Rotary Turret Or Carrier Patents (Class 53/234)
  • Patent number: 6381920
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Andrew John Cleall, Graham Richard James, Robert Howard Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020050128
    Abstract: A method and unit for closing the ends of tubular wrappings on a cigarette packing machine, wherein the tubular wrappings enclosing respective groups of cigarettes are fed continuously and successively along an annular path and through two folding stations, in the first of which a movable folding member and a fixed Sounding member, common to all the tubular wrappings, fold the short sides of a projecting tubular portion of the tubular wrapping to define two projecting major tabs, and in the second of which a single rocker arm, common to all the tubular wrappings, is swung to successively fold the two major tabs while the wall of the tubular wrapping coplanar with each major tab is maintained, during folding, contacting a respective flat supporting wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Loris Grepioni
  • Publication number: 20020050118
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing cuboid-shaped (cigarette) packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Reinhard Lohmann
  • Publication number: 20020050127
    Abstract: A method and unit for forming tubular wrappings on a cigarette packing machine, whereby groups of cigarettes are fed successively to respective conveying heads of a continuous wrapping wheel, on which an end portion of a sheet of wrapping material, folded into a U about a respective group of cigarettes and carried by a respective conveying head, is folded onto the respective group by means of a respective outer folding member moved, with respect to the wrapping wheel, so to remain substantially parallel at all times to the respective conveying head; the outer folding members being equal in number to the conveying heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale'
  • Patent number: 6370795
    Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24,26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Andrew John Cleall, Brian Hill
  • Publication number: 20020033001
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for transferring foldable blanks used in the tobacco-processing industry for cigarette hard-shell packs that are pre-embossed or pre-stamped along folding lines, from a transfer station to a processing station. At least one fixing element is movable from a transfer position to a fixing position during the transfer to secure a collar on a block-shaped article group deposited on the foldable blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Karsten Meinke, Claus Riedel
  • Patent number: 6357201
    Abstract: Packaging machine, in particular for cigarettes, having subassemblies and elements for handling packaging material and cigarettes. In order to reduce the outlay on servicing for the packaging machine, the practice, in the region where dust and material particles occur to a pronounced extent, is for air to be extracted constantly or temporarily by suction, the particles being carried along in the process. Furthermore, particles adhering to articles, in particular to material webs, may be processed mechanically, in particular by brushes (41, 42), in order for particles to be detached and extracted by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Martin Stiller
  • Patent number: 6357208
    Abstract: In a unit for feeding collars to a continuous packing line for producing rigid packets of cigarettes, a continuous strip is cut by a knife, at a cutting station, into a succession of collars which are picked up continuously by respective pickup members, each of which is swung with the knife to grip a collar, just cut off the strip, between the knife and the respective pickup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20020029545
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package for packaging food products, composed of an outer sheet made of heat-sealable material and of an undulated inner sheet. In a first step of the method, the two sheets are unwound from respective reels, so that the outer sheet forms two lateral borders left exposed by the inner sheet. By way of appropriate longitudinal movements of the sheets, the inner sheet is centered on the outer sheet so as to form, at their opposite ends, two transverse borders which are perpendicular to the lateral ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Guglielmo Martelli
  • Publication number: 20020020150
    Abstract: A method of producing hinged-lid packets of cigarettes on a continuous automatic machine, whereby a blank is closed about a group of cigarettes, the blank having a longitudinal axis, a rear panel, first tabs connected to the rear panel, and second and third tabs connected to the first tabs; the method providing for feeding the blank continuously along a given path with the axis of the blank crosswise to the path; and folding the first tabs with respect to the rear panel so that the second and third tabs are so positioned as to be intercepted by fixed folding devices located along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20020017080
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping cigars provides for feeding the cigars continuously along a given path, along which a sheet of wrapping material is folded about each cigar, the sheet of wrapping material is closed about the cigar and at the opposite ends to form a closed wrapping, and the closed wrapping is sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6341474
    Abstract: Cigarette pack of the soft-carton type, comprising an inner blank and an outer blank (12) which is designed in the form of a carton and is made of paper or the like. Folding tabs of the outer blank (12) , namely side tabs (18, 19) and folding tabs (20, 21) of the base wall, are connected to one another by adhesive bonding. For this purpose, hot-melt adhesive is applied in a precisely positioned manner in the region of a continuous material web for producing the outer blanks (12), to be precise the adhesive is applied as rectangular or square side applications of glue (27) and base applications of glue (28). Thereafter, the outer blanks (12) are severed from the material web and are processed in the customary manner in the region of a folding turret. In this case, the applications of glue are activated by heat before, during or after folding of the relevant folding tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Henry Buse
  • Publication number: 20010052217
    Abstract: A machine for producing packets of cigarettes, each packet having a group of cigarettes enclosed in packaging material, has a number of conveyors, each having a respective given number of respective members which are brought into contact with the groups and/or the packaging material, and cooperate with the members of at least one adjacent conveyor; the number of members of each conveyor being equal to a multiple or to a divisor of the number of members of an adjacent conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20010047639
    Abstract: A packing machine wherein a conveying head feeds a product to a wrapping head in which a respective sheet of wrapping material is folded into a U about the product so as to have a pair of wings facing each other and projecting transversely from the product; and a movable folding device carried by the conveying head folds a first wing of the pair of wings through 90° onto the product once the product is supplied to the wrapping head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: FABRIZIO TALE', MARIO SPATAFORA
  • Patent number: 6324817
    Abstract: A method for wrapping an elongated, substantially parallelepiped product (2) having two opposite longitudinal end bases (8), by engaging the bases (8) of the product (2) by a conveyor head (6) fed continuously by a conveyor (7) along a wrapping path (P1) and folding a sheet (3) of wrapping material into a U about the product (2) along a first portion of the wrapping path and further folding the material along a second portion of the wrapping path to stabilize the fold and form a tubular wrapping (10). The conveyor comprises a wheel (17) and a plurality of conveyor heads on the wheel, each head being movable with respect to the wheel (17) to cause the sheet (3) of wrapping material to cooperate, along the second portion of the wrapping path (P1), with at least one passive fixture (58, 61) operating on the sheet (3) to form the tubular wrapping (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa'per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6286291
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of wrapping material, whereby a wrapping head is fed along a wrapping path, along a first portion of which, the wrapping head is positioned perpendicular with respect to the wrapping path to receive the sheet of wrapping material and the product, about which the sheet of wrapping material is folded to form a tubular wrapping having two opposite open ends; along a second portion of the wrapping path, the wrapping head is positioned parallel to the wrapping path so as to cooperate, as the wrapping head travels along the wrapping path, with a fixed folding device for folding the aforementioned open ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: G.D Societa′ per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabrizio Tale′, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6263644
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material, whereby the sheet of wrapping material is folded onto the product so that one portion of the sheet of wrapping material is at least partly superimposed on at least another portion of the sheet of wrapping material; a sealing surface of a sealing head is brought into contact with the superimposed portions at a given lead-in temperature, and is maintained contacting the superimposed portions for a given time interval during which the temperature of the sealing surface is gradually increased to a given working value, and is once more restored to the lead-in value once the sheet of wrapping material is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6226960
    Abstract: Method of cleaning packaging machines, in particular cigarette packaging machines, with the aid of cleaning bodies (22) which are directed through the packaging machine instead of pack contents and packaging material. The cleaning bodies (22) are thus configured and dimensioned in approximately the same way as the pack contents—cigarette group—or pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Foche & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Irmin Steinkamp
  • Patent number: 6223506
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material, whereby the sheet of wrapping material is folded by a fixed folding device onto a wall of the product so as to superimpose at least two portions of the sheet of wrapping material; the sheet of wrapping material, once folded, is gradually released from the fixed folding device; and a sealing surface of a sealing head is brought gradually into a position facing the superimposed portions as the superimposed portions are gradually released from the folding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa'per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6219995
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fulvio Boldrini, Giovanni Allocca, Alessandro Venturoli
  • Patent number: 6219999
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa Per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6192654
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolaos Georgitsis, Jens Collin
  • Patent number: 6189296
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale'
  • Patent number: 6170239
    Abstract: Apparatus, namely folding turret (20), for producing (cigarette) packs (10), in the case of which a blank, in particular an outer paper blank (13), has folding tabs, namely side tabs (18, 19), which are connected to one another by spots of glue (28). The spots of glue (28) are transferred onto the side tab (18) by glue nozzles (31), the guidance of the movement path of the packs (10) relative to the glue nozzles (31) being such that, following a portion of glue (29) for the spot of glue (28), unwanted portions (32) emerging from the glue nozzle (31) are intercepted by the radially inner side tab (19). For this purpose, said radially inner side tab may be formed so as to be in an oblique position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-J{umlaut over (u)}rgen Bretthauer, Thomas H{umlaut over (a)}fker
  • Patent number: 6164041
    Abstract: Packaging a plurality of cuboid containers, such as cigarette packs, in a package that is larger than the containers is enabled by arranging the containers in an offset array in which adjacent sides of the containers are offset from each other by a predetermined amount. A blank of relatively stiff material is folded around the array to form the package. The amount the containers are offset in the array is the same amount by which the package sides are longer than the adjacent sides of the containers. This enables the array in effect to fill the package even though the containers themselves are smaller than the package. The invention is particularly useful for cigarette packs since it enables the same package blank to be used for different size cigarette packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Johann Koster
  • Patent number: 6141944
    Abstract: A method and machine for continuously wrapping a product, whereby a sheet of wrapping material is transferred, from an output of a line for supply wrapping material, into a seat of a wrapping conveyor onto which the sheet of wrapping material, folded into a U, is released by a folding spindle about which the sheet is folded at least partly into a U before being transferred into the seat; the seat and the sheet are then fed through a loading station to receive the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6125611
    Abstract: For the manufacture of soft-pouch packets for cigarettes, folding mandrels (10) configured as hollow bodies are used, on the outer side of which blanks (16, 17) are folded. The outer blank (17) has in the region of one narrow side wall (15) blank portions (23, 24) which overlap one another and are connected to one another by gluing. In the region of the glue connection, there is slight expansion of the cross-section of the package during the hardening of the adhesive. To compensate for this effect, the folding mandrel (10) does not have an exactly rectangular shape. Rather, the narrow side wall (15) adjoining the gluing point has a smaller width (B.sub.15) than the opposite narrow side wall (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 6115991
    Abstract: A machine for conditioning packets of cigarettes is divided into a first portion defined by a number of outlets of a hopper through which cigarettes are fed in a first direction; a second portion in which a succession of adjacent conveyors defines a single supply path for the cigarettes and relative packets, the supply path extending substantially in a second direction crosswise with respect to the first direction; and a third portion in which a drying conveyor defines a number of parallel drying paths extending in a third direction crosswise with respect to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: G. D Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6101787
    Abstract: A unit for supplying blanks on a packing machine, wherein a wheel, rotating about a respective axis, continuously feeds a blank pickup head along an endless path through a loading station where the pickup head, oscillating with respect to the wheel about an axis parallel to the axis of the wheel, engages a bottom opening of a blank store to withdraw a blank, and then through an unloading station where the pickup head, rotating together with the wheel, feeds the blank onto a conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Roberta Brintazzoli, Roberto Osti, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 6098371
    Abstract: The machine comprises a main carousel including a horizontal axis having seats which are angularly equidistant and open outwardly and including at the front a gripper and at the rear a folding device. Each seat passes first adjustable means with the gripper open to supply the gripper with a packaging sheet arranged on the seat, and cooperating with a first auxiliary carousel which inserts a roll into each seat, oriented with its axis parallel to that of the main carousel, while the roll is partially wrapped with the packaging sheet retained by the closed gripper. In succession, the rear folding device intervenes and the gripper opens and folding means intervene in order to fold the front edge of the sheet onto the rear edge, while the folding device returns to the rest position and the edges are fixed together by a heat-sealing carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Casmatic S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Cassoli, Giordano Gorrieri, Giorgio Bonafe', Gianni Mantovani
  • Patent number: 6098372
    Abstract: Apparatus, in particular packaging machine, with movable members which are exposed to wearing stresses on one side.Primarily packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) of the soft-cup type employ folding mandrels (15), on which blanks (14) are temporarily fixed by means of pressure members, in particular by means of pressure rods (19). These are exposed to wearing stresses on one side, specifically in the region in which they bear on the folding mandrel (15). In order to avoid operating faults caused thereby, the pressure member, specifically the pivoting lever (20), is adjusted from time to time, specifically by partial rotation, so that, after a particular operating period, another circumferential region of the pivoting lever (20) is exposed to wearing stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 6085494
    Abstract: Cardboard blanks with fold lines between their panels are partially draped around arrays of cigarette packets in an apparatus wherein successive arrays which are being advanced along an elongated path at a first speed strip discrete blanks off a mouthpiece which is advanced along such path at a lesser second speed. Additional panels of a blank which is being transported by the mouthpiece, and a first panel of which is to be engaged and entrained by the front side of an oncoming array, are pivoted relative to the first panel along the respective fold lines by pivotable prefolding members which share the movement of and are caused to pivot relative to the mothpiece while the latter transports a blank at the second speed. The prefolding members cooperate with further folding members to pivot further panels of a blank relative to the additional panels while the blank is being transported by the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Lembke, Wolfgang Schnabel
  • Patent number: 6070387
    Abstract: A feeder for the gripper head of wrapping machines for small- and medium-size products, comprising: a disk, which substantially lies horizontally and rotates about a vertical axis; recesses for receiving a respective product, which are distributed all around the disk, are spoon-shaped and have a slot which is open towards the outside of the disk and can be crossed substantially along a plane that passes through the vertical axis; an extractor which cooperates, in a transfer station which corresponds to one of said recesses and to a gripper, with a corresponding complementary element and with a device for dispensing a piece of material in sheet form and is suitable to intersect and pass beyond the recess with an active stroke in the vertical plane, passing through the slot in an upward and outward direction so that the product and the material in sheet form are secured against the complementary element and so that by means of the complementary element the product and the material are inserted in the gripper, w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: A.M.S. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Sandro Salicini
  • Patent number: 6062000
    Abstract: Method for the operation of packaging machines and packaging machine. In packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) in particular, interruptions in operation are often unavoidable, in order to change the type of pack, but also, for example, on account of the end of a workshift. In the case of interruptions in operation of this kind, the packaging machine is emptied. For this purpose, members and assemblies are coordinated with one another and controlled in such a way that, after the operating phase "emptying" has been initiated, a last pack content, in particular a cigarette group (11) is identified and is transferred completely through the packaging machine. After this cigarette group (11) has passed through individual members, the latter are switched off, in particular a tin foil assembly (20), a paper assembly (23) and a revenue-seal appliance (29) in the region of a drying turret (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hermann Mahlmann, Fred Philipowsky
  • Patent number: 6047529
    Abstract: A folding method for forming a sealed tubular wrapping about a packet, whereby the packet is fed onto a step-operated folding conveyor together with a sheet of wrapping material having a first and a second end portion; the sheet is folded into a tube about the packet so that the first end portion is superimposed on the second end portion along one of the surfaces of the packet; and the first end portion is then detached from the second end portion to deposit adhesive between the first and second end portions, and is then brought back into contact with the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: G. D Societa Per Azioni
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 6044616
    Abstract: Method of operating machines with rotating units and machine with a rotating unit, in particular a packaging machine with a (folding) turret. Rotating units, in particular folding turrets (10) of packaging machines, must be supplied with oil as a lubricant. At the same time, areas supplied with oil must be sealed with respect to those areas into which oil must not penetrate. In the case of a folding turret (10), a supporting part (11) is confined with respect to a rotating part (12) by means of a rotating supporting rim (46) and a supporting ring (48) surrounding the latter. The supporting rim (46), as a rotating element, is provided with grooves (52, 53, 54) which prevent passage of oil in the area of a sealing gap (51) formed between the supporting rim (46) and the supporting ring (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Thomas Hafker
  • Patent number: 6038832
    Abstract: In the production of large packs (10) each comprising a pack group (11), in particular comprising cigarette packs (12), different-wrapper versions have to be taken into account. For this purpose, two folding turrets (21, 22) for different packaging material are provided, namely a folding turret (21) for cardboard blanks (13) and a folding turret (22) for blanks (20) made of paper or film. The two folding turrets (21, 22) are arranged one beside the other in horizontal alignment. Each folding turret (21, 22) is provided with four pockets which each run through three operating stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Thomas Hafker, Martin Stiller, Michael Schlenker
  • Patent number: 6035612
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product, whereby the product is fed to a loading station of a folding conveyor in time with a respective wrapping sheet, which is fed in one of two different positions in relation to the product; the folding conveyor being operated to advance the product and the relevant wrapping sheet along a folding path extending through first and second wrapping devices, which are selectively operated to fold the wrapping sheet into a tube about the product; the choice of one or the other of the wrapping devices depending on which of the two positions is occupied by the wrapping sheet in the loading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Societa Per Azioni
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Draghetti, Silvano Boriani
  • Patent number: 6023909
    Abstract: A packing machine for producing semi-finished packets of cigarettes having respective blanks of packing material and respective wrappings, wherein a forming drum rotates continuously about a given axis to form the packets by partially folding the blanks about the respective wrappings; the drum being located along a packing path having an input branch, an output branch, and an intermediate branch defined by the drum and extending substantially in a spiral about the given axis; the input branch and the output branch being straight and tangent to the intermediate branch; and the drum having a number of orienting assemblies for feeding the packets to the output branch with respective longitudinal axes of the packets oriented parallel to an output direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 6000199
    Abstract: A wrapping method for producing soft packets presenting an inner packet and an outer wrapping,whereby each inner packet is fed into a respective seat on a wrapping conveyor at a transfer station and together with a sheet of gummed wrapping material which is folded in a U about the inner packet; the sheet of wrapping material being subjected to a number of folding operations to form a tubular wrapping about the inner packet and to axially close the tubular wrapping by folding one end of it; and the folding operations being performed as the seat travels a minimum number of steps from the transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: G.D Societa'Per Azioni
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 5996309
    Abstract: In the manufacture of certain types of packets, rotary folding units (10) are used which have along their perimeter a plurality of hollow folding mandrels (14) projecting at one side. On these mandrels, blanks, namely inner blank (10) and pouch blank (11) are folded in succession. Holding bands (34, 59) serve to position the blanks exactly on the folding mandrels (14), said bands extending outside the movement region of the folding mandrels (14) and lying with a holding bight (35) against the side of the folding mandrels (14), or the blanks, lying radially on the outside, fixing same as they do so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 5996318
    Abstract: A method and unit for wrapping packets of cigarettes, whereby a succession of packets is fed continuously along a wrapping path having a straight input portion and a substantially curved output portion substantially tangent to the input portion at a transfer station for transferring the packets; the input portion extends through a wrapping station where each packet engages a respective sheet of wrapping material, and folds the sheet into a U so that two end portions of the sheet project rearwards from the packet; and each packet, together with the respective sheet, is transferred, at the transfer station, from the input portion to the output portion so that the two end portions of the sheet are maintained projecting rearwards from the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: G.D Societa ' per Azioni
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 5996310
    Abstract: In a packaging machine, particularly for producing hingedlid packets for cigarettes conveyed on an endless pocket conveyor (16) become partially wrapped in a wrapper section (20) during transfer to a further endless pocketed conveyor (24). In passing to the further conveyor the groups and wrapper sections pass through a forming member carried on an intermediate endless conveyor (22). Transfer of the groups is effected by cam-operated plunger units (26A) carried by a fourth endless conveyor (26). The machine further includes a packet transfer unit at which spaced packets are deposited on a suction belt (50) prior to delivery in abutment to a packet reservoir (54); and a blank feed unit (30) comprising a continuously moving endless feed conveyor (62) provided with reciprocating pulleys, the movement of which causes the conveyor to remain stationary to allow transfer of blanks from a stationary reservoir (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Michael John Cahill, Robert Howard Taylor
  • Patent number: 5987848
    Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a needle gripper and transfer arrangement in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging into trays of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture and a detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures. The machine includes vertically adjustable frame structure so as to adjust the elevation thereof relative to the needle transfer arrangement to facilitate the packaging of differently sized needles in a single size of packaging tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, William F. Smith, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco
  • Patent number: 5987847
    Abstract: A machine and method for wrapping cylindrical workpieces such as rolls of bathroom tissue and paper towel. The machine includes a workpiece infeed conveyor, a wrapping paper feeder, a rotating carousel having a plurality of pockets, and a discharge conveyor. A piece of wrapping paper supplied by the paper feeder is perforated and burst into a single sheet. The sheet and a workpiece are directed into a pocket in the rotating carousel whereby the sheet is banded around the periphery of the workpiece by a clamping plate, underfolder plate, and brush. Next a pair of stuffer spindles driven by a barrel cam and a pair of rotating star wheels whose compound motion is derived from geneva wheels fold and tuck the wrapping paper around the parallel sides and into the center tube of each workpiece. The wrapped workpieces are ejected from the rotating carousel onto a discharge conveyor. Alternative folder mechanisms include folding fingers. The method of wrapping is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Omega Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nordstrom, Christopher J. Rusch
  • Patent number: 5983595
    Abstract: A packaging machine for producing hinge-lid boxes for cigarettes has a rotating folding turret which has a plurality of pockets (21) which are open in the radial direction. For the purpose of securing blanks (11) or partially completed hinge-lid boxes (10) in the pockets (21) of the folding turret, protrusions (32) are arranged in the pockets (21) and have a supporting surface (34) for abutting a closure edge (18) of an inner side tab (14) of the blank (11). For the purpose of discharging a hinge-lid box (10) from the pocket (21), the retaining force which is exerted by the protrusion (32) is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hermann Blome
  • Patent number: 5979140
    Abstract: The core of a packaging machine for cigarette packets or similar packets is a rotary folding unit (11). On the perimeter of the folding unit, there are arranged holding members for packets or packet contents, for example folding mandrels (18) on the one hand and holding pockets (21) on the other hand. For reasons to do with their construction and/or function, the latter are positioned at an axial spacing from one another. In order to transfer packets or packet parts from the folding mandrels (18) to the holding pockets (21), the latter may moved relative to one another, in such a way that, in a transfer region, the folding mandrels (18) and the associated coaxial holding pockets (21) lie directly against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 5946884
    Abstract: A machine and method for wrapping cylindrical workpieces such as rolls of bathroom tissue and paper towel. The machine includes a workpiece infeed conveyor, a wrapping film feeder, a rotating carousel having a plurality of pockets, an oscillating exit conveyor, a discharge conveyor, and a sealing conveyor. A piece of wrapping film supplied by the wrapping film feeder is perforated and burst into a single sheet. The film sheet and a workpiece are directed into a pocket in the rotating carousel whereby the sheet is banded around the periphery of the workpiece by a clamping plate, underfolder plate, and brush secured by heat sealing the film sheet to itself. The banded workpieces are ejected from the rotating carousel onto an exit conveyor which passes the workpieces to a discharge conveyor which in turn conveys the workpieces through a sealing conveyor. Folding mechanisms for folding the wrapping film sheet extending beyond the ends of the workpieces are disclosed. The method of wrapping is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignees: John E. Nordstrom, Barbara A. Nordstrom
    Inventors: John E. Nordstrom, Christopher J. Rusch
  • Patent number: 5946885
    Abstract: Packaging machine for producing cigarette packs, having a folding turret (10), on the circumference of which there are arranged receiving means or pockets (26) for packaging material and pack contents along with movable folding elements and other elements assigned to the receiving means or pockets (26). The folding turret (10) is subdivided into a plurality of, in particular two, sub-turrets (17, 18) which are positioned equiaxially one beside the other in the axial direction and are connected releasably to one another. Each sub-turret (17, 18) can be handled, in particular removed, separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer, Peter Verwiebe
  • Patent number: 5946890
    Abstract: Soft-case packet plus method and device for manufacturing same and other packets. On soft-case packets for cigarettes, blanks for an inner wrapping (17) and an outer soft pouch (18) made of paper or the like are folded in usual fashion on a hollow folding mandrel (10) of a rotary folding unit (12). Folding flaps of the soft pouch (18) are connected to one another by glue in the region of a side wall (23) and in the region of a base. The glue is applied by glue nozzles during the manufacture of the packet as a row of glue spots (26, 41) to the respective folding flaps, i.e. to an inner flap (24) lying radially on the outside in relation to the rotary folding unit (12) and to the inner side of an outer base flap (39) extending in the direction of the perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Thomas Hafker, Hans Jurgen Bretthauer