Wrapping method and unit for folding a sheet of wrapping material about a group of cigarettes

13) A wrapping unit for producing a package (1) containing a group (2) of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening (3);

• the wrapping unit (12) comprising:
• a first wrapping wheel (18) having at least one first pocket (19);
• a feed station (20) for feeding a sheet (6) of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening (3), up to the first pocket (19);
• a first inserter (21) for inserting the sheet (6) of wrapping material into the first pocket (19), so that the sheet (6) of wrapping material is folded into a U inside the first pocket (19);
• and
• a first pusher for subsequently inserting the group (2) of cigarettes into the first pocket (19) containing the U-folded sheet (6) of wrapping material.

14) A method of producing a package (1) containing a group (2) of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening (3);

• the method comprising the steps of:
• feeding a sheet (6) of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening (3), in front of the inlet of a first pocket (51) of a first wrapping wheel (50);
• and
• inserting the group (2) of cigarettes into the first pocket (51) together with the sheet (6) of wrapping material, which folds into a U about the group (2) of cigarettes;
• the method being characterized by comprising the further steps of:
• feeding the sheet (6) of wrapping material asymmetrically in front of the inlet of the first pocket (51), so the sheet (6) of wrapping material folded into a U about the group (2) of cigarettes has one free outer flap (53) projecting from the first pocket (51);
• folding the free outer flap (53) of the sheet (6) of wrapping material 900 onto the inlet of the first pocket (51) and onto the group (2) of cigarettes;
• and
• further folding the free outer flap (53) of the sheet (6) of wrapping material 900 onto the group (2) of cigarettes and onto an inner flap (54), opposite the free outer flap (53), of the sheet (6) of wrapping material to form a tubular sheet (6) of wrapping material.

25) A wrapping unit for producing a package (1) containing a group (2) of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening (3);

• the wrapping unit (12) comprising:
• a first wrapping wheel (50) having at least one first pocket (51);
• a feed station (48) for feeding a sheet (6) of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening (3), in front of the inlet of the first pocket (51);
• and
• a first inserter for inserting the group (2) of cigarettes into the first pocket (51) together with the sheet (6) of wrapping material, which folds into a U about the group (2) of cigarettes;
• the wrapping unit (12) being characterized in that:
• the sheet (6) of wrapping material is fed asymmetrically in front of the inlet of the first pocket (51), so the sheet (6) of wrapping material folded into a U about the group (2) of cigarettes has one free outer flap (53) projecting from the first pocket (51);
• a first folder (55) folds the free outer flap (53) of the sheet (6) of wrapping material 900 onto the inlet of the first pocket (51) and onto the group (2) of cigarettes;
• and
• a second folder further folds the free outer flap (53) of the sheet (6) of wrapping material 900 onto the group (2) of cigarettes and onto an inner flap (54), opposite the free outer flap (53), of the sheet (6) of wrapping material to form a tubular sheet (6) of wrapping material.

26) A method of producing a package (1) containing a group (2) of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening (3);

• the method comprising the steps of:
• folding a sheet (6) of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening (3), about a tubular spindle (85) to form a tubular wrapping (91) having a closed end (112) and an open end (92);
• transferring the tubular wrapping (91) from the tubular spindle (85) to a pocket (110) of a first wrapping wheel (109), with the open end (92) of the tubular wrapping (91) facing outwards of the pocket (110);
• subsequently feeding the group (2) of cigarettes into the pocket (110) of the first wrapping wheel (109) and so inserting the group (2) of cigarettes into the tubular wrapping through the open end (92) of the tubular wrapping (91);
• and
• folding the sheet (6) of wrapping material to close the open end (92) and so complete the package (1).

36) A wrapping unit (12) for producing a package (1) containing a group (2) of cigarettes and having a cigarette extraction opening (3);

• the wrapping unit (12) comprising:
• a tubular spindle (85) having a closed end (112) and an open end (92);
• first folding means (87, 101, 102, 103) for folding a sheet (6) of wrapping material, complete with the cigarette extraction opening (3), about the tubular spindle (85) to form a tubular wrapping (91);
• a first wrapping wheel (109) having a pocket (110), which receives the tubular wrapping (91) from the tubular spindle (85), so the tubular wrapping inside the pocket (110) is positioned with its open end (92) facing outwards of the pocket (110);
• a feed device (119) for feeding the group (2) of cigarettes into the pocket (110) of the first wrapping wheel (109), and so inserting the group (2) of cigarettes into the tubular wrapping (91) through the open end (92) of the tubular wrapping (91);
• and
• second folding means (121, 122, 123) for folding the sheet (6) of wrapping material to close the open end (92) and complete the package (1).