Packing method and packing machine for producing a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid

A packing method for producing a slide-open package of tobacco articles with a hinged lid;

• the packing method comprising the steps of:
• forming a wrapped group of tobacco articles by means of a first packing unit;
• forming, by means of a second packing unit and by folding an inner blank about the wrapped group of tobacco articles, an inner container housing the wrapped group of tobacco articles and having the hinged lid;
• and
• forming, by means of a third packing unit and by folding an outer blank about the inner container, an outer container, which slidably houses the inner container, and has a connecting tab integral at one end with the outer container and glued at the other end to the lid of the inner container;
• wherein the step of forming the outer container comprises the further steps of:
• depositing glue on a portion of the connecting tab by means of a gumming device, while the connecting tab is fully extended;
• coupling the inner container to the outer blank at a feed station, so that a wall of the lid of the inner container rests on the gummed portion of the connecting tab while the connecting tab is fully extended;
• and
• moving, by means of a folding device, the inner container, with respect to the outer blank and towards a position corresponding to a fully closed position of the package, in which the inner container is fully inserted inside the outer container, so as to fold on itself the connecting tab;
• and
• wherein the folding device comprises an actuator, which rests on a front wall of the inner container, and is movable in two directions perpendicular one with respect to the other to perform the rotation of a bottom portion of the connecting tab with respect to a second panel of the outer blank, corresponding to a rear wall of the outer container, and about a corresponding transverse fold line.