container, housing on the inside and in a sliding manner, the inner container; and a locking system. The locking system comprises an abutment element integral with and arranged inside the outer container; a first wing integral with the inner container and movable relative thereto so as to be arranged in abutment against the abutment element when the inner container is in a closed position, thus preventing the inner container from sliding from the closed position to an open position; and a second wing obtained on and movable relative to the outer container so as to be pressed inwards and, hence, move the underlying first wing accordingly to release the first wing abutting against the abutment element and allow the inner container to slide from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A pallet for transporting spacers for cigarette packs is disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body on which at least one through hole is obtained, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs for spacing out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions, the pallet comprising vertical elements configured to insert the through holes of the spacers stacked on one another, the holes of the spacers of a stack being vertically aligned with each other so that each vertical element is inside the aligned holes of the spacers.