Abstract: Successive cigarette packs wherein an inner envelope surrounds an array of smokers' products are advanced against successive foremost blanks of a series of blanks to be converted into outer envelopes of the respective packs. Those portions of the inner envelopes which are secured to each other by an adhesive are mechanically held against separaton prior to complete setting of the adhesive on their way toward the blanks, during entrainment and initial deformation of the blanks and, if necessary, during conversion of the blanks into outer envelopes which surround the respective inner envelopes. The blanks can consist of a light transmitting material.

Abstract: A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are received, and a log ejector for ejecting logs from the log station into clamps of the turret. Logs can be ejected from the log station, through wrap material, and into the turret clamps. In other embodiments, a wrap conveyor inserts wrap material between a shuttle and a log station at which logs are received. Logs in such embodiments can pass from the log station to the shuttle through the wrap material.

Abstract: A discharge and transfer apparatus for adjacent separated, objects, such as logs of interfolded sheets discharged from an interfolder, and for supplying the logs of sheets sequentially to downstream processing equipment, such as a packaging or wrapping mechanism for applying packaging or wrapping material about each log of sheets. The discharge and transfer apparatus includes an advancing mechanism for moving the logs of sheets in a forward direction at a location downstream of the discharge area of the interfolder, and a guide mechanism, such as a series of curved guide rails, which are operable to position the logs such that the logs are moved in a generally vertical direction toward a transfer area by operation of the advancement mechanism.

Abstract: Hinge-lid boxes for cigarettes, comprising a box part (12) and lid (13), are frequently fitted with a closure aid for the lid (13). Said closure aid comprises interlocking elements which can be brought into engagement with one another, namely a lid inner tab (16), on the one hand, and a collar front wall (17), on the other hand. In order to ensure operativeness as soon as the pack is used, it is ensured that the closure aid is already in engagement when the pack is completed, i.e. before it is used for the first time. For this purpose, the lid (13) is partially opened after being substantially completed and is then moved into the closed position again thereby ensuring engagement of the closing elements.

Abstract: A method of wrapping orderly groups of cigarettes arranged, in each group, in a number of superimposed layers, of which an outer layer is narrower than the adjacent layer and defines, in the relative group, at least one longitudinal lateral gap, the method providing for continuously feeding each group into a respective folding pocket, together with a sheet of wrapping material which is folded into a U inside the folding pocket and has a lateral portion projecting from the folding pocket; clamping the group on an end wall of the folding pocket, with the outer layer of the group facing outwards, by means of two end clamping members, each having an appendix arranged at a respective end of the longitudinal lateral gap; and folding the lateral portion of the sheet about the group and about the appendixes of the end clamping members to form a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped tubular wrapping.

Abstract: A stack of sheet-type objects are bundled while supported on a support plate. A banding strip is guided in a channel formed in the plate. The support plate can be pushed through a shaft that is formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls. A tongue is displaceable between an extended position, in which it separates the channel from the surface of the supporting plate, and a withdrawn position in which the channel is placed in an open position with respect to the surface of the supporting plate. A spring is used to hold the banding strip in contact with an underside of the stack of sheet-type objects.

Abstract: A packaging machine for wrapping packing pieces with packing film. The packing machine includes a transport device for the packing pieces arranged in a transport channel, at least one pulling device for the packing film and a film cutting and welding device which, when operated, pulls one film section from the pulling device and welds it to another film section for forming a film tube surrounding the packing piece. The packing machine is design to prevent a run-up of the film pulled by the pulling device into the transport channel by the inclusion of a narrow through gap for the packing film. The gap limits the passage of the film when the tension on the film is reduced.

Abstract: A method of wrapping elongated articles in groups provides for feeding a first and a second pocket continuously along two respective paths having a common portion, along which the first pocket penetrates the second pocket to transfer a group from the first to the second pocket together with a sheet of wrapping material, which is folded into a U inside the second pocket and has two parallel, opposite flaps gripped between first and second lateral walls; and for compressing the group between a first and a second bottom wall and, at the same time, extracting the first lateral walls from the second pocket.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging stacks of multiply articles of paper into wrapping sheets, a first line conveys stacks of multiply articles of paper to a a wrapping station while a second feeds wrapping sheets to the wrapping station. Each sheet is kept vertically in a waiting position in the wrapping station until one stack is moved towards the sheet, so that the sheet gradually folds around the stack with overlapping parallel edges to be heat-welded. In the said second line there are first endless belts and second endless belts for a wrapping sheet received from conveying means situated upstream. The sheet is pulled up to the wrapping station and is clamped in the wait position by suction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wrapping bundles of printed matter by placing a folded film sheet around such bundles when these are conveyed to and through a wrapping situation. The apparatus includes a lower, through-going belt conveyor with mutually separated conveyor straps and a couple of overhead band conveyors in line with each other creating a transverse gap between them. Below the spaces between the lower conveyor straps and just below the gap a transverse row of compressed air nozzles directed upwards is arranged.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the work flow of a machine—equipped with effectors (2) driven by rotational motors (12)—comprises: electronic storage means (11) having resident functions that relate the angle of rotation described by a controlling motor (12) with the desired instantaneous position of a controlled effector (2); means (13) for detecting the actual instantaneous position of the controlled effector (2); comparator means (14) for determining the positional error of the controlled effector (2) relative to a given expected position upon reaching a certain angle of rotation of the controlling motor (12); and means (15a) for controlling the motor (12) of the controlled effector (2), which receive the error signal from the comparator means (14) and apply to the motor (12) a corresponding corrective action designed to control and synchronize the angular position of the controlled motor (12) with that of the controlling motor (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor to allow the clamp to pull the film through the opening. A shear located below the first and second conveyors. Feeding an end of the film to the clamp and seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors. Pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap the article with an overlap. Cutting the film with the shear after the clamp reached in the position above the conveyors. Wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from the position above the conveyors through the opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing the seized film, and overlapping the cut end and the released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and bottom of the article.

Abstract: A mattress packaging machine with an automatic roll replacement device for automatically replacing a roll for feeding a sheet for wrapping the mattress, having: a horizontal frame upon which the mattress slides; a sheet guiding mechanism so the sheet is arranged over and under the mattress; a sheet joiner and cutter after the mattress is wrapped; a sliding carriage with feed roll supporting assemblies for unwinding and takeup of a respective sheet and with a transferable take-up roll with which an end of the sheet is connected.

Abstract: An aligning device and method for feeding products into an automatic packaging machine, in particular products (13, 13′, 13″) of any thickness or size whatsoever, that are fed by at least one sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″) to a conveyor system (11) equipped with a plurality of pushers (12), positioned at a certain distance one behind the other with a step distance that can be set in advance, the products (13, 13′, 13″) being stacked one on top of the other and transferred to the packaging area in a sheet of wrapping film or paper, wherein the device is positioned downstream of the at least one sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″) and foresees at least one engaging element (16) that is brought into contact with the front end of the fed product as it travels forward, aligning said product with its respective pusher (12) and moving away from the product to permit its travel towards the packaging area, or towards a further sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″).

Abstract: A method of producing soft packets of cigarettes, whereby an inner packet, as it is fed along a packing path, is mated with a sheet of packing material withdrawn in a direction tangential with respect to the packing path. The sheet of packing material being folded into a U about the inner packet, so that a first end portion of the sheet of packing material contacts a minor lateral surface of the inner packet, and being further folded to form a tubular package which is subsequently closed at the end. The tubular package being closed laterally by detaching the first end portion from the relative minor lateral face, and inserting, beneath the first end portion, a second portion, an outer surface of which has been gummed beforehand.

Abstract: Blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for block-shaped arrays of cigarettes in metal foil envelopes are supplied by a first turntable to an assembling station where successive blanks are overlapped by successive arrays furnished by a second turntable. Each blank is draped around the envelope of the respective array in part at the assembling station and in part at a further station downstream of the assembling station, as seen in the direction of joint advancement of the arrays and the corresponding blanks toward an evacuating station. Each array is moved at the assembling station vertically downwardly from a pocket of the second turntable into a pocket of the first turntable; the latter thereupon advances the arrays and the blanks jointly to the further station, and the finished packets—with the arrays confined therein—to the evacuating station.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising; a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor sufficient to allow a clamp to pull a film through the opening a shear located below the first and second conveyors, means for feeding an end of the film to said clamp, means for seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors, means for pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap an article with an overlap, means for cutting the film with the shear after the clamp as reached said position, means for wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from said position through said opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing said seized film, and means for overlapping the cut end and released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and

Abstract: A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of shrink film wrapping of one or more objects (15). The method employs two film webs, a first (1) and a second (2). The first film web carries a pre-printed decorative artwork with regularly recurring register maintenance markings. The second film web (2) is blank and carries no register maintenance markings. The two film webs (1, 2) are joined or fused together when the objects (15) are moved in by means of a pusher (16) towards the film webs (1, 2), in one or more rows. A sealing device (18, 19), consisting of an upper (18) and a lower (19) sealing jaw, stretches the film webs (1, 2) around the objects (15) and once seals the film webs (1, 2). During the downward movement of the upper sealing jaw (18), the first film web (1) is held fast by a brake (8). The first film web (1) is held in register in that the first film web (1), during the sealing, is advanced by means of a drive roller (6) for the formation of a loosely hanging loop (21).

Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets in the form of a rectangular prism, whereby a packet, as it is fed continuously along a wrapping path, is first centered with respect to a relative conveying seat, and is then paired with a relative sheet of wrapping material, which is folded about the packet to form a tubular wrapping projecting axially from the packet in the form of two tubular appendixes, which are folded to form a closed overwrapping; each tubular appendix being at least partly folded onto the relative packet before the relative tubular wrapping is completed.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a packaging method and a packaging device in which a loading work and an unloading work for a packaged item performed by an operator can be reduced, a longitudinal length of the device can be made short and it can be manufactured in less-expensive manner.

Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable sheet material and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, first of all a cigarette group (11) is enclosed by a wrapper blank and. following completion of the necessary folding operations, is fed to a sealing turret (48). In the region of the latter, folding tabs on sideways directed side walls and on radially outwardly directed end walls of the folded wrapper are sealed.

Abstract: A continuous feeding device for a single color film packaging machine includes a pair of chains mounted at two sides above a conveyor belt, the chains being engaged with a plurality of gears, a plurality of a linking rods equidistantly mounted between the two chains, two first sensors disposed close to an outer side of one of the chains for detecting the lining rods, a platform installed at an end of the conveyor belt, an electric motor mounted beside the conveyor belt and being drivingly connected with an axle on which are fixedly mounted two of the gears engaged with the chains, and two second sensors each mounted close to an outer side of a respective one of the chains, the two second sensors being aligned with each other, whereby the articles can be continuously packaged thus increasing the efficiency.

Abstract: Bundles of banknotes are directed singly and in succession along an infeed duct toward a station located at the top of a channel, where they are formed into a block; the channel functions as a guide along which the block is conveyed by means of a companion element, following a predetermined feed path, at the same time as a continuous strip of banding material is fed along a path transverse to this same path. The leading end of the strip is taken up and restrained by a gripper device, and as the block progresses along the channel, the strip is intercepted and forced to wrap around three faces of the block, assuming a U shape, whereupon the leading end is flattened against the remaining face and a further portion of the strip is drawn by a diverter mechanism into overlapping contact with the leading end. The strip is then cut by a knife, leaving a discrete length of which the ends are joined by a heat seal bit to form a band around the block.

Abstract: A device for welding or combined cutting and welding comprises a heating element, the heating rail of which is heated and cools down in each work cycle, and an opposed tool which has a rail made of elastic material.

Abstract: A method and unit for wrapping sweets, whereby a sweet, housed in a relative first peripheral seat of a distribution plate rotating about a first axis, is extracted from the relative first seat in an extraction direction parallel to the first axis, and is then fed to a relative second seat of a wrapping wheel, rotating about a second axis crosswise to the first axis, in a feed direction substantially crosswise to the extraction direction and through a feed line parallel to the first axis and for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: During the production of cuboid-shaped packages, in particular bundle packages made of thin cardboard, it is necessary to form sharp-edged package edges (44, 45), namely those having a right-angled cross-section. This is ensured by means of a folding aid, namely by edge supports (40, 41), around which the folding flaps (27, 28) are folded to form the package edges (44, 45). The edge supports (40, 41) are retracted from their supporting position after folding is completed and the package is finished.

Abstract: A machine for packaging a mattress in a sheet, comprising horizontal supporting and receiving mattress surfaces, guides for guiding the sheet on a vertical plane, so that by moving the mattress in the advancement direction from the supporting surface toward the receiving surface the sheet is arranged over and under the mattress, a device for joining and cutting the sheet upstream of the mattress and for forming a bag which wraps around the mattress, sheet unwinding assemblies comprising two rollers movable along the receiving surface with a return stroke, the rollers being articulated to rotate between alignment and parallel positions in which they are perpendicular or parallel to the advancement direction and to the sides of the mattress, and actuators for actuating the rollers.

Abstract: The apparatus for wrapping confectionery products and the like comprises a device for feeding the products to be wrapped, an organ for extracting such products from the aforesaid feeding device able to co-operate with a device dispensing a piece of material in sheet form, a wrapping head with pincers, rotating according to a horizontal axis to bring individual products with a respective piece of material in sheet form in correspondence with a series of operative stations. The feeding device comprises a circular disk, positioned horizontally and rotating about a vertical axis, which presents, peripherally distributed, a series of recesses for the reception of respective products, open outwards, each provided, in correspondence with the lower surface of said disk and posteriorly thereto, with a related slit.

Abstract: A machine for packaging piles (P) of paper products, such as serviettes, handkerchiefs and the like, comprising:

Abstract: Glue nozzles (14) are used for the purpose of transferring glue to packs (10). Said glue nozzles can be moved by a pivot arm (18) into a maintenance position, in which the glue nozzle (14) is located alternatively above a collecting container (24) for portions of glue or above a water container (25). The water container (25) is assigned a rotatable roller (22) which is made of elastic material, in particular foam, and assumes the function of a cleaning and closure element for the glue nozzle (14).

Abstract: A method of packing reams of sheets, wherein each ream is defined by sheets stacked to form a rectangular-base prism of a given height, and has two base faces defined by respective end sheets in the ream, two lateral faces perpendicular to the base faces, and two end faces; the method providing for feeding the ream along a given path in a feed direction parallel to the base faces, placing a sheet of packing material along the path of the ream and perpendicular to the feed direction, and conveying the ream and the sheet of packing material in the feed direction through a folding spindle to fold the sheet of packing material into a U about the ream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, wherein the utensils each have first end and a second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The utensil wrapping apparatus includes a utensil manipulator for placing the a utensil adjacent a surface of the napkin. First and second utensil engaging devices are provided for releasably engaging the first and second ends of the utensil and the portions of said napkin respectively adjacent the first and second ends of said utensil, such that said napkin and said utensil are held in a fixed relative position. A napkin guide for wrapping the napkin around the utensil, wherein the napkin guide is manipulable to orbit the longitudinal axis such that the napkin guide contacts the napkin and thereby wraps the napkin around said utensil.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging stacks of multiply articles of paper into wrapping sheets, a first line conveys stacks of multiply articles of paper to a a wrapping station while a second feeds wrapping sheets to the wrapping station. Each sheet is kept vertically in a waiting position in the wrapping station until one stack is moved towards the sheet, so that the sheet gradually folds around the stack with overlapping parallel edges to be heat-welded. In the said second line there are first endless belts and second endless belts for a wrapping sheet received from conveying means situated upstream. The sheet is pulled up to the wrapping station and is clamped in the wait position by suction.

Abstract: A method for conveying a package to a wrap station of a package wrapping machine involves the steps of providing a conveying system for moving the package to the wrap station, the conveying system being selectively adjustable for varying a lateral position of a package; sensing a lateral position of the package as it travels along the conveying system; comparing the sensed lateral position of the package with a desired lateral position of the package; and based upon the comparison, adjusting the conveying system to place the package in the desired lateral position.

Abstract: A unit is provided for transferring groups of rolls to be wrapped within a packaging film, from an intermediate station to subsequent stations. Pusher means are operated in time relation with the positioning of an ensemble formed by a group of rolls partially wrapped with the film in the intermediate station, so that the ensemble is pushed laterally and conveyed toward an outlet side of the intermediate station. A conveyor, having a horizontal active run coplanar with a surface for supporting the ensemble, is situated after the outlet of the intermediate station. The horizontal active run is operated in time relation with operation of the pusher, to move the ensemble from the intermediate station toward subsequent stations.

Abstract: A packing machine comprising a rotary assembly (2) which is adapted to receive articles (4) travelling along a path which is adjacent one region of the periphery of the assembly, and means (26) for receiving foil (14) or other wrapping material, at a different peripheral region, the foil then being oriented in a tangential plane; the assembly further comprising means for reorienting the foil into a plane which is perpendicular to said tangential plane (20) at a subsequent rotary position, where it is suitably aligned with a cooperating article wrapping means (40, 32).

Abstract: Successive cigarette packs wherein an inner envelope surrounds an array of smokers' products are advanced against successive foremost blanks of a series of blanks to be converted into outer envelopes of the respective packs. Those portions of the inner envelopes which are secured to each other by an adhesive are mechanically held against separaton prior to complete setting of the adhesive on their way toward the blanks, during entrainment and initial deformation of the blanks and, if necessary, during conversion of the blanks into outer envelopes which surround the respective inner envelopes. The blanks can consist of a light transmitting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank for a cigarette pack with an inside part and a casing (4), with a front (12), a back, a base (6), a top (8) and with side sections (16, 18) connecting the front (12) and the back and also with a tearing edge (10). The cigarette pack is characterized in that the side sections (16, 18) are provided with pre-grooved folding lines (17) which allow a semi-circular folding of the inside part and of the casing (4). The invention also relates to a process for the production of a cigarette pack from this blank.

Abstract: The lower folders (P1, P2) of the packaging machine are driven by a rod and crank system (1, 2) moved by an electric motor (5) with control of speed and phase, regulated by an electronic processor (7) with a corresponding programming and dialogue unit (8). The rod and crank system is designed and arranged in such a way that, when the folders are closed, the rod (1) is aligned with the crank (2), and this position (K) is taken to be the zero position by the said processor and is detected for this purpose by a sensor (6). To drive the folders through a complete cycle of closing and opening, the motor (5) has to execute only one pulse, to transfer the rod and crank system from one to the other of two limit positions (K1, K2), spaced apart from the said zero position by an identical distance which is variable, according to the format of the products to be packaged, by means of the said programming unit (8).

Abstract: A machine for packaging a mattress in a sheet, comprising horizontal supporting and receiving mattress surfaces, guides for guiding the sheet on a vertical plane, so that by moving the mattress in the advancement direction from the supporting surface toward the receiving surface the sheet is arranged over and under the mattress, a device for joining and cutting the sheet upstream of the mattress and for forming a bag which wraps around the mattress, sheet unwinding assemblies comprising two rollers movable along the receiving surface with a return stroke, the rollers being articulated to rotate between alignment and parallel positions in which they are perpendicular or parallel to the advancement direction and to the sides of the mattress, and actuators for actuating the rollers.

Abstract: Objects are conveyed to a strapping position (U) along a conveying path (F), are strapped in this strapping position and are conveyed away from it. For the strapping a strapping material (4) is positioned curtain-like across the conveying path (F) and is drawn along by an object to be strapped such that it is placed around the downstream side of the object and can be positioned on the upstream side of the object and be connected and separated producing a connection point in the strapping closed around the object and in the strapping material (4) again extended across the conveying path for the next object to be strapped. For producing strappings with either one connection point or with two connection points and for allowing the strapping material to be supplied from only one side of the conveying path, shifting steps are carried out alternatingly with strapping steps or with groups of strapping steps in which shifting steps the strapping material (4) is shifted actively across the conveying path (F).

Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable sheet material and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, first of all a cigarette group (11) is enclosed by a wrapper blank and following completion of the necessary folding operations, is fed to a sealing turret (48). In the region of the latter, folding tabs on sideways directed side walls and on radially outwardly directed end walls of the folded wrapper are sealed.

Abstract: A rigid package with hinged lid which holds a group of cigarette packs stacked flat against one another, parallel with the bottom of the package, along a stacking axis which is at a right angle to the longitudinal axes of the packs comprises a container and a lid, which are hinged together, and an inner frame which is partially inside the container; the package is made from a flat blank which is substantially rectangular and, in the direction of its longer longitudinal axis has a main portion designed to define the container and the lid, and a longitudinal end appendix designed to be folded over the main portion to define the inner frame; the appendix is substantially U-shaped and is hinged, with its arms, to two side panels of the blank which define the sides of the package and surrounds a longitudinal free end of the main portion; the free end consists of a panel designed to define the bottom of the package, and two side tabs and a longitudinal end tab defining respective flaps for closing the bottom; the g

Abstract: In a packaging machine that includes a wrapping wheel equipped with at least one conveying head affording a seat capable of movement with the wrapping wheel along a looped path, the head is indexed through a first station at which the seat receives a product, a second station where a wrapping sheet is taken up and held stably by a gripper mechanism across an opening of the seat, in a predetermined position, and an outfeed station at which the product is ejected from the seat and caused to associate with the wrapping sheet, whereupon product and sheet are transferred together to a further wrapping wheel; the machine is equipped with a device located externally of the wrapping wheel by means of which to actuate the gripper mechanism.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping products in respective sheets of heat-seal material, whereby the products are fed successively along a first wrapping path to form, about each product, a tubular wrapping having two opposite open ends, and are then fed successively along a second wrapping path to close and seal the respective open ends; the products being fed with a first spacing along the first wrapping path, and with a second spacing, smaller than the first spacing, along the second wrapping path.

Abstract: The blade (12) which is to make the transverse cut of the film in the product packaging station is fixed in the lower part of the grooved section (11) which forms part of the front folder (9) of the packaging machine and has its cutting edge facing downwards. The film to be cut (102) is raised against this blade by a parallel grooved bar (13) with rounded and preferably staggered edges, which in an intermediate phase before its own working travel is also used to raise the section of the film which will have to be cut subsequently, to dispose the film in the correct position for gripping by the lateral grippers (6) of the packaging machine. The said film raising bar is preferably driven by means of a link block, by and electric motor (22) with electronic rotation speed and phase control, controlled by the processor of the packaging machine.

Abstract: A wheel-shaped conveyor with radially extending pockets for discrete packets of cigarettes is indexible about a horizontal axis between the neighboring surfaces of two upright walls forming part of a support for the conveyor and flanking a selected portion of an arcuate path for successive packets in the respective pockets of the conveyor. The upright walls have orifices which direct streamlets of compressed air against the adjacent sidewalls of the packets advancing along the selected portion of the path so that the streamlets of air can promote setting of the freshly applied adhesive between the panels of those sidewalls of the packets which advance along the respective upright walls of the support. The streamlets of air establish cushions of air between the moving sidewalls of the packets and the stationary walls of the support to thus reduce the likelihood of defacing and/or otherwise damaging the sidewalls.

Abstract: Each of side grippers that function as a film gripper includes upper and lower openable clampers. These clampers are designed to hold an edge portion of a film, and are opened after film packaging is completed. At least one film contact member, out of two film contact members that are attached individually to the upper and lower clampers, is formed of a cowhide, a material having a property such that a frictional force between the contact member and the film increases to and stays at a certain level as the humidity around the film rises. With use of the film contact member made of the hide, the film gripping force can be restrained from decreasing and the film-releasability can be improved despite the increase of the humidity.

Abstract: A method and machine for packing a product—in the example shown, a group of cigarettes—in a blank of packing material, whereby the blank is fed to a first seat on a packing conveyor, the product is fed to a second seat on the same packing conveyor, and a relative movement is imparted to the two seats to form, in one of the two seats, a blank-product assembly.