Method of packing pairs of wrapped groups of cigarettes in hinged-lid wallet packets

1) A method of packing pairs of groups of cigarettes in respective hinged-lid wallet packets, the method comprising the steps of feeding a blank (19;

• 19a)—having a first portion (20) defining a body (2), and a second portion (21) defining a hinged lid (3) of a relative wallet packet (1;
• 1a)—onto a packing path (P), so as to fold the blank (19;
• 19a) to define a first and a second adjacent receptacle (13, 14) located successively along the packing path (P) and separated by a central rib (18) crosswise to the packing path (P), the second receptacle (14) being connected laterally to said second portion (21);
• feeding the blank (19;
• 19a) in a given travelling direction (38) along the packing path (P) and through a loading station (40) for loading said groups (16;
• 16a, 16b) of cigarettes, by performing two successive stops to arrest said first and said second receptacle (13, 14) successively at the loading station (40);
• feeding, at each stop, a relative group (16;
• 16a, 16b) of cigarettes, having a relative collar (17;
• 17a, 17b), into whichever of said first and said second receptacle (13, 14) is currently arrested at the loading station (40);
• feeding the blank (19;
• 19a) and the relative groups (16;
• 16a, 16b) of cigarettes, having relative collars (17;
• 17a, 17b), in said given travelling direction (38) along the packing path (P) and through a turn-over station (42);
• turning said first or said second receptacle (13, 14) over, at said turn-over station (42), onto the other about a vertex portion of said central rib (18), so as to grip the two groups (16;
• 16a, 16b) of cigarettes between the superimposed said first and said second receptacle (13, 14);
• and folding said second portion (21) about the superimposed said first and said second receptacle (13, 14) to form the hinged lid (3).