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AssigneeG.D S.p.A.
InventorsRoberto Polloni, Chiara Colo, Fiorenzo Draghetti
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The invention relates to a device (1) for feeding cigarette packets (3) out of a packing machine, where the packets (3), being substantially in the shape of parallelepipeds, are moved forward with their large lateral faces (4) in contact with each other along a first path (P1) by a conveyor (2) that stabilises them in a defined direction (D) transversal to the large lateral faces (4). Downstream of the stabilising conveyor (2), there is a unit (33) for printing on the packets (3). Comprising a spacing conveyor (11, 19, 43) that separates the packets (3) from each other and feeds them along a second path (P2) along which there is a printing device (32) located at a printing position (35) on a section (T) of the second path (P2) and designed to print a preset sequence of characters and codes on defined portions of the faces of the packets (3), the action of the printing device (32) being controlled by a probe (36) that detects the presence of each packet (3) and by a control unit (37) connected to a sensor (38) that detects the instantaneous position of the spacing conveyor (11, 19, 43) relative to the packets (3) in order to synchronise the packets (3) with the motion of the conveyor (11, 19, 43).
A device for feeding cigarette packets out of a packing machine equipped with a conveyor (2) for stabilising the packets (3), which are substantially in the shape of parallelepipeds, the conveyor (2) having two facing belts (7, 9) designed to engage the small lateral faces (5) of the packets (3) in such a way that the packets (3) are moved forward with their large lateral faces (4) in contact with each other along a first stabilising path (P1) in a given direction (D) transversal to the large lateral faces (4), the device being characterised in that, downstream of the stabilising conveyor (2), it comprises a unit (33) for printing on the packets (3), which in turn comprises spacing conveyor means (11, 19, 43) that separate the packets (3) from each other and feed them along a second path (P2) along which the packets (3) are spaced out, and at least one printing device (32) located at a printing position (35) on a section (T) of the second path (P2).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 5, characterised in that the spacing conveyor means (11, 19, 43) comprise two facing belts (12, 15) which are driven by independent motor means (M2) and which are designed to engage the small lateral faces (5) of the packets (3) in such a way as to move the packets (3) forward in the direction (D) at a defined feed speed (V2) higher than the speed (V1) of the stabilising conveyor (2).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 3 to 7, characterised in that the device (26) for turning the packets (3) comprises a conveyor (19) comprising two facing belts (20, 23) designed to engage the small lateral faces (5) of the packets (3) so as to turn, space out and feed the packets (3) forward in the direction (D) parallel to the large lateral face (4) of each packet (3).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 3 to 7, characterised in that the device (26) for turning the packets (3) comprises a conveyor (43) comprising two facing belts (46) designed to engage the large lateral faces (4) of the packets (3) to space them out and feed the packets (3) themselves forward in the direction (D) parallel to the large lateral face (4) of each packet (3).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that it comprises means for activating and controlling the printing means (34) located on the section (T) of the second path (P2).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 12, characterised in that the printing means (34) are of the laser type.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 12, characterised in that the printing means (34) are of the inkjet type.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 14, characterised in that, downstream of the printing means (34), it comprises means (39) for detecting the print on each packet (3).
The device according to claim (15), characterised in that, on the section (T) of the second path (P2), it comprises a device (41) for rejecting the packets (3) controlled by the print detection means (39).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.