Packet wrapping method and unit
AssigneeG.D Societa' Per Azioni
InventorFiorenzo Draghetti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and unit for wrapping packets of cigarettes, whereby a succession of packets is fed continuously along a wrapping path having a straight input portion and a substantially curved output portion substantially tangent to the input portion at a transfer station for transferring the packets; the input portion extends through a wrapping station where each packet engages a respective sheet of wrapping material, and folds the sheet into a U so that two end portions of the sheet project rearwards from the packet; and each packet, together with the respective sheet, is transferred, at the transfer station, from the input portion to the output portion so that the two end portions of the sheet are maintained projecting rearwards from the packet.
Claims16
A method of wrapping packets, wherein the method comprises the step of continuously feeding a succession of packets (2) in a given traveling direction (D) and along a wrapping path (P) comprising a substantially straight input portion (P1) and a substantially curved output portion (P2), the input portion (P1) and the output portion (P2) being substantially tangent to each other at a transfer station (8);
- the step of feeding, for each packet (2), a sheet (3) of wrapping material to a wrapping station (7) located along said input portion (P1) and upstream from the transfer station (8) in said traveling direction (D), each said sheet (3) being positioned through the input portion (P1) in a position of interference with the respective packet (2);
- the step of folding each sheet (3) into a U about the respective packet (2) so that two portions (42, 43) of the sheet (3) project rearwards from the packet (2);
- and a transfer step wherein each packet (2), together with the respective U-folded sheet (3), is transferred from the input portion (P1) to the output portion (P2) of said path (P) at said transfer station (8);
- said transfer step comprises the substeps of feeding the packets (2) and respective sheets (3) onto respective transfer units (51) traveling along said output portion (P2) and through said transfer station (8) in time with the respective packets (2), each transfer unit (51) comprising a respective seat (58) movable between a loading and retaining position in said transfer station for housing the respective packet (2) together with the respective sheet (3);
- and retaining the respective packet (2) inside each seat (58) by means of retaining means (57) associated with each said transfer unit (51);
- the packet (2) being so positioned inside the respective seat (58) that said portions (42, 43) of the respective sheet (3) project outwards of the seat (58).
A unit for wrapping packets, the unit being characterized by comprising continuous conveying means (5, 6) for feeding a succession of packets (2) in a given traveling direction (D) and along a wrapping path (P) comprising a substantially straight input portion (P1) and a substantially curved output portion (P2) substantially tangent to the input portion (P1) at a transfer station (8);
- supply means (9) for feeding, for each packet (2), a sheet (3) of wrapping material to a wrapping station (7) located along the input portion (P1) of said path (P) and upstream from said transfer station (8) in said traveling direction (D);
- folding means (10) for folding each sheet (3) into a U about the respective packet (2) so that, in use, two portions (42, 43) of the sheet (3) project rearwards from the respective packet (2);
- and transfer means (51) for transferring each packet (2), together with the respective U-folded sheet (3), from the input portion (P1) to the output portion (P2) of said path (P) at said transfer station (8);
- said transfer means (51) comprise a number of transfer units (51) traveling continuously along the output portion (P2) of said path (P), and each traveling through said transfer station (8) in time with the respective packet (2) to pick up the packet (2) together with the respective sheet (3);
- each transfer unit (51) comprising a respective seat (58) movable between a receiving and retaining position in said transfer station (8) for housing the respective packet (2) together with the respective sheet (3), and retaining means (57) for retaining the packet (2) inside the respective seat (58) so that said portions (42, 43) of the respective sheet (3) project, in use, outwards from the seat (58).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.