Packet banding device

A device for applying adhesive bands to substantially parallelepiped packets, said device comprising a first conveyor for feeding said packets at a predetermined frequency and speed along a first path;

• a second conveyor for feeding said bands, at said frequency and speed, along a given portion of said first path;
• a station wherein the bands are loaded onto said second conveyor;
• a device for feeding the bands, at said frequency, to said loading station;
• and a band gumming device;
• said second conveyor defining a second path, said second path being annular and comprising a first portion extending along said given portion of the first path and having an input end and an output end, and a second portion and third portion arranged in series and connecting said output end to said input end;
• the second conveyor providing for feeding the bands along the second path at said speed and frequency;
• the loading station being located between the second and third portions of the second path;
• the gumming device being located along the third portion of the second path;
• the second conveyor being a suction conveyor and comprising at least a first suction chamber extending along the first and second portions of the second path through said output end and up to said loading station;
• and a second suction chamber extending along the third portion of the second path from the loading station to said input end;
• and suction means being provided for maintaining a constant vacuum in the second chamber for feeding bands from the loading station to the input end and said suction means providing a selective vacuum in the first chamber for selectively feeding bands through the output end and up to said loading station, whereby bands may be recirculated through said loading station.