EP3680185A1 - An apparatus for forming a pack containing a group of smoking articles - Google Patents
An apparatus for forming a pack containing a group of smoking articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3680185A1 EP3680185A1 EP20151017.9A EP20151017A EP3680185A1 EP 3680185 A1 EP3680185 A1 EP 3680185A1 EP 20151017 A EP20151017 A EP 20151017A EP 3680185 A1 EP3680185 A1 EP 3680185A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- pack
- semifinished
- packs
- wall
- pushing member
- 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
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 20
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000019506 cigar Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003571 electronic cigarette Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised 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
-
- 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
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
- B65B51/023—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids using applicator nozzles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus, and the relative process, for forming a pack containing a group of products, in particular smoking articles, for example, cigarettes.
- the apparatus described here is of the type comprising:
- the semi-finished pack that is pushed out of the forming wheel is pressed by two opposing forces, on its larger walls, and, in this condition, its two outer flaps, still to be folded, of the smaller side walls, are folded against the corresponding inner flaps to form these walls and complete the pack.
- the aforementioned opposing device configured to act in opposition to the pusher member, is constituted by a counter-pusher arranged to engage the aforesaid second wall of the semi-finished pack and move simultaneously with the pusher member, accompanying the displacement of the pack, and exerting thereon a force opposite to that exerted by the pusher member.
- An apparatus of the known type is, for example, described in the document EP 2 419 335 B1 .
- the present invention proposes to provide an improved solution with respect to the known apparatuses indicated, in particular, with a simpler structure and a more reliable operating mode.
- the solution described herein relates to an apparatus, and a process, for forming a pack containing a group of products, in particular smoking articles, for example cigarettes.
- This forming is carried out starting from a casing blank, which is commonly constituted by a sheet material cut out according to a predetermined contour, and provided with predefined folding lines, to ensure a univocal folding of the sheet that produces the outer casing of the pack.
- a casing blank which is commonly constituted by a sheet material cut out according to a predetermined contour, and provided with predefined folding lines, to ensure a univocal folding of the sheet that produces the outer casing of the pack.
- Figure 2 represents - by way of example - a pack of cigarettes which can be formed by the solution described herein.
- the pack shown is a "hinged-lid" pack type.
- this pack comprises a group of cigarettes G wrapped in an inner wrapper (not shown), and a rigid outer casing 2, containing the group of cigarettes G.
- the casing 2 consists of a container 2A, which contains the group of cigarettes G, and has, at the top, an opening for picking up the cigarettes, and a lid 2B, which is hinged to the container 2A so that it is movable between a closed position and an open position.
- the casing 2 has a parallelepiped shape, defining a front wall 21, a rear wall 211, two shorter side walls 2III, an upper wall 2IV and a lower wall 2V.
- the walls 21 and 2III are each defined by the juxtaposition of respective portions of the container 2A and of the cover 2B.
- Figure 3 represents a blank for forming the casing 2 shown in Figure 2 .
- This blank has a prevalent development along a main axis B, and centrally defines, along the axis B, the portions 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107, which are connected to each other by respective folding lines transverse to the main axis B.
- a pair of flaps are connected to each of the portions 102, 104, 105 and 107 through folding lines parallel to the main axis B, said flaps being arranged on opposite sides of the relative portion with respect to the main axis B.
- flaps are indicated in the figures, with the reference numerals 109, 110, 111 and 112, respectively (the flaps of the same portion being indicated with the same reference number), starting from the edges of the portion 102.
- portions 102 and 107 together define the front wall 21, the portions 104 and 105 the rear wall 211, and the flaps 109, 110, 111 and 112 define the side walls 2III.
- the portions 103 and 106 instead define, respectively, the upper wall 2IV and the lower wall 2V of the casing 2.
- the apparatus described herein is arranged to associate together a blank 100 with a group of cigarettes G, and to fold the blank around the group of cigarettes G so as to obtain a closed casing 2 containing the group of cigarettes G.
- the apparatus described herein comprises, first of all, a forming wheel 20, which is rotatable about a rotation axis I, and is provided along its periphery with a plurality of seats 22, arranged to receive and maintain the blank 100 and the group of cigarettes G in a given reciprocal position.
- the two positions C1 and C2 are located along the peripheral region of the wheel 20, and are mutually arranged at a predetermined angular distance.
- the location of the two positions C1 and C2, and their distance, depend on the configuration of the equipment provided for the specific application.
- the loading position C1 is at 270° - with reference to a theoretical trigonometric circumference centered on the axis I - and the unloading position C2 is at 180°.
- the blanks 100 are fed to the forming wheel 20 along a direction Y parallel to the rotation axis I, and are oriented with their own axis B parallel to the direction Y.
- the apparatus described herein comprises a series of folding devices arranged to fold the various portions and the various flaps of the blank 100 to wrap the group of cigarettes G.
- the group of cigarettes G is arranged on the portions 104 and 105 of the blank 100, which, as seen above, will define the rear wall 211 of the casing 2.
- the forming of the casing 2 therefore, envisages the folding of the other portions, and of the various flaps of the blank, against the group of cigarettes G.
- Figure 4 shows the configuration of the semi-finished pack that reaches the unloading position C2.
- the pack is partially complete, since the flaps 109 and 112 are in an open condition and therefore still need to be folded against the flaps 110 and 111 (see Figure 3 ).
- Figure 5 represents the instant in which a semi-finished pack P1 has reached the unloading position C2.
- This pack is oriented with the walls 21 and 211 orthogonal to the radial direction of the wheel.
- the apparatus described herein comprises a pusher member 30, arranged to engage the wall 211 of the semi-finished pack that has reached the unloading position C2, and to push the pack out of the seat 22 and of the wheel 20, along a direction X coinciding with the radial direction of the wheel.
- the pusher member 30 is constituted of a stem member mounted in a movable manner inside the forming wheel, along the direction X, and provided with a disc-like end portion 30A, facing outwardly from the wheel, and of an opposite end portion 30B, on which a toothed profile is provided, arranged to be engaged by means for actuating the pusher member.
- the disc-like portion 30A is orthogonal to the direction X and is intended to engage the walls 211 of the semi-finished pack.
- the pusher member 30 is operated according to an alternating movement along the direction X.
- the direction X also constitutes the feeding direction of the packs downstream of the forming wheel.
- a drying channel is provided for the glue that has previously been applied to the blank 100 to fix it in the closed configuration of the casing 2.
- the apparatus described herein comprises a conveying section 50 for the packs, configured for connecting the forming wheel 20 with the mentioned drying channel (not illustrated).
- the formed packs P2 accumulate within this section, creating a row of packs that extends along the direction X, and in which the packs are in mutual contact at their longer side walls.
- the semi-finished pack P1 pushed by the pushing member 30 is first brought into contact with the packs P2, and then continues, together with these, for a further tract, keeping in contact with each other.
- the row of packs P2 advances in steps along the feeding direction X, in a manner synchronized with the movement of the pusher member 30 (in some embodiments, pushed by the same member 30, as will be seen below).
- the first pack of the row of already formed packs P2 protrudes beyond the inlet of the conveying section 50, towards the forming wheel 20, so that the semi-finished pack P1 is first placed against the row of packs P2, and, subsequently, enters inside the section 50.
- the conveying section 50 comprises a device 52, which has the function of creating a force on the wall 21 of the semi-finished pack P1 pushed by the pusher 30, said force being opposite to the force exerted by the member 30, similarly to the counter-pusher device mentioned at the beginning with reference to the solutions of the prior art.
- the device 52 is arranged to act, not directly on the wall 21 of the semi-finished pack, but on the row of already formed packs P2, and by friction, as will be seen below.
- the device 52 comprises two opposed members 52B, which are arranged on opposite sides of the row of packs P2, engaging their side walls 2III.
- the two members 52B act on these walls by friction so as to exert an action on the packs P2 that is resistant to their movement along the direction X.
- the two members 52B consist of two fixed plates that press on the walls 2III of the packs P2 to cause a given friction force.
- the packs P2 advance with respect to the two plates 52B, pushed by the same pusher member 30.
- the packs braked by the plates 52B exert a force on the wall 21 of the semi-finished pack which is opposite to the force exerted by the pusher member 30.
- the friction force exerted by the plates 52B initially corresponds to a detachment force, when the packs P2 are still stationary, and then to a sliding friction force, when they start to move under the action of the pusher member 30.
- the two plates 52B can be adjustable in position to vary the force with which they press on the packs.
- the optimal adjustment can be identified by means of a series of tests carried out on the apparatus in operation, during a preparation step of the packing installation.
- the two belt members 53B are mounted on respective pulleys so as to extend along a closed loop path, and define respective opposed straight branches 53B', oriented along the feeding direction X.
- the packs P2 engaged by the two belt members 53B advance along the direction X pushed by the pusher member 30.
- the braking device 54 exerts an action resistant to the movement of the two branches 53B', which is transmitted to the same packs P2, through the friction force exerted by the belt members 53B' on the walls 2III of the packs.
- the force exerted on the wall 21 of the semi-finished pack P1 therefore depends on the action of the braking device 54.
- the braking device 54 can be an electromagnetic brake, which can be adjusted by the control unit of the installation. In this case as well, the optimal adjustment can be identified by means of tests carried out on the apparatus during operation.
- a motorized drive system 56 is associated with the same belt members 53B, described above, for moving the two members.
- the two belt members 53B move together with the packs and there is no relative motion between them.
- the packs P2 are, however, moved by the same belt members 53B, which are operated by the drive system 56.
- the movement of the belt members 53B is controlled on the basis of the actuation of the pusher member 30, so that the packs P2 only move after the semi-finished pack P1 has been brought against them, and the expected force between the packs P2 and the pack P1 has been determined, opposite to the force exerted by the pusher member 30.
- the two belt members 53B are able to guarantee a predefined and precise positioning of the packs, for example, in order to carry out the rejection of defective packs through a window provided along the conveying section 50, and can also recover any empty spaces between adjacent packs.
- the inlet of the conveying section 50 consists of two blocks 58 carried by a fixed structure of the apparatus, which are arranged close to the forming wheel 20 and are spaced apart from each other vertically, to define a restricted passage W for the inlet of the packs coming from the wheel 20.
- the two blocks 58 each have a tapered edge 58A, facing the forming wheel 20, and a horizontal wall 58B which extends, without interruption, from the tapered edge 58A, and faces the wall 58B of the opposite block 58.
- the distance between the two walls 58B is substantially equal to the width of the two walls 21 and 211 of the semi-finished pack P1 that is present in the unloading position C2.
- the two walls 58B perform the function of keeping the flaps 109 and 112 in the just-reached closed condition.
- the two blocks 58 are both mounted on the fixed structure indicated with the possibility of a fine adjustment of their mutual distance, for example, through screw means.
- the first pack P2 of the row of packs contained in the conveying section 50 protrudes from the blocks 58 towards the forming wheel 20 (see in particular Figures 10 and 11 ).
- This condition ensures that the casing 2 is closed perfectly folded in the predetermined shape.
- the apparatus described herein comprises a blocking member 70, which is arranged to engage the wall 211 of the pack P1 as soon as it is released by the pusher member 30 ( Figure 7 ).
- the member 70 comprises a rod provided with a pair of teeth 72 protruding laterally and spaced apart from each other by a distance slightly less than the distance of the walls 58B of the two blocks 58 .
- This member is controlled by a respective actuator (not illustrated) in a straight movement along a horizontal direction, between an inoperative position in which the two teeth 72 are kept outside the passage W, and the pack P1 can be inserted into this passage, and an operative position in which the two teeth 72 are placed within or overlapping the passage W (with respect to a view according to a plane orthogonal to the direction X), so as to engage the wall 211 of the pack P1, after this has been inserted into the passage W and has been released by the pusher member 30.
- a pair of rods with teeth is provided, positioned symmetrically with respect to the passage W.
- the semi-finished pack formed thereby present the flaps 109 and 112 that are not coplanar with the front wall 21, but partially folded towards the flaps 110 and 111, so as to present themselves at the unloading position C2 with the flaps 109 and 112 slightly folded towards the inside of the wheel.
- the apparatus described herein therefore, comprises a folding device configured to partially fold the flaps 109 and 112 towards the flaps 110 and 111.
- Figure 8 illustrates - by way of example - a moment in which, in a seat 22 of the forming wheel that is in an intermediate position between the loading position C1 and the unloading position C2, a generic folding member 24 is pressing on the flaps 109 and 112 to bring them into a partially folded position.
- the seat 22 is arranged with blocking elements configured to hold these flaps in the folded condition, to avoid their elastic return.
- these elements are constituted by simple teeth 23 positioned in two diametrically opposite peripheral areas of the seat 22, on which the flaps 109, 112 are carried after the portion 102 of the blank 100 has been folded above the group of cigarettes G.
- the teeth 23 have a tapered upper end 23A to allow the folding of the flaps 109, 112, and an undercut edge 23B, against which the flaps 109 and 112 are brought into contact after being folded below the end 23A.
- the blank 100 is received together with a group of cigarettes G inside a seat 22 of the forming wheel which is in the loading position C1.
- the blank 100 is folded around the group of cigarettes G and is presented at the unloading position C2 in the configuration shown in Figure 4 .
- the semifinished pack P1 thus obtained is pushed out of the seat 22 by the pusher member 30.
- the semi-finished pack P1 is first brought into contact with the row of already formed packs P2, arranged in the conveying section 50.
- the row of packs P2 exerts an action resistant to the movement of the pack P1, generating a predetermined force on the wall 21 thereof, opposite to that exerted on the wall 211 by the pusher member 30.
- the pack P1 continues to advance, and its flaps 109, 112 encounter the edges 58A, which then fold these flaps against the flaps 110, 111.
- the completed pack is inserted into the inlet passage W of the conveying section 50 and is held back by a possible retraction by the retaining device 70.
- the pack passes through the section 50 in a stepwise motion and reaches the drying channel mentioned above.
- the forming wheel 20, which in the illustrated example is mounted with its own vertically arranged rotation axis I, may also be mounted according to other arrangements, for example, with its rotation axis arranged horizontally.
- outer casing 2 of the pack may also envisage other configurations, and its opposite walls which are engaged by the pusher 30 and the row of already formed packs P2, may not necessarily be its longer walls, and likewise its flaps that are bent by the blocks 58 are not necessarily the flaps of its shorter side walls.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus, and the relative process, for forming a pack containing a group of products, in particular smoking articles, for example, cigarettes.
- It should be noted that, in the present text, reference will be made indiscriminately to the specific example of "cigarettes" rather than to the more generic expression "smoking articles", without however losing generality in relation to other types of articles (such as cigars, small cigars or cigarillos, electronic cigarettes or ecgis, auxiliary products such as filters, refills for ecgis and other tobacco-based products or with tobacco-alternative or -replacement components).
- The apparatus described here is of the type comprising:
- a forming wheel, provided with a plurality of seats for receiving respective groups of products and casing blanks, and rotatable around a rotation axis for advancing each seat from a position of loading of the group of products and of the blanks, to a position of unloading semifinished packs from said forming wheel, obtained from the folding of said blanks around said group of products;
- at least one folding device for folding said blanks around the respective groups of products and producing said semifinished packs, in the tract followed by the respective seats of said forming wheel, from said loading position to said unloading position;
wherein each semifinished pack has a first and a second wall oppositely positioned, with respect to said group of products, and at least one flap of said blank yet to be folded is connected to said second wall; - a pushing member configured to engage the first wall of the pack contained in the seat of the forming wheel that finds itself in the unloading position, and to advance it along a feeding direction that is transversal to said first wall, so as to push it outside of said seat, and to feed it along said feeding direction;
- an opposing device configured to exert a force on said second wall of said semifinished pack pushed by said pushing member, said force being opposite to the force exerted by said pushing device on said first wall.
- In the apparatus in question, in a manner known per se in the art, the semi-finished pack that is pushed out of the forming wheel, is pressed by two opposing forces, on its larger walls, and, in this condition, its two outer flaps, still to be folded, of the smaller side walls, are folded against the corresponding inner flaps to form these walls and complete the pack.
- In the known apparatuses, the aforementioned opposing device, configured to act in opposition to the pusher member, is constituted by a counter-pusher arranged to engage the aforesaid second wall of the semi-finished pack and move simultaneously with the pusher member, accompanying the displacement of the pack, and exerting thereon a force opposite to that exerted by the pusher member.
- An apparatus of the known type is, for example, described in the
document EP 2 419 335 B1 . - The present invention proposes to provide an improved solution with respect to the known apparatuses indicated, in particular, with a simpler structure and a more reliable operating mode.
- This object is achieved by means of an apparatus and a method according to
claims 1 and 10, respectively. - The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the invention.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
-
Figure 1 represents - in a simplified manner - a preferred embodiment of the apparatus described herein; -
Figure 2 represents an example of a pack formed by means of the apparatus described herein; -
Figure 3 represents a casing blank to produce the pack ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 4 represents an example of a semi-finished pack, which is produced by the forming wheel of the apparatus described herein; -
Figure 5 shows - in detail - the outlet region of the packs from the forming wheel, in a condition in which a pack carried by the forming wheel has just reached the unloading position; -
Figure 6 represents the same outlet region represented inFigure 5 , in a condition in which the aforementioned pack has been ejected from the forming wheel; -
Figure 7 represents a detail of the outlet region shown inFigures 5 and6 ; -
Figure 8 represents a folding member of the apparatus described here according to a preferred embodiment thereof; -
Figure 9 represents the same outlet region represented inFigure 5 , in a condition in which the aforementioned pack is approaching the unloading position; -
Figure 10 represents a different embodiment of the apparatus described herein; -
Figure 11 represents another embodiment of the apparatus described herein. - In the following description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.
- The references used here are for convenience only and do not therefore define the field of protection or the scope of the embodiments.
- As mentioned above, the solution described herein relates to an apparatus, and a process, for forming a pack containing a group of products, in particular smoking articles, for example cigarettes.
- This forming is carried out starting from a casing blank, which is commonly constituted by a sheet material cut out according to a predetermined contour, and provided with predefined folding lines, to ensure a univocal folding of the sheet that produces the outer casing of the pack.
-
Figure 2 represents - by way of example - a pack of cigarettes which can be formed by the solution described herein. - The pack shown is a "hinged-lid" pack type.
- In particular, this pack comprises a group of cigarettes G wrapped in an inner wrapper (not shown), and a rigid
outer casing 2, containing the group of cigarettes G. - The
casing 2 consists of acontainer 2A, which contains the group of cigarettes G, and has, at the top, an opening for picking up the cigarettes, and alid 2B, which is hinged to thecontainer 2A so that it is movable between a closed position and an open position. - Overall, in the closed condition of the
cover 2B, thecasing 2 has a parallelepiped shape, defining afront wall 21, arear wall 211, two shorter side walls 2III, an upper wall 2IV and alower wall 2V. - The
walls 21 and 2III are each defined by the juxtaposition of respective portions of thecontainer 2A and of thecover 2B. -
Figure 3 represents a blank for forming thecasing 2 shown inFigure 2 . - This blank has a prevalent development along a main axis B, and centrally defines, along the axis B, the
portions - A pair of flaps are connected to each of the
portions - These flaps are indicated in the figures, with the
reference numerals portion 102. - With reference to the casing of
Figure 2 , an expert skilled in the art will understand that theportions respective side flaps container 2A, while theportions respective side flaps cover 2B. - It will also be understood that the
portions front wall 21, theportions rear wall 211, and theflaps portions lower wall 2V of thecasing 2. - With reference now to
Figure 1 , the apparatus described herein is arranged to associate together a blank 100 with a group of cigarettes G, and to fold the blank around the group of cigarettes G so as to obtain a closedcasing 2 containing the group of cigarettes G. - The apparatus described herein comprises, first of all, a forming
wheel 20, which is rotatable about a rotation axis I, and is provided along its periphery with a plurality ofseats 22, arranged to receive and maintain the blank 100 and the group of cigarettes G in a given reciprocal position. - At the forming wheel there are defined, respectively, a loading position C1 of the blanks and of the groups of cigarettes in
respective seats 22 of the formingwheel 20, and a position C2 for unloading semi-finished packs from the forming wheel, said packs containing the groups of cigarettes G . - The two positions C1 and C2 are located along the peripheral region of the
wheel 20, and are mutually arranged at a predetermined angular distance. - The location of the two positions C1 and C2, and their distance, depend on the configuration of the equipment provided for the specific application.
- In various preferred embodiments, as in the illustrated one, the loading position C1 is at 270° - with reference to a theoretical trigonometric circumference centered on the axis I - and the unloading position C2 is at 180°.
- In the illustrated example, the
blanks 100 are fed to the formingwheel 20 along a direction Y parallel to the rotation axis I, and are oriented with their own axis B parallel to the direction Y. - The apparatus described herein comprises a series of folding devices arranged to fold the various portions and the various flaps of the blank 100 to wrap the group of cigarettes G.
- With reference to the illustrated example, in the
single seat 22 of the forming wheel, the group of cigarettes G is arranged on theportions rear wall 211 of thecasing 2. - The forming of the
casing 2, therefore, envisages the folding of the other portions, and of the various flaps of the blank, against the group of cigarettes G. - The folding devices in question and their mode of operation are already known in the art, so that they will not be described in detail herein to avoid overloading the present discussion.
-
Figure 4 shows the configuration of the semi-finished pack that reaches the unloading position C2. - As shown in this Figure, the pack is partially complete, since the
flaps flaps 110 and 111 (seeFigure 3 ). -
Figure 5 represents the instant in which a semi-finished pack P1 has reached the unloading position C2. - This pack is oriented with the
walls flaps wall 21, protrude above and below from this wall. - The apparatus described herein comprises a
pusher member 30, arranged to engage thewall 211 of the semi-finished pack that has reached the unloading position C2, and to push the pack out of theseat 22 and of thewheel 20, along a direction X coinciding with the radial direction of the wheel. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
pusher member 30 is constituted of a stem member mounted in a movable manner inside the forming wheel, along the direction X, and provided with a disc-like end portion 30A, facing outwardly from the wheel, and of anopposite end portion 30B, on which a toothed profile is provided, arranged to be engaged by means for actuating the pusher member. - The disc-
like portion 30A is orthogonal to the direction X and is intended to engage thewalls 211 of the semi-finished pack. - As will be seen better below, during operation of the apparatus, the
pusher member 30 is operated according to an alternating movement along the direction X. - The direction X also constitutes the feeding direction of the packs downstream of the forming wheel.
- Usually, downstream of the apparatus described herein, a drying channel is provided for the glue that has previously been applied to the blank 100 to fix it in the closed configuration of the
casing 2. - At the unloading position C2, the apparatus described herein comprises a conveying
section 50 for the packs, configured for connecting the formingwheel 20 with the mentioned drying channel (not illustrated). - For the reasons that will become apparent below, the formed packs P2 accumulate within this section, creating a row of packs that extends along the direction X, and in which the packs are in mutual contact at their longer side walls.
- As will be seen in detail, the semi-finished pack P1 pushed by the pushing
member 30 is first brought into contact with the packs P2, and then continues, together with these, for a further tract, keeping in contact with each other. - The row of packs P2 advances in steps along the feeding direction X, in a manner synchronized with the movement of the pusher member 30 (in some embodiments, pushed by the
same member 30, as will be seen below). - Again for reasons which will be explained below, the first pack of the row of already formed packs P2 protrudes beyond the inlet of the conveying
section 50, towards the formingwheel 20, so that the semi-finished pack P1 is first placed against the row of packs P2, and, subsequently, enters inside thesection 50. - The conveying
section 50 comprises adevice 52, which has the function of creating a force on thewall 21 of the semi-finished pack P1 pushed by thepusher 30, said force being opposite to the force exerted by themember 30, similarly to the counter-pusher device mentioned at the beginning with reference to the solutions of the prior art. - Unlike the counter-pusher device provided in the known solutions, the
device 52 is arranged to act, not directly on thewall 21 of the semi-finished pack, but on the row of already formed packs P2, and by friction, as will be seen below. - In particular, the
device 52 comprises twoopposed members 52B, which are arranged on opposite sides of the row of packs P2, engaging their side walls 2III. - The two
members 52B act on these walls by friction so as to exert an action on the packs P2 that is resistant to their movement along the direction X. - In this way, when the semi-finished pack P1 is pushed against the packs P2 by the
pusher member 30, these, retained by friction by the twomembers 52B, exert a force on thewall 21 of the same semi-finished pack P1, said force being opposite to the force exerted by thepusher 30. - In a first embodiment, corresponding to that illustrated in
Figures 1 ,5 ,6 and9 , the twomembers 52B consist of two fixed plates that press on the walls 2III of the packs P2 to cause a given friction force. - The packs P2 advance with respect to the two
plates 52B, pushed by thesame pusher member 30. - As stated above, when the semi-finished pack P1 is carried against the row of packs P2, the packs braked by the
plates 52B exert a force on thewall 21 of the semi-finished pack which is opposite to the force exerted by thepusher member 30. - The person skilled in the art will understand that the friction force exerted by the
plates 52B initially corresponds to a detachment force, when the packs P2 are still stationary, and then to a sliding friction force, when they start to move under the action of thepusher member 30. - The two
plates 52B can be adjustable in position to vary the force with which they press on the packs. - The optimal adjustment can be identified by means of a series of tests carried out on the apparatus in operation, during a preparation step of the packing installation.
- In a second embodiment, which is schematically illustrated in
Figure 10 , instead of the plates, twobelt members 53B are provided, controlled by abraking device 54. - The two
belt members 53B are mounted on respective pulleys so as to extend along a closed loop path, and define respective opposedstraight branches 53B', oriented along the feeding direction X. - Also in this embodiment, the packs P2 engaged by the two
belt members 53B advance along the direction X pushed by thepusher member 30. - However, in this embodiment, the two indicated
branches 53B' move together with the packs, dragged by them. - The
braking device 54 exerts an action resistant to the movement of the twobranches 53B', which is transmitted to the same packs P2, through the friction force exerted by thebelt members 53B' on the walls 2III of the packs. The force exerted on thewall 21 of the semi-finished pack P1 therefore depends on the action of thebraking device 54. - The person skilled in the art will understand that - in this case - the friction force exerted by the two
belt members 53B is solely an adherence force, since there is no relative motion between the two belt members and the side walls 2III of the packs. - The
braking device 54 can be an electromagnetic brake, which can be adjusted by the control unit of the installation. In this case as well, the optimal adjustment can be identified by means of tests carried out on the apparatus during operation. - In a further embodiment, illustrated in
Figure 11 , amotorized drive system 56 is associated with thesame belt members 53B, described above, for moving the two members. - The mode of operation of this embodiment substantially corresponds to that described with reference to the previous embodiment.
- In particular, the two
belt members 53B move together with the packs and there is no relative motion between them. - In this embodiment, the packs P2 are, however, moved by the
same belt members 53B, which are operated by thedrive system 56. - The movement of the
belt members 53B is controlled on the basis of the actuation of thepusher member 30, so that the packs P2 only move after the semi-finished pack P1 has been brought against them, and the expected force between the packs P2 and the pack P1 has been determined, opposite to the force exerted by thepusher member 30. - Thanks to the drive system provided in this embodiment, the two
belt members 53B are able to guarantee a predefined and precise positioning of the packs, for example, in order to carry out the rejection of defective packs through a window provided along the conveyingsection 50, and can also recover any empty spaces between adjacent packs. - In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the illustrated one (see in particular
Figure 7 ), the inlet of the conveyingsection 50 consists of twoblocks 58 carried by a fixed structure of the apparatus, which are arranged close to the formingwheel 20 and are spaced apart from each other vertically, to define a restricted passage W for the inlet of the packs coming from thewheel 20. - The two
blocks 58 each have a taperededge 58A, facing the formingwheel 20, and ahorizontal wall 58B which extends, without interruption, from the taperededge 58A, and faces thewall 58B of theopposite block 58. - The distance between the two
walls 58B is substantially equal to the width of the twowalls - In view of the above, it will be understood that when the semi-finished pack P1 is extracted from the forming
wheel 20 and is inserted inside the passage W, thetapered edges 58A of the twoblocks 58 act on the stillopen flaps flaps - On the other hand, the two
walls 58B perform the function of keeping theflaps - In preferred embodiments, the two
blocks 58 are both mounted on the fixed structure indicated with the possibility of a fine adjustment of their mutual distance, for example, through screw means. - As anticipated above, the first pack P2 of the row of packs contained in the conveying
section 50 protrudes from theblocks 58 towards the forming wheel 20 (see in particularFigures 10 and 11 ). - This causes firstly the semi-finished pack P1 to be brought into contact with the first pack P2 of the row, and only thereafter its
flaps edges 58A of the twoblocks 58. - Therefore, the two
flaps pusher member 30 and of thedevice 52, as seen above. - This condition ensures that the
casing 2 is closed perfectly folded in the predetermined shape. - Once released from the
pusher member 30, in order to prevent the pack P1 just inserted into the passage W of thesection 50 from being pushed away from the other packs P2, the apparatus described herein comprises a blockingmember 70, which is arranged to engage thewall 211 of the pack P1 as soon as it is released by the pusher member 30 (Figure 7 ). - In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the
member 70 comprises a rod provided with a pair ofteeth 72 protruding laterally and spaced apart from each other by a distance slightly less than the distance of thewalls 58B of the twoblocks 58 . - This member is controlled by a respective actuator (not illustrated) in a straight movement along a horizontal direction, between an inoperative position in which the two
teeth 72 are kept outside the passage W, and the pack P1 can be inserted into this passage, and an operative position in which the twoteeth 72 are placed within or overlapping the passage W (with respect to a view according to a plane orthogonal to the direction X), so as to engage thewall 211 of the pack P1, after this has been inserted into the passage W and has been released by thepusher member 30. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of rods with teeth is provided, positioned symmetrically with respect to the passage W. - Returning to the forming
wheel 20, it is preferable that the semi-finished pack formed thereby present theflaps front wall 21, but partially folded towards theflaps flaps - In this way, it is possible to arrange the
blocks 58 and the blockingelement 70 in immediate proximity to the formingwheel 20, so that the packs P2 are found at a minimum distance from the semi-finished pack P1 that has reached the unloading position C2 (for example, less than 6 mm), without the packs P2 interfering with the semi-finished pack P1 approaching the unloading position C2 (seeFigure 9 ). - The apparatus described herein, therefore, comprises a folding device configured to partially fold the
flaps flaps - In this regard,
Figure 8 illustrates - by way of example - a moment in which, in aseat 22 of the forming wheel that is in an intermediate position between the loading position C1 and the unloading position C2, ageneric folding member 24 is pressing on theflaps - In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the illustrated one, the
seat 22 is arranged with blocking elements configured to hold these flaps in the folded condition, to avoid their elastic return. - Preferably, these elements are constituted by
simple teeth 23 positioned in two diametrically opposite peripheral areas of theseat 22, on which theflaps portion 102 of the blank 100 has been folded above the group of cigarettes G. - The
teeth 23 have a taperedupper end 23A to allow the folding of theflaps undercut edge 23B, against which theflaps end 23A. - With reference now to the operation of the described apparatus, following the formation of a single pack, the blank 100 is received together with a group of cigarettes G inside a
seat 22 of the forming wheel which is in the loading position C1. - During displacement from the loading position C1 to the unloading position C2, the blank 100 is folded around the group of cigarettes G and is presented at the unloading position C2 in the configuration shown in
Figure 4 . - Preferably, during this movement, its
flaps flaps teeth 23. - At the unloading position C2, the semifinished pack P1 thus obtained is pushed out of the
seat 22 by thepusher member 30. - During the stroke of the pusher member, the semi-finished pack P1 is first brought into contact with the row of already formed packs P2, arranged in the conveying
section 50. - Due to the action of the
device 52, the row of packs P2 exerts an action resistant to the movement of the pack P1, generating a predetermined force on thewall 21 thereof, opposite to that exerted on thewall 211 by thepusher member 30. - Subjected to these opposing forces, the pack P1 continues to advance, and its
flaps edges 58A, which then fold these flaps against theflaps - At the end of the stroke of the
pusher member 30, the completed pack is inserted into the inlet passage W of the conveyingsection 50 and is held back by a possible retraction by the retainingdevice 70. - During the successive strokes of the
pusher 30, the pack passes through thesection 50 in a stepwise motion and reaches the drying channel mentioned above. - Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those illustrated here, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.
- In particular, the forming
wheel 20, which in the illustrated example is mounted with its own vertically arranged rotation axis I, may also be mounted according to other arrangements, for example, with its rotation axis arranged horizontally. - The arrangement of the other means of the apparatus will vary accordingly.
- Moreover, the
outer casing 2 of the pack may also envisage other configurations, and its opposite walls which are engaged by thepusher 30 and the row of already formed packs P2, may not necessarily be its longer walls, and likewise its flaps that are bent by theblocks 58 are not necessarily the flaps of its shorter side walls.
Claims (11)
- An apparatus for forming a pack containing a group of products, particularly smoking articles (G), said apparatus comprising:- a forming wheel (20), provided with a plurality of seats (22) for receiving respective groups of products (G) and casing blanks (100), and rotatable around a rotation axis (I) for advancing each seat (22) from a position of loading (C1) of said group of products (G) and of said blanks (100), to a position (C2) of unloading semifinished packs (P1) obtained from folding of said blanks (100) around said group of products (G);- at least one folding device for folding said blanks (100) around the respective groups of products (G) and producing said semifinished packs (P1), in the tract followed by the respective seats (22) of said forming wheel (20), from said loading position (C1) to said unloading position (C2);
wherein each semifinished pack (P1) has a first and a second wall (211, 21) oppositely positioned, with respect to said group of products (G), and at least one flap (109, 112) of the blank (100) yet to be folded is connected to said second wall (21);- a pushing member (30) configured to engage the first wall (211) of the semifinished pack (P1) contained in the seat (22) of the forming wheel (20) that finds itself in the unloading position (C2), and to advance said pack (P1) along a feeding direction (X) that is transversal to said first wall (211), so as to push it outside of said seat (22) and to feed it along said feeding direction (X);- an opposing device (50, 52) configured to exert a force on said second wall (21) of said semifinished pack (P1) pushed by said pushing member (30), said force being opposite to the one exerted by said pushing device (30) on said first wall (211),said apparatus being characterized in that:- said opposing device (50, 52) comprises a section (50) for conveying packs along said feeding direction (X), which is configured to accumulate packs (P2) previously formed by said forming wheel (20), according to an arrangement wherein said packs (P2) are ordered in a row along said feeding direction (X) and arranged in contact one against the other;- said conveying section (50) being positioned next to said unloading position (C2) of said forming wheel (20) in such a way that each semifinished pack (P1) that is pushed by said pushing member (30) outside of said forming wheel (20) enters into contact with its second wall (21), against said row of packs (P2) that is contained within said conveying section (50), and advances together with said row of packs (P2) along said feeding direction (X);- in said conveying section (50) two opposed members (52B; 53B) are provided, which are configured to receive between them said row of previously formed packs (P2), and which are configured to act by friction on walls (2III) of said packs (P2) that are orthogonal to the first and second walls (211, 21) of said packs (P2), in such a way that, when said semifinished pack (P2) pushed by said pushing member (30), enters into contact with said row of packs (P2), the latter exerts a predetermined force on the second wall (21) of said semifinished pack (P1), which corresponds to said force opposite to the force exerted by said pushing member (30). - An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying section (50) comprises two opposed blocks (58) at the inlet, between which said semifinished pack (P1) inserts itself, pushed by said pushing member (30), which are configured to fold said at least one flap (109, 112) of the blank (100) into a position orthogonal to said first and second walls (211, 21).
- An apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a system for driving said pushing member (30), which is configured to make said pushing member (30) move for a tract along said feeding direction (X) that is such that said pushing member (30) pushes the semifinished pack (P1) outside of said forming wheel (20) and inserts it between said two blocks (58) until an end-stroke position is reached in which said semifinished pack (P1) remains protruding from said blocks (58), towards said forming wheel (20).
- An apparatus according to claim 3, comprising at least one blocking member (70) configured to engage said first wall (211) of the pack (P1) that has been pushed, between said two blocks, up to said end- stroke position.
- An apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said opposed members (52B; 53B) are a pair of opposed and fixed plates (52B).
- An apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said opposed members (52B; 53B) are two belt members (53B), which are mounted so as to be mobile along a closed ring path, and have respective portions (53B') opposed to one another and oriented along said feeding direction (X), and wherein said apparatus comprises a braking device (54) configured to exert a braking action on said belt members (53B).
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said opposed members (52B; 53B) are two belt members (53B) which are mounted so as to be mobile along a closed ring path, and have respective portions (53B') opposed to one another and oriented along said feeding direction (X), and wherein said apparatus comprises a system for driving said belt members (53B) that is configured to drive said belt members so that said row of packs (P2) engaged by said belt members exerts said predetermined force on the second wall (21) of said semifinished pack (P2) pushed by said pushing member (30), said force being opposite to the force exerted by said pushing member (30).
- An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one folding member (24) configured to fold said flap (109, 112) of said blank (100) into a partially folded condition, and
wherein each seat (22) of said forming wheel is provided with a blocking member (23) configured to maintain said flap (109, 112) in said partially-folded condition. - An apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, which lacks a counter-pushing member configured to act directly on said second wall (21) of said semifinished pack (P1).
- A method for forming a pack around a group of products (G), said method comprising:- receiving a casing blank (100) and a group of products (G) within a seat (22), which is at a loading position (C1), of a forming wheel (20);- folding said blank (100) around said group of products (G) to obtain a semifinished pack (P1) containing said group of products (G), said semifinished pack (P1) having a first and a second wall (211, 21) oppositely positioned, with respect to said group of products (G), and at least one flap (109, 112) of the blank (100) yet to be folded, which is connected to said second wall (21);- carrying said seat (22) containing said semifinished pack (P1) into an unloading position (C2), through rotation of said forming wheel (20);- engaging - by means of a pushing member (30) - said first wall (211) of said semifinished pack (P1) and pushing said pack along a feeding direction (X) transversal to said first wall (211) of said semifinished pack (P1),wherein during the movement of said semifinished pack (P1) by said pushing member (30), said method includes the steps of:- bringing said semifinished pack (P1) against a row of packs (P2) that have been previously formed by said forming wheel (20), which are accumulated within a conveying section (50) arranged downstream of said forming wheel (20);- by means of one or more members (52B; 53B) arranged in said conveying section (50), acting by friction on walls (2III) of said packs (P2) that are orthogonal to the first and second walls (211, 21) of said packs (P2), so that said row of packs (P2) exerts a predetermined force on said second wall (21) of said semifinished pack (P1) that is opposite to the force exerted by said pushing member (30) on said first wall (211); and- advancing said row of packs (P2) and said semifinished pack (P1) along said feeding direction (X), while said semifinished pack (P1) is subjected to the force exerted by said pushing member (30) and to said opposite predetermined force.
- A method according to claim 10, which envisages, while said semifinished pack (P1) is arranged against said row of packs (P2) and advances together with them along said feeding direction (X), a step of folding said at least one flap (109, 112) into a position orthogonal to said first and second walls (211, 21), via two blocks (58) arranged opposed to one another and positioned at the inlet of said conveying section (50).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102019000000551A IT201900000551A1 (en) | 2019-01-14 | 2019-01-14 | Apparatus for forming a package containing a group of smoking articles |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3680185A1 true EP3680185A1 (en) | 2020-07-15 |
EP3680185B1 EP3680185B1 (en) | 2022-11-30 |
Family
ID=66166440
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20151017.9A Active EP3680185B1 (en) | 2019-01-14 | 2020-01-09 | An apparatus for forming a pack containing a group of smoking articles |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3680185B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201900000551A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3680185T3 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202100004178A1 (en) | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-23 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ITEMS |
IT202100004127A1 (en) | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-23 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD TO PRODUCE A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ITEMS. |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1425009A (en) * | 1971-11-29 | 1976-02-18 | Gd Spa | Cigarette packeting machine |
EP2419335A2 (en) * | 2009-04-17 | 2012-02-22 | Gima S.P.A. | Device for packaging a product in a corresponding container |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1170564B (en) | 1982-11-04 | 1987-06-03 | Molins Plc | IMPROVEMENT IN PACKING MACHINES, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE PACKAGING OF SOFT-TYPE CIGARETTE PACKAGES |
ITBO20120659A1 (en) | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-06 | Sasib Spa | BLOCKED FOR COVERED PACKAGES FOR SMOKE ITEMS AND METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF SUCH PACKAGES |
-
2019
- 2019-01-14 IT IT102019000000551A patent/IT201900000551A1/en unknown
-
2020
- 2020-01-09 EP EP20151017.9A patent/EP3680185B1/en active Active
- 2020-01-09 PL PL20151017.9T patent/PL3680185T3/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1425009A (en) * | 1971-11-29 | 1976-02-18 | Gd Spa | Cigarette packeting machine |
EP2419335A2 (en) * | 2009-04-17 | 2012-02-22 | Gima S.P.A. | Device for packaging a product in a corresponding container |
EP2419335B1 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2014-06-11 | GIMA TT S.r.l. | Device for packaging a product in a corresponding container |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202100004178A1 (en) | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-23 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ITEMS |
IT202100004127A1 (en) | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-23 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD TO PRODUCE A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ITEMS. |
EP4046921A1 (en) | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-24 | G.D SocietĂ per Azioni | Packer machine and wrapping method to produce a pack of smoking articles |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP3680185B1 (en) | 2022-11-30 |
IT201900000551A1 (en) | 2020-07-14 |
PL3680185T3 (en) | 2023-03-13 |
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