GB2259072A - Unit for packing packets of cigarettes in groups - Google Patents

Abstract

A unit (1) for packing packets of cigarettes in groups (3) comprises conveying devices (25, 37, 44, 45, 57, 60) for successively feeding the groups (3) along a given path (18) extending through a cartoning device (5) and a wrapping device (12) arranged in series along the path (18); an intermediate portion (8) connecting the cartoning device (5) to the wrapping device (12) having an output portion (42) for unloading the groups (3) after they have passed through the cartoning device (5) only. The output portion (42) is parallel to the output portion (17) downstream of the wrapping device (12). The intermediate portion (8) is also provided with an input portion (35) whereby groups (3) may be input without passing through the cartoning device (5). <IMAGE>

Description

2 2-) ?j 2 UNIT FOR PACKING PACKETS OF CIGARETTES IN GROUPS The present

invention relates to a unit for packing packets of cigarettes in groups.

In the cigarette manufacturing industry, cigarettes are normally packed in "soft" or rigid hinged-lid packets, which are subsequently divided and packed in groups, normally consisting of ten packets arranged in two layers of five.

For forming the outer package, each group of packets is normally fed on to a cartoning machine by which it is packed inside a cardboard box to produce a so-called carton, which may or may not be fed on to a wrapping machine, normally series connected to the cartoning machine, by which the carton is wrapped in heat-seal or gummed sheet material.

Alternatively, each group of packets is fed directly, i.e. without the cardboard box, on to a packing machine, similar to the above wrapping machine, by which it is wrapped inside a sheet of gummed packing material.

Consequently, for enabling the formation of any of the above types of outer package, the end machine on the production line, usually a cellophaning machine, must be connectable parallel to the above packing machine as well as to a packing unit consisting of a series connected cartoning and wrapping machine.

To avoid the cost of such a solution, the output of the cellophaning machine is connected solely to the packing unit. the wrapping machine of which is operated together with the cartoning machine or on its own, for respectively producing outer packages with or without the cardboard box.

Though satisfactory for producing outer packages comprising the cardboard box, the above solution presents several drawbacks in the event the box is eliminated, by virtue of the packet groups necessarily being fed through the cartoning machine. without forming the box, i.e. without supplying the blanks from which the boxes are formed, thus subjecting them to various forms of unnecessary stress and possible damage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing unit enabling the same performance as the above known unit but designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the present invention, there is provided a unit for packing packets of cigarettes in groups, said unit comprising conveyor means for successively feeding said groups along a given path and in a given traveling direction, said path presenting a first input at one end and a first output at the opposite end; a first cartoning device and a second wrapping device arranged in series along said path, for respectively forming about each said group a box of a first sheet material and a wrapping of a second sheet material; first feeding means located upstream from said 4.

k first device in said traveling direction, for successively feeding portions of said first material on to said path; and second feeding means located upstream from said second device in said traveling direction, for successively feeding portions of said second material on to said path; characterized by the fact that said path comprises an intermediate portion between said first and second devices; said intermediate portion presenting a second output for said groups.

on the above unit, said intermediate portion of said path preferably also presents a second input for said groups.

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a schematic view of a preferred, non- limiting embodiment, with parts removed for clarity.

Number 1 in the accompanying drawing indicates a packing unit comprising a channel 2 along which are fed groups 3, each preferably consisting of ten packets of cigarettes (not shown) arranged in two layers of five.

Channel 2 comprises an input portion 4 extending through a cartoning device 5 from an input 6 connected to a device 7 for feeding groups 3 into channel 2; an intermediate portion 8 connecting the output of cartoning device 5 to the input station 10 of a wrapping conveyor 11 forming part of a wrapping device 12 located in series with and downstream from cartoning device 5 in the traveling direction 13 of groups 3 along channel 2; and an output portion 14 connecting the output station 15 of wrapping conveyor 11 of device 12 to the 1 1 output 16 of channel 2 communicating with a device 17 for unloading groups 3 from channel 2.

Channel 2 and wrapping conveyor 11 define the path 18 along which groups 3 are fed through unit 1, and the first input, first output and intermediate portion of which are respectively defined by input 6, output 16 and intermediate portion 8 of channel 2.

Feeding device 7 comprises a conduit 19 perpendicular to input portion 4 of channel 2 and along which a pusher 20 moves back and forth for successively feeding groups 3 to input 6 of channel 2.

Input portion 4 of channel 2 is defined by a conduit 21 communicating with conduit 19 at input 6 and through which extends a known device 22 for feeding blanks 23 successively into a loading position (as shown) wherein the central portion of each blank 23 is positioned across conduit 21 and along path 18 of groups 3.

Cartoning device 5, which is of known type, comprises a folding conduit 24 into which groups 3 and respective blanks 23 are successively inserted by a pusher 25 moving back and forth along conduit 21, and along which blanks 23 are folded in a U about respective groups 3 and finish-folded by fixed folding devices 26 and known movable folding devices 27 and 28 located along conduit 24, so as to form cartons 29,- each consisting of a group 3 housed inside a box 29a.

Intermediate portion 8 of channel 2 is defined by a conduit 30 extending substantially perpendicular to folding conduit 24 with which it communicates via a lateral opening 11 11 U W 1 31 located between conduit 30 and an input conduit 32 defining a second input portion of channel 2.

Conduit 32 is coaxial with conduit 30, and presents. at the opposite end to that connected to conduit 30, an input 33 parallel to input 6 and communicating with conduit 34 of a device 35 for feeding groups 3 to input 33. For this purpose. device 35 comprises a pusher 36 moving back and forth along conduit 34 for successively feeding groups 3 to input 33 and into engagement with a pusher 37 moving back and forth along conduit 32.

As shown in the accompanying drawing, pusher 37 provides for moving groups 3 forward in steps equal to the thickness of groups 3, as of a first idle position (shown by the continuous line) wherein pusher 37 is located immediately upstream from input 33, or a second idle position (shown by the dotted line) wherein it is located immediately upstream from opening 31.

With pusher 37 in said first idle position, each group 3 fed to input 33 by device 35 (and any previous groups 3 in line 38 formed along conduits 30 and 32) is moved one step forward along conduit 32 and past a stop device 39 located immediately downstream from input 33 along conduit 32.

Alternatively, with pusher 37 in said second idle position, each group 3 fed by pusher 25 through opening 31 into conduit 30 (and any previous groups 3 in line 38 formed along conduit 30) is moved one step forward along conduit 30 and past a stop device 40 located immediately downstream from opening 31 along conduit 30.

At the opposite end to that connected to conduit 32, conduit 30 of intermediate portion 8 of channel 2 is connected to an unloading conduit 41 along which cartons 29 are fed successively by pusher 37 to output 42.

At the end connected to conduit 41. conduit 30 presents a lateral opening 43 engaged by a transverse pusher 44 for feeding groups 3 or cartons 29 to input station 10 of conveyor 11. Conveyor 11 is defined by a known wrapping wheel 45 having a number of peripheral seats 46, each designed to receive, in known manner, a group 3 or carton 29 and a respective sheet of wrapping material 47 possibly consisting of heat-seal material, but which, in the example shown, consists of gummed material fed through input station 10 by a known conveying device 48 for feeding sheet 47 along a given path and in contact with a known gumming device 49.

In the example shown, conveying device 48 receives sheets 47 successively from a feed roller 50, and comprises a first known suction conveyor 51 for successively feeding sheets 47 into contact with gumming device 49; and a further two known suction conveyors 52 and 53 on either side of input station 10. Conveyors 52 and 53 combine to define a passage 54 aligned with opening 43 and with a known folding spindle 55 located between conveying device 48 and the edge of wheel 45, for receiving group 3 or carton 29 together with respective sheet 47, and for folding sheet 47 in known manner in a U about group 3 or carton 29 prior to inserting it inside seat 46.

I As seat 46 travels between input station 10 and output station 15. sheet 47 is folded substantially fully about group 3 or carton 29 to define wrapping 56a of pack 56. which is unloaded in known manner off wheel 45 by a known pusher 57, and completed in known manner as it is fed (by pusher 57) along output portion 14 of channel 2.

Output portion 14 is defined by a conduit 58 having the input end facing the edge of wheel 45, and the output end of which coincides with output 16 and communicates with an unloading conduit 59 housing an unloading pusher 60.

Consequently, for producing packs 56 consisting of a carton 29 wrapped in sheet 47, normally consisting of heat-seal material, groups 3 are fed to input 6 and through the whole of packing unit 1 up to output 16.

For producing packs 56 consisting simply of a group 3 wrapped in sheet 47, preferably consisting of gummed material, groups 3 are fed directly to input 33 and from there to wrapping device 12, thus bypassing cartoning device 5.

Finally, for producing C-=-"4--r-%ns 29 without outer wrapping 47, cartons 29 are fed directly to output 42, thus bypassing wrapping device 12.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS:

1. A unit for packing packets of cigarettes in groups, said unit comprising conveyor means for successively feeding said groups along a given path and in a given travelling direction, said path presenting a first input at one end and a first output at the opposite end; a first cartoning device and a second wrapping device arranged in series along said path, for respectively forming about each said group a box of a first sheet material and a wrapping of a second sheet material; first feeding means located upstream from said first device in said travelling direction, for successively feeding portions of said first sheet material on to said path; and second feeding means located upstream from said second wrapping device in said travelling direction, for successively feeding portions of said second sheet material on to said path; characterized by the fact that said path comprises an intermediate portion between said first cartoning device and said second wrapping device; said intermediate portion presenting a second output for said groups.

2. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that said intermediate portion presents a second input for said groups.

3. A unit as claimed in Claim 2, characterized by the fact that said second output is located downstream from said second input in said travelling direction.

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4. A unit for packing packets of cigarettes in groups, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.