CA3227309A1 - Apparatus and method for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for packaging packets of smoking articles, wherein the packets are of at least two different formats. The apparatus (10) comprises a feed member (11) for feeding organized groups of smoking articles, at least one packaging member (12) of the rotating type, disposed downstream of the feed member (11) and having a plurality of first seatings (19) configured to each house at least one of the organized groups of smoking articles. A collection device (13) is disposed downstream of the packaging member (12) to take the packets toward an exit zone (ZU).

Description

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING PACKETS OF SMOKING
ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT FORMATS"
* * * * *
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats, wherein the smoking articles can be, for example, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or suchlike. For example, the different formats of the packets may comprise packets with a hinged lid, or slide-open packets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packets of smoking articles with a hinged lid are known, also known in the state of the art by the English term "hinge lid". Typically, these packets are formed by a box-like body that has the shape of a parallelepiped, with an upper part thereof defining a lid, hinged on a creasing, or a folding line, made on a wall of the box-like body. This type of packet is usually made starting from a sheet material, such as paperboard, cardboard, paper or similar materials, which is suitably cut, folded and shaped. The sizes of each packet of this type define a determinate format, which for convenience of explanation here and hereafter in the description and the claims, but not restrictively, is defined as the first format. By way of example, the sizes of each packet of the first format are approximately 85-90 mm (height) x 57 mm (width) x 20-25 mm (thickness).
Slide-open packets are also known, also known in the state of the art by the English term "shell & slide", which comprise an internal container, usually made of cardboard, which is intended to receive one or more organized groups of smoking articles, each of which is wrapped with an internal casing, or wrapping, which is typically made of metallized paper, or tinfoil. Packets of the shell & slide type also comprise an external sheath, usually of cardboard, having the shape of a parallelepiped and without the upper and lower walls, so as to define a through cavity in which the internal container is slidably inserted. In this case, the packet is opened by means of a relative sliding movement between the internal container and the external sheath. The sizes of each packet of this second type define a certain format, which for convenience of explanation here and hereafter in the description and the claims, but not restrictively, is defined as second format, different from the

- 2 -first format. By way of example, the sizes of each packet of the second format are approximately 72-77 mm (height) x 81-106 mm (width) x 15-18 mm (thickness).
One disadvantage of known apparatuses is that each of them is able to automatically package packets of smoking articles of a single format, of one type, for example of the first format, or of the other, for example of the second format.
Furthermore, known apparatuses for packaging packets of the second format are generally very complex, both structurally and functionally, as well as bulky and expensive. In fact, with them it is necessary to form each organized group of smoking articles wrapped inside the respective wrapping, to form the internal container and the external sheath, but above all to be able to assemble each packet as a whole. Therefore, the insertion of the internal container into the external sheath is always a very delicate operation to perform, especially if one considers the high productivity that such packaging apparatuses have to reach, which, indicatively, are in the order of several hundreds of packets per minute. In fact, if this operation were not carried out correctly, it could generate defective packets, or packets that have to be discarded, thus entailing an increase in the general production costs.
Some solutions known in the state of the art, such as for example the one described in US 2004/0261368, are able to produce both packets of smoking articles with a hinged lid, and also shell & slide packets of smoking articles. One disadvantage of this solution is that this apparatus is very complex and bulky.
Furthermore, the packaging unit of the external casing needs long and laborious operations to replace the format parts when the format of the packet to be produced changes, depending on whether the packaging unit has to feed the collar that is typically provided in packets with a hinged lid, or an external sheath comprised in shell & slide packets.
There is therefore a need to create or improve an apparatus and to perfect a method for packaging packets of smoking articles that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.
In order to do this, it is necessary to solve at least the technical problem of creating an apparatus with which it is possible to package several formats of packets of smoking articles, for example at least two, one of the first format, with a hinged lid, and the other of the second format, of the shell & slide type.
In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and

3 to perfect a method for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats with which it is possible to carry out rapid and effective packaging, irrespective of the format of the packets of smoking articles.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles of different foiniats with which it is possible to switch from the packaging of one type of packet to another, simply and quickly, without performing complicated operations.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats with which, in the case of packets of the second format, it is possible to insert the internal container into the external sheath in a precise and automated manner, without the internal container or the external sheath of the packet being damaged during the operation.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats which is simpler, more versatile and which guarantees high productivity.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats which can be easily integrated into a machine for packaging smoking articles which has high, or very high, productivity.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims.
The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purposes and in order to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, there is provided an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats, wherein the packets have at least a first format and a second format, and wherein the apparatus comprises:
- first feed means configured to take one or several organized groups of smoking

- 4 -articles from a first position to a second position;
- packaging means of the rotating type, disposed downstream of the first feed means and having a plurality of peripheral seatings which are configured to each accommodate at least one of the organized groups of smoking articles and capable of assuming a plurality of operating positions angularly offset with respect to each other, wherein a first operating position is aligned with the second position of the first feed means; and - collection means disposed downstream of the packaging means and configured to take the packets toward an exit zone;
wherein the first feed means and the collection means are disposed on a first work plane. In particular, the apparatus also comprises second feed means which are configured to feed a plurality of external sheaths of packets of the second format toward the packaging means and are disposed on a second work plane.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaging means can be positioned, or are mobile, to selectively assume a first work position coplanar with the first work plane, in order to package packets of the first format, or a second work position coplanar with the second work plane, in order to package packets of the second format.
One advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is that it is very versatile since, by means of simple and rapid set-up operations, it is possible to switch from one operating condition to the other, in order to carry out the packaging both of the packets of the first format and also of the packets of the second format.
Another advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is given by the fact that both operating conditions exploit the same first feed means of the organized groups of smoking articles and the same collection means to package the packets of both formats. This means that the exit zone of the packets from the apparatus is the same, regardless of the format of the packets. This is particularly advantageous since, downstream of this exit zone, there can be several work units, such as for example a unit for checking packet quality, a unit for applying printed elements, a unit for rejecting defective packets, and others.
The apparatus according to the present invention thus avoids unnecessary and costly duplication of its parts or work units, which would also make the apparatus

- 5 -much more bulky and less productive in terms of hourly packet production, since all the work units downstream of the exit zone are suitable to work both packet formats.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaging means comprise a first packaging device provided with first seatings configured to host and interact with the packets of the first format, wherein the -first packaging device can be positioned axially along a first axis of rotation perpendicular to the first work plane, in order to assume a position in which it is substantially coplanar with such first work plane.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaging means comprise a second packaging device provided with second seatings configured to host and interact with the external sheaths, wherein the second packaging device can be positioned axially along the first axis of rotation, perpendicular to the first work plane, in order to assume a position in which it is substantially coplanar with the second work plane.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second packaging device is provided with clamping means operatively associated with the second seatings and configured both to selectively interact with the external sheaths and also to temporarily keep the packets of the second format housed in the respective second seatings during transport toward the collection means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second feed means comprise at least one rotating drum, rotatable around a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation and provided with a plurality of pick-up means each configured to manipulate a corresponding external sheath.
Furthermore, the packets of the second format also comprise an internal container in which one or several organized groups of smoking articles are disposed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises a mobile slider disposed downstream of the first feed means and configured to allow the correct insertion of the internal container, with one or several organized groups of smoking articles, in the external sheath, when the latter is located on the second packaging device housed in one of the second seatings, in which the latter is located in the first operating position.

- 6 -In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first and second work planes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, around which the packaging means are rotatable.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises a plurality of thrust means configured to interact with the packets and/or the internal containers in order to move them between the first feed means and the packaging means, and between the packaging means and the collection means.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for packaging packets of smoking articles, wherein the packets have at least a first format and a second format, comprising:
- a first feeding step in which first feed means selectively take one or several organized groups of smoking articles from a first position to a second position;
- a packaging step in which packaging means of the rotating type, disposed downstream of the first feed means and having a plurality of peripheral seatings which each accommodate at least one of the organized groups of smoking articles, selectively assume a plurality of operating positions angularly offset with respect to each other, amongst which a first operating position is aligned with the second position of the first feed means; and - a collection step in which collection means, disposed downstream of the packaging means, selectively take the packets toward an exit zone; the first feed means and the collection means being disposed on a first work plane.
In particular, the method also comprises a second feeding step in which second feed means feed a plurality of external sheaths of packets of the second format toward the packaging means, the second feed means being disposed on a second work plane, and the packaging means being selectively able to be positioned, or mobile, to selectively assume a first work position coplanar with the first work plane, in order to package packets of the first format, or a second work position coplanar with the second work plane, in order to package packets of the second format.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises a squaring and clamping step in which clamping members are driven to square each external sheath, making it assume the desired shape of a parallelepiped, and also to keep each external sheath, or each packet of the second

- 7 -format, temporarily housed in the corresponding second seating.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises a displacing step in which thrust means take the packets toward the collection means after the latter have been packaged by the packaging means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
- fig. 1 is a schematic, partial and simplified front view of an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles according to the present invention, in which the apparatus is shown in a first operating condition in which it is able to form packets of a first format;
- fig. 2 is a schematic and simplified front view of an apparatus for packaging packets of smoking articles, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the apparatus is shown in a second operating condition in which it is able to form packets of a second format;
- fig. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of fig. 1;
- fig. 4 is a top view of the apparatus of fig. 2;
- fig. 5 is a lateral view from the right of the apparatus of fig. 2, in which some components have been removed for reasons of clarity;
- fig. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a packet of smoking articles that has a first format, partly closed;
- fig. 7 is a three-dimensional view of an internal container, containing one or several organized groups of smoking articles, which can be inserted in an external sheath of a packet of smoking articles that has a second format.
We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.
To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently

- 8 -combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference to fig. 1, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention can be used to package packets 100 and 200 of smoking articles, which have at least two different formats, indicated respectively with Fl and F2.
The packets 100 (fig. 6) of the first format Fl can be of the type with a lid hinged on a box-like body 101, also known by the term "hinge lid", known per se. The box-like body 101 usually consists of a piece of cardboard, and substantially has the shape of a parallelepiped around which an external sheath 102 is wrapped, for example of transparent material, such as cellophane. Normally, an organized group of smoking articles, understood as a set of a defined number of smoking articles, for example 20 or 25, is disposed inside the box-like body 101.
The packets 200 (fig. 7) of the second format F2, on the other hand, can be of the slide-open type, also known by the term "shell & slide", also known per se and very widespread particularly in certain countries, such as Canada for example.
In particular, each packet 200 is provided with an internal container 201 which can be inserted, for packaging, in an external sheath 202.
The external sheath 202 usually has the shape of a hollow parallelepiped, which has two larger walls, respectively a front 203 and a rear 204 one, and two smaller lateral walls 205 and 206, but which is without the upper and lower walls so as to define a through cavity 207 into which the internal container 201 can be slidably inserted.
The internal container 201 has a shape and sizes such as to be able to contain one or several organized groups of smoking articles, each of which is, or can be, wrapped by an internal casing or wrapping, typically made of metallized paper, such as tinfoil. In the example provided here, the internal container 201 comprises a pair of organized groups of smoking articles; however, it is quite clear that in other variants, not shown, the apparatus 10 is configured to package packets in which the internal container 201 comprises a single organized group of smoking articles, or even more than two.
Furthermore, the internal container 201 can comprise a covering shell 208 which almost completely covers the organized groups, substantially leaving only a front part of the organized groups of smoking articles exposed. Furthermore, the upper

- 9 -wall 209 and the lower wall 210 of the covering shell 208, when the internal container 201 is inserted inside the external sheath 202, respectively constitute the upper and lower wall of the packet 200.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, shown in figs. 1 and 3, the apparatus 10 comprises, in sequence, a first feed device 11, downstream of which there is a first packaging device 12 of the rotating type that is rotatable around a first axis of rotation Xl, for example horizontal, and a collection device 13 disposed above the latter along an axis of collection Z that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation X1 and, therefore, substantially vertical.
The first feed device 11 and the collection device 13 are disposed on a first work plane PL1, perpendicular to the first axis of rotation X1 . This causes the flow of the organized groups of smoking articles first, and of the packets 100 of the first format Fl after, to develop entirely on a same vertical plane, consisting of the first work plane PL1, as will be evident below. As visible in figs. 2 and 3, in the example provided here, by way of non-limiting example, the first feed device 11 and the collection device 13 are mounted on a fixed support structure 14.
The first feed device 11 can be, for example, a conveyor belt, a chute, a rotating member, such as a drum, or a wheel, or any other suitable device whatsoever, configured to feed and take one or several organized groups of smoking articles, possibly in sequence and regularly distanced from each other, from a first pick-up position P1 to a second delivery position P2. In the second delivery position P2 the organized groups of smoking articles are released by the first feed device 11 to the first packaging device 12, moving along an axis of work Y, which is substantially horizontal and intersects both the first axis of rotation X1 and also the axis of collection Z.
In particular, along the first feed device 11 and at least up to the second delivery position P2, in the case of packets 100 of the first format Fl each organized group of smoking articles arrives already inserted in the box-like body 101, which is at least partly wrapped with a respective external sheath 102, which has two partly open tabs 103. On the other hand, in the case of packets 200 of the second format F2, each pair of organized groups of smoking articles arrives already inserted in a respective internal container 201, as will be described in detail below.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first rotating

- 10 -packaging device 12 substantially has the shape of a drum that has a substantially cylindrical internal cavity 15 and is driven by a first electric motor 16, mounted on the support structure 14 and controlled by an electronic control unit 17 (fig.
3).
The first electric motor 16 is configured to make the first packaging device selectively rotate clockwise (arrow R1 in fig. 1), for example with angular increments of 90 , around the first axis of rotation X 1 , and it can be, for example, of the brushless and/or stepper type.
Furthermore, the first packaging device 12 is configured so that it can be disposed on the first work plane PL1 and it is removably mounted on a shaft 18 of the first electric motor 16. In particular, the first work plane PL1 can be a median axis of symmetry of the first packaging device 12, as visible in fig. 3.
In addition, the first packaging device 12 is provided with a plurality of first peripheral seatings 19 configured to each temporarily host a packet 100 arriving from the first feed device 11. In particular, each first seating 19 has a shape such as to support the partly formed packet 100, in which the two tabs 103 of the external sheath 102 are partly open.
In the example given here, the first seatings 19 are four, disposed angularly offset with respect to each other by 90 and capable of assuming four operating positions in sequence, by means of corresponding incremental angular rotations of 90 of the first electric motor 16. In particular, a first operating position P01 is operatively aligned with the delivery position P2, a second operating position P02, in which each first seating 19 is facing toward gluing devices 24 located below the first packaging device 12, a third operating position P03 substantially specular, with respect to the axis of collection Z, to the first operating position P01, and a fourth operating position PO4 located below the collection device 13.
The gluing devices 24, operatively associated with the first packaging device 12, are fundamentally of a known type, for example configured as delivery guns, and have the function of spraying glue, or other adhesive material, on the internal part of the partly open tabs 103 of the external sheath 102.
Each first seating 19 (fig. 1) is provided with a central and through aperture 20, the sizes of which are slightly smaller than the sizes of a larger surface of the packet 100. Each aperture 20 extends to the internal cavity 15 of the first packaging device 12.

- I -Furthermore, at least one pair of closing members 21, preferably two pairs of closing members 21, are operatively associated with each first seating 19 and are configured to selectively interact with the external sheaths 102 in order to completely close the latter, closing the tabs 103 against the box-like body 101 and thus completing the packaging of the packets 100.
In accordance with one embodiment, each closing member 21 comprises, or consists of, a small lever 22, substantially curved, which has one end pivoted on the first packaging device 12, in proximity to the respective first seating 19, and another closing end 23 configured to contact the tabs 103 of the external sheaths 102.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide that the closing members 21 can be driven by respective actuators, of a known type and not shown in the drawings, which can be driven under the control of the electronic control unit 17, for example by means of cam mechanisms.
In addition, with each first seating 19 there are also associated retention members, of a known type and not shown in the drawings, which have the function of temporarily retaining each packet 100, in the respective seating 19, during transport toward the collection device 13, that is, during the rotation of the first packaging device 12.
The apparatus 10 also comprises a first thrust mean 25 and a counter-thrust mean 26, opposed to each other and driven, for example, by respective actuators, of a known type and not shown in the drawings, in order to selectively take them from a resting position to an operating position, in which they interact with a corresponding packet 100.
Both the first thrust mean 25 and also the counter-thrust mean 26 are provided with a head plate 27, respectively 29, for example rectangular, configured to contact the packets 100 in the operating position and having sizes such as to pass through the aperture 20 of each first seating 19 with clearance.
In particular, the first thrust mean 25 is disposed in correspondence with the delivery position P2 of the first feed device 11 and it is configured to displace each packet 100 from the first feed device 11 to the first packaging device 12 along the axis of work Y, and in particular from the delivery position P2 to the first operating position P01.

The counter-thrust mean 26, on the other hand, is disposed in the internal cavity 15 of the first packaging device 12, in correspondence with the first operating position P01, and it is configured to counteract the thrust of the first thrust mean 25 by positioning itself on the aperture 20 of the first seating 19.
Furthermore, in the internal cavity 15 of the first packaging device 12, in correspondence with the fourth operating position PO4, there is disposed a second thrust mean 30, which can be driven, for example, by an actuator of a known type and not shown in the drawings. The second thrust mean 30 is also provided with a head plate 31 that has the same characteristics as that of the first thrust mean 25 and is configured to displace each packet 100 along the axis of collection Z, from the fourth operating position PO4 toward the collection device 13.
The collection device 13 substantially comprises a pair of conveyor belts 32 and 33, opposed each other, parallel to the axis of collection Z and developing in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of rotation Xl. The conveyor belts 32 and 33 are disposed at a reciprocal distance D substantially equal to the width of the packets 100, for example 52-57 mm.
Furthermore, the two conveyor belts 32 and 33 are each provided with a plurality of small blocks 35, which are aligned horizontally with each other and are configured to transport the packets 100 toward an overlying exit zone ZU.
Furthermore, the two conveyor belts 32 and 33 are driven by a drive member of a known type and not shown in the drawings, for example another electric motor, preferably also controlled by the electronic control unit 17.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the distance D between the two conveyor belts 32 and 33 can be adjusted, in any known way, as a function of the specific format Fl or F2 of the packets 100 or 200.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, shown in figs.
2 and 4, the apparatus 10 is configured to carry out the packaging of the packets 200 of the second format F2.
In this case, the apparatus 10 comprises a second packaging device 36 of the rotating type, removably mounted on the same shaft 18 as the first electric motor 16, as a replacement for the first packaging device 12, and rotatable counterclockwise (arrow R2 in fig. 2) around the first axis of rotation X1 , and a second feed device 37 of the rotating type, mounted on the support structure 14 on the opposite part of the first feed device 11 with respect to the first axis of rotation Xl.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second packaging device 36 and the second feed device 37 are disposed on a second work plane PL2, parallel to the first work plane PL1 and, therefore, perpendicular to the first axis of rotation XI, as shown in figs. 3 and 4.
The second packaging device 36 is also substantially in the shape of a drum that has a substantially cylindrical internal cavity 38, and it is provided with a plurality of second peripheral seatings 39 configured to each temporarily host the packets 200 and, in particular, to interact with the external sheaths 202. In particular, each second seating 39 is provided with a support tooth 40 which has the function both of supporting and making more stable the housing of the external sheath 202, or of the packet 200, in the respective second seating 39, and also of promoting the squaring operation, as will be explained in detail below.
Also in this case, the second seatings 39 are four, disposed angularly offset with respect to each other by 90 and able to assume the operating positions P01, P02, P03 and PO4. Unlike the first embodiment, in this case in the second operating position P02 the second seatings 39 are not facing toward any gluing devices, which are necessary to package the packets 200 of the second format F2.
Furthermore, in the third operating position P03, the second seating 39 is facing toward the second feed device 37. At least one clamping member 41, preferably a pair of clamping members 41, are operatively associated with each second seating 39 and are configured both to selectively interact with the external sheaths 202, and also to keep the packets 200 in the second seatings 39 during transport toward the collection device 13.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, each clamping member 41 comprises, or consists of, a small lever 42, substantially curved, which has one end pivoted on the second packaging device 36, in proximity to the respective second seating 39, and another end provided with a clamping tooth substantially configured to contact the external sheaths 202 and the packets 200, stably clamping them in the respective second seating 39.
The second feed device 37 is configured to feed the external sheaths 202 from an accumulation zone ZA thereof toward the second packaging device 36.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the accumulation zone ZA there is a conveyor belt 45 configured to transport the external sheaths 202 toward the second feed device 37. In particular, on the conveyor belt 45 the external sheaths are one in contact with the adjacent one and flattened, that is, with the walls 203 and 205 of each external sheath 202 substantially coplanar with, and parallel to, the walls 204 and 206, which in turn are substantially coplanar.
The second feed device 37 (figs. 2 and 4) comprises a rotating drum 46, rotatable around a second axis of rotation X2, parallel to the first axis of rotation Xl, and it is driven, under the control of the electronic control unit 17, by a second electric motor 47.
The second electric motor 47 is mounted on the support structure 14 and is capable of selectively making the second feed device 37 rotate clockwise (arrow R3 in fig. 2), for example with angular increments of 90 . Furthermore, the second electric motor 47 can also be, for example, of the brushless and/or stepper type.
Four pick-up mechanisms 49 are pivoted on the rotating drum 46, each of which is configured to pick up one external sheath 202 at a time from the conveyor belt 45, displace it toward the second packaging device 36, and then position it, in a known way, in the respective second seating 39 in order to perform the squaring of the external sheath 202, that is, to make it assume a parallelepiped shape, with the through cavity 207 having a substantially rectangular cross section. This also occurs thanks to the contribution of the corresponding clamping members 41 associated with the second seating 39, as will be described in detail below.
Furthermore, each pick-up mechanism 49 comprises one or several levers 50 articulated together and connected to a pick-up plate 51 of the external sheaths 202, which is provided with one or several suckers 52 capable of cooperating with the external sheaths 202.
In addition, the apparatus 10 comprises a substantially vertical mobile slider (figs. 4 and 5) disposed downstream of the first feed device 11. The mobile slider 53 is mounted on guides 55 removably attached to the support structure 14 and it can selectively slide along an axis of slide X3, parallel to the two axes of rotation X1 and X2. The mobile slider 53 is configured to allow the correct insertion of the internal container 201 inside the external sheath 202, and it is driven, for example, by an actuator, of a known type and not shown in the drawings, in order to pass from a position of reception PR, in which it is located substantially in correspondence with the first work plane PL1, to a position of insertion PI, in which it is located in correspondence with the second seating 39 in the first operating position P01, that is, substantially in proximity to the second work plane PL2. In the lateral view of fig. 5, C indicates the travel of the mobile slider 53 between the two positions of reception PR and insertion PI. Furthermore, the mobile slider 53, when it is located in its position of reception PR, is disposed between the first thrust mean 25 and the counter-thrust mean 26 in order to receive an internal container 201 with the organized groups of smoking articles inside it.
A third thrust mean 56, operatively associated with the mobile slider 53, is sliding along the axis of slide X3 in order to pass from a resting position, in which it is set back with respect to the mobile slider 53 and not interfering therewith, to an advanced position in which, by means of a head plate 57 thereof, it can take the internal container 201 present on the mobile slider 53, with the organized groups of smoking articles inside it, in the respective external sheath 202 housed in the second seating 39, which is located in the first operating position POL
Furthermore, between the second packaging device 36 and the collection device 13, in correspondence with the fourth operating position PO4, there is a guide which has the function of guiding each packet 200 during the displacement from the second packaging device 36 to the collection device 13. The guide 59 is removably mounted on the support structure 14 and has a substantially U-shaped cross section, with a base surface substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation Xi. The guide 59 is provided with an aperture 60 (fig. 5) through which the head 31 of the second thrust mean 30 can pass. In this embodiment, the second thrust mean 30 has the function of thrusting each packet 200 from the guide 59 to the collection device 13.
In addition, a fourth thrust mean 61 (figs. 4 and 5) is operatively associated both with the second packaging device 36 and also with the guide 59, and it is disposed substantially in correspondence with the fourth operating position PO4 of the second seating 39 in order to selectively displace, by means of a head plate thereof, each packet 200 from the second seating 39 to the guide 59 and, therefore, toward the second thrust mean 30.
Both the third thrust mean 56 and also the fourth thrust mean 61 can be driven, for example, by a respective actuator, of a known type and not shown in the drawings.
The slider 53, the third 56 and the fourth thrust mean 61 allow to take the organized groups of smoking articles from the first work plane PL1 to the second work plane PL2, and, vice versa, to take back the packets 200 of the second format F2 from the second work plane PL2 to the first work plane PL 1, so that the packets 200 can leave the apparatus 10 in the same exit zone ZU, through the collection device 13.
Please note that in this case the conveyor belts 32 and 33 are disposed at a distance D equal to the width of the packets 200, for example 81-106 mm.
We must clarify that the first feed device 11, the second feed device 37, the collection device 13, the pick-up mechanism 49, the thrust means 25, 30, 56 and 61 which have been previously described with reference to the attached drawings define non-limiting examples of embodiments of the first feed means, the second feed means, the collection means, the pick-up means and the thrust means, respectively, comprised in the apparatus 10.
The operation of the apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.
Initially, the electronic control unit 17 is set and programmed in order to carry out one of the possible packaging modes, depending on the format F 1 and F2 of the packets 100, 200.
Please note that the electronic control unit 17 commands the drive, even simultaneous, of the first electric motor 16, of the second electric motor 47 and of the various actuators, mentioned here, even if these are not shown in the drawings, which drive the thrust means 25, 30, 56 and 61, the counter-thrust mean 26 and the mobile slider 53.
Let us assume that the apparatus 10 operates according to a first operating condition, in which the mode of packaging the packets 100 is that of the first format Fl (figs. 1 and 3).
In this case, the method comprises a first feeding step in which the first feed device 11 transports the packets 100 to take them one at a time from the pick-up position P1 to the delivery position P2. Please note that the packets 100 are transported already partly packaged in the external sheaths 102, which have two tabs 103 still partly open.
For clarity of disclosure, the work steps relating to a single packet 100 are described below, it being understood that all the other packets 100 will be cyclically subjected to the same working.
In a subsequent first displacing step, while the first packaging device 12 is stationary with the first seatings 19 positioned two along the axis of work Y
and two along the axis of collection Z, the first thrust mean 25 is driven to displace a corresponding packet 100 from the delivery position P2 to the first seating 19 which is located in the first operating position P01. Simultaneously, the counter-thrust mean 26 is driven to accompany the entry of the packet 100 into the first seating 19, and thus contrast the thrust of the first thrust mean 25.
After the insertion of the packet 100 in the respective first seating 19, a step of clamping the packets 100 then occurs by driving the corresponding retention members, not shown in the drawings, which come into contact with the packet in order to keep it temporarily housed in the first seating 19.
Subsequently, in a first transport step, the first packaging member 12 is made to rotate 90 clockwise (fig. 1), so that another first seating 19 free to accommodate another packet 100 is disposed in the first operating position P01 and so that the packet 100, with the tabs 103 of the sheath 102 partly open, is taken into the second operating position P02, where the gluing devices 24 are positioned.
In a subsequent gluing step, the gluing devices 24 spray glue, or other adhesive material, on the internal part of the tabs 103 so as to prepare them for the subsequent closure against the box-like body 101.
Then, in a second transport step, the first packaging device 12 is made to rotate clockwise by another 90 , so that the seating 19 in question, with the packet inside it, reaches the third operating position P03.
Therefore, in a subsequent closing step, the closing members 21 are driven in order to close the tabs 103 of the sheath 102, thus completing the packaging of the packet 100.
Please note that the combination of the first and second transport steps, with the gluing step and the closing step, substantially define the step of packaging the packets 100 of the first format Fl.
At this point, by means of a third transport step, by rotating the first packaging device 12 by a further 900 clockwise, the packet 100 is located in the fourth operating position PO4.
In this latter position, a second displacing step is performed in which the closing members 21 are driven in order to open and thus release the packet 100 and, immediately afterward, the second thrust mean 30 is driven which, by passing through the aperture 20 of the first seating 19, takes the packet 100 in an upward direction so that it can be held between a pair of small blocks 35 of the conveyor belts 32 and 33.
Subsequently, in a fourth transport step, the conveyor belts 32 and 33, by means of the small blocks 35, transport the packets 100 toward the exit zone ZU.
Let us assume that the apparatus 10 is in a second operating condition, in which it is provided to package packets 200 of the second format F2 (figs. 3, 4 and 5).
In this case, it is first of all necessary to carry out a preparation step, in which the first packaging device 12 is removed from the shaft 18 of the first motor 16 and the guides 55, the corresponding mobile slider 53 and the guide 59 are mounted on the fixed structure 14.
Subsequently, instead of the first packaging device 12, the second packaging device 36 is mounted on the same shaft 18, positioning it axially so that it lies on the second work plane PL2.
Subsequently, in an alternative first feeding step, the first feed device 11 transports the internal containers 201, with the organized groups of smoking articles inside them, from the pick-up position P1 to the delivery position P2.
For clarity of disclosure, the work steps relating to a single packet 200 are described below, it being understood that all the other packets 200 will be cyclically subjected to the same working.
In an alternative first displacing step, the first thrust mean 25 is driven in order to displace a corresponding internal container 201, with the organized groups of smoking articles inside it, from the delivery position P2 to the mobile slider 53, which is in a position of reception PR. If necessary, in this first displacing step, the counter-thrust mean 26 can also be driven in order to contrast the thrust of the first thrust mean 25.
Simultaneously with the alternative first feeding step and alternative first displacing step as above, a second feeding step is also performed in which the second feed device 37, which is initially stationary with the pick-up plates positioned two along the axis of work Y and two perpendicular to them, performs, by means of the suckers 52, the pick-up of one external sheath 202 at a time from the accumulation zone ZA (fig. 2), and then takes it, rotating twice clockwise by 900, in front of a respective second seating 39 of the second packaging device which is located in the third operating position P03. Once this position has been reached, the second feed device 37 positions, in a known way, the external sheath 202 in a respective second seating 39, and a squaring and clamping step is provided in which the clamping members 41, associated with the second seating 39, are driven in order to both square the external sheath 202 making it assume the desired shape of a parallelepiped, and also to then keep it temporarily housed in the same second seating 39. In particular, in this last squaring and clamping step, the squaring operation is facilitated by the presence, in each second seating 39, of the support tooth 40 which substantially provides a rest point and a squaring angle for the external sheath 202.
In an alternative first transport step, the second packaging device 36, by rotating twice counterclockwise by 90 , transports each already squared external sheath 202 from the third operating position P03 to the first operating position P01.
Subsequently, in an alternative packaging step, the mobile slider 53 (figs. 4 and 5) is driven in order to pass from the position of reception to the position of insertion PI, after which the third thrust mean 56 is driven in order to take it to its advanced position, whereby the internal container 201 is thrust inside a respective external sheath 202, which is located in the first operating position P01, thus completing the packaging of the packet 200.
An alternative second transport step then takes place, in which the second packaging device 36 (fig. 2), by rotating counterclockwise by 90', transports the packet 200 from the first operating position P01 to the fourth operating position PO4.
Subsequently, in an alternative second displacing step, the clamping members 41 are driven in order to open and thus release the packet 200, and immediately afterwards the fourth thrust mean 61 is driven in order to thrust and displace the packet 200 on the guide 59 in such a way that it is positioned in correspondence with the aperture 60, below which the second thrust mean 30 is located.

Then, in a subsequent third displacing step, the second thrust mean 30 is driven which, by passing through the aperture 60 of the guide 59, displaces each packet 200 upward along the axis of collection Z, so that it can be taken between a pair of small blocks 35 of the conveyor belts 32 and 33.
Subsequently, in an alternative third transport step, the conveyor belts 32 and 33, by means of the small blocks 35, transport the packets 200 toward the exit zone ZU.
From the method just described it is evident that, in the case in which the apparatus 10 packages packets 200 of the second format F2, the internal containers 201 containing the organized groups of smoking articles are fed into the first work plane PL1 while the external sheaths 202 are fed into the second work plane PL2.
Thanks to the mobile slider 53 and to the third thrust mean 56, the internal containers 201 are displaced from the first work plane PL1 to the second work plane PL2, in correspondence with which their contextual insertion inside respective external sheaths 202 occurs. Then, thanks to the fourth thrust mean 61, the packaged packets 200 return from the second work plane PL2 to the first work plane PL1 in order to reach the conveyor belts 32, 33 thanks to the action of the second thrust mean 30, so that the packets 200 of the second format F2 are also made to exit in the same exit zone ZU from which the packets 100 of the first format Fl also leave the apparatus 10.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
For example, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 10 can be configured to package only the packets 200 of the second format F2.
Or, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 10 could comprise a single packaging device in which the seatings for housing the packets are configured to be replaceable, or alternatively to have adjustable sizes, as a function of the format of the packets to be packaged.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus and method for packaging packets of smoking articles of different formats, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.
In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the same claims.

Claims (15)

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1. Apparatus (10) for packaging packets (100, 200) of smoking articles, wherein said packets (100, 200) have at least a first format (F1) and a second format (F2), and wherein said apparatus (10) comprises:
- first feed means (11) configured to take one or several organized groups of said smoking articles from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2);
- packaging means (12, 36) of the rotating type, disposed downstream of said first feed means (11) and having a plurality of peripheral seatings (19, 39) which are configured to each accommodate at least one of said organized groups of said smoking articles and capable of assuming a plurality of operating positions angularly offset with respect to each other, wherein a first operating position (P01) is aligned with said second position (P2) of said first feed means (11); and - collection means (13) disposed downstream of said packaging means (12, 36) and configured to take said packets (100, 200) toward an exit zone (ZU);
- second feed means (37) configured to feed a plurality of external sheaths (202) of said packets (200) of said second format (F2) toward said packaging rneans (12, 36), wherein said first feed means (11) and said collection means (13) are disposed on a first work plane (PL1), and wherein said second feed means (37) are disposed on a second work plane (PL2), said apparatus (10) being characterized in that said packaging means (12, 36) can be positioned, or are mobile, to selectively assume a first work position coplanar with said first work plane (PL1), in order to package packets (100) of said first format (F1), or a second work position coplanar with said second work plane (PL2), in order to package packets (200) of said second format (F2).

2. Apparatus (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said packaging means comprise a first packaging device (12) provided with first seatings (19) which are configured to host and interact with said packets (100) of said first format (F1), and in that said first packaging device (12) can be positioned axially along a first axis of rotation (X1), perpendicular to said first work plane (PL1), in order to assume a position in which it is substantially coplanar with the latter.

3. Apparatus (10) as in clairn 1, characterized in that said packaging means comprise a second packaging device (36) provided with second seatings (39) which are configured to host and interact with said external sheaths (202), and in that said second packaging device (36) can be positioned axially along a first axis of rotation (X1), perpendicular to said first work plane (PL1), in order to assume a position in which it is substantially coplanar with said second work plane (PL2).

4. Apparatus (10) as in claim 3, characterized in that said second packaging device (36) is provided with clamping rneans (41) operatively associated with said second seatings (39) and configured both to selectively interact with said external sheaths (202), and also to ternporarily keep said packets (200) of said second format (F2) housed in the respective second seatings (39) during transport toward said collection means (13).

5. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said second feed means (37) comprise at least one rotating drum (46), rotatable around a second axis of rotation (X2) parallel to said first axis of rotation (X1), and in that said rotating drum (46) is provided with a plurality of pick-up means (49) each configured to move a corresponding external sheath (202).

6. Apparatus (10) as in any claim from 3 to 5, wherein said packets (200) of said second format (F2) also comprise an internal container (201) in which said one or several organized groups of said smoking articles are disposed, characterized in that it also comprises a mobile slider (53) disposed downstream of said first feed rneans (11) and configured to allow the correct insertion of said internal container (201), with said one or several organized groups of said smoking articles, in said external sheath (202), when the latter is located on said second packaging device (36) housed in one of said second seatings (39), in which the latter is located in said first operating position (P01).

7. Apparatus (10) as in any claim from 2 to 6, characterized in that said first and second work planes (PL1 and PL2) are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first axis of rotation (X1), around which said packaging means (12, 36) are rotatable.

8. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of thrust means (25, 30, 56 and 61) configured to interact with said packets (100, 200) and/or said internal containers (201) in order to move them between said first feed means (11) and said packaging means (12, 36), and between said packaging means (12, 36) and said collection means (13).

9. Apparatus (10) as in claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a guide (59) that has the function of guiding each packet (200) of said second format (F2) during the displacement from said packaging means (36) to said collection means (13).

10. Apparatus (10) as in any claim 6-9, when claims 7 and 8 depend on 6, characterized in that said mobile slider (53) and said plurality of thrust means (56, 61) allow to take said organized groups of smoking articles from said first work plane (PL1) to said second work plane (PL2), and, vice versa, to take back said packets (200) of the second format (F2) from said second work plane (PL2) to said first work plane (PL1) so that said packets (200) can leave said apparatus (10) in said exit zone (ZU), through said collection means (13).

11. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said collection means (13) comprise a pair of conveyor belts (32 and 33) opposite each other, parallel to an axis of collection (Z) and developing in a direction perpendicular to said first axis of rotation (X1), and in that said conveyor belts (32, 33) are disposed at a reciprocal distance (D) substantially equal to the width of said packets (100, 200).

12. Apparatus (10) as in claim 11, characterized in that said distance (D) is adjustable as a function of said first format (F1) or said second format (F2) of said packets (100, 200).

13. Method for packaging packets (100, 200) of smoking articles, wherein said packets (100, 200) have at least a first format (F1) and a second format (F2), comprising:
- a first feeding step in which first feed means (11) selectively take one or several organized groups of said smoking articles from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2);
- a packaging step in which packaging means (12, 36) of the rotating type, disposed downstream of said first feed means (11) and having a plurality of peripheral seatings (19, 39) which each accommodate at least one of said organized groups of said smoking articles, selectively assume a plurality of operating positions angularly offset with respect to each other, amongst which a first operating position (P01) is aligned with said second position (P2) of said first feed means (11);
and - a collection step in which collection means (13), disposed downstream of said packaging means (12, 36), selectively take said packets (100, 200) toward an exit zone (ZU); said first feed means (11) and said collection means (13) being disposed on a first work plane (PL1);
- a second feeding step in which second feed means (37) feed a plurality of external sheaths (202) of said packets (200) of said second format (F2) toward said packaging means (36), said second feed means (37) being disposed on a second work plane (PL2);
said method being characterized in that said packaging means (12, 36) can be positioned, or are mobile, to selectively assume a first work position coplanar with said first work plane (PL1), in order to package packets (100) of said first format (F1), or a second work position coplanar with said second work plane (PL2), in order to package packets (200) of said second format (F2).

14. Method as in claim 13, characterized in that it also comprises a squaring and clamping step in which clamping members (41) are selectively driven to square each external sheath (202), making it assume the desired shape of a parallelepiped, and also to keep each external sheath (202), or each packet (200) of said second format (F2), temporarily housed in the corresponding second seating (39).

15. Method as in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that it also comprises a displacing step in which thrust means (30) take said packets (100, 200), after they have been packaged by said packaging means (12, 36), toward said collection means (13).