Cartoning machine and wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles

Abstract

Cartoning machine (8) and wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles. The following are provided: a transport conveyor (31) configured to feed, one after the other, the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); a lifting device (32), which is arranged at the end of the transport path (P3) and is configured to cyclically and vertically push upwards a pack (2) for smoking articles that is arranged in the transport path (P3) so as to form, in a stacking area (A1), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls; and a pushing device (33) configured to horizontally push a stack formed by two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the stacking area (A1) to a grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of stacks, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the smaller side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000008755 filed on April 17, 2024 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a cartoning machine and to a wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles.PRIOR ART

[0003] A carton of packs of cigarettes contains a group of packs of cigarettes having an overall parallelepiped shape; generally, ten packs of cigarettes are provided divided into two rows of five packs of cigarettes each. The group of packs of cigarettes is contained in a rigid container obtained by folding a rigid blank around the group of packs of cigarettes or in a soft wrap obtained by folding a soft wrapping sheet around the group of packs of cigarettes. A transparent plastic overwrap is generally wrapped around the rigid container or the soft wrap.

[0004] Patents US4680919A and US4934129A describe a cartoning machine to produce a carton of packs of cigarettes, each having a parallelepiped shape; at an inlet of the cartoning machine, a group of packs of cigarettes is formed by placing several packs of cigarettes side by side and then the group of packs of cigarettes is wrapped in a wrapping sheet.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cartoning machine and a wrapping method to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles, which cartoning machine and wrapping method are simple to implement and allow to operate at a high production speed (measured as cartons produced per unit of time).

[0006] According to the present invention, a cartoning machine and a wrapping method are provided to produce a carton of packs for smoking articles, as claimed in the attached claims.

[0007] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form an integral part of the present descriptionBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of embodiment thereof, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a cigarette production and packaging plant; Figure 2 is a schematic view of a wrapping drum of a cartoning machine of the production plant of Figure 1 that produces cartons of packs of cigarettes; Figures 3-6 are four schematic views and at different moments of operation of a wrapping conveyor of the cartoning machine; Figure 7 is a schematic view of an alternative of the wrapping drum of Figure 2; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are three perspective views of respective groups of packs of cigarettes intended for the formation of cartons of packs of cigarettes; Figure 11 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine that forms the group of packs of cigarettes of Figure 8; Figure 12 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine that forms the group of packs of cigarettes of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a schematic view of a forming unit of the cartoning machine that forms the group of packs of cigarettes of Figure 10. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In Figure 1, a cigarette production and packaging plant 1 is schematically illustrated, which produces packs 2 of cigarettes that are assembled into cartons 3.

[0010] Each pack 2 of cigarettes has a parallelepiped shape with two head walls opposite one another (which are the smaller walls of the pack 2 of cigarettes), two smaller side walls opposite one another (which are the two intermediate-sized walls of the pack 2 of cigarettes), and two larger side walls opposite one another (which are the larger walls of the pack 2 of cigarettes). That is, in each pack 2 of cigarettes, the smaller side walls are larger (have a larger area) than the head walls and the larger side walls are larger (have a larger area) than the smaller side walls (and, therefore, than the head walls) .

[0011] The plant 1 comprises a filter cigarette manufacturing machine 4 (formed by a packaging machine and by a filter inserting machine), a packer machine 5 that receives the cigarettes from the manufacturing machine 4 (by means of an intermediate storage unit 6) and forms the packs 2 of cigarettes, a cellophane overwrapping machine 7 that receives the packs 2 of cigarettes from the packer machine 5 and overwraps the packs 2 of cigarettes in respective wrapping sheets made of transparent plastic material, and a cartoning machine 8 that forms groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes (typically formed by ten packs 2 of cigarettes each) and applies a paper / cardboard wrap and a subsequent transparent plastic overwrap around each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes so as to form a respective carton 3.

[0012] The cartoning machine 8 works with an intermittent motion (namely, a motion that involves a cyclical alternation of motion steps and stop steps) and comprises a forming unit in which the groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes are formed in succession and a wrapping unit (schematically and partially illustrated in Figures 2-6) in which a respective rigid blank (not illustrated) is initially wrapped around each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes and then a wrapping sheet 10 made of transparent and heat-sealable plastic material (illustrated in Figure 2) is subsequently wrapped to produce a carton 3. According to an alternative embodiment, only the wrapping sheet 10 (illustrated in Figure 2) is wrapped around each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes to produce a carton 3.

[0013] As illustrated in Figure 2, the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8 comprises a wrapping drum 11 (arranged vertically) which is mounted so as to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis 12 and supports four pockets 13, each suited to contain a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes coupled to a wrapping sheet 10 (according to other embodiments not illustrated, the wrapping drum 11 may comprise a different number of pockets 13, for example only two pockets 13 or six or eight pockets 13). The wrapping drum 11, by rotating around the rotation axis 12, conveys each pocket 13 along a circular wrapping path P1 between a transfer station S1, in which the pocket receives a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes coupled to a wrapping sheet 10, and a transfer station S2, in which the pocket 10 releases the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes coupled to the wrapping sheet 10.

[0014] The cartoning machine 8 comprises a feeding device 14 which is arranged in the area of the transfer station S1 and is configured to feed, one after the other, the wrapping sheets 10 in front of the pockets 13 of the wrapping drum 11, which are standing still at the transfer station S1; in this way, each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes by entering a respective pocket 10, which is standing still at the transfer station S1, drags therewith the wrapping sheet 10 that folds into a "U" shape around the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0015] When the wrapping sheet 10 folds into a "U" shape around a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes that enters a pocket 13, which is standing still at the transfer station S1, the wrapping sheet 10 has an end 15 that protrudes from the pocket 13 and an opposite end 16 that is inside the pocket 13 without protruding outside of the pocket 13 and rests against a wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. In other words, the feeding device 14 is configured to arrange each wrapping sheet 10 in front of a pocket 13, which is standing still at the transfer station S1 so that the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 protrudes out of the pocket 13 and the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10, opposite the end 15, is inside the pocket 13 and does not protrude outside the pocket 13.

[0016] The cartoning machine 8 comprises a folding device 18 which is arranged immediately downstream of the transfer station S1 and is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 protruding outside of the pocket 13 by 90° against a wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes which is perpendicular to the wall 17. The cartoning machine 8 further comprises a folding device 20 which is arranged in the area of the transfer station S2 and is configured to fold by 90° the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 over the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes when the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes coupled with the wrapping sheet 10 leaves the pocket 13 that is standing still at the transfer station S2.

[0017] According to a preferred, but not binding, embodiment, the cartoning machine 8 comprises a fixed profile 21 that surrounds the wrapping drum 11 between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2 and forms both the folding device 18 and the folding device 20. In other words, the fixed profile 21 is a rigid body fixed to a frame of the cartoning machine 8 so as not to perform any type of movement in use, has the shape of a circular arc, and seamlessly surrounds the wrapping drum 11 between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2; an initial portion of the fixed profile 21 forms the folding device 18 while a final portion of the fixed profile 21 forms the folding device 20. Immediately downstream of transfer station S1, the end 15 of a wrapping sheet 10, by impacting against the initial part of fixed profile 21 (forming the folding device 18), folds by 90° against wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes and is kept in this position up to the transfer station S2. At the transfer station S2, when the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes leaves the pocket 10 that is standing still, the end 5 of the wrapping sheet 10 by impacting against the final part of fixed profile 21 (forming the folding device 20), folds by 90° over the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0018] The cartoning machine 8 comprises a sealing device 22 (schematically illustrated in Figure 2) which is arranged downstream of the transfer station S2 and is configured to perform a seal between overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10. That is, the sealing device 22 acts outside of the wrapping drum 11 and downstream of the wrapping drum 11 (namely, after the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 has exited the respective pocket 13 of the wrapping drum 11).

[0019] As illustrated in Figures 3-6, the cartoning machine 8 comprises a linear wrapping conveyor 23 which is configured to convey each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along a rectilinear and horizontal wrapping path P2. According to a preferred embodiment, the wrapping conveyor 23 supports the sealing device 22, namely, the sealing device 22 is integrated into the wrapping conveyor 23. The wrapping conveyor 23 comprises fixed profiles 24 that are oriented parallel to the wrapping path P2 and delimit a channel inside which the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 slides being pushed from behind. Furthermore, the wrapping conveyor 23 comprises a rigid support body 25, pushing members 26 integral with the support body 25 and configured to push the groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in their respective wrapping sheets 10 along the wrapping path P2, and sealing heads 27 which are integral with the support body 25 and configured to apply pressure and heat to the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the wrapping conveyor 23 comprises three pushing members 26 and two sealing heads 27, but according to other embodiments a different number of pushing members 26 and sealing heads 27 is provided.

[0020] The pushing members 26 are integral with the support body 25 and are arranged from one another at a distance equal to one conveying step of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2; similarly, the sealing heads 27 are integral with the support body 25 and are arranged from one another at a distance equal to the conveying step of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2.

[0021] The wrapping conveyor 23 comprises an actuator device 28 configured to move the support body 25 both along a horizontal direction D1 parallel to the wrapping path P2, and along a vertical direction D2 perpendicular to the wrapping path P2 and to the direction D1.

[0022] The law of motion that the actuator device 28 cyclically applies to the support body 25 starting from an initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) to achieve both the conveying of the groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes along the wrapping path P2 and the sealing of the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheets 10, is described in the following.

[0023] When the support body 25 is in the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3), a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is extracted from a pocket 10 that is standing still at the transfer station S2 and is inserted into the wrapping conveyor 23; in the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) the support body 25 is (relatively) far from the wrapping path P2 so that the pushing members 26 and the sealing heads 27 are external to the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24 (to allow the entry of a new group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes at the beginning of the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24). The actuator device 28 is configured to apply to the support body 25 and starting from the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3) an approach stroke (illustrated in Figure 4) along the direction D2 which brings the sealing heads 27 into contact with the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the respective wrapping sheets 10 (as illustrated in Figure 4). Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a removal stroke (illustrated in Figure 5) to the support body 25 along the direction D2 which moves the sealing heads 27 away from the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the respective wrapping sheets 10 (to allow the conveying of the groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes) leaving the pushing members 26 inside the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24 (as illustrated in Figure 5). Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a conveying stroke (illustrated in Figure 6) to the support body 25 along the direction D1 that brings each pushing member 26 into contact with a respective group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 to convey the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes wrapped in the wrapping sheet 10 along the wrapping path P2. Subsequently, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply to the support body 25 a removal stroke along the direction D2 that moves the pushing members 26 away from the wrapping path P2 and brings the pushing members 26 out of the channel defined by the fixed profiles 24. Finally, the actuator device 28 is configured to apply a return stroke to the support body 25 along the direction D1 that brings the pushing member 26 back to the initial position (illustrated in Figure 3).

[0024] Along the wrapping path P2, lateral folding devices are arranged, which are provided with fixed folding profiles (namely, without moving parts), are coupled to the wrapping conveyor 23, and perform a fold of the two open ends of each wrapping sheet 10, which has been folded into a tube around a respective group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. Furthermore, along the wrapping path P2 and downstream of the lateral folding devices, lateral sealing devices are arranged, which are coupled to the wrapping conveyor 23 and perform lateral sealing on respective overlapping portions of the wrapping sheets 10.

[0025] In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the cartoning machine 8 is reconfigurable to operate with two different operating modes: a main operating mode described above and an alternative operating mode, in which each wrapping sheet 10 is fed by the feeding device 14 in front of the pocket 13, which is standing still at the transfer station S1, so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 also protrudes out of the pocket 13; in the alternative operating mode, a folding device 29 is arranged in the area of the transfer station S1 and is configured to fold the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes so that the folding device 18 folds the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes and over the previously folded end 16 (alternatively under the subsequently folded end 16). Furthermore, in the alternative operating mode, a sealing device 30 is provided, which is arranged between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2 and is configured, in the alternative operating mode, to perform a seal between overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10. In particular, the sealing device 30 is arranged in a sealing station S3 (arranged halfway between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2) where each pocket 13 is standing still.

[0026] According to a possible embodiment, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 and therefore in the alternative operating mode, a sealing device is also provided, which is arranged in the transfer station S1 and performs a pre-sealing (done quickly and with little resistance) of the overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of each wrapping sheet 10 before the final sealing performed by the sealing device 30.

[0027] In other words, the feeding device 14 can be configured to position, in a first operating mode illustrated in Figure 2, the wrapping sheet 10 in front of the pocket 13 so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 opposite the end 15 is inside the pocket 13 and does not protrude outside of the pocket 13 or it can be configured to position, in a second operating mode different and alternative to the first operating mode and illustrated in Figure 7, the wrapping sheet 10 in front of the pocket 13 so that the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 also protrudes outside the pocket 13.

[0028] Therefore, the cartoning machine 8 is designed to have installed, in the area of the transfer station S2, the folding device 20 usable in the first operating mode and configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° over the end 16 and the cartoning machine 8 is designed to have installed the sealing device 22 that can be used in the first operating mode, is arranged downstream of the transfer station S2 and is configured to perform a seal between overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10. Similarly, the cartoning machine 8 is designed to have installed the folding device 29, which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged in the transfer station S1 and is configured to fold the end 16 by 90° so that the folding device 18 folds the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 by 90° over or under the end 16, and the cartoning machine 8 is designed to have installed the sealing device 30, which can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged between the transfer station S1 and the transfer station S2, and is configured to perform a seal between overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10.

[0029] In other words, the cartoning machine 8 has the space necessary to have installed the sealing devices 22 and 30 and the folding devices 20 and 29; these four devices 20, 22, 29 and 30 may all be provided (but only two can be used at a time in the first operating mode or in the second operating mode), only the devices 20 and 22 may be provided (to use the first operating mode), or only the devices 29 and 30 may be provided (to use the second operating mode).

[0030] Similarly, the cartoning machine 8 is designed to have installed an additional sealing device that can be used in the second operating mode, is arranged in the area of the transfer station S1 and is configured to perform a seal between overlapping portions of the ends 15 and 16 of the wrapping sheet 10.

[0031] In the first mode of operation, the folding device 18 is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 against the wall 19 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes, the end 16 of the wrapping sheet 10 rests against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes perpendicular to the wall 19, and the folding device 20 is configured to fold the end 15 of the wrapping sheet 10 over the end 16 and against the wall 17 of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0032] Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate three different embodiments of the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes that can be obtained by different configurations of the cartoning machine 8 and that always comprise ten packs of cigarettes. Figure 8 illustrates a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes formed by two overlapping rows of packs 2 of cigarettes, where in each row, the five packs 2 of cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of the smaller side walls. Figure 9 illustrates a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes formed by one single row of packs 2 of cigarettes, where in the row, the ten packs 2 of cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of the larger side walls. Figure 10 illustrates a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes formed by two adjacent rows of packs 2 of cigarettes, where in each row, the five packs 2 of cigarettes are in mutual contact in the area of the larger side walls.

[0033] As illustrated in Figure 1, the cartoning machine 8 is arranged in line with the cellophane overwrapping machine 7, namely, between an output of the cellophane overwrapping machine 7 and an input of the cartoning machine 8 a linear transport conveyor 31 is provided, which conveys the packs 2 of cigarettes along a linear transport path P3 (namely, without curves).

[0034] Figure 11 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 to produce a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 8.

[0035] In the forming unit of Figure 11, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the larger side walls oriented horizontally and with the smaller side walls oriented vertically.

[0036] In the area of a final portion of the transport path P3, a pair of belts with a high-grip surface is arranged, which engage the larger side walls of the packs 2 of cigarettes from two opposite sides and impose a predetermined position on the packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0037] At the end of the transport path P3, a lifting device 32 is arranged, which cyclically pushes a pack 2 of cigarettes arranged in the transport path P3 vertically upwards so as to form, every two work cycles of the forming unit and in a stacking area A1, a stack formed by two packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls. That is, in the stacking area A1, stacks of packs 2 of cigarettes are formed, each formed, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, by two packs 2 of cigarettes arranged one on top of the other.

[0038] Every two work cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 33 horizontally pushes a stack formed by two overlapping packs 2 of cigarettes from the stacking area A1 to a grouping area A2 in which five stacks are arranged in succession and are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the smaller side walls of the packs 2 of cigarettes, thus completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2, a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes formed by ten packs 2 of cigarettes is formed; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is formed by placing five stacks of two packs 2 of cigarettes side by side by means of five corresponding transfers performed by the pushing device 33.

[0039] Every ten work cycles of the forming unit, a lifting device 34 pushes the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes vertically upwards away from the grouping area A2 and subsequently a pushing device 35 pushes the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes horizontally towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.

[0040] In alternative embodiments, stacks formed by a different number (for example three, four or five) of vertically stacked packs 2 of cigarettes could be formed in the stacking area A1 and groups 9 formed by a different number (for example three, four or six) of stacks of packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another could be formed in the grouping area A2.

[0041] Preferably, the lifting device 34 has two degrees of freedom of movement, so that it is be able to perform a return stroke after having lifted the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes out of the grouping area A2. In this way, during the return stroke of the lifting device 34, the grouping area A2 is free and therefore available to form a new group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes thus allowing the pushing device 33 to continue its pushing cycle without interruption. Furthermore, in this way the pushing device 35 has more time available to carry out its work cycle and therefore is simpler to implement and subjects the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes to reduced accelerations (stresses).

[0042] Figure 12 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 to produce a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 9.

[0043] In the forming unit of Figure 12, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the larger side walls oriented vertically and with the smaller side walls oriented horizontally.

[0044] A pair of belts with a high-grip surface is arranged in the area of a final portion of the transport path P3 which engage the larger side walls of the packs 2 of cigarettes on two opposite sides and impose a predetermined position on the packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0045] At the end of the transport path P3 a pushing device 33 (completely analogous, if not identical, to the pushing device 33 described previously) is provided, which horizontally pushes each pack 2 of cigarettes that is in the transport path P3 to a grouping area A2 where ten packs 2 of cigarettes are arranged in succession and in lateral contact with one another in the area of the larger side walls, thus completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2 a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is formed, which is made of ten packs 2 of cigarettes; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is formed by placing ten packs 2 of cigarettes side by side by means of ten corresponding transfers performed by the pushing device 33.

[0046] Every ten work cycles of the forming unit, a lifting device 34 (completely analogous, if not identical, to the lifting device 34 described above) pushes the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes vertically upwards and away from the grouping area A2 and subsequently a pushing device 35 (completely analogous, if not identical, to the pushing device 35 described above) pushes the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes horizontally towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.

[0047] In alternative embodiments, groups 9 formed by a different number (for example six, eight or twelve) of packs 2 of cigarettes placed side by side could be formed in the grouping area A2.

[0048] Preferably, the lifting device 34 has two degrees of freedom of movement, so as to be able to perform a return stroke after having lifted the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes out of the grouping area A2. In this way, during the return stroke of the lifting device 34, the grouping area A2 is free and therefore available to form a new group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes, thus allowing the pushing device 33 to continue its pushing cycle without interruption. Furthermore, in this way the pushing device 35 has more time available to carry out its work cycle and therefore is simpler to implement and subjects the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes to reduced accelerations (stresses).

[0049] The two forming units illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 can in fact be, from a structural point of view, the same forming unit that is simply and quickly adapted to two different operating modes, that is, to operate as illustrated in Figure 11 so as to form a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 8 or to operate as illustrated in Figure 12 so as to form a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 9.

[0050] In particular, to switch from the forming unit illustrated in Figure 11 to the forming unit illustrated in Figure 12, it is necessary to disable (disassemble or not use) the lifting device 32 and to modify the transport conveyor 31 both to have the packs 2 of cigarettes arrive at the end of the transport path P3 directly in the stacking area A1, and to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path P3 (and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path P3), with the larger side walls oriented vertically and with the smaller side walls oriented horizontally. The pushing device 33 must also be reconfigured to push one single pack 2 of cigarettes horizontally from the stacking area A1 to the grouping area A2 where a predetermined number of packs 2 of cigarettes are arranged in succession and are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the larger side walls, thus completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0051] Figure 13 schematically illustrates the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 to produce a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes of the type illustrated in Figure 10.

[0052] In the forming unit of Figure 13, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the head walls and the larger side walls parallel to the transport path P3 and therefore with the smaller side walls perpendicular to the transport path P3; furthermore, the transport conveyor 31 is configured to convey the packs 2 of cigarettes with the larger side walls oriented horizontally and with the smaller side walls oriented vertically.

[0053] At a final portion of the transport path P3, a pair of belts with a high-grip surface is arranged, which engage the larger side walls of the packs 2 of cigarettes from two opposite sides and impose a predetermined position on the packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0054] At the end of the transport path P3, a lifting device 36 is arranged, which cyclically pushes a pack 2 of cigarettes arranged in the transport path P3 vertically upwards so as to form, every five work cycles of the forming unit and in a stacking area A1, a stack formed by five packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls. That is, stacks of packs 2 of cigarettes are formed in the stacking area A1, each stack formed, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, by five packs 2 of cigarettes arranged one on top of the other.

[0055] Every five work cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 37 horizontally pushes a stack of five stacked packs 2 of cigarettes from the stacking area A1 towards a tipping device 38 provided with a housing body that is configured to hold a stack of five packs 2 of cigarettes stacked on top of one another and is rotatably mounted to rotate cyclically around a horizontal rotation axis. Cyclically, the tipping device 38 receives a stack of five packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another oriented vertically and then tips (namely, turns by 90°) the stack of five packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another so as to orient the same horizontally.

[0056] A pushing device 39 horizontally pushes a stack of five packs 2 of cigarettes on top of one another from the tipping device 38 to a grouping area A2 where two stacks are arranged in succession, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the head walls of the packs 2 of cigarettes, thus completing the formation of a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. That is, in the grouping area A2 a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes formed by ten packs 2 of cigarettes is formed; in particular, the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is formed by placing two stacks of five packs 2 of cigarettes side by side by means of two corresponding transfers performed by the pushing device 39.

[0057] Every ten work cycles of the forming unit, a pushing device 40 horizontally pushes the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes from the grouping area A2 towards the wrapping unit of the cartoning machine 8.

[0058] Preferably, the tipping device 38 comprises the housing body which is mounted so as to rotate around the horizontal rotation axis, has on one side an input opening facing the pushing device 37 and by means of which a stack of packs 2 of cigarettes enters the housing body pushed by the pushing device 37, and has on another side an output opening (parallel and facing the input opening) facing the grouping station A2 by means of which a stack of packs 2 of cigarettes leaves the housing body pushed by the pushing device 39.

[0059] In alternative embodiments, stacks made up of a different number (for example three, four or six) of vertically stacked packs 2 of cigarettes could be formed in the stacking area A1 and groups 9 made up of a different number (for example three or four) of stacks of stacked packs 2 of cigarettes could be formed in the grouping area A2.

[0060] It is possible to modify the forming unit of the cartoning machine 8 to select one of the three possibilities illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13 to produce the group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes (and also other possibilities not illustrated); in said modification, not all the components are completely replaced, but some components can be reused (with a simple modification of their configuration) or can be left in place and simply deactivated.

[0061] According to other embodiments not illustrated, each group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes is formed by a number other than ten packs 2 of cigarettes (for example five packs 2 of cigarettes, six packs 2 of cigarettes, eight packs 2 of cigarettes, twelve packs 2 of cigarettes, etc.).

[0062] The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] The cartoning machine 8 described above has numerous advantages.

[0064] First of all, the above-described cartoning machine 8 allows to obtain a better quality of the final product and in particular a better quality in the folding of the wrapping sheet 10 around a group 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes. This result is obtained because the innovative feeding and folding methods of the wrapping sheets 10 in the pockets 13 of the wrapping drum 11 allow to obtain a better laying of the wrapping sheets 10 which therefore have fewer wrinkles or other imperfections.

[0065] Furthermore, the above-described cartoning machine 8 is more robust and reliable. This result is obtained because the sealing device 22 is used only to perform the sealing (namely, it does not have to perform other operations) and therefore guarantees stability over time and the absence of blockages.

[0066] The above-described cartoning machine 8 is also very versatile, because it can be quickly adapted to perform a different folding of the wrapping sheets 10 (as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 7) simply by modifying the settings of the feeding device 14, adding (or activating if already provided) the folding device 29, adding (or activating if already provided) the sealing device 30, and removing (or deactivating) the sealing device 22.

[0067] The grouping unit of the above-described cartoning machine 8 is very easy and compact to implement, as it is formed by a small number of components, each of which is simple to implement. At the same time, the grouping unit of the above-described cartoning machine 8 is extremely flexible, because by modifying a few parts it is possible to obtain different types of groups 9 of packs 2 of cigarettes.

[0068] The embodiments illustrated in the attached figures refer to the production of a carton 3 of packs 2 of cigarettes, but the present invention can be applied without substantial modifications also to the production of any other type of carton 3 of packs for smoking articles (for example packs of cigars, packs of electronic cigarettes of the liquid vaporization type, packs of new generation cigarettes without combustion of tobacco, etc.).LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

[0069] 1 production plant 2 pack of cigarettes 3 carton 4 manufacturing machine 5 packer machine 6 storage unit 7 cellophane overwrapping machine 8 cartoning machine 9 group 10 wrapping sheet 11 wrapping drum 12 rotation axis 13 pockets 14 feeding device 15 end 16 end 17 wall 18 folding device 19 wall 20 folding device 21 fixed profile 22 sealing device 23 wrapping conveyor 24 fixed profiles 25 support body 26 pushing member 27 sealing head 28 actuator device 29 folding device 30 sealing device 31 transport conveyor 32 lifting device 33 pushing device 34 lifting device 35 pushing device 36 lifting device 37 pushing device 38 tipping device 39 pushing device 40 pushing device D1 direction D2 direction P1 wrapping path P2 wrapping path P3 conveyor path S1 transfer station S2 transfer station S3 sealing station A1 stacking area A2 grouping area

Claims

1. A cartoning machine (8) to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the cartoning machine (8) comprises: a transport conveyor (31) configured to feed, one after the other, the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); a first lifting device (32), which is arranged at the end of the transport path (P3) and is configured to cyclically and vertically push upwards a pack (2) for smoking articles that is arranged in the transport path (P3) so as to form, in a stacking area (A1), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls; a first pushing device (33) configured to horizontally push a stack formed by two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the stacking area (A1) to a grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of stacks, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the smaller side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; a second lifting device (34) configured to vertically push upwards the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2); and a second pushing device (35) arranged downstream of the second lifting device (34) and configured to horizontally push the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

2. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1, wherein the second lifting device (34) has two degrees of freedom of movement, so that it is be able to perform a return stroke after having lifted the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles out of the grouping area (A2).

3. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path (P3) and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path (P3).

4. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the larger side walls oriented horizontally and with the smaller side walls oriented vertically.

5. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the transport conveyor (31) conveys the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3), which directly connects, without curves, the cartoning machine (8) to a cellophane overwrapping machine (7).

6. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 5 and comprising a pair of belts with a high-grip surface, which are arranged along a final portion of the transport path (P3) and engage the larger side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles on two opposite sides so as to impose a predetermined position on the packs (2) for smoking articles.

7. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 1 to 6, wherein, in an alternative operating mode: the first lifting device (32) can be deactivated, namely not be used; the transport conveyor (31) can be modified so that the packs (2) for smoking articles, at the end of the transport path (P3), directly reach the stacking area (A1); and the first pushing device (33) is configured to horizontally push one single pack (2) for smoking articles from the stacking area (A1) to the grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of packs (2) for smoking articles, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the larger side walls, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles.

8. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 7, wherein, in the alternative operating mode, the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path (P3) and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path (P3).

9. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, in the alternative operating mode, the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the larger side walls oriented vertically and with the smaller side walls oriented horizontally.

10. A wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the wrapping method comprises the steps of: feeding, one after the other and by means of a transport conveyor (31), the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); cyclically and vertically pushing upwards, by means of a first lifting device (32) arranged at the end of the transport path (P3), a pack (2) for smoking articles that is arranged in the transport path (P3) so as to form, in a stacking area (A1), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls; horizontally pushing, by means of a first pushing device (33), a stack formed by two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the stacking area (A1) to a grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of stacks, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the smaller side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; vertically pushing upwards, by means of a second lifting device (34), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2); and horizontally pushing, by means of a second pushing device (35) arranged downstream of the second lifting device (34), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

11. A cartoning machine (8) to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and, two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the cartoning machine (8) comprises: a transport conveyor (31) configured to feed, one after the other, the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); a first pushing device (33), which is arranged at the end of the transport path (P3) and is configured to cyclically and horizontally push a pack (2) for smoking articles arranged in the transport path (P3) to a grouping area (A2), where a number of packs (2) for smoking articles, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the larger side walls, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; a lifting device (34) configured to vertically push upwards the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2); and a second pushing device (35) arranged downstream of the lifting device (34) and configured to horizontally push the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

12. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 11, wherein the lifting device (34) has two degrees of freedom of movement, so that it is be able to perform a return stroke after having lifted the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles out of the grouping area (A2).

13. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the smaller and larger side walls parallel to the transport path (P3) and, hence, with the head walls perpendicular to the transport path (P3).

14. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the larger side walls oriented vertically and with the smaller side walls oriented horizontally.

15. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 11 to 14, wherein the transport conveyor (31) conveys the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3), which directly connects, without curves, the cartoning machine (8) to a cellophane overwrapping machine (7).

16. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 11 to 15 and comprising a pair of belts with a high-grip surface, which are arranged along a final portion of the transport path (P3) and engage the larger side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles from two opposite sides so as to impose a predetermined position on the packs (2) for smoking articles.

17. A wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the wrapping method comprises the steps of: feeding, one after the other and by means of a transport conveyor (31), the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); cyclically and horizontally pushing, by means of a first pushing device (33) arranged at the end of the transport path (P3), a pack (2) for smoking articles arranged in the transport path (P3) towards a grouping area (A2), where a number of packs (2) for smoking articles, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the larger side walls, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; vertically pushing upwards, by means of a lifting device (34), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2); and horizontally pushing, by means of a second pushing device (35) arranged downstream of the lifting device (34), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

18. A cartoning machine (8) to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the cartoning machine (8) comprises: a transport conveyor (31) configured to feed, one after the other, the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); a lifting device (36), which is arranged at the end of the transport path (P3) and is configured to cyclically and vertically push upwards a pack (2) for smoking articles that is arranged in the transport path (P3) so as to form, in a stacking area (A1), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls; a first pushing device (37) configured to horizontally push a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the stacking area (A1); a tipping device (38), which receives the stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the first pushing device (37) and is configured to turn by 90° the stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another; a second pushing device (39) configured to horizontally push a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the tipping device (38) to a grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of stacks, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the head walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; a third pushing device (40) configured to push the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2) towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

19. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 18, wherein the tipping device (38) comprises a housing body, which is configured to contain a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and is mounted so as to cyclically rotate around a horizontal rotation axis.

20. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 19, wherein the housing body has, on one side, an input opening facing the first pushing device (37), through which a stack of packs (2) for smoking articles enters the housing body pushed by the first pushing device (37), and has, on another side, an output opening facing the grouping station (A2), through which a stack of packs (2) for smoking articles leaves the housing body pushed by the second pushing device (39).

21. The cartoning machine (8) according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the head walls and the larger side walls parallel to the transport path (P3) and, hence, with the smaller side walls perpendicular to the transport path (P3).

22. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 18 to 21, wherein the transport conveyor (31) is configured to convey the packs (2) for smoking articles with the larger side walls oriented horizontally and with the smaller side walls oriented vertically.

23. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 18 to 22, wherein the transport conveyor (31) conveys the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3), which directly connects, without curves, the cartoning machine (8) to a cellophane overwrapping machine (7).

24. The cartoning machine (8) according to one of the claims from 18 to 23 and comprising a pair of belts with a high-grip surface, which are arranged along a final portion of the transport path (P3) and engage the larger side walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles on two opposite sides so as to impose a predetermined position on the packs (2) for smoking articles.

25. A wrapping method to produce a carton (3) of packs (2) for smoking articles, each having a parallelepiped shape and two head walls opposite one another, two smaller side walls opposite one another and larger than the head walls and two larger side walls opposite one another and larger than the smaller side walls; the wrapping method comprises the steps of: feeding, one after the other and by means of a transport conveyor (31), the single packs (2) for smoking articles by conveying the packs (2) for smoking articles along a linear transport path (P3); cyclically and vertically pushing upwards, by means of a lifting device (36) arranged at the end of the transport path (P3), a pack (2) for smoking articles that is arranged in the transport path (P3) so as to form, in a stacking area (A1), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another and in contact in the area of the larger side walls; horizontally pushing, by means of a first pushing device (37), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the stacking area (A1); turning by 90° the stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another by means of a tipping device (38), which receives the stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the first pushing device (37); horizontally pushing, by means of a second pushing device (39), a stack formed by at least two packs (2) for smoking articles on top of one another from the tipping device (38) to a grouping area (A2), where a predetermined number of stacks, which are in lateral contact with one another in the area of the head walls of the packs (2) for smoking articles, are arranged in succession, thus completing the formation of a group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles; pushing, by means of a third pushing device (40), the group (9) of packs (2) for smoking articles, moving the same away from the grouping area (A2) towards a wrapping unit of the cartoning machine (8).

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