EP1854725A1 - Method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes - Google Patents
Method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1854725A1 EP1854725A1 EP07107770A EP07107770A EP1854725A1 EP 1854725 A1 EP1854725 A1 EP 1854725A1 EP 07107770 A EP07107770 A EP 07107770A EP 07107770 A EP07107770 A EP 07107770A EP 1854725 A1 EP1854725 A1 EP 1854725A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- packing
- sheet
- cigarettes
- group
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 201
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 72
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 241001290198 Dicliptera Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
- B65B19/223—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
- B65B19/24—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers using hollow mandrels through which groups of cigarettes are fed
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes.
- the groups of cigarettes and packing material are fed into relative packing pockets fed along a packing path by a packing conveyor.
- Known packing pockets normally have walls, which are normally movable to receive and retain the relative groups of cigarettes and packing material, and which seriously complicate the structure, reduce the reliability, and increase the cost, of the packing conveyors.
- Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a packing wheel of a machine 2 for packing groups 3 of cigarettes, in particular, groups of cigarettes already wrapped in a preferably foil inner wrapping.
- Packing wheel 1 is in the form of a regular polygon, and has a number of sides, along each of which are equally spaced at least two rigid packing pockets 5, i.e. with no moving parts (the example shown has three packing pockets 5, but may have only one, or more than three).
- Packing wheel 1 is powered to rotate in steps about an axis 1a to feed packing pockets 5 in steps along a packing path P extending through a loading station 6, where a sheet of packing material - in the example shown, a collar 7 having a central panel 8 and two lateral wings 9 on opposite sides of central panel 8 - is inserted inside each packing pocket 5; a loading station 10 located downstream from loading station 6 in the travelling direction 11 of packing pockets 5 along packing path P, and where a group 3 of cigarettes is fed into each packing pocket 5; and an unloading station 12, where a group 3 of cigarettes and respective collar 7 are expelled together from each packing pocket 5.
- packing wheel 1 comprises two polygonal disks 13, which are coaxial with each other and with axis 1a, are spaced apart by a distance equal to the length of packing pockets 5, and support respective ends of each packing pocket 5.
- each packing pocket 5 has a longitudinal axis 14 parallel to axis 1a, and comprises two bottom cross members 15 and 16 located at the peripheries of respective polygonal disks 13 and defining a bottom wall 17 having a central opening 18 between polygonal disks 13; two parallel lateral walls 19 and 20 parallel to axis 1a and projecting radially outwards from polygonal disks 13; and an outer cross member 21 connected integrally to the free edges of lateral walls 19, 20 and located over cross member 16.
- Outer cross member 21 is parallel to cross member 16, is relatively narrow, measured parallel to longitudinal axis 14, with respect to the length of packing pocket 5, and is divided into two equal parts by an intermediate slit 22.
- Outer cross member 21 defines on packing pocket 5 a tubular portion 23 coaxial with longitudinal axis 14; and a portion 24, which is aligned with tubular portion 23, is C-shaped with its concavity facing radially outwards, and defines, with tubular portion 23, a seat 25 for receiving a respective group 3 of cigarettes coaxially with longitudinal axis 14.
- a further seat 26 is formed inside seat 25 to receive the U-folded collar 7, and is shaped so that collar 7, when housed inside seat 26 inside packing pocket 5, is retained axially inside packing pocket 5 and remains outside seat 25.
- seat 26 comprises two grooves 27, which are deeper than the thickness of collar 7, are formed in the inner surfaces of lateral walls 19 and 20 inside the C-shaped portion 24 of packing pocket 5 and flush with outer cross member 21, and each receive a respective lateral wing 9 of collar 7.
- Seat 26 also comprises a sunken surface 28, which is defined by two longitudinal ribs 29 bounding opening 18, is lower than bottom wall 17 by an amount equal to the depth of grooves 27, and provides for supporting central panel 8 of collar 7.
- Each longitudinal rib 29 comprises a suction device 30, which cooperates with central panel 8 to hold collar 7 in position inside seat 26.
- packing wheel 1 arrests one side 4, and therefore the three packing pockets 5 arranged along side 4, at loading station 6, where each of the three packing pockets 5 receives a respective collar 7 supplied by a feed unit 31 shown in Figures 6 and 7 and common to all three packing pockets 5.
- Feed unit 31 comprises a belt conveyor 32, a suction conveyor belt 33 of which is looped about pulleys 34 (only one shown) and comprises a conveying branch 35, which extends along a feed path parallel to the side 4 of packing wheel 1 arrested at loading station 6, and is raised and offset transversely with respect to said side 4.
- Belt 33 has a number of pairs of pins 36, each of which provides for keeping slightly raised a respective lateral wing 9 of a relative collar 7, the central panel 8 of which is gripped by suction on belt 33, is interposed between pins 36 of the relative pair of pins 36, and is arrested by belt 33, at loading station 6, in a position aligned with a respective packing pocket 5.
- Feed unit 31 also comprises a transfer device 37, in turn comprising a number of suction heads 38, each of which is substantially the same shape and size as central panel 8, is aligned with a respective central panel 8 and a respective packing pocket 5 at loading station 6, and moves back and forth, together with the other suction heads 28, between a pickup position, in which suction head 38 is tangent to conveying branch 35 of conveyor 32 and rests on central panel 8 of a respective collar 7 on conveying branch 35, and a release position, in which suction head 38 is inserted inside portion 24 of relative packing pocket 5 to release the U-folded collar 7 inside relative seat 26.
- a transfer device 37 in turn comprising a number of suction heads 38, each of which is substantially the same shape and size as central panel 8, is aligned with a respective central panel 8 and a respective packing pocket 5 at loading station 6, and moves back and forth, together with the other suction heads 28, between a pickup position, in which suction head 38 is tangent to conveying branch 35 of conveyor 32 and rests on
- Transfer device 37 comprises two shafts 39, 40, which are oscillated about respective fixed axes 41, 42, parallel to conveyor 32, by a cam actuating device 43, which comprises a cam roller 44 powered to rotate about an axis parallel to axis 1a, and having two cams 45, 46 for controlling, by means of respective cam follower rollers 47a, 48a, two cranks 47, 48 fitted to shafts 39, 40 respectively.
- cam actuating device 43 which comprises a cam roller 44 powered to rotate about an axis parallel to axis 1a, and having two cams 45, 46 for controlling, by means of respective cam follower rollers 47a, 48a, two cranks 47, 48 fitted to shafts 39, 40 respectively.
- Transfer device 37 also comprises a deformable-quadrilateral crank mechanism 49 interposed between shafts 39, 40 and a bar 50 supporting suction heads 38, and which transmits a back-and-forth movement to bar 50.
- Crank mechanism 49 comprises a rocker arm 51 pivoting about axis 41 and fitted to shaft 39; and a rocker arm 52 pivoting about axis 42 and fitted idly to shaft 40.
- Connecting rod 57 comprises an end portion 58, which projects from central portion 56 towards conveyor 32, is substantially T-shaped, and comprises an end upright 59, to the bottom end of which bar 50 is connected integrally.
- central portion 56 is connected integrally to a further end portion 60, which is hinged to the connecting rod 61 of a crank mechanism 62 having a crank 63 pivoting about axis 42 and fitted to shaft 40.
- shaft 39 imparts a transverse, substantially vertical movement to connecting rod 57, and therefore to bar 50; and shaft 40 imparts to connecting rod 57, and therefore to bar 50, a substantially horizontal movement, which, combined with the vertical movement, moves suction heads 38 cyclically between the pickup and release positions.
- transfer device 37 also comprises a folding device 64, which, for each suction head 38, comprises a fork-shaped folding member 65, which surrounds relative suction head 38 and folds a relative collar 7, at loading station 6, into a U by folding lateral wings 9 squarely with respect to relative central panel 8 as collar 7 is transferred from conveyor 32 to relative packing pocket 5.
- a folding device 64 which, for each suction head 38, comprises a fork-shaped folding member 65, which surrounds relative suction head 38 and folds a relative collar 7, at loading station 6, into a U by folding lateral wings 9 squarely with respect to relative central panel 8 as collar 7 is transferred from conveyor 32 to relative packing pocket 5.
- Folding device 64 comprises a frame 66 common to all the suction heads 38 and in turn comprising a head 67, which is located over bar 50 and fitted with a vertical plate 68 located behind bar 50 and perpendicular to axis 1a; and each folding member 65 comprises two prongs 69 projecting, parallel to axis 1a, from plate 68 and on opposite sides of relative suction head 38.
- Head 67 is connected to upright 59 of connecting rod 57 by an articulated quadrilateral 70 comprising a connecting rod, defined by head 67, and two cranks interposed between head 67 and upright 59 and hinged to upright 59 to oscillate about respective axes parallel to axes 41, 42.
- One of these two cranks is defined by one arm of a rocker arm 71, the other arm of which defines a crank of a further articulated quadrilateral 72 comprising a connecting rod 73 connected to rocker arm 71, and a further crank 74 fitted to a powered shaft 75, parallel to shafts 39, 40, to oscillate about a fixed axis 76 of shaft 75.
- frame 66 moves with upright 59 and, therefore, with suction heads 38 by virtue of the movements imparted to suction heads 38 by actuating device 43, and moves, with respect to upright 59 and by virtue of the combined movements of upright 59 and of crank 74 with respect to axis 76, to move each folding member 65 along an annular path with respect to relative suction head 38.
- FIGs 8 and 9 which show one collar 7 positioned on conveying branch 35 of conveyor 32 at loading station 6, with wings 9 slightly raised and resting on respective pins 36
- folding member 65 is initially located behind conveyor 32 (Figure 8a).
- suction head 38 moves down towards the pickup position, and, at the same time, prongs 69 are positioned on a level with conveying branch 35, are moved forward and inserted ( Figure 8b) between wings 9 and conveying branch 35, and are then raised to fold wings 9 about suction head 38 as this reaches the pickup position ( Figure 8c).
- prongs 69 remain in a substantially fixed position with respect to suction head 38 to keep wings 9 folded and assist insertion of suction head 38 (Figure 9b) inside portion 24 of relative packing pocket 5, and release of the U-folded collar 7 inside relative seat 26.
- folding member 65 backs up with respect to suction head 38, and then moves down behind conveyor 32.
- each packing pocket 5 is fed along packing path P and arrested at loading station 10, where it receives a respective group 3 of cigarettes fed axially by a push device 77 into relative seat 25 through tubular portion 23, which defines an input portion of packing pocket 5.
- Seat 26 ( Figure 4) being located inside portion 24 flush with tubular portion 23, and being lower than seat 25, group 3 of cigarettes slides axially inside seat 25 without interfering with the collar, and, once loaded completely inside seat 25, assumes, with respect to collar 7, a temporary position, in which collar 7 is folded into a U about an intermediate portion of group 3 of cigarettes.
- each packing pocket 5, on receiving group 3 of cigarettes is fed along packing path P and arrested at unloading station 12, where a push device 78 expels group 3 of cigarettes and the respective U-folded collar 7.
- push device 78 first pushes group 3 of cigarettes axially to disengage it ( Figure 5) from tubular portion 23 of packing pocket 5, and, at the same time, slides it axially with respect to collar 7, so that group 3 of cigarettes projects partly from the opposite end of seat 25 to cross member 21, and collar 7 is positioned, with respect to group 3 of cigarettes, in its final position flush with the end of group 3 of cigarettes facing cross member 21.
- push device 78 pushes group 3 of cigarettes and respective collar 7 radially out of portion 24 of packing pocket 5.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes.
- In machines for packing groups of cigarettes, the groups of cigarettes and packing material are fed into relative packing pockets fed along a packing path by a packing conveyor.
- Known packing pockets normally have walls, which are normally movable to receive and retain the relative groups of cigarettes and packing material, and which seriously complicate the structure, reduce the reliability, and increase the cost, of the packing conveyors.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes, and which eliminate the aforementioned drawback.
- According to the present invention, there are provided a method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes, as claimed in the accompanying respective independent Claims, or in any one of the Claims depending directly or indirectly on the independent Claims.
- A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a portion of a preferred embodiment of a packing wheel of a machine for packing groups of cigarettes in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of a first detail of Figure 1;
- Figures 3 to 5 show the Figure 2 detail in three successive operating positions;
- Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of a second detail of Figure 1;
- Figure 7 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of part of the Figure 6 detail in a different operating position;
- Figures 8 and 9 show a schematic operating sequence of the Figure 6 and 7 detail.
-
Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a packing wheel of amachine 2 forpacking groups 3 of cigarettes, in particular, groups of cigarettes already wrapped in a preferably foil inner wrapping. -
Packing wheel 1 is in the form of a regular polygon, and has a number of sides, along each of which are equally spaced at least tworigid packing pockets 5, i.e. with no moving parts (the example shown has threepacking pockets 5, but may have only one, or more than three). -
Packing wheel 1 is powered to rotate in steps about an axis 1a to feedpacking pockets 5 in steps along a packing path P extending through aloading station 6, where a sheet of packing material - in the example shown, acollar 7 having acentral panel 8 and twolateral wings 9 on opposite sides of central panel 8 - is inserted inside eachpacking pocket 5; aloading station 10 located downstream fromloading station 6 in the travelling direction 11 ofpacking pockets 5 along packing path P, and where agroup 3 of cigarettes is fed into eachpacking pocket 5; and an unloading station 12, where agroup 3 of cigarettes andrespective collar 7 are expelled together from eachpacking pocket 5. - As shown more clearly in Figure 2,
packing wheel 1 comprises twopolygonal disks 13, which are coaxial with each other and with axis 1a, are spaced apart by a distance equal to the length ofpacking pockets 5, and support respective ends of eachpacking pocket 5. More specifically, eachpacking pocket 5 has a longitudinal axis 14 parallel to axis 1a, and comprises twobottom cross members polygonal disks 13 and defining abottom wall 17 having acentral opening 18 betweenpolygonal disks 13; two parallellateral walls polygonal disks 13; and anouter cross member 21 connected integrally to the free edges oflateral walls cross member 16.Outer cross member 21 is parallel tocross member 16, is relatively narrow, measured parallel to longitudinal axis 14, with respect to the length ofpacking pocket 5, and is divided into two equal parts by anintermediate slit 22. -
Outer cross member 21 defines on packing pocket 5 atubular portion 23 coaxial with longitudinal axis 14; and aportion 24, which is aligned withtubular portion 23, is C-shaped with its concavity facing radially outwards, and defines, withtubular portion 23, aseat 25 for receiving arespective group 3 of cigarettes coaxially with longitudinal axis 14. Afurther seat 26 is formed insideseat 25 to receive the U-foldedcollar 7, and is shaped so thatcollar 7, when housed insideseat 26 inside packingpocket 5, is retained axially inside packingpocket 5 and remains outsideseat 25. For this purpose,seat 26 comprises twogrooves 27, which are deeper than the thickness ofcollar 7, are formed in the inner surfaces oflateral walls shaped portion 24 ofpacking pocket 5 and flush withouter cross member 21, and each receive a respectivelateral wing 9 ofcollar 7.Seat 26 also comprises asunken surface 28, which is defined by twolongitudinal ribs 29 boundingopening 18, is lower thanbottom wall 17 by an amount equal to the depth ofgrooves 27, and provides for supportingcentral panel 8 ofcollar 7. Eachlongitudinal rib 29 comprises asuction device 30, which cooperates withcentral panel 8 to holdcollar 7 in position insideseat 26. - In actual use, at each rotation step, packing
wheel 1 arrests one side 4, and therefore the threepacking pockets 5 arranged along side 4, atloading station 6, where each of the threepacking pockets 5 receives arespective collar 7 supplied by afeed unit 31 shown in Figures 6 and 7 and common to all threepacking pockets 5. -
Feed unit 31 comprises abelt conveyor 32, asuction conveyor belt 33 of which is looped about pulleys 34 (only one shown) and comprises a conveyingbranch 35, which extends along a feed path parallel to the side 4 ofpacking wheel 1 arrested atloading station 6, and is raised and offset transversely with respect to said side 4.Belt 33 has a number of pairs ofpins 36, each of which provides for keeping slightly raised a respectivelateral wing 9 of arelative collar 7, thecentral panel 8 of which is gripped by suction onbelt 33, is interposed betweenpins 36 of the relative pair ofpins 36, and is arrested bybelt 33, atloading station 6, in a position aligned with arespective packing pocket 5. -
Feed unit 31 also comprises atransfer device 37, in turn comprising a number ofsuction heads 38, each of which is substantially the same shape and size ascentral panel 8, is aligned with a respectivecentral panel 8 and arespective packing pocket 5 atloading station 6, and moves back and forth, together with theother suction heads 28, between a pickup position, in whichsuction head 38 is tangent to conveyingbranch 35 ofconveyor 32 and rests oncentral panel 8 of arespective collar 7 on conveyingbranch 35, and a release position, in whichsuction head 38 is inserted insideportion 24 ofrelative packing pocket 5 to release theU-folded collar 7 insiderelative seat 26. -
Transfer device 37 comprises twoshafts fixed axes conveyor 32, by a cam actuatingdevice 43, which comprises acam roller 44 powered to rotate about an axis parallel to axis 1a, and having twocams cam follower rollers cranks shafts -
Transfer device 37 also comprises a deformable-quadrilateral crank mechanism 49 interposed betweenshafts bar 50 supportingsuction heads 38, and which transmits a back-and-forth movement to bar 50.Crank mechanism 49 comprises arocker arm 51 pivoting aboutaxis 41 and fitted toshaft 39; and arocker arm 52 pivoting aboutaxis 42 and fitted idly toshaft 40. Two corresponding first arms ofrocker arms rod 53, and two second arms ofrocker arms rods rocker arms central portion 56 of a further connectingrod 57 movable in a plane perpendicular to bar 50. Connectingrod 57 comprises anend portion 58, which projects fromcentral portion 56 towardsconveyor 32, is substantially T-shaped, and comprises an end upright 59, to the bottom end of whichbar 50 is connected integrally. On the opposite side to that connected integrally toend portion 58,central portion 56 is connected integrally to afurther end portion 60, which is hinged to the connectingrod 61 of acrank mechanism 62 having acrank 63 pivoting aboutaxis 42 and fitted toshaft 40. - In other words, in
transfer device 37,shaft 39 imparts a transverse, substantially vertical movement to connectingrod 57, and therefore to bar 50; andshaft 40 imparts to connectingrod 57, and therefore to bar 50, a substantially horizontal movement, which, combined with the vertical movement, movessuction heads 38 cyclically between the pickup and release positions. - As shown in Figure 6 and particularly in Figure 7,
transfer device 37 also comprises afolding device 64, which, for eachsuction head 38, comprises a fork-shaped folding member 65, which surroundsrelative suction head 38 and folds arelative collar 7, atloading station 6, into a U by foldinglateral wings 9 squarely with respect to relativecentral panel 8 ascollar 7 is transferred fromconveyor 32 torelative packing pocket 5. -
Folding device 64 comprises aframe 66 common to all thesuction heads 38 and in turn comprising ahead 67, which is located overbar 50 and fitted with avertical plate 68 located behindbar 50 and perpendicular to axis 1a; and eachfolding member 65 comprises twoprongs 69 projecting, parallel to axis 1a, fromplate 68 and on opposite sides ofrelative suction head 38.Head 67 is connected to upright 59 of connectingrod 57 by an articulated quadrilateral 70 comprising a connecting rod, defined byhead 67, and two cranks interposed betweenhead 67 and upright 59 and hinged to upright 59 to oscillate about respective axes parallel toaxes rocker arm 71, the other arm of which defines a crank of a further articulated quadrilateral 72 comprising a connectingrod 73 connected torocker arm 71, and afurther crank 74 fitted to a poweredshaft 75, parallel toshafts fixed axis 76 ofshaft 75. - In other words,
frame 66 moves with upright 59 and, therefore, withsuction heads 38 by virtue of the movements imparted tosuction heads 38 by actuatingdevice 43, and moves, with respect to upright 59 and by virtue of the combined movements of upright 59 and ofcrank 74 with respect toaxis 76, to move each foldingmember 65 along an annular path with respect torelative suction head 38. - More specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, which show one
collar 7 positioned on conveyingbranch 35 ofconveyor 32 atloading station 6, withwings 9 slightly raised and resting onrespective pins 36,folding member 65 is initially located behind conveyor 32 (Figure 8a). Next,suction head 38 moves down towards the pickup position, and, at the same time,prongs 69 are positioned on a level with conveyingbranch 35, are moved forward and inserted (Figure 8b) betweenwings 9 and conveyingbranch 35, and are then raised to foldwings 9 aboutsuction head 38 as this reaches the pickup position (Figure 8c). Assuction head 38 moves into the release position (Figure 9a),prongs 69 remain in a substantially fixed position with respect tosuction head 38 to keepwings 9 folded and assist insertion of suction head 38 (Figure 9b) insideportion 24 ofrelative packing pocket 5, and release of theU-folded collar 7 insiderelative seat 26. Assuction head 38 returns to its original position over conveyingbranch 35 ofconveyor 32, foldingmember 65 backs up with respect tosuction head 38, and then moves down behindconveyor 32. - With reference to Figure 1, on receiving
respective collar 7, eachpacking pocket 5 is fed along packing path P and arrested atloading station 10, where it receives arespective group 3 of cigarettes fed axially by apush device 77 intorelative seat 25 throughtubular portion 23, which defines an input portion ofpacking pocket 5. - Seat 26 (Figure 4) being located inside
portion 24 flush withtubular portion 23, and being lower thanseat 25,group 3 of cigarettes slides axially insideseat 25 without interfering with the collar, and, once loaded completely insideseat 25, assumes, with respect tocollar 7, a temporary position, in whichcollar 7 is folded into a U about an intermediate portion ofgroup 3 of cigarettes. - Again with reference to Figure 1, each
packing pocket 5, on receivinggroup 3 of cigarettes, is fed along packing path P and arrested at unloading station 12, where apush device 78expels group 3 of cigarettes and therespective U-folded collar 7. To do this,push device 78 first pushesgroup 3 of cigarettes axially to disengage it (Figure 5) fromtubular portion 23 ofpacking pocket 5, and, at the same time, slides it axially with respect tocollar 7, so thatgroup 3 of cigarettes projects partly from the opposite end ofseat 25 to crossmember 21, andcollar 7 is positioned, with respect togroup 3 of cigarettes, in its final position flush with the end ofgroup 3 of cigarettes facingcross member 21. Next,push device 78 pushesgroup 3 of cigarettes andrespective collar 7 radially out ofportion 24 ofpacking pocket 5.
Claims (35)
- A method of packing groups of cigarettes in respective sheets (7) of packing material, the method comprising the following steps :- a conveying step of feeding a succession of rigid packing pockets (5) in a given travelling direction (11) along a packing path (P) extending through a first loading station (6) for loading sheets (7) of packing material, a second loading station (10) for loading groups (3) of cigarettes, and an unloading station (12); each packing pocket comprising a substantially tubular first portion (23) with an axis (14) crosswise to the travelling direction (11), and a C-shaped, outwardly-concave second portion (24) aligned with the first portion (23);- a first feed step, at the first loading station (6), of feeding a sheet (7) of packing material into each packing pocket (5) in a first direction crosswise to the packing path (P) and to the axis (14) of the relative packing pocket (5), so that, inside the relative packing pocket (5), the sheet (7) of packing material assumes a U-shaped configuration with its concavity facing outwards; and- a second feed step, at the second loading station (10), of feeding a group (3) of cigarettes into each packing pocket (5) through the first portion (23) of the packing pocket (5) and in a second direction crosswise to the packing path (P) and to the first direction and axially with respect to the first portion (23) of the packing pocket (5).
- A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first loading station (6) is located upstream from the second loading station (10) along the packing path (P); and each group (3) of cigarettes is deposited, inside the relative packing pocket (5), over the relative sheet (7) of packing material.
- A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each sheet (7) of packing material is fed into the second portion (24) of the relative packing pocket (5).
- A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein each sheet (7) of packing material is fed and fixed inside a sunken seat (26) formed transversely inside the second portion (24) of the relative packing pocket (5) and adjacent to the first portion (23) of the packing pocket (5).
- A method as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, and comprising an unloading step of unloading each group (3) of cigarettes and the relative sheet (7) of packing material from the relative packing pocket (5) at the unloading station (12); the unloading step comprising the substeps of :- moving the group (3) of cigarettes in the second direction, so as to slide the group (3) of cigarettes axially along the relative packing pocket (5) and with respect to the relative sheet (7) of packing material, to release the group (3) of cigarettes from the first portion (23) of the relative packing pocket (5) and position the group (3) of cigarettes in a final relative axial position with respect to the relative sheet (7) of packing material; and- expelling the group (3) of cigarettes and the relative sheet (7) of packing material in the first direction from the second portion (24) of the relative packing pocket (5), while maintaining the group of cigarettes and the sheet of packing material in the final relative position.
- A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein each sheet (7) of packing material is prefolded into a U before being inserted into the relative packing pocket (5).
- A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each group (3) of cigarettes is a wrapped group (3) of cigarettes, and each sheet (7) of packing material is a collar (7) comprising a central panel (8), and two lateral wings (9), which are square with respect to the relative central panel (8) when the sheet (7) of packing material is folded into a U inside the relative packing pocket (5).
- A machine for packing groups of cigarettes, comprising a packing conveyor (1), in turn comprising a number of packing pockets (5), each of which receives and houses a group (3) of cigarettes and a respective sheet (7) of packing material, and moves, with the packing conveyor (1) and in a given travelling direction (11), along a packing path (P) extending through a first loading station (6) for loading the relative sheet (7) of packing material, a second loading station (10) for loading the relative group (3) of cigarettes, and an unloading station (12);
the machine being characterized in that each packing pocket (5) is a rigid pocket comprising a substantially tubular first portion (23) crosswise to the travelling direction (11), and a C-shaped, outwardly-concave second portion (24) aligned with the first portion (23). - A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the sheet (7) of packing material is a collar (7).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, and comprising a feed conveyor (32) for feeding a succession of sheets (7) of packing material along a feed path (P1) to the first loading station (6); and a transfer device (37) located at the first loading station (6) to transfer the sheets (7) of packing material from the feed conveyor (32) to the relative packing pockets (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the transfer device (37) is designed to transfer each sheet (7) of packing material from the feed conveyor (32) to the second portion (24) of the relative packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the transfer device (37) comprises at least one transfer head (38) movable between a pickup position tangent to the feed conveyor (32), and a release position in which the transfer head (38) is inserted inside a packing pocket (5) at the first loading station (6).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the transfer head (38) moves into the release position to insert the sheet (7) of packing material, folded into a U, inside the relative packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the transfer device (37) comprises a group of transfer heads (38) for simultaneously transferring a group of sheets (7) of packing material.
- A machine as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the transfer device (37) comprises a deformable-quadrilateral crank mechanism (49) supporting the transfer head (38) and for imparting a reciprocating movement to the transfer head (38).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the deformable-quadrilateral crank mechanism (49) is connected to a cam actuating system (43) comprising cam follower rollers (47a, 48a) engaging cams (45, 46) formed on the outer surface of a powered roller (44).
- A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 16, wherein the sheet (7) of packing material comprises a central panel (8), and two lateral wings (9) on opposite sides of the central panel (8); and the transfer device (37) comprises a movable folding device (65) for folding the sheet (7) of packing material into a U by folding the lateral wings (9) squarely with respect to the central panel (8) as the sheet (7) of packing material is transferred from the feed conveyor (32) to the relative packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the transfer device (37) comprises at least one suction transfer head (38) for inserting a respective sheet (7) of packing material into a respective packing pocket (5); the suction transfer head (38) is the same shape and size as the central panel (8) of the sheet (7) of packing material; and the movable folding device (65) is fork-shaped and surrounds the suction transfer head (38) to fold the sheet (7) of packing material.
- A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 18, wherein the packing pocket (5) defines a first seat (25) covering the first and second portion (23, 24) of the packing pocket (5) and for receiving the relative group (3) of cigarettes; and a second seat (26) which is formed in the first seat (25), is lower than the first seat (25), and receives and fixes a relative U-folded sheet (7) of packing material in position, so that, inside the packing pocket (5), the sheet (7) of packing material is located, in use, completely outside the first seat (25).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the second seat (26) is formed in the second portion (24) of the packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the second seat (26) is formed in the second portion (24) of the packing pocket (5) flush with the first portion (23) of the packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 21, wherein the first loading station (6) is located upstream from the second loading station (10) in the travelling direction (11) of the packing conveyor (1).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 22, wherein first push means (77) are provided at the second loading station (10) to feed each group (3) of cigarettes axially into the relative packing pocket (5) and relative sheet (7) of packing material, in a direction crosswise to the packing path (P) and through the first portion (23) of the packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the first portion (23) of each packing pocket (5) constitutes an input portion through which the relative group (3) of cigarettes is inserted into the packing pocket (5); and the second portion (24) of each packing pocket (5) constitutes an output portion, through which the relative group (3) of cigarettes and relative sheet (7) of packing material are expelled from the packing pocket (5).
- A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 24, wherein the packing conveyor (1) is a polygonal packing wheel having a number of sides (4), each of which supports at least two packing pockets (5); the packing wheel (1) moving in steps to arrest each side (4) at the loading stations (6, 10) and the unloading station (12).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 25, wherein each side (4) is arrested at the first loading station (6) in a position parallel to the feed conveyor (32).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 14 or 26, wherein the transfer device (37) comprises a number of suction transfer heads (38) equal to the number of packing pockets (5) on each side (4) of the packing wheel (1).
- A machine for packing groups (3) of cigarettes, comprising a packing conveyor (1), in turn comprising a number of packing pockets (5), each of which receives and houses a group (3) of cigarettes and a respective sheet (7) of packing material, and moves, with the packing conveyor (1) and in a given travelling direction (11), along a packing path (P) extending through a first loading station (6) for loading the relative sheet (7) of packing material, a second loading station (10) for loading the relative group (3) of cigarettes, and an unloading station (12);
the machine (2) being characterized in that each packing pocket (5) comprises a first seat (25) for housing a respective group (3) of cigarettes, and a second seat (26) for housing the respective sheet (7) of packing material; and the second seat (26) is lower than the first seat (25), so that, inside the packing pocket (5), the sheet (7) of packing material is positioned lower down than the relative group (3) of cigarettes. - A machine as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the first loading station (6), where the sheets (7) of packing material are fed into the respective packing pockets (5), is located upstream, in the travelling direction (11), from the second loading station (10) where the groups (3) of cigarettes are fed into the respective packing pockets (5).
- A machine as claimed in Claim 29, wherein push means (77) are provided at the second loading station (10) to feed each group (3) of cigarettes axially into the respective packing pocket (5), so that the group of cigarettes slides, with respect to the packing pocket (5), over the relative sheet (7) of packing material inserted previously inside the second seat (26), and assumes a first relative axial position with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material.
- A machine as claimed in Claim 30, wherein further push means (78) are provided at the unloading station (12) to move each group (3) of cigarettes axially along the respective packing pocket (5), so that the group of cigarettes slides, with respect to the packing pocket (5), over the relative sheet (7) of packing material into a second relative axial position with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material.
- A method of folding a sheet of packing material about a group (3) of cigarettes; the method comprising the steps of:feeding a packing pocket (5) along a packing path (P) extending through a first and second loading station (6, 10) and an unloading station (12);feeding the sheet (7) of packing material into the packing pocket (5) at the first loading station (6);feeding the group (3) of cigarettes into the packing pocket (5) at the second loading station (10), so that the group (3) of cigarettes assumes a first relative position with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material; andexpelling the group (3) of cigarettes and the sheet (7) of packing material together from the packing pocket (5) at the unloading station (12);the method being characterized in that the step of expelling the group (3) of cigarettes together with the sheet (7) of packing material comprises the further step of moving the group (3) of cigarettes with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material to position the group (3) of cigarettes in a second relative position, different from the first relative position, with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material.
- A method as claimed in Claim 32, wherein, inside the packing pocket (5), the group (3) of cigarettes is located inside a first seat (25), and the sheet (7) of packing material is located inside a second seat (26) lower than the first seat (25), so that, inside the packing pocket (5), the sheet (7) of packing material is lower down than the group (3) of cigarettes.
- A method as claimed in Claim 32 or 33, wherein, at the second loading station (10), the group (3) of cigarettes is fed axially into the packing pocket (5), so as to slide with respect to the packing pocket (5), and over the sheet (7) of packing material fed previously into the second seat (26), into the first relative position with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material.
- A method as claimed in any one of Claims 32 to 34, wherein the step of expelling the group (3) of cigarettes and the sheet (7) of packing material together comprises the steps of:moving the group (3) of cigarettes axially with respect to the packing pocket (5) and with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material, so as to position the group (3) of cigarettes in the second relative position, different from the first relative position, with respect to the sheet (7) of packing material;moving the group (3) of cigarettes and the sheet (7) of packing material together transversely, to expel the group (3) of cigarettes and the sheet (7) of packing material from the packing pocket (5).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITBO20060346 ITBO20060346A1 (en) | 2006-05-09 | 2006-05-09 | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING OF CIGARETTE GROUPS |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1854725A1 true EP1854725A1 (en) | 2007-11-14 |
EP1854725B1 EP1854725B1 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
Family
ID=38324082
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20070107770 Active EP1854725B1 (en) | 2006-05-09 | 2007-05-08 | Method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1854725B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101070100B (en) |
DE (1) | DE602007002438D1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20060346A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101596946B (en) * | 2009-07-07 | 2011-01-05 | 上海烟草(集团)公司 | Oil tube connection structure between machine bodies of cigarette packing machine |
DE102009050035A1 (en) * | 2009-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Device for storing (cigarette) packs |
WO2014195016A1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2014-12-11 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing packs, especially cigarette packs |
EP2528824B1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2015-11-11 | GIMA TT S.r.l. | Packaging machine and method for packaging smoking articles |
IT201800006711A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2019-12-27 | Drawer designed to hold a group of smoking articles and a collar, method of feeding a group of smoking articles and a collar to the drawer, and a packaging machine for smoking articles equipped with a wrapping conveyor equipped with the drawer |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008005407A1 (en) * | 2008-01-21 | 2009-07-23 | Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing packages for cigarettes |
IT1399036B1 (en) * | 2010-01-26 | 2013-04-05 | Gima Spa | WRITING CONVEYOR OF A PACKAGING MACHINE |
PL3283381T3 (en) * | 2015-04-15 | 2019-05-31 | Gima Tt S P A | Method and related apparatus for manufacturing a sealed wrapping of a bundle of cigarettes |
CN106379602B (en) * | 2016-11-09 | 2018-11-02 | 宁波升瀚烟草机械有限公司 | A kind of draw and cigarette tinning mechanism of cigarette can packing machine |
CN106394973B (en) * | 2016-11-09 | 2018-11-20 | 宁波升瀚烟草机械有限公司 | A kind of cigarette can packing machine |
KR101864432B1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2018-06-04 | (주)진성 테크템 | Continuous automatic wrap around packing machine of cubic package |
IT201800003032A1 (en) * | 2018-02-26 | 2019-08-26 | Gima Tt S P A | APPARATUS FOR FORMING A COLLAR OF A DOUBLE PACKAGE AND PACKING LINE FOR THE FORMATION OF A DOUBLE PACKAGE. |
CN110466822A (en) * | 2019-08-15 | 2019-11-19 | 河南中烟工业有限责任公司 | A kind of cigarette turret apparatus |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0432592A1 (en) * | 1989-12-09 | 1991-06-19 | Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund | Device for packaging cigarettes |
WO2005087595A1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-22 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Cigarette packing machine |
-
2006
- 2006-05-09 IT ITBO20060346 patent/ITBO20060346A1/en unknown
-
2007
- 2007-05-08 DE DE200760002438 patent/DE602007002438D1/en active Active
- 2007-05-08 EP EP20070107770 patent/EP1854725B1/en active Active
- 2007-05-09 CN CN2007100974969A patent/CN101070100B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0432592A1 (en) * | 1989-12-09 | 1991-06-19 | Maschinenfabrik Alfred Schmermund | Device for packaging cigarettes |
WO2005087595A1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-22 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Cigarette packing machine |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101596946B (en) * | 2009-07-07 | 2011-01-05 | 上海烟草(集团)公司 | Oil tube connection structure between machine bodies of cigarette packing machine |
DE102009050035A1 (en) * | 2009-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Device for storing (cigarette) packs |
EP2528824B1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2015-11-11 | GIMA TT S.r.l. | Packaging machine and method for packaging smoking articles |
EP2528824B2 (en) † | 2010-01-26 | 2019-04-03 | GIMA TT S.p.A. | Packaging machine and method for packaging smoking articles |
WO2014195016A1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2014-12-11 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing packs, especially cigarette packs |
EP3003870B1 (en) | 2013-06-06 | 2018-08-08 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.) | Method and device for producing packs, especially cigarette packs |
IT201800006711A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2019-12-27 | Drawer designed to hold a group of smoking articles and a collar, method of feeding a group of smoking articles and a collar to the drawer, and a packaging machine for smoking articles equipped with a wrapping conveyor equipped with the drawer | |
WO2020003199A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2020-01-02 | G.D Società per Azioni | A drawer adapted to contain a group of smoking articles and a collar, method for feeding a group of smoking articles and a collar to the drawer, and a packing machine for smoking articles provided with a wrapping conveyor provided with the drawer |
EP3814236B1 (en) | 2018-06-27 | 2023-03-22 | G.D Società per Azioni | A drawer adapted to contain a group of smoking articles and a collar, method for feeding a group of smoking articles and a collar to the drawer, and a packing machine for smoking articles provided with a wrapping conveyor provided with the drawer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101070100A (en) | 2007-11-14 |
ITBO20060346A1 (en) | 2006-08-08 |
CN101070100B (en) | 2011-04-13 |
DE602007002438D1 (en) | 2009-10-29 |
EP1854725B1 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1854725B1 (en) | Method and machine for packing groups of cigarettes | |
US10011379B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for reducing restoring forces of package sleeves in a filling machine | |
US7134257B2 (en) | Method and device for producing hard packs for cigarettes | |
EP2195265B1 (en) | Transfer device metering apparatus and methods | |
CN109850249B (en) | Device for transporting packages | |
NO134484B (en) | ||
EP0962390A1 (en) | Unit and method for forming a group of products on a wrapping machine | |
CN108472910B (en) | Operation assembly of cartoning machine, cartoning machine and method for forming cartons | |
EP0940340A1 (en) | Method and unit for transferring a group of cigarettes continuously between conveyors | |
US9522751B2 (en) | Filling machine and method for operating a filling machine | |
EP1772382A1 (en) | Method and unit for transferring a product on an intermittent packing machine | |
US5146728A (en) | Apparatus for the packaging of cigarettes | |
EP1346916B1 (en) | A method and a unit for feeding elements of sheet material to a product wrapping line | |
US20080134636A1 (en) | Device for Covering Packaging Groups | |
US4653248A (en) | Apparatus for making cartons of cigarette packs and the like | |
RU2228887C2 (en) | Cigarette packing machine | |
CN1970390B (en) | Method and device for wrapping articles | |
KR101644326B1 (en) | Packing method and unit for folding a sheet of packing material about an article, such as a group of cigarettes | |
JP6988203B2 (en) | Front flap folding device | |
US7269931B2 (en) | Overwrapping machine for packets of cigarettes | |
JP6147492B2 (en) | Lap round caser | |
JP3945258B2 (en) | Caser | |
JP5432949B2 (en) | Folding and feeding device for continuous bag | |
JP2005132435A (en) | Carton sheet folding apparatus | |
EP0913328A2 (en) | A method and device for packaging products in rigid packets |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20080513 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): CH DE GB LI NL TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20080919 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE GB LI NL TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602007002438 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20091029 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: HEPP WENGER RYFFEL AG |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20090916 |
|
NLV1 | Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20100617 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20120525 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20090916 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130531 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130531 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20140527 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20150508 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20150508 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240530 Year of fee payment: 18 |