Method of feeding groups of tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, to a continuous packing machine

A method of feeding groups (16) of elongated tobacco articles (4) from a feedbox (5) to a continuous packing machine (3);

• each said group (16) being defined by at least one layer (17) of articles (4);
• the feedbox (5) having a bottom open end (7) through which said groups may be extracted in a first direction extending transversely of the articles;
• and the packing machine (3) including an input conveyor (19) which is a pocket conveyor having pockets (18) advancing, in use, in a continuous manner and with a predetermined speed in a second direction (20) extending transversely of the articles (4) and the first direction;
• the method comprising:
• advancing the articles (4) in said first direction along the feedbox (5) and towards said open bottom end (7) and, for each said group (16), withdrawing the group (16) from said bottom open end (7) in said first direction while stopping, within the feedbox (5), all the remaining articles (4) arranged above said withdrawn group (16);
• moving each group (16) when being withdrawn from said bottom open end (7), in said first direction to a position substantially coplanar with said pocket conveyor (19);
• accelerating the withdrawn group in said second direction (38 & 20) to the advancement speed of the pocket conveyor to bring and keep said group in registry with a pocket (18) of said conveyor and, while in registry;
• feeding the group (16) into the pocket (18) by displacing the group in a third direction (33) parallel to the articles.