Packaging machine

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that there is an introduction base (56) in said chamber (50), in direct combination with said second mouth (51), possibly delineated with introduction seatings (59) coordinated with the smoking articles (14).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that there are positioning means (58, 63) in said chamber (50), configured to make the base wall (16a) not interfering during the introduction of the smoking articles (14).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that there is an upper positioning base (60) in said chamber (50) in correspondence with said first mouth (51), possibly provided with positioning seatings (61) of the smoking articles (14) coordinated to said introduction seatings (59).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that guide means (67) for an expeller device (68) are provided in said lateral walls (55) of said chamber (50).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said upper wall (54) and said lower wall (53) have a reduced thickness at least on the side relating to the first introduction mouth (52).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said combination unit (31) comprises in coordination a feed member (45) of a wrapping sheet (112), possibly provided with a closing label (17), said feed member (45) being outside said formation pocket (40) and in relation with said first mouth (52), and an expeller device (68) suitable to expel the structured assembly (11) from said pocket (40), combining it with the wrapping sheet (112).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said chamber (50) cooperates with alignment and guide devices (69) during the transfer of the intermediate combination (11a) from said pocket (40) to said wrapper work unit (32).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that it has means (45a, 45b) to position the wrapping sheet (112) in a desired position in relation to said first mouth (52), said positioning means (45a, 45b) being able to position said wrapping sheet (112) in a desired manner in relation to the structured assembly (11) exiting from said chamber (50).

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said wrapping sheet (112) in relation to said structured assembly (11) is positioned both with respect to the head wall (14b) and also with respect to the two base walls (16a, 14a) of said structured assembly (11), extending with respective upper (24) and lower (25) flaps beyond the edge of said base walls (16a, 14a) and in continuity with them.

Packaging machine as in any of the claims hereinbefore, characterized in that said gripping member (70) of the wrapper work unit (32) has an upper plane (81) subjected to elastic members (84) acting toward a fixed base plane (80), the upper plane (81) and the base plane (80) being equipped to contain and position the intermediate combination (11a).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said gripping member (70) cooperates with an expeller member (85), possibly operating temporally also with a contrast function to the action of the expeller device (68).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the elastic members (84) present in said gripping member (70) exert an elastic force, fixed or adjustable, depending on the operations carried out each time on the intermediate combination (11a).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said gripping member (70) comprises a fixed abutment plane (86), positioned in a coordinated manner above said upper plane (81), said elastic members (84) being present in an intermediate position.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that there are actuator members present in said gripping member (70), which condition the open position or the operating position of said upper plane (81).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the gripping member (70) comprises said base plane (80) that has lateral retaining elements (82) to retain and position the intermediate combination (11a) laterally.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said front folders (92) and/or said rear folders (94) have a triangular-like shape in the zone that contributes to the folding.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said front folders (92) each comprise a front thruster element (100), mobile on a horizontal plane.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rear folders (94) each comprise a rear thruster element (102), mobile on a vertical plane.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said upper folders (96) comprise an upper thruster element (106), mobile on a horizontal plane, possibly L-shaped.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each pair of said lateral folders (98) comprises an upper lateral folder (98a) and a lower lateral folder (98b), with respective transverse blades (109, 110) conformed to move said opposite longitudinal lateral flaps (20) nearer to each other to define said longitudinal layers (29).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said transverse blades (109, 110) are convergent one toward the other toward the structured assembly (11).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said welding unit (34) comprises at least one welding device (120) for each longitudinal layer (29) of said pre-wrapper (12a), characterized in that said welding device (120) comprises a pressure welding member (121) and a regulated counter-pressure welding member (122).

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said welding unit (34) comprises presser members (134) acting on the pressure welding members (121) and configured to move said pressure welding members (121) with a desired and adjustable travel according to a desired and set cycle.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said welding unit (34) comprises members (136) to define and condition the contrast pressure connected to the counter-pressure welding members (122), and members configured to position said counter-pressure welding members (122) and obtaining a desired counter-pressure force.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said counter-pressure members (136) have members defining the contrast pressure chosen from one of either a pneumatic (139), or hydraulic, or mechanical or electronic device.

Packaging machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that if there are two or more welding stations (115), there can be a single presser member (134) and/or a single contrast presser member (136) for all the welding stations (115), or a single one for each welding station (115), or a single presser member (134) and/or a single contrast presser member (136) for each pressure welding member (121) and/or for each counter-pressure welding member (122).

Working method for a packaging machine (10) as in any of the claims from 1 to 38, characterized in that it provides to define said structured assembly (11) inside the chamber (50) of the formation pocket (40), first introducing the reinforcement insert (16) into said chamber (50) through a first introduction mouth (52), and subsequently the organized group of smoking articles (14) through a second introduction mouth (51), coaxial to and opposite said first mouth (52), said method providing to expel the structured assembly (11) already defined in said chamber (50) through said first mouth (52).

Working method for a packaging machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that during the welding step of the respective pairs of longitudinal layers (29), the previously welded transverse edge (28) is also clamped.