Abstract: A packing machine has a main rotor (104) carrying hollow mandrels (141) to which foil and paper blanks are fed by respective feed units (160, 170) and folding/tucking devices to produce a packet with one end closed on each mandrel successively. Groups of cigarettes are fed to the mandrels from a twin-delivery hopper (110, 111, 112) the two deliveries (111, 112) of the hopper serving alternate pockets (121) of a single conveyor drum (102) which carries the groups towards the main rotor (104), a transfer drum (103) taking adjacent groups two at a time from the conveyor drum (102) to the rotor (104) and compressing each group during transfer. Each packet is removed from its mandrel (by pushing the cigarettes against the closed end of the packet) into a further drum (105) on which the second end of the packet is closed and adhesive securing folds of the packet completes its drying. The packet is then discharged through a stamper unit (106).

Abstract: A tray filling unit in which batches of cigarettes, for plunging into a tray, are formed on a conveyor by inserting divider plates into a stream of cigarettes while it is conveyed down an inclined path leading to the conveyor. Successive batches formed on the conveyor are moved transversely off the conveyor onto a movable transfer plate which supports the batch while it is pushed into a tray by the plunger. Trays are moved stepwise downwards to receive successive batches. The basic unit is capable of use in reverse as a tray unloader.