Packer machine and wrapping method for producing a rigid pack for smoking articles with a hinged lid

Abstract

A packer machine (12) and a wrapping method for producing a rigid pack (1) for smoking articles. The following are provided: a wrapping drum (15) which supports at least one pocket (16) designed to contain the wrap (3) and a collar (6), and is mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (17) so as to move the pocket (16) along a circular wrapping path (P2); and a feeding system (19) configured to deliver the collar (6) to the pocket (16) of the wrapping drum (15) in a feeding station (S3) located along the wrapping path (P2). The feeding system (19) has a feeding drum (36), which supports at least one gripping head (38) configured to hold the collar (6) and is mounted so as to always rotate in the same direction around a second rotation axis (37) which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis (17) so as to move the gripping head (38) along a feeding path (P5), which goes through the feeding station (S3).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000021324 filed on September 25, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a packer machine and to a wrapping method for producing a rigid pack for smoking articles with a hinged lid.

[0003] The present invention is advantageously applied to the manufacturing of a rigid pack for cigarettes with a hinged lid, to which the following discussion will explicitly refer without thereby losing generality.PRIOR ART

[0004] Rigid packs for cigarettes with a hinged lid are currently the most widespread packs for cigarettes on the market as they are simple to manufacture, are easy and practical to use, and offer good protection to the cigarettes contained therein.

[0005] A rigid pack for cigarettes with a hinged lid comprises a wrap consisting of a group of cigarettes wrapped in a wrapping sheet of metallized paper and a rigid outer shell which houses the wrap therein. The outer shell consists of a cup-shaped container, which houses the group of cigarettes and has an open upper end, and a lid, which is also cup-shaped and is hinged to the container so as to rotate, relative to the container, between an open position and a closed position of the open end.

[0006] Patent application EP3725691A1 describes a packer machine for producing a rigid pack for cigarettes having a wrap formed by folding a wrapping sheet of metallized paper around a group of cigarettes, and an outer container formed by folding a blank and a collar around the wrap.

[0007] Patent US6000196A describes a unit for feeding collars for rigid packs for cigarettes with a hinged lid to a continuous packing line, in which the collars, picked up in succession and in several steps by a transfer device, are transferred by the transfer device to a continuously-moving feeding assembly which feeds the collars in succession to the packing line after folding two lateral wings of each collar perpendicularly.

[0008] Patent EP3194276B1 describes a packer machine for producing rigid packs for cigarettes with a hinged lid in which the collars are fed by means of a linear conveyor.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a packer machine and a wrapping method for producing a rigid pack for smoking articles with a hinged lid which allow manufacturing a high quality wrap even operating at a high production speed (measured as rigid packs for smoking articles produced in the time unit).

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a packer machine and a wrapping method for producing a rigid pack for smoking articles with a hinged lid are provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

[0011] The claims describe embodiments of the present invention, forming an integral part of the present description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a front perspective view and in a closed configuration, a rear perspective view and in a closed configuration, and a front perspective view and in an open configuration, respectively, of a rigid pack for cigarettes; Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a wrap of the pack of Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a group of cigarettes contained in the wrap of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of a wrapping sheet used for manufacturing the wrap of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a plan view of a collar of the pack for cigarettes of Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank used for manufacturing an outer container provided with a hinged lid of the pack for cigarettes of Figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 9 is a perspective schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a packer machine which produces the pack for cigarettes of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and is manufactured in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a front schematic view of part of the packer machine of Figure 9; and Figures 11-14 are four different perspective views, with parts removed for clarity, of a collar feeding unit of the packer machine of Figure 9. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In Figures 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a rigid pack for cigarettes. The pack 1 for cigarettes comprises an outer cup-shaped container 2 made of cardboard or rigid paperboard and a wrap 3 (better illustrated in Figure 4) housed inside the container 2.

[0014] The outer container 2 has an open upper end and is provided with a lid 4, which is cup-shaped and is hinged to the outer container 2 along a hinge (illustrated in Figure 2) so as to rotate, relative to the outer container 2, between an open position (illustrated in Figure 3) and a closed position (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) of the open upper end.

[0015] The wrap 3 encloses a group 5 of cigarettes (illustrated in Figure 5) with a parallelepiped shape and has, at the top and at the front, a removable portion which is separated from the remaining part of the wrap 3 by a pre-weakened tearable line.

[0016] According to what is illustrated in Figures 3 and 7, the pack 1 for cigarettes further comprises a rigid collar 6, which is connected (by means of glueing) folded in a "U" shape inside the outer container 2 so as to partially project outside of the open upper end of the outer container 2 and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid 4 when the lid 4 is located in the closed position.

[0017] The collar 6 comprises a front wall 7, which is connected to the front wall of the container 2 and is arranged in contact with the front wall of the lid 4 when the lid 4 is in the closed position, and two side walls 8, which are connected to the side walls of the container 2 and are arranged in contact with the side walls of the lid 4 when the lid 4 is in the closed position. According to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the front wall 7 of the collar 6 is provided with a pair of claws 9 which laterally project for engaging with interference the side walls of the lid 4 when the lid 4 is in the closed position so as to maintain the lid 4 in the closed position. According to a different embodiment not illustrated, the front wall 7 of the collar 6 is free of claws 9.

[0018] According to what is illustrated in Figure 6, the wrap 3 is made by folding around the group 5 of cigarettes a wrapping sheet 10 provided, on a side, with the tearable line which delimits the removable portion.

[0019] According to a possible embodiment, the final shape of the wrapping sheet 10 around the group 5 of cigarettes is not stabilized in any manner (i.e. no glue is applied to the wrapping sheet 10 and no seals are made on the wrapping sheet 10); consequently, the final shape of the wrapping sheet 10 around the group 5 of cigarettes is maintained only by effect of the containing action of the outer container 2. Alternatively, the overlapping portions of the wrapping sheet 10 can be joined by sealing to make a waterproof wrap 3.

[0020] According to what is illustrated in Figure 8, the outer container 2 and the lid 4 are manufactured by folding a blank 11 of the conventional type.

[0021] In Figure 9, reference numeral 12 indicates, as a whole, a packer machine which is designed to manufacture the pack 1 for cigarettes described above and operates with intermittent motion (i.e. a motion that provides for a cyclical alternation of motion phases and stop phases).

[0022] The packer machine 12 comprises a forming unit A, in which the groups 5 of cigarettes are formed in sequence, a folding unit B, in which a respective wrapping sheet 10 is wrapped around each group 5 of cigarettes so as to manufacture a wrap 3, and a folding unit C, in which a collar 6 and a blank 11 are wrapped around each wrap 3 so as to manufacture an outer container 2 provided with lid 4.

[0023] For a detailed description of the forming unit A and the folding unit B, reference is made, for example, to the disclosure of patent application EP3725691A1.

[0024] According to what is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the packer machine 12 comprises a transfer conveyor 13 which receives the wraps 3 in a transfer station S1 and advances the wraps 3 along a straight transfer path P1 towards a transfer station S2 in which the wraps 3 leave the transfer conveyor 13. The transfer conveyor 13 comprises a conveyor belt with an annular shape, which is wound around two end pulleys (one of which is motorised), supports a plurality of pockets 14 each designed to house a corresponding wrap 3, and moves in a stepped manner so as to cyclically move the pockets 14 along the transfer path P1.

[0025] According to what is better illustrated in Figure 10, the packer machine 12 comprises a wrapping drum 15 which is located downstream of the transfer conveyor 13, supports a plurality of pockets 16 each designed to contain the wrap 3 and the collar 6, and is mounted so as to rotate (with an intermittent motion, namely in a "stepped" manner) around a horizontal rotation axis 17 for moving each pocket 16 along a circular wrapping path P2 perpendicular to the wrapping path P2. Each pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15 receives a collar 6 in a feeding station S3 arranged upstream of the transfer station S2 along the wrapping path P2, receives a wrap 3 (which couples to the previously fed collar 6) in the transfer station S2, receives a blank 11 in a feeding station S4 located downstream of the transfer station S2 along the wrapping path P2, and releases together the wrap 3, the collar 6 and the blank 11 in the transfer station S5 located downstream of the feeding station S4 along the wrapping path P2. In the feeding station S3, each collar 6 is inserted, folding into a "U"-shape, into a pocket 16 in which it is held by suction; in the transfer station S5, a wrap 3 enters the corresponding pocket 16 and couples to the previously fed collar 6. In the feeding station S4, each blank 11 is rested on the outer surface of the wrapping drum 15 in the area of a pocket 16 and is held in this position by suction; in the transfer station S5, a wrap 3 exiting the corresponding pocket 16 together with the collar 6 is coupled to the previously fed blank 11.

[0026] According to what is illustrated in Figure 10, the packer machine 12 comprises a pushing member 18 which is located in the transfer station S2 and moves cyclically from the bottom upwards to extract a wrap 3 from a pocket 14 of the transfer conveyor 13 and then insert the wrap 3 into a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15.

[0027] According to what is illustrated in Figure 9, the packer machine 12 comprises a feeding system 19 which cyclically feeds the collars 6 into the feeding station S3, i.e. arranges each collar 6 in front of a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15. The feeding system 19 comprises an unwinding unit 20 in which a wrapping material band 21 is unwound from a reel (not illustrated) and is advanced (passing behind the transfer conveyor 13) towards a cutting device 22 which is located next to the feeding station S3 and cyclically executes a cut of the wrapping material band 21 crosswise so as to separate the individual collars 6 from the wrapping material band 21.

[0028] According to what is illustrated in Figure 9, the packer machine 12 comprises a feeding system 23 which cyclically feeds the blanks 11 into the feeding station S4, i.e. arranges each blank 11 in front of a pocket 16. The feeding system 23 comprises an advancement conveyor 24 which advances a plurality of stacks of blanks 11 towards a hopper (not illustrated); furthermore, the feeding system 23 comprises a feeding drum 25 which supports a plurality of suction gripping heads (not illustrated) each designed to hold a corresponding blank 11, and is mounted so as to rotate (with intermittent motion, i.e. in a "stepped" manner) around a horizontal rotation axis 26 (illustrated in Figure 10) parallel to the rotation axis 17 to move each suction gripping head along a circular feeding path parallel to the wrapping path P2. The rotation of the feeding drum 25 cyclically moves each suction gripping head from a pick-up station S6 in which the suction gripping head picks up a blank 11 from the bottom of the hopper to the feeding station S4 in which the suction gripping head releases the blank 11 to the wrapping drum 15.

[0029] According to what is illustrated in Figure 10, the packer machine 12 comprises a wrapping drum 27 which is located downstream of the wrapping drum 15, supports a plurality of pockets 28 each designed to contain a wrap 3, a collar 6 and a blank 11, and is mounted so as to rotate (with intermittent motion, namely in a "stepped" manner) around a horizontal rotation axis 29 parallel to the rotation axis 17 for moving each pocket 28 along a circular wrapping path P3 parallel to the wrapping path P2. Each pocket 28 of the wrapping drum 25 receives a wrap 3, a collar 6 and a blank 11 in the transfer station S5, folds the blank 11 downstream of the transfer station S5, and releases an almost complete pack 1 for cigarettes in a transfer station S7 located downstream of the transfer station S5 along the wrapping path P3. In the transfer station S7, the folding of each blank 11 is completed (thus completing the formation of the corresponding pack 1 for cigarettes) by folding side flaps immediately downstream of the wrapping drum 27. Once the formation of each pack 1 for cigarettes is completed, the pack 1 for cigarettes is released to a belt drying conveyor 30 (illustrated in Figure 9) which advances the packs 1 for cigarettes in sequence along a straight drying path P4 perpendicular to the rotation axis 29 towards an outlet of the packer machine 12.

[0030] As mentioned in the foregoing, the feeding system 19 is configured to deliver in sequence the collars 6 to the corresponding pockets 16 of the wrapping drum 15 in the feeding station S3 which is located along the wrapping path P2. According to what is illustrated in Figure 10, the feeding system 19 comprises a feeding drum 36 which is mounted so as to rotate in a stepped manner and always in the same direction around a feeding axis 37 and is configured to receive a collar 6 from a cutting station S8 (illustrated in Figures 11-14) located in the area of the cutting device 22 and deliver (release) the collar 6 in the feeding station S3 to a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15.

[0031] According to what is illustrated in Figures 11-14, the feeding system 19 comprises the feeding drum 36 which supports four gripping heads 38, each of which is configured to hold a respective collar 6; the four gripping heads 38 are located in a cross-like manner, i.e. they are arranged offset by 90°. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, four gripping heads 38 are provided; according to other embodiments not illustrated, the number of gripping heads 38 is different and generally ranges from a minimum of one single gripping head 38 to a maximum of six or eight gripping heads 38. The rotation of the feeding drum 36 always in the same direction around the rotation axis 37 moves each gripping head 38 along a feeding path P5 which goes through the cutting station S8 in which the gripping head 38 receives a collar 6 and subsequently goes through the feeding station S3 in which the gripping head 38 releases (delivers) the collar 6.

[0032] The rotation axis 37 is perpendicular with respect to the rotation axis 17 (i.e. is oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis 17); as mentioned in the foregoing, the rotation axis 18 is horizontal and the rotation axis 37 forms an acute angle (generally between 30° and 45°) with a horizontal plane.

[0033] Each gripping head 38 comprises two sucking members 39, which are located so as to engage two side walls 8 of the collar 6, leaving the front wall 7 of the collar 6, which is interposed between the side walls 8, free. Each sucking member 39 has a suction cup shape and is designed to generate a suction which holds a side wall 8 of a respective collar 6. Furthermore, each gripping head 38 comprises a support body 40 which is "U"-shaped (i.e. has a "horn" shape) and supports the two sucking members 39 in the area of its opposite ends.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the feeding drum 36 comprises a central cylinder 41, which is mounted so as to rotate around the rotation axis 37, and four connection arms 42, each of which radially protrudes from the central cylinder 41 and supports a respective support body 40.

[0035] As mentioned in the foregoing, the feeding system 19 comprises the unwinding unit 20 configured to unwind the wrapping material band 21 and the cutting device 22 configured to cut the wrapping material band 21 crosswise so as to separate each collar 6 from the wrapping material band 21. According to what is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the cutting device 22 directly delivers the collar 6 separated from the wrapping material band 21 to a gripping head 38 standing still in the cutting station S8. In particular, the cutting device 22 comprises a movable and preferably sucking knife 43 (i.e. equipped with suction for holding a collar 6); in use, the movable knife 43 moves with respect to a fixed knife (not illustrated) to executes a cut of the wrapping material band 21 located between the movable knife 43 and the fixed knife crosswise. The movement of the movable knife 43, in addition to determining the cutting of the wrapping material band 21 which separates a collar 6 from the wrapping material band 21, moves the collar 6 towards the gripping head 38 standing still in the cutting station S8 and then delivers the collar 6 to the gripping head 38. Preferably, the cutting device 22 comprises a cutting cylinder 44, which supports the movable blade 43 and is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis 45 (perpendicular to the rotation axis 37) so as to rotate in opposite directions, alternatively performing a forward stroke, which separates the collar 6 from the wrapping material band 21 and delivers the collar 6 to a gripping head 38 of the feeding drum 36, and a return stroke.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 11-14, the feeding system 19 comprises a reject station S9, which is located along the feeding path P5 and is configured to eliminate a collar 6, which must not be delivered (for example because defective) to a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15 in the feeding station S3. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the reject station S9 is located along the feeding path P5 downstream of the feeding station S3; alternatively, the reject station S9 is located along the feeding path P5 upstream of the feeding station S3 (i.e. between the cutting station S8 and the feeding station S3). According to a preferred embodiment, the feeding system 19 comprises a blower device 46 (schematically illustrated in Figure 11) which is located in the reject station S9 and is configured to emit a compressed air blow, which expels the collar 6 from the feeding drum 36 and directs the rejected collar 6 towards a waste collection container.

[0037] According to a possible embodiment, an optical control station is provided which is located upstream of the feeding station S3 and in which a camera is arranged which acquires an image of each collar 6; the image is analysed to verify the shape of the collar 6 and then decide whether the collar 6 is usable or must be rejected in the reject station S9.

[0038] According to what is better illustrated in Figures 12 and 14, a pushing member 47 and an accompanying member 48 are provided, which are configured to transfer each collar 6 together from a gripping head 38 of the feeding drum 36 to a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15 in the feeding station S3, moving in a synchronous manner perpendicularly to the rotation axis 17. In particular, the pushing member 47 moves, during a forward stroke, towards the wrapping drum 15 to push a collar 6 from a gripping head 38 standing still in the feeding station S3 to a pocket 16 standing still in the feeding station S3; at the same time, the accompanying member 48 makes the same journey, engaging the collar 6 on the opposite side of the pushing member 47 (namely by pinching the front wall 7 of the collar 6 against the pushing member 47).

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment better illustrated in Figures 12 and 14, in the feeding station S3 a folding element 49 is located, which is configured to "U"-fold the collar 6 (i.e. folding the two side walls 8 of the collar 6 by 90° with respect to the front wall 7) before the delivery of the collar 6 to a pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 15. In particular, the folding element 49 is located in a fixed position in the area of the feeding station S3 and has a through opening 50 through which the collar 6 is caused to pass in order to determine the "U"-folding of the collar 6; the opening 50 has a "U"-shape and has the same dimensions as the front wall 7 of a collar 6 and consequently, to pass through the opening 50, the side walls 8 of the collar 6 must be folded by 90° with respect to the front wall 7.

[0040] In use, the suction through the gripping heads 38 is activated in the area of the cutting station S8 to hold the collars 6 and is deactivated in the area of the feeding station S3 to release the collars 6 which are transferred (undergoing a "U"-folding) to the pockets 16 of the wrapping drum 15 by the synchronised movement of the pushing member 47 and the accompanying member 48. If a collar 6 must be rejected, the suction through the respective gripping head 38 is not deactivated in the area of the feeding station S3 but is deactivated in the area of the reject station S9. Inside the central cylinder 41, pneumatic chambers and valves are located which distribute the suction (i.e. the vacuum) to the gripping heads 38 during the rotation of the gripping heads 38 around the rotation axis 37.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the folding conveyor of the wrapping unit B has one single wrapping line along which one single wrap 3 being formed is advanced at a time. According to other embodiments not illustrated (as, for example, described in patent applications EP3925896A1 and EP2257496A1), the folding conveyor of the wrapping unit B has two side by side wrapping lines (i.e. a double wrapping line) along which two wraps 3 being formed are advanced side by side at a time.

[0042] The embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures refers to the manufacturing of a pack for cigarettes, but the present invention is also applicable without substantial modifications to the manufacturing of any other type of pack for smoking articles (for example a pack for cigars, a pack for electronic cigarettes of the liquid vaporization type, a pack for new generation cigarettes without tobacco combustion...).

[0043] The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another.

[0044] The packer machine 12 described above has numerous advantages.

[0045] Firstly, the packer machine 12 allows manufacturing a high-quality pack 1 for cigarettes even operating at a high production speed (measured as packs 1 for cigarettes produced in the time unit). This result is also obtained thanks to the fact that the collars 6 are delivered to the pockets 16 of the wrapping drum 15 from the feeding drum 36 which, even operating at a high production speed, does not subject the collars 6 to very high (exceeding) accelerations which could locate the collars 6 in unwanted positions or could cause an irregular cutting of the collars 6 when the collars 6 are separated from the wrapping material band 21.

[0046] Furthermore, the packer machine 12 described above requires limited maintenance, as it does not have parts subject to high wear.

[0047] Finally, the packer machine 12 described above is particularly compact.LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE FIGURES

[0048] 1pack for cigarettes 2outer container 3wrap 4lid 5group of cigarettes 6collar 7front wall 8side walls 9claws 10wrapping sheet 11blank 12packer machine 13transfer conveyor 14pockets 15wrapping drum 16pockets 17rotation axis 18pushing member 19feeding system 20unwinding unit 21wrapping material band 22cutting device 23feeding system 24advancement conveyor 25feeding drum 26rotation axis 27wrapping drum 28pockets 29rotation axis 30drying conveyor 31yielding body 32actuator 33transfer drum 34pockets 35rotation axis 36feeding drum 37rotation axis 38gripping head 39sucking members 40support body 41central cylinder 42connection arm 43movable knife 44cutting cylinder 45rotation axis 46blowing device 47pushing member 48accompanying member 49folding element 50opening P1transfer path P2wrapping path P3wrapping path P4drying path P5feeding path S1transfer station S2transfer station S3feeding station S4feeding station S5transfer station S6pick-up station S7transfer station S8cutting station S9reject station Aforming unit Bfolding unit Cfolding unit

Claims

1. A packer machine (12) for producing a rigid pack (1) for smoking articles comprising: a wrap (3) formed by folding a wrapping sheet (10) around a group (5) of smoking articles, and an outer container (2) formed by folding a blank (11) and a collar (6) around the wrap (3); the packer machine (12) comprises: a first wrapping drum (15), which supports at least one first pocket (16) designed to contain the wrap (3) and the collar (6) and is mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (17) in order to move the first pocket (16) along a first circular wrapping path (P2); and a first feeding system (19) configured to deliver the collar (6) to the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15) in a first feeding station (S3) located along the first wrapping path (P2); wherein the first feeding system (19) comprises a feeding drum (36), which supports at least one gripping head (38) configured to hold the collar (6) and is mounted so as to always rotate in the same direction around a second rotation axis (37) so as to move the gripping head (38) along a feeding path (P5), which goes through the first feeding station (S3); the packer machine (12) is characterized in that the second rotation axis (37) is perpendicular to the first rotation axis (17).

2. The packer machine (12) according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation axis (37) forms an acute angle with a horizontal plane.

3. The packer machine (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rotation axis (17) is horizontal.

4. The packer machine (12) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the gripping head (38) comprises two sucking members (39), which are located so as to engage two side walls (8) of the collar (6), leaving a front wall (7) of the collar (6), which is interposed between the side walls (8), free.

5. The packer machine (12) according to claim 4, wherein the gripping head (38) comprises a support body (40), which is "U"-shaped and supports the two sucking members (39) in the area of its opposite ends.

6. The packer machine (12) according to claim 5, wherein the feeding drum (36) comprises a central cylinder (41), which is mounted so as to rotate around the second rotation axis (37), and a connection arm (42), which radially protrudes from the central cylinder (41) and supports the support body (40).

7. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 6, wherein the first feeding system (19) comprises: a first unwinding unit (20) configured to unwind a first wrapping material band (21); and a cutting device (22) configured to cut the wrapping material band (21) crosswise so as to separate the collar (6) from the wrapping material band (21).

8. The packer machine (12) according to claim 7, wherein the cutting device (22) directly delivers the collar (6) separated from the wrapping material band (21) to the gripping head (38) of the feeding drum (36) in a cutting station (S8) located along the feeding path (P5) upstream of the first feeding station (S3).

9. The packer machine (12) according to claim 8, wherein the cutting device (22) comprises a movable blade (43) and a cutting cylinder (44), which supports the movable blade (43) and is mounted so as to rotate around a third rotation axis (45) so as to rotate in opposite directions, alternatively performing a forward stroke, which separates the collar (6) from the wrapping material band (21) and delivers the collar (6) to the gripping head (38) of the feeding drum (36), and a return stroke.

10. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 9, wherein the first feeding system (19) comprises a reject station (S9), which is located along the feeding path (P5) and is configured to eliminate a collar (6), which must not be delivered to the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15) in the first feeding station (S3).

11. The packer machine (12) according to claim 10, wherein the first feeding system (19) comprises a blowing device (46), which is located in the reject station (S9) and is configured to emit a compressed air blow, which expels the collar (6) from the feeding drum (36).

12. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 11 and comprising a pushing member (47) and an accompanying member (48) configured to transfer the collar (6) together from the gripping head (38) of the feeding drum (36) to the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15) in the first feeding station (S3), moving in a synchronous manner perpendicularly to the first rotation axis (17).

13. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 12 and comprising a folding element (49), which is located in the area of the first feeding station (S3) and is configured to "U"-fold the collar (6) before the delivery of the collar (6) to the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15).

14. The packer machine (12) according to claim 11, wherein the folding element (49) is located in a fixed position in the area of the first feeding station (S3) and has a through opening (50), through which the collar (6) is caused to pass in order to determine the "U"-folding of the collar (6).

15. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 14 and comprising a transfer station (S2), which is located along the first wrapping path (P1) downstream of the first feeding station (S3) and is configured to insert the wrap (3) into the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15).

16. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 15 and comprising a second feeding system (19) configured to deliver the blank (11) to the first pocket (16) of the first wrapping drum (15) in a second feeding station (S4) located along the first wrapping path (P2) downstream of the first feeding station (S3).

17. The packer machine (12) according to one of the claims from 1 to 16 and comprising a second wrapping drum (27), which is located downstream of the first wrapping drum (15), supports at least one second pocket (28) designed to contain the wrap (3), the collar (6) and the blank (11) and is mounted so as to rotate around a third rotation axis (29), which is parallel to the first rotation axis (17), in order to move the second pocket (28) along a second circular wrapping path (P3).

18. A wrapping method for producing a rigid pack (1) for smoking articles comprising: a wrap (3) formed by folding a wrapping sheet (10) around a group (5) of smoking articles, and an outer container (2) formed by folding a blank (11) and a collar (6) around the wrap (3); the wrapping method comprises the steps of: moving a pocket (16) designed to contain the wrap (3) and the collar (6) along a circular wrapping path (P2) by means of a wrapping drum (15) mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (17); and delivering the collar (6) to the pocket (16) of the wrapping drum (15) in a feeding station (S3) located along the wrapping path (P2) and by means of a feeding system (19); wherein the feeding system (19) comprises a feeding drum (36), which supports at least one gripping head (38) configured to hold the collar (6) and is mounted so as to always rotate in the same direction around a second rotation axis (37) so as to move the gripping head (38) along a feeding path (P5), which goes through the first feeding station (S3); the wrapping method is characterized in that the second rotation axis (37) is perpendicular to the first rotation axis (17).

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