Grouping unit for a cartoning machine for the production of a package comprising a plurality of packs for smoking articles and an insert, cartoning machine provided with said grouping unit, method for the production of a package comprising a plurality of packs for smoking articles and an insert and package comprising a plurality of packs for smoking articles and an insert

A method for the production of a package (C) comprising, on the inside, a group with a plurality of packs (P) for smoking articles arranged next to one another and along a number of rows next to one another and an insert (I), which supports the group of packs (P), and comprising the following steps:

• feeding, one after the other along a first conveying direction (D1) and by means of a feeding assembly (6), the inserts (I) defined by a box-shaped body with an oblong shape provided with an upper wall (SW) to support the group of packs (P) and with a lower wall (BW);
• feeding the groups of packs (P) in succession along a second conveying direction (D2), which is preferably parallel to the first conveying direction (D1), wherein said packs (P) are grouped along a number of rows of packs (P) next to one another;
• feeding the paper/cardboard flat blanks (B) along a third conveying direction (D3), which is preferably orthogonal to the first conveying direction (D1), wherein each flat blank (B) comprises a panel (B*), which defines a lower wall of the package (C);
• arranging each insert (I) between a respective group of packs (P) and a respective flat blank (B) with the upper wall (SW) facing the group of packs (P) and the lower wall (BW) facing said panel (B*);
• pushing the group of packs (P) along a fourth conveying direction (D4), which is preferably orthogonal to the first conveying direction (D1), until it intercepts the insert (I), which is arranged with the upper wall in contact with the group of packs (P);
• and
• folding the flat blank (B) so as to at least wrap it partially around the assembly formed by the group of packs (P) and the insert (I), so as to obtain the semi-finished package (C).

A package (C) comprising:

• a group with a plurality of packs (P) for smoking articles arranged next to one another and along a number of rows:
• an insert (I), which supports the group of packs (P) defined by a box-shaped body with an oblong shape having an upper wall (SW) to support the group of packs (P) and a lower wall (BW);
• and
• an overwrap(S), which wraps the group of packs (P) and the insert (I);
• wherein the bottom wall (BW) of said insert (I) is arranged in contact with an inner surface of a base wall of the overwrap (S).