Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer tool which is activated by a rectilinear guide, i.e. by a mechanism made such that a point of attachment of the transfer tool describes a rectilinear trajectory when the guide is activated. A drive element for activating the guide is provided with non-rectilinear motion, and in particular with angular motion. Preferably, the rectilinear guide consists of an articulated oscillating linkage. The transfer device is used in a packaging machine for cigarettes or the like, in which, whenever possible, for each transfer of product into the processing path of the machine, rectilinear transfer units for the products are used, which transfer units are actuated by transfer devices activated by articulated oscillating linkages.

Abstract: A machine of the type capable of using strips of material wound in reels, for example wrapping, packaging and cellophane wrapping machines for cigarettes, or similar, the machine comprising at least one unwinding spindle of a reel of a strip of material which is supported in or which may be brought into a predetermined unwinding operating position; a store for at least one further reel to replace the empty reel on the spindle; means of transferring one replacement reel at a time from the store to the unwinding spindle in the operating position. The unwinding spindle is integrated with the store and forms its end on the output side. Advantageously, the store consists of a supporting bar on which the cores of the reels are threaded and whose front free end carries the spindle coaxially.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine designed to use reels of web material, in particular a packaging machine for packaging cigarettes, or the like, in which the processing units are located at least in part on one side of the machine, termed the front side. On the opposite side from the front side, i.e. from that provided at least in part with the processing units which use the web material, is a device for supplying new web reels to and removing the empty cores of the reels from a device for transferring the reels and cores. The transfer means are supported in such a way that they can be moved automatically from the rear side to the front side and vice versa, through at least one corresponding passage approximately perpendicular to the sides of the manufacturing machine.

Abstract: A manipulating device for handling, in particular for orientating, workpieces, tools or the like, includes a workpiece head provided with a device for supporting at least one workpiece, a tool or the like, having at least one characteristic axis and drive device for rotating the workpiece head about a pre-established axis of rotation. The workpiece is supported so that the characteristic axis has a pre-established orientation, in other words a pre-established colatitude and longitude relative to a three-dimensional Cartesian reference frame which is defined by three mutually perpendicular axes, while the workpiece head can rotate about an axis of rotation which is inclined with respect to all three axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian reference frame and has a colatitude and a longitude other than those of the characteristic axis of the workpiece or of the tool.

Abstract: A machine for packaging fragile cylindrical products, particularly cigarettes, comprising a unit for forming and transporting ordered groups of cigarettes, and a station for transferring the groups to a following processing unit by mean synchronized with the forming and transporting unit. Means of checking the correct formation of the ordered groups of cigarettes are provided before the transfer station. Between the checking means and the station there are provided ejection means which are identical to the transfer means and are operated in phase by a single common operating mechanism in the transfer and ejection strokes. The ejection means are always operated in conjunction with the transfer means and they at least are additionally movable, under the control of the checking means, transversely with respect to the ejection stroke to a position where they do not interfere with the groups of cigarettes.