Abstract: A unit for wrapping packets, wherein a first seat, carried on a first conveyor, closed by a sheet of wrapping material and housing a packet, is brought into engagement with a second seat on a second conveyor to insert the packet inside the second seat and fold the sheet into a U about the packet; the first seat engaging a respective packet by the end surfaces of the packet; and the second seat engaging the packet by a pair of lateral walls crosswise to the end surfaces.

Abstract: In the manufacture of (cigarette) packets, especially of the soft-case type, the handling of critical, namely thin, packaging material on powerful packaging machines is problematic. A holding disc (26), to the peripheral surface (40) of which the blank (12) is adjacent, and a transverse supporting and conveying member (34) which is attached to the holding disc (26) and grasps a front end of the blank (12) by means of suction air, serve to lead blanks (12) to a rotary folding unit (10) and to take the blanks (12) by means of mandrels (11).

Abstract: A blank gumming method for cigarette packing machines, whereby a blank, presenting a central portion defining the front, rear and end walls of a respective packet, and two lateral portions located on either side of the central portion and defining, by superimposition, the lateral walls of the packet, is gummed in two successive steps, one preceding and the other following mating of the blank with a respective group of cigarettes; one of the two steps being performed by spraying adhesive material.

Abstract: In the event of the transmission of forces or movements of drive members with a circular cross-section and connection members, in particular actuating levers (11), provided on said drive members, a non-round configuration is provided, in order to secure a precise relative position of the members, in a region where the actuating lever (11) is mounted on a shaft or the like. The shaft or a shaft end is provided with a flattened portion A bore (13) in the actuating lever (11) has a mating flattened portion (19) which corresponds therewith. This produces a precise relative position between the actuating lever (11) and the shaft or the like, said relative position not requiring any adjustment or measuring work and also being ensured in the event of repeated assembly.

Abstract: A machine for overwrapping products in sheets of wrapping material, whereby a product, traveling continuously along a path while maintaining a lateral surface perpendicular at all times to a traveling direction, is wrapped in a respective sheet, which forms a tubular wrapping about the product; the machine having a movable gripping device, which is maintained in a gripping position contacting end surfaces of the product parallel to the traveling direction, to feed the product along the path for at least the time taken to stabilize the tubular wrapping.

Abstract: A method of manipulating products, each of which is transferred twice between a first and a second seat facing, parallel to, and opposite each other, to perform an operation on the product at each transfer; the two operations permitting, for example, the formation of a tubular wrapping about the product.

Abstract: A method and unit for folding packing blanks along preformed bend lines defining, on each blank, a central panel, and two lateral panels located on either side of the central panel and each having at least one foldable tab; a clamping device and a folding device being provided, and cooperating with each other to fold the lateral panels and the respective tab while maintaining the respective blank clamped in a folding position in which the central panel of the blank is clamped rigidly between a plate of the clamping device and a large lateral surface of a product to be packed by means of the blank.

Abstract: The closing of the end edges of the wrapper (5) which is wrapped around the product in a shape made tubular in a known manner, is performed by folders, some of which are dynamic (15, 15' and 17, 17' ), located in different stations, and some static (8, 8' and 18, 18'). The first pair of dynamic folders (15, 15}') is mounted on the same dynamic folder (14) that folds the first lateral edge (505) of the wrapper. A possible option is to replace the last pair of dynamic folders (17, 17') with a pair of static folders (25, 25'). Before the final rolling stage, the wrapped product passes through a shaped channel (19) that keeps the end folds of the wrapper correctly arranged. The last pair of static folders (18, 18') may be incorporated in this channel. The end edges of the wrapper may be folded in three or in four consecutive portions laid over each other.

Abstract: A method of continuously wrapping products, whereby sheets of wrapping material, as they are fed continuously and together with respective products along a first path, an instantaneous tangent of which extends in a first direction possibly varying from one point to another along the first path, are engaged by respective folding tools fed continuously and cyclically along a second closed path to perform a folding operation of a respective sheet at each cycle; each tool being imparted, in the course of each folding operation, at least a first movement in a second direction substantially crosswise, at each instant, to the first direction, and at least a second movement in the first direction.

Abstract: A packing machine presenting a wrapping conveyor for continuously feeding a succession of wrapping spindles along a given path; a feed device for continuously feeding a succession of sheets of wrapping material in a direction tangent to the path, along the path and in time with the spindles; and a pickup device associated with each spindle, and for gripping a front portion of a relative sheet and inserting the front portion between two successive spindles so as to fold an intermediate portion of the sheet about the rear spindle; a retaining member, associated with each spindle, cooperating with the intermediate portion of the relative sheet to retain it on the relative rear spindle and on the wrapping conveyor.

Abstract: A method and device for folding end portions of tubular wrappings, whereby a product enclosed inside a wrapping is fed along a path extending through a folding station, the wrapping having at least one end portion projecting in relation to an end surface of the product, and the end portion having a front portion which is folded onto the end surface by a movable folding plate located at the station; a drive device being provided to insert the plate between two sides of the end portion by so orienting the plate as to keep a lateral folding surface of the plate equidistant from, and substantially contacting, both sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of packs (10), especially cigarette packs. In the manufacture of packs (10) by a packaging machine, it may be desirable, for several reasons, to separate individual predetermined packs out of the feed flow and to supply them for suitable use. This involves, in particular, faulty packs (23) which are gripped by an outward-transfer wheel (26) in the region of a separating-out assembly and are transferred to a separate pack conveyor (45).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and an apparatus for assembly-packaging pellet-like articles in units of a predetermined, characterized in that a pellet-like articles group is ejected toward a packaging film locating at a stand-by position to be gripped together with the packaging film half-wrapped around the pellet-like article group by an article holding means; overlapping edges of the packaging film gripped by the article holding means are put together and preheat-seated, followed by sealing thereof to form a sealed rib; the sealed rib is folded down along the barrel of the pellet-like article group and heat-sealed; each open end portion of the tubular packaging film is gussetted and partially sealed; the gussetted and partially sealed portions are sealed fully to form sealed tabs, and the unnecessary portions of the tabs are cut off; and the sealed tabs are folded down along end faces of the assembled pellet-like article group and heat-seated.

Abstract: A method of continuously wrapping products, whereby at least one seat for a respective product is fed continuously along a given path together with a respective retaining element for retaining a respective sheet of wrapping material, which is supplied in such a manner that a first portion is positioned over the seat, and a second portion is engaged by the retaining element; a product is inserted continuously inside the seat so as to fold at least the first portion of the sheet substantially in a U; and the retaining element is so moved as to fold at least part of the second portion of the sheet about the product.

Abstract: A special transfer turret (15) is used for conveying packs (10) from, for example, a folding turret to a drying turret. The transfer turret transports the packs (10) along a circular path or partially circular path and in the axial direction at the same time. For this purpose, pockets (16) for packs (10) are fitted on carrying rods (28) which are displaced in an axis-parallel direction during the rotation and in accordance with the same.

Abstract: A method and machine for packing products, whereby packets completed as they travel along a wrapping path are fed successively to a distributing device and selectively fed to an input of one of at least two drying conveyors parallel to each other; and the packets are fed by the drying conveyors at a frequency (F2) lower than the frequency (F1) at which the packets are fed along the wrapping path.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing packs (10) with a wrapper (12) which is provided with glue locations in the region of folding tabs and walls. For the task of providing wrappers (12) for articles, in particular pack groups (29), consisting of paper or similar materials, folding tabs, closure tabs and walls are to be connected to one another by glue. The blanks for the wrapper (12) are severed from a continuous web (24). Glue locations, namely glue strips and glue patches, are applied onto the web (24) by a fixed glue unit (41) during a conveying movement. The glue used is a hot-melt material which hardens after being applied onto the web (24) and is activated by heat in the region of folding units, in particular of folding turrets (30), and in the region of a pack tower (36).

Abstract: A package for cylindrical products, particularly cigarettes or similar, this package consisting of a wrapping sheet (2) in which the cigarettes are wrapped. The wrapping sheet consists of heat-weldable plastic material and is sealed, when wrapped around a group of cigarettes (S), by the welding of parts, flaps or wings (102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702) overlapping each other on one or more sides of the group of cigarettes (S). A vacuum or low pressure may advantageously be created inside the sealed wrapping sheet (2). A process and device for the fabrication of the package, according to which the phase of wrapping, in other words that of folding the wrapping slip (2), is executed completely in only one station to which the group of cigarettes (S) and the wrapping slip (2) are fed and in only one subsequent folding station (P), while the welding is executed in intermediate phases or in a final phase.

Abstract: Cigarette packs (20), having glued joints, are passed through a drying turret (23) over a relatively long period of time. In order to transfer the packs (20) from a preceding, transfer turret (22) to the drying turret (23), pockets (25, 26) of the two turrets are especially designed such that the pocket walls (30, 31, 32, 33) can be moved past one another to thereby transfer the packs (20), without radial displacement, from one pocket (25) to the other pocket (26). The packs (20) transferred from the drying turret (23) pass into elongate pack shafts (62) in which the packs (20), during revolution, are gradually displaced and out of which they finally emerge via an outlet opening (66) to be transferred to a removal conveyor (24).

Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet, and involves wrapping an ordered group of cigarettes (S) in a wrapping sheet (2) and forming a first tubular wrapping open at its opposing ends and provided with portions (402, 502, 602, 702) projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the group of cigarettes. The ends of the tubular wrapping are closed by the successive folding of the various flaps or various wings (402, 502, 602, 702) forming the projecting portions against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes (S). The formation of the tubular wrapping open at its ends is carried out in the feed station (A), while the closing of the open ends is carried out completely in only one of the successive stations (P), the whole being done by means of particular shaping, arrangement and operation of movable folding devices (6, 15, 25, 26) and stationary folding devices (5, 105, 205, 605) and of the forming wheel (1).

Abstract: A wrapping method and machine for producing wrappings for products, whereby a sheet of wrapping material is folded about a respective product so that at least a first and a second portion of the sheet of wrapping material are superimposed one on top of the other, with the first portion outside the second; and the two portions are sealed to each other by compressing the two portions onto each other, and sweeping at least one laser beam along a sealing portion of the first portion.

Abstract: An angular conveyor for fragile cylindrical objects, particularly in cigarette packing machines, comprises a wheel (1) provided preferably with a plurality of peripheral cells (101) to house the cigarettes (G), these cells (101) being open at least at the perimeter of the wheel (1), and devices (12) for the at least partial closing of the open perimetrical ends of the cells (101), these devices consisting in particular of pairs of fingers mounted on finger-carrying elements (10) which can be moved alternately between a position of at least partial closure and one of opening of the said ends in synchronization with the steps of advance of the wheel (1), the oscillation of these elements being caused by annular cams (15) substantially coaxial with the wheel (1), these cams (15) being provided on both sides of the wheel (1) and being independent of the rotary motion of the wheel (1). According to the invention, the cams consist of what are known as three-dimensional cams (15).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a body flap folding apparatus in a packaging machine. Comb-shaped folding pieces are moved pivotally along arcuate tracks from edge portions of a folding surface of box-like contents. As a result, front ends of the folding pieces strike against body flaps at the edge portions, whereby the base portions of the body flaps are bent along the edge portions. Thereafter, resilient members are deformed in the direction opposite to their biasing direction by virtue of a reaction force from the folding surface, so that the folding pieces fold the body flaps inside along the folding surface in a strained state of the flaps.

Abstract: To increase the output of packaging machines for cigarettes, a common cigarette stock, in particular a cigarette magazine, is assigned a plurality of independently working packaging units (11, 12, 13, 14). These are fed with cigarette groups, for packaging, by the cigarette magazine (10) via a common conveyor. The packaging units (11 to 14) consist of a folding unit (24), of a material unit and of a drive unit. Depending on the desired output, a pluraity of packaging units (11 to 14) can be combined as part of the packaging machine. The packaging units (11 to 14) are subdivided again into units to be handled independently, in particular into a folding unit (24), a material unit and a drive unit. These are exchangeable and, for the operation of the packaging machine, are connected functionally to one another.

Abstract: In a method for forming a hard packet with a flip-up lid (2), in particular for cigarettes or the like, the package is produced by folding a preformed blank around an ordered group of cigarettes (12). During the formation of the packet a collar (3) and a message-bearing coupon (4, 4') are also fed in. The collar (3) is placed between the front face (101) of the box part (1), partly projecting beyond it, on the open side facing the lid (2). The coupon (4, 4') is removably inserted between the collar (3) and the group of cigarettes (12). In the method, the coupon (4, 4') is coupled to the collar (3) and both are then coupled, held together in the correct reciprocal position by use of suction, to the group of cigarettes (12) before the packet-forming stage, at least one aperture (503) being made in a part (403) of the collar which is inside the box part (1), the coupon (4, 4') being additionally held by use of suction via this aperture (503).

Abstract: A packaging machine for delicate rod-shaped objects, especially cigarettes or the like, is provided with at least one wheel (1, 5) for carrying, along a path between many operating units, a series of ordered groups of cigarettes. The wheel (1, 5) is provided with one or more peripheral sockets (105), each designed to accommodate one ordered group of cigarettes (S) and each being open on the peripheral side of the wheel and/or on at least one face (101, 201) of the wheel (1, 5). The wheel or wheels (1, 5) consist of a central hub part (1) and annular rims (5, 305) attached removably (4) to the periphery of the central hub (1). The rims (5, 305) are separated axially by a lesser distance than the axial dimension of the ordered groups of cigarettes (S) and form the accommodating sockets by means of supporting cradles (105) coinciding axially with each other and shaped to correspond with those parts of the ordered groups of cigarettes that coincide with the annular rims (5).

Abstract: A method and a device for packing continuously conveyed printed products being conveyed one of individually and in groups by enveloping a product insert with a packing element. The product insert includes one of a single product, a plurality of products supplied in succession and a group of products. A plurality of substantially V-shaped insertion compartments being continuously conveyed in a compartment conveying direction along a closed conveying path are provided, together with a plurality of prefolded packing elements each having a fold in a substantially continuously conveyed stream of packing elements. A respective packing element is successively introduced into each insertion compartment such that the fold of the respective packing element is introduced into a corresponding insertion compartment first. It is then ensured that each respective packing element is in an open position thereby providing open packing elements. Thereafter, a product insert is inserted into each open packing element.

Abstract: A method of fashioning tubular overwrappings with a heat-sealable material, and a device in which single commodities are directed in succession together with respective sheets of heat-sealable material into a set of pockets spaced apart at a constant pitch around the periphery of an indexing wheel rotated through steps of length equal to a submultiple of the pitch of the peripheral pockets. The pockets currently occupied pause after each step in alignment with a relative set of heat-seal stations and are accompanied through the first step, approaching the first heat-seal station, by a moving folder positioned so as to flatten a first longitudinal flap of the relative sheet against the flank of the commodity; a second flap is flattened similarly over the first flap by a fixed folder whereupon the two flaps are held fast in overlap contact, ready for heat-sealing.

Abstract: A machine for packaging fragile cylindrical products, particularly cigarettes or similar, has means for feeding ordered groups of cigarettes, means of transferring the ordered groups of cigarettes to a station for joining to a wrapping slip, means of picking up and positioning the slip and means of introducing the groups of cigarettes together with the associated slip into a cell in a folding drum. According to the invention, the means of collecting and positioning the slips consist of pairs of gripping suction fingers which are made to rotate in a circular movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the folding drum. The gripping fingers grip each slip along the lateral surfaces at its corner areas. The means of transferring the groups of cigarettes to the joining station are made in such a way that the transfer movement is at least partially rectilinear.

Abstract: On a cigarette packing machine, groups of cigarettes forming the content of respective packets are inserted inside a folding spindle and wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material which is folded on to the outer surface of the spindle before being unloaded off the spindle together with the respective group; the spindle being defined by a tubular shell, the relatively thin walls of which are reinforced internally by substantially triangular longitudinal ribs, each engaging, in use, the longitudinal gap defined by two adjacent peripheral cigarettes in the group.

Abstract: For the production of soft-cup cigarette packs, use is made of folding mandrels (13) which are designed as hollow bodies, on the outside of which pack blanks (12) are folded, and into which a cigarette group (11) is pushed. To produce a precise pack, the folding mandrel (13) preferably consists of two mandrel parts (19, 20) which are connected to one another by thin laser-weld seams (21, 22). The two mandrel parts are made of spring-steel sheets. The folding mandrel (13) so designed is releasably fastened to a folding turret in a special way via a connecting piece.

Abstract: Cigarette packs (20), having glued joints, are passed through a drying turret (23) over a relatively long period of time. In order to transfer the packs (20) from a preceding, transfer turret (22) the drying turret (23), pockets (25, 26) of the two turrets are especially designed such that the pocket walls (30, 31, 32, 33) can be moved past one another to thereby transfer the packs (20), without radial displacement, from one pocket (25) to the other pocket (26). The packs (20) transferred from the drying turret (23) pass into elongate pack shafts (62) in which the packs (20), during revolution, are gradually displaced and out of which they finally emerge via an outlet opening (66) to be transferred to a removal conveyor (24).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing a cigarette group (11) into a supporting member (14) for positioning the cigarettes (10) at a distance from one another within the pack. For introducing cigarettes (10) or the like into orifices (22) of the supporting member (14), guide tubes (64) serve as guide members for the cigarettes (10), the guide tubes (64) being guided with tube tips (65) through the orifices (22) of the supporting member (14) and the cigarettes (10) then being pushed after in the guide tubes (64). While the unit consisting of a cigarette group (11) and of the supporting member (14) is being pushed out of a cigarette turret (47), folding tabs of the supporting member (14) are folded.

Abstract: A method of fashioning tubular overwrappings with a heat-sealable material, and a device in which single commodities are directed in succession together with respective sheets of heat-sealable material into a set of pockets spaced apart at a constant pitch around the periphery of an indexing wheel rotated through steps of length equal to a submultiple of the pitch of the peripheral pockets. The pockets currently occupied pause after each step in alignment with a relative set of heat-seal stations and are accompanied through the first step, approaching the first heat-seal station, by a moving folder positioned so as to flatten a first longitudinal flap of the relative sheet against the flank of the commodity; a second flap is flattened similarly over the first flap by a fixed folder whereupon the two flaps are held fast in overlapping contact, ready for heat-sealing.

Abstract: A twist-wrapping machine comprising an aligner for aligning candies in compartments of a rotary disk, a takeout means having a pushup member adapted to pass through the compartments and take out the candy in an upward direction, a paper feeder which supplies wrapping paper on top of the candy so taken out, a fork means adapted to grip the candy and accompanying wrapping paper, a twister which twists open ends of the wrapping paper and a discharge means which ejects the twist-wrapped candy.

Abstract: Seal labels are affixed to containers by means of equipment comprising a system of conveyors serving to direct a succession of the containers along a predetermined path, and a feed device by which gummed labels are supplied to a fixing station occupying a position alongside one part of the selfsame path. The feed device affords a recess located between two points against which the two ends of each label are restrained, and operates in conjunction with a first push rod by which each container in turn is displaced from the conveying path, directed forcibly against a relative label supported by the device and caused to penetrate the recess to a given depth together with the label. Thereafter, the container is ejected from the recess and repositioned on the conveying path by a second push rod.

Abstract: A wrapping method and machine, particularly for food products such as chocolates and similar, whereby the products are fed in an orderly succession along a first curved path to a pickup station where they are gripped by respective gripping devices moving along a second curved path for feeding the products to a wrapping device; the first and second paths being substantially coplanar and substantially tangent to each other at the pickup station.

Abstract: A wrapping machine wherein a wrapping device is supplied with an orderly succession of products by a transfer device which, at an input station, successively removes the products off a feed device traveling through the input station in a given direction. The transfer device presents at least a gripping device in turn presenting jaws moving in a plane for gripping a respective product at the input station, and which rotates about an axis for selectively positioning the plane of the jaws in a first position substantially parallel and in a second position substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the feed device.

Abstract: An operating unit, wherein a feed device with a number of transportation heads for respective products successively feeds the products along a curved path through an operating station where each product is engaged by a tool for performing a given operation on the product. The tool is fitted to a toolholder device by which it is fed through the operating station simultaneously with a respective product and along the same curved path along which the product travels.

Abstract: A wrapping and sealing method for a cellophaning machine,whereby a first conveying device, defined by two spaced parallel disks and having pockets,provides for forming tubular wrappings about packets by feeding the packets and respective sheets of wrapping material in steps through at least one sealing station, and is engaged by a loop conveyor extending partially between the two disks, and which successively extracts the partially wrapped packets from the pockets on the first conveying device and, after folding the ends of each tubular wrapping on to the respective packet, feeds the packets into respective pockets on a second conveying device having end sealing devices.

Abstract: Digital tampons carrying strings are surrounded in tubular envelopes while being confined in and advancing with upright cylindrical carriers. The envelopes are formed around the carriers so that their lower ends extend beyond the lower ends of the respective carriers. The lower ends of successive envelopes are closed by providing them with at least partially overlapping panels. Prior to being separated from the respective carriers, the closed ends of the envelopes are deformed by heated profiled tools which provide the outer sides of the closed ends with centrally located recesses surrounded by smooth ring-shaped portions. The strings are automatically curled along the marginal portions at the upper sides of the respective closed ends in response to downward movement of the tampons in their carriers not later than in the course of the deforming step.

Abstract: A method and device for laterally joining product wrappings, whereby the connection of two overlapping longitudinal portions of a tubular wrapping defined by a sheet of wrapping material wrapped about the product inside a wrapping seat is at least completed as the wrapped product is unloaded from the wrapping seat by a heated counterpusher.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a first pushing plate (172) removably secured to a second pushing plate (174) and movable to eject bags (12) from fixtures (32) into pockets (186). The second pushing plate (174) ejects any defective bags (12) remaining when the first pushing plate (172) is not secured or movable with the second pushing plate (174) in the prior intermittent position. The pockets (186) are rotatable to an inverted position where the bags (12) are removed by lugs (230) upstanding from movable lands (228). The lands (228) are pivotable to be in a non-interfering position with the rotation of the pockets (186). A finger (294) is pivotally mounted to a vertically reciprocated carriage (288) to place the bags (12) on conveyors (200) from the lands (228).

Abstract: Device for feeding sheets of, for example, foil, especially for use in cigarette packing machines, with a drum (7) having cells (2') in which the sheets (8) are folded around individual groups (3) of cigarettes (S) as each group (3) of cigarettes (S) is transferred from a transfer drum (1) having cells (2) to the folding drum (7) at a transfer point (T) where the cigarette-carrying cells (2, 2') of the two drums (1, 7) coincide face to face and to where the sheet (8) is fed in a predetermined position with respect to the group (3) of cigarettes (S) and between the cells (2, 2') of the two drums (1, 7) by a pick-up/positioning device (14, 114) associated with the transfer drum (1). The sheet (8) pick-up/positioning device consists of a separate pick-up/positioning drum (14, 114) supported coaxially with the transfer drum (1) and rotated (21) independently of it.

Abstract: On a packing line for producing twin packets, collars are fed successively by an oscillating conveyor arm into respective conveyor seats, each for housing two side by side half packets; the conveyor arm presenting two telescopically connected portions in turn presenting respective gripping members cooperating with respective main panels of the collar and the two telescopic portions being movable in relation to each other for folding accordion-fashion a central portion of the collar interposed between the two main panels.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously feeding a drum machine with compressible articles for the wrapping thereof, comprising structure for progressively and continuously compressing the packs 1 to be wrapped which are fed by a belt conveyer 10, and at the same time transferring them towards the revolver 2 of a wrapping machine by means of a pair of superimposed belt conveyers 4 converging towards the revolver 2 of a wrapping machine by means of a pair of superimposed belt conveyers 4 converging towards the revolver 2 and each being operated by a relevant driving roller 40 parallel to the axis 21 of rotation of the revolver 2. The packs 1 being interposed individually and in succession between the belt conveyers 4. A device is provided for cyclically varying the feeding speed of the belt conveyers 4, and another device is provided for driving each of the belt conveyers 4 into an alternative rotation of predetermined angular amplitude about an axis 41 parallel to the axis 21 of rotation of the revolver 2.

Abstract: A device with a packaging wheel, for supplying sheets, in particular in cigarette packaging machines, comprises means (20, 20') for collecting/positioning the packaging sheets (F) in a predetermined position, in a transfer station (T), between a cell (101) of a transfer drum (1) which accomodates a group of cigarettes (S) and an empty cigarette-carrying cell (102) of a folding drum (2) opposite. During transfer into the cell (102) of the folding drum (2), the group of cigarettes (S) draws the sheet (F) which is folded automatically in a U-shape around the cigarettes (S) by the cigarette-carrying cell (102). According to the invention, the collecting/positioning means (20, 20') consist of mechanical gripper means for grasping the packaging sheet (F) which are provided at least on the front side of each cigarette-carrying cell (101) of the transfer drum (1), with reference to the direction of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A packaging device wherein a thermoplastic packaging sheet is supplied to a peripheral part of a pocket opening of a winding wheel while a box-like item, transported into the pocket, is continuously transferred, the item being transported out of the pocket and delivered whereby the sheet is wound in a U-shape along the surface of the item, and both free ends of the sheet are folded, along the surface of the item while the item is continuously transferred, and then overlapped to thermally adhere to each other, wherein an applying wheel continuously rotating synchronously in a direction opposite to that of the winding wheel, is disposed on a downstream side of the winding wheel with each of the outer circumferences of the winding wheel and the applying wheel being provided with a plurality of pockets having the items transported therein, the winding and applying wheels, being equally spaced apart in a rotational direction and being continuously oppositely rotated in a synchronous manner, with both pockets being

Abstract: A method and machine whereby a first and second rigid packet are fed in a first direction parallel to the longer longitudinal axes of the packets; are transferred to the input of respective feed channels, the second packet being rotated 180.degree. in relation to the first; are fed at different speeds along the respective channels, in a second direction perpendicular to their longer longitudinal axes, until they are positioned coaxial but axially spaced in relation to each other; the end wall of one of the two packets is gummed; and the packets are brought together so that the end walls adhere to each other, thus forming a double packet.

Abstract: On a cigarette packing machine, portions of wrapping material are formed from a strip travelling at a first constant speed, are accelerated on suction belts to a second speed, and are transferred by a suction roller into a position astride respective seats on a conveyor drum designed to step feed, to an unloading station, groups of cigarettes housed inside respective seats; the surface speed of the suction roller being so varied as to be maintained, at all times, greater than the travelling speed of the belts, and equal, for a given time period, to the surface speed of the conveyor drum.