Abstract: A system for transferring a first group of components of electronic cigarettes from first to second operating stations includes a flat collecting surface extending from a feeding zone to a releasing zone. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them onto the collecting surface. A first abutment element abuts the first component of the first group. A second abutment element abuts the last component of the first group. A compacting and stabilizing device moves the components closer together and stabilizes their positions. A first movement device moves the first and second abutment elements along the collecting surface to transfer the first group to the releasing zone. A tray faces the releasing zone to receive the first group. A pushing device pushes the components from the releasing zone into the tray. A transferring device transfers the tray with the first group towards the second operating station.

Abstract: A system for assembling electronic cigarette parts comprising cartridges and for filling the cartridges includes a first conveyor; a first group of carrier units connected to the first conveyor to be movable independently along the first conveyor and to receive and hold the parts; a first group of working stations for assembling/inspecting the cigarette parts on the first conveyor; a second conveyor, downstream of the first conveyor; and a second group of carrier units connected to the second conveyor to be movable independently along the second conveyor and to receive and hold the parts; a second group of working stations for assembling/inspecting the parts on the second conveyor; and a filling station, disposed between the first and second conveyors to receive the parts from the first conveyor, fill the respective cartridges, and feed the parts with the filled cartridges towards the second conveyor.

Abstract: A packing method and packing machine for producing a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid can include obtaining a wrapped group of tobacco articles with a first packing unit; obtaining an inner container which houses the wrapped group of tobacco articles and has the hinged lid with a second packing unit by folding an inner blank about the wrapped group of tobacco articles; and obtaining an outer container which slidably houses the inner container inside and is provided with a connecting tab, that at one end is integral with the outer container and at the other end is glued to the lid of the inner container, with a third packing unit by folding an outer blank about the inner container.

Abstract: A processing method for automatically opening a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid; the processing method including the steps of: mechanically clamping an outer container of the package; exerting pull on the lid to rotate the lid into an open position by means of a first actuator, which contacts a top wall of the lid, and has a suction head which engages the top wall by suction; and, simultaneously and in coordination with the step of exerting pull on the lid, exerting thrust on an inner container of the package, to slide the inner container axially with respect to the outer container, by means of a second actuator, which contacts a wall of the inner container through a window formed through a corresponding wall of the outer container.

Abstract: Packing method and packing machine for producing a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid; a wrapped group of tobacco articles is obtained by means of a first packing unit; an inner container which houses the wrapped group of tobacco articles and has the hinged lid is obtained, by means of a second packing unit and by folding an inner blank about the wrapped group of tobacco articles; and an outer container which slidably houses the inner container inside and is provided with a connecting tab, that at one end is integral with the outer container and at the other end is glued to the lid of the inner container, is obtained by means of a third packing unit and by folding an outer blank about the inner container.

Abstract: Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; the inner blank is fed along a packing path by way of a packing conveyor and through a work station wherein a folding device is arranged, provided with two twin folding bodies that are moved along a work direction perpendicular to the packing path for folding portions of the inner blank; each folding body has a top member, an intermediate member, and a bottom member which are arranged in different positions along the work direction to perform in succession respective folds of the inner blank while the folding body moves with a continuous motion along the work direction.

Abstract: A processing method for automatically opening a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid; the processing method including the steps of: mechanically clamping an outer container of the package; exerting pull on the lid to rotate the lid into an open position by means of a first actuator, which contacts a top wall of the lid, and has a suction head which engages the top wall by suction; and, simultaneously and in coordination with the step of exerting pull on the lid, exerting thrust on an inner container of the package, to slide the inner container axially with respect to the outer container, by means of a second actuator, which contacts a wall of the inner container through a window formed through a corresponding wall of the outer container.

Abstract: A method and wrapping unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes, and which include: feeding the group of cigarettes along a path; feeding a sheet of wrapping perpendicularly to the path of the group of cigarettes; feeding a tubular spindle along the path of the group of cigarettes to intercept the sheet of wrapping and fold the sheet of wrapping into a U about the tubular spindle; and feeding the group of cigarettes through the tubular spindle to slide the sheet of wrapping off the tubular spindle and apply the U-folded sheet of wrapping to the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A method and wrapping unit for producing a package containing a group of cigarettes, and which include: feeding the group of cigarettes along a path; feeding a sheet of wrapping perpendicularly to the path of the group of cigarettes; feeding a tubular spindle along the path of the group of cigarettes to intercept the sheet of wrapping and fold the sheet of wrapping into a U about the tubular spindle; and feeding the group of cigarettes through the tubular spindle to slide the sheet of wrapping off the tubular spindle and apply the U-folded sheet of wrapping to the group of cigarettes.