Packaging machine

A packaging machine to make an airtight wrapper comprising a wrapping sheet wrapped airtight around a structured assembly consisting of an organized group of smoking articles associated with a reinforcement insert, the machine comprising:

• a structured assembly formation unit comprising a formation pocket configured as a chamber with a lower wall, an upper wall and lateral walls, and which is configured to house the structured assembly said chamber having a first introduction mouth and a second introduction mouth disposed opposite one another, the chamber configured to allow the structured assembly to pass through;
• a combination unit configured to combine the structured assembly with said wrapping sheet, with or without a reusable closing label, in order to obtain an intermediate combination of the wrapping sheet and the structured assembly;
• a first welding station, in which a first folding of the wrapping sheet is made along a longitudinal axis around the structured assembly, said first welding station being configured to weld respective upper and lower edges of the wrapping sheet thereby defining a welded transverse edge to obtain a manipulable whole;
• a wrapping unit comprising a gripping member configured to hold the manipulable whole, and a folding station provided with a folding device with folding members, configured to fold at least longitudinal lateral flaps of the wrapping sheet, in order to obtain a pre-wrapper provided with longitudinal tabs;
• a welding unit, having a second welding station provided with welding devices configured to weld the pre-wrapper at least along the longitudinal tabs in order to complete their welding, obtaining a closed and sealed airtight wrapper;
• wherein the chamber is provided with spreader members configured to keep lateral walls of the reinforcement insert spreading out with respect to a base wall of the reinforcement insert, when the structured assembly formed by the reinforcement insert and the smoking articles is housed within the chamber of the formation pocket;
• and
• wherein said formation pocket is provided with lateral positioning means configured to keep the spread out lateral walls of the reinforcement insert aiming toward said upper wall of the chamber by an angle of greater than 90° with respect to the base wall.