Packing machine

A packing machine for packing groups of row-like articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising:

• (a) an indexing rotary member;
• (b) a plurality of pack-forming assemblies mounted on said rotary member, each assembly comprising a stationary member and at least one operating member mounted for movement towards and away from said stationary member;
• (c) a plurality of work stations disposed adjacent said member.
• (d) indexing means for rotating said member intermittently so that each assembly is successively brought to rest at each of said stations;
• and
• (e) means for positively driving said at least one operating member of each of said assemblies to progressively move said operating member towards and away from said stationary member, said driving means comprising at least one operating shaft mounted on said rotary member and drivingly connected to said at least one operating member, said operating shaft extending transverse to the direction of movement of said assembly between successive stations, and at least one driving shaft at each of a selected plurality of said stations where at least one operating member of each of said assemblies is to be moved, said at least one driving shaft at each of said selected stations being so located that when each of said assemblies is stopped at each of said selected stations said at least one operating shaft is brought to rest in axial alignment with said at least one driving shaft;
• and
• (f) coupling means between said operating and driving shafts comprising a tongue at the end of one shaft and a corresponding slot in the end of the other shaft, said tongue and slot being arranged to engage each other when said driving and operating shafts are in axial alignment.