Abstract: A package is wrapped with foil by forming a curtain of two foils pulled from respective supplies with the curtain extending transversely across a conveyor path at a wrapping station and displacing a package to be wrapped in a forward transport direction along the path into engagement with the curtain and through the station so that the foils extend downstream past the package. Then a pair of double-weld beams are moved together on opposite sides of the foils downstream of the station to press and weld the foils together downstream of the package while at the same time the package and beams are relatively displaced in the direction toward each other as the beams are moved together to reduce tension in the foils created by inward movement of the beams.

Abstract: The packet (1) of cigarettes, wherein an outer wrapping (2) of cardboard or similar is covered with an overwrapping (3) of transparent material to which is integrally connected a portion (12) of magnetic tape (24) for recording data.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material, whereby the product is wrapped in the sheet of wrapping material to form a product having an outer wrapping in turn having three distinct overlap portions, i.e. portions having at least two superimposed layers of the sheet of wrapping material; and the outer wrapping is stabilized, as the product is conveyed continuously inside a respective same pocket, by a seal formed at each of the three overlap portions.

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.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming a tubular wrapping about a rectangular-prism-shaped product, whereby a sheet of packing material is folded about the product in a first folding step, wherein the sheet of packing material is folded into a U about the product so that an end portion of the sheet of packing material projects crosswise with respect to a longitudinal axis of the product and beyond the product itself; and in a second folding step, wherein the end portion is subjected to traction in a direction crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the product, and is simultaneously folded further about the product to define the tubular wrapping

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.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for forming a film about a foldable sheet material and an article immobilized on the base portion of the sheet material. The sheet material and article on a load board are moved sequentially by the apparatus through a load station, a film wrap station and a film seal and cut station.

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 surface, and inserting, beneath the first end portion, a second end portion, an outer surface of which has been gummed beforehand.

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: An apparatus for forming a packaging arrangement includes a belt material supply component, a pair of roll assemblies for supporting stacks of goods, and rods for moving the belt material so as to form a lifting sling.

Abstract: On a continuously operating cigarette packing machine, a group of cigarettes is transferred from a pocket—integral with an endless conveyor having at least one substantially straight portion—to a first seat—carried on an input wheel of a wrapping line and movable with respect to the input wheel—by transferring the group axially from the pocket to a second seat, which is fed by an intermediate wheel along a portion of the endless conveyor and is movable with respect to the intermediate wheel; and by then orienting the first and second seats with respect to the respective wheels so that one of the first and second seats penetrates the other for a given time.

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: 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 belt device for forming a packaging arrangement including at least one stack of goods has a sling that includes a central suspension loop. The belt is formed as a closed loop and has a width substantially equal to the transverse width of the stack.

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.

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.

Abstract: Chocolates are wrapped individually by a method that involves feeding single wrapping sheets along a first path in a first direction spaced at a selected pitch, in such a way that the trailing edge of one wrapping sheet and the leading edge of the next are distanced one from another, and at the same time feeding a continuous ribbon in a second direction along a second path that merges with the first path at an assembling station where the ribbon is stably united with the sheets; ribbon and sheet then advance together in a third direction, along which the ribbon is divided into discrete slivers by repeated cuts, each made between the trailing edge of one sheet and the leading edge of the next and at a distance such that each sliver will present a portion projecting from the trailing edge of the wrapping sheet to which it is attached.

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.

Abstract: A package is wrapped with foil by forming a curtain of two foils pulled from respective supplies with the curtain extending transversely across a conveyor path at a wrapping station and displacing a package to be wrapped in a forward transport direction along the path into engagement with the curtain and through the station so that the foils extend downstream past the package. Then a pair of double-weld beams are moved together on opposite sides of the foils downstream of the station to press and weld the foils together downstream of the package while at the same time the package and beams are relatively displaced in the direction toward each other as the beams are moved together to reduce tension in the foils created by inward movement of the beams.

Abstract: A parcel and a method of forming the parcel includes surrounding at least one stack of goods with a sling that includes a central suspension loop. The belt is formed as a closed loop and has a width substantially equal to the transverse width of the stack.

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).

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.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping bales of pulp are disclosed, the method comprising transporting the bales between upper and lower conveyors, applying a first wrapping sheet to the lower surface of the bale, applying a second wrapping sheet to the upper surface of the bale, measuring the height of the bale prior to transporting it between the upper and lower conveyors, and adjusting the distance between the upper and lower conveyors based upon the measured height of the bale such that both of the wrapping sheets are uniformly disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the bale. The apparatus includes an upper conveyor, a lower conveyor juxtaposed with the upper conveyor, such that the bales may be transported between the upper and lower conveyors, a transmitter for measuring the height of the bales upstream of the upper and lower conveyors, and a positioner for adjusting the distance between the upper and lower conveyors based on the measured height of the bales.

Abstract: The apparatus for wrapping compressible box-like articles (10) such as a stock of newspapers or magazines, with a web-like wrapping material (12). The apparatus has three serially arranged belt conveyors (16, 18, 20), and the second belt conveyor (18) is in the form of a bearing table (24) which can be rotated about a vertical axis (26). The bearing table mounts two pressure-exerting members (30, 32). The article (10′) which is to be wrapped is introduced in a compressed state, by the first belt conveyor (16), into a wrap-around channel (42) which is formed by the table (24) and one of the pressure-exerting members (30), and the wrapping material (70) is positioned around the article in the form of a U. At the same time, the article (10), which has been previously wrapped in this way, is transferred to the third belt conveyor (20).

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: 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.

Abstract: For the continuous production of the cigarette rod (10), the strip-like outer wrapper (12) and a tobacco strand (11) are provided on a forming belt (15) and conveyed, with the latter, through a rod-forming unit (13). Located within the latter is a forming bed (19) which, during transportation, deforms the forming belt (15) along with the outer wrapper (12) and the tobacco rod (11) so as to produce a cigarette rod (10). A compensating belt (21) is provided in order to avoid or reduce the friction of the forming belt on the forming bed (19), and said compensating belt circulates at reduced speed between the forming belt (15) and forming bed (19) The compensating belt (21) reduces the friction and dissipates (frictional) heat.

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.

Abstract: A food product wrapping apparatus and method, in which four sticks of food product are simultaneously molded and wrapped during each cycle of operation, using a four cavity set mold plate and four cavity wrapping machines. A shuttle plate has two sets of four cavities and is alternately moved into a dosing mold for filling of one set of cavities and thence over a respective four cavity wrapping machine. All four sticks are simultaneously pushed out of the mold cavities and thereaft through the wrapping machine cavities.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles, such as bundles of newspapers, on one or three sides is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor means, a paper guide and dispensing means for conveying a sheet of paper dispensed from a roll into the path of a bundle moving along the conveyor, a wrapping means for covering the bundle with paper on one or three sides, and a reciprocating, double-edged cutting means for cutting the desired length of paper from the roll. The three-way wrap assembly includes a pair of paper support means, preferably C-shaped flexible belts which contact the paper lightly at three points, allowing the paper to maintain a substantially vertical orientation relative to the path of the bundle during the wrapping operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an integrated bundle turner assembly for lifting and turning a bundle 90 degrees relative to its original path of travel.

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).

Abstract: A packaging system for non-rigid materials includes various embodiments. In one embodiment the blocks of material are separated from each other by a partially wrapped liner with a partition extending between the blocks. In another embodiment pairs of blocks are partially wrapped with a liner and separated from each other by a distance which permits additional blocks to be inserted in an alternating manner in the spacing in between the blocks. In a third embodiment the cells are created by a support which is of generally inverted T-shape with each block being placed in an individual cell.

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.

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.

Abstract: A wrapper for housing chewing gum. The wrapper includes a substrate having a front and a back surface. The front surface includes a top edge, a first side edge, a bottom edge, a second side edge, and three areas of adhesive. A first area of adhesive is located along a portion of the front surface that is adjacent to the first edge and the top edge. A third area of adhesive is located along a portion of the front surface that is adjacent to the second side edge and the top edge. And a second edge of adhesive is located along a portion of the front surface that is in juxtaposition to, but not touching, the bottom edge. A stick of chewing gum and method of wrapping the stick of chewing gum are also provided.

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.

Abstract: A wrapper for housing chewing gum. The wrapper includes a substrate having a front and a back surface. The front surface includes a top edge, a first side edge, a bottom edge, a second side edge, and three areas of adhesive. A first area of adhesive extends along a portion of the front surface that is adjacent to the first edge. A third area of adhesive extends along a portion of the front surface that is adjacent to the second side edge. And a second edge of adhesive extends between the first and third areas of adhesive of a portion of the front surface that is in juxtaposition to, but not touching, the bottom edge. A stick of chewing gum and method of wrapping the stick of chewing gum are also provided.

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.

Abstract: A machine and method for packaging smoking articles provides an essentially hermetic enclosure of a barrier material around a charge of such articles in an open (incomplete) frame, by driving on the articles themselves to push them through a temporary wall of the barrier material with the previous imposition on them of the open frame at a framing station. Preferably the driving is by means of an indexing conveyor which is stationary immediately before the collection of the charge from a hopper, during the imposition of the frame and immediately before pushing the frame and charge through the temporary wall.

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.

Abstract: Bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus having an automatic web feeder for safely advancing a web fed from a supply roll to a main web feeder. The web free end is inserted between a pair of rollers, one being driven by a motor and the other being free-wheelingly mounted. The free-wheeling roller swings about a pivot shaft. A cylinder normally maintains the free-wheeling roller displaced from the drive roller. The insertion of the web past the nip formed by the initial feed rollers is detected by a proximity sensor to pull the free-wheeling roller toward the motor-driven roller pinching the web therebetween. A small motor drives the driven roller, moving the web upwardly and into a nip formed by a main feed roller pair. The small motor is then turned off and the main feed rollers advance one length of the web and a cutter cuts the advanced length, completing one cycle of operation, after which the bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus is placed under control of a bundle feeder.

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: A method of overwrapping a product having an outer wrapping of dielectric material; the method providing for feeding a sheet of dielectric overwrapping material past an opening of a passage for the product; feeding the product into engagement with the sheet and subsequently, together with the sheet, through the passage to fold the sheet into a U about the product; and stabilizing the sheet so folded by feeding the sheet and the product through an electric field.

Abstract: A method of wrapping products, whereby a sheet and a respective product for wrapping are fed to a wrapping station in a first and second direction incident with each other; the product travels according to a given movement through the wrapping station to engage the sheet, upon the sheet reaching a given intercept position, and to feed the sheet in the second direction to form a U-shaped wrapping; and the sheet is fed in the first direction through the wrapping station and at most into the intercept position according to any movement as a function of the length of the sheet, and subsequently travels according to the same movement as the product.

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.