Apparatus and method for automatically packaging smoking articles

Abstract

A packaging machine (10) and method for automatically packaging smoking articles (100). The packaging machine (10) comprises a first closure assembly (11) configured to close the smoking articles (100) according to a first closure mode, a cutting assembly (12) configured to cut the smoking articles (100), and a second closure assembly (13) configured to close the smoking articles (100) according to a second closure mode different from the first closure mode, arranged sequentially in a working direction (X).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically packaging smoking articles, such as cigarettes, each smoking article comprising a casing having a front mouthpiece zone, optionally equipped with a filter, a central zone filled with a smokable product, such as tobacco or other incoherent substance, and an empty rear zone adapted to be selectively closed. The apparatus and method according to the invention can effect closure of the rear zone of each casing by twisting or folding each casing after cutting to size. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that in the automated production of smoking articles such as cigarettes, particularly using highly productive machines, one of the important aspects to take into account, and as a result one of the technical problems to overcome, is that related to the final stage of the packaging of smoking articles, i.e. the sealing of the containment material into which incoherent substances such as smoking material, e.g. tobacco, other smokable substances, or combinations thereof, have already been inserted.

[0003] Typically, the containment material consists of very thin and light paper or other suitable material, possibly in the form of a casing, which may or may not contain a filter in the front mouthpiece zone, and is therefore difficult to process in an automated manner, especially when all operations have to be carried out in a very short time, also with the aim of achieving high productivity.

[0004] The packaging step is usually performed after a filling or injection step, in which the smoking material is loaded or inserted into a receiving material. Downstream of the packaging device there is usually a delivery station and possibly also a station for packaging the finished smoking articles.

[0005] An example of an apparatus and method for automatically manufacturing products for smoking articles is described in WO 2019 / 183128. This solution, known in the prior art, describes both the step of injecting smoking material into the interior of the smoking article and the next step of closing the rear zone of the article itself after it has been filled with smoking material.

[0006] With regard to the technical task of automatic packaging of smoking articles, and in particular the technical task of closing the rear zone of each casing made of the abovementioned containment material after the smoking material has been inserted in its central zone, it is known to use a closing device known to those skilled in the art that is able to twist the rear zone to create a "twist" type closure, or alternatively another closing device known to those skilled in the art that is able to fold the rear zone to create a "Dutch crown" type closure. It is also known to close the rear zone of each casing manually or with the aid of an operator.

[0007] Thus, in known devices, before production, it is necessary to decide whether to obtain a "twist" type closure or a "Dutch crown" type closure and prepare the corresponding closure device / closing mode. The choice of the type of closure is not a purely aesthetic matter, but may also correlate with the degree of filling of the respective casing.

[0008] Moreover, it must also be taken into account that, in order to completely solve the technical problem of closing the casings of smoking articles after filling them with smoking material, it is usually also necessary to cut the rear end of each casing to size. Indeed, regardless of the initial length of each casing, the rear end must be conveniently cut depending on the amount of smoking material to be inserted in the central zone of the casing and the type of closure to be used.

[0009] Currently, there are no packaging devices and / or methods in the prior art that are capable of automatically and selectively closing the casings of smoking articles, optionally using one of the two types of closures mentioned above, i.e., by twisting or folding the rear end of each casing.

[0010] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a wrapping machine and method for automatically wrapping smoking articles which is capable of producing closures of both types, i.e., twisting or folding, based on operator selection or in a programmed manner.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine and method for automatically packaging smoking articles, which is highly versatile, simple and reliable, and in which the transition of smoking articles from one type of closure to another type of closure can be performed without the need for mechanical intervention in the machine, even in a remote location, simply by setting the required mode using an electronic input device.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging apparatus and method for automatically packaging smoking articles, the packaging apparatus and method being capable of achieving high productivity, for example, producing approximately 7,000 smoking articles per hour.

[0013] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

[0015] In accordance with the above object, a wrapping machine for automatically wrapping smoking articles, each smoking article comprising a casing having at least one rear zone adapted to be closed, the wrapping machine comprising a first closure assembly selectively operable to close the rear zone of the casing according to a first closure mode, a cutting assembly adapted to selectively cut the rear zone of the casing, and a second closure assembly selectively operable to close the rear zone of the casing according to a second closure mode different from the first closure mode, arranged sequentially in a working direction, the second closure assembly therefore being arranged downstream of the cutting assembly in the working direction.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the first closure mode provides for twisting the rear zone of the casing, the first closure assembly comprising twisting means.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the twisting means comprises a closure device comprising a rotating means adapted to be rotationally driven to twist one end of the rear region of the casing for each of the smoking articles.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the first closure assembly also comprises, for each of the smoking articles, a first gripping member configured to selectively grip the corresponding smoking article and displace it towards the first closure assembly, in particular towards the closure device of the twisting means.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the second closure mode provides at least one folding of at least one flap of the rear zone of the casing, the second closure assembly comprising folding means configured to close the rear zone by folding said at least one flap.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the second closure assembly also comprises, for each of the smoking articles, a second gripping member configured to selectively grip the corresponding smoking article and displace it towards the second closure assembly, in particular towards the folding means included therein.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, in which each casing comprises a mouthpiece zone and a central zone between the front and rear zones and filled with smokable products, the cutting assembly comprises both cutting means for selectively cutting the rear zone of the casing at a desired height, understood as the distance from the edge of the central zone, and suction means configured to suction the scraps produced by the cutting means.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises a control unit operably connected to at least a first closure assembly and a second closure assembly and programmed to activate operation of only one of the first or second closure assemblies for each smoking article.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging method for automatically packaging smoking articles, each smoking article comprising a casing having at least one rear zone configured to be closed, the packaging method comprising at least one closing step, in which the rear zone of the casing is selectively closed according to a first closure mode by a first closure assembly or according to a second closure mode different from the first closure mode by a second closure assembly, and a possible cutting step, in which the rear zone is selectively cut to size by a cutting assembly.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the first closing mode provides for twisting the rear zone of the casing by means of torsion means.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the second closing mode provides for at least one folding of at least one flap of the rear zone of the casing by means of folding means.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, when the cutting step is performed according to the first closing mode, the cutting step is performed after the closing step, and when the cutting step is performed according to the second closing mode, the cutting step is performed before the closing step.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the packaging method further comprises a step of gripping and displacing the casing towards the first closure assembly when the closing step is performed according to the first closure mode, or gripping and displacing the casing towards the second closure assembly when the closing step is performed according to the second closure mode.

[0028] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for automatically packaging smoking articles according to the present invention, shown in a first operational state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the first closure assembly of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 shown in a second operational condition. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a second closure assembly included in the device shown in FIGS. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the machines constituting the apparatus of FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a smoking article inserted into a seat of a transport member and prior to processing in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the smoking article of FIG. 6 after the rear zone (top of the figure) has been twisted closed. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a front view of the smoking article of FIG. 7 after the already twisted rear zone has been cut to size. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the smoking article of FIG. 6 after its rear zone (top of the figure) has been cut to size. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the smoking article of FIG. 9 after the end of the rear zone (top of the figure) has been folded closed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic and simplified side view of a first closure assembly of the device of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic and simplified side view of the cutting assembly of the device of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic and simplified side view of a second closure assembly of the device of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exemplary block diagram of the operation of the electronic control unit of the device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] It must be made clear that in this specification and the claims, the phrasing and terminology used, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, front, back, high, low and within, together with their deviations, have the sole function of better explaining the invention with reference to the drawings, and must not be used in any way to limit the scope of the invention itself or the field of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0031] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain sizes or features in the drawings may be enlarged, distorted, or shown in an unconventional or disproportionate manner to provide an easier to understand version of the invention. Where sizes or values ​​are specified in the following description, the sizes or values ​​are provided for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention, unless such sizes and / or values ​​are present in the appended claims.

[0032] Before describing embodiments of the present invention, it should be made clear that the invention is not to be considered as limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and indeed the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being obtained or carried out in various other equivalent manners.

[0033] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numbers have been used wherever possible in the drawings to identify identical common elements, it being understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially combined or incorporated in other embodiments without further specification.

[0034] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the apparatus 10 according to the present invention can be used to automatically package smoking articles 100, in particular to close the open rear zone Z3 of the smoking article 100, as will be described in detail below.

[0035] 5, the apparatus 10 is configured to form part of a machine 200 for manufacturing smoking articles 100 and comprises, for example, in order, a supply station 201, a filling station 202, both of which are arranged upstream of the apparatus 10, and downstream of the filling station 202, a delivery station 203 capable of delivering the finished smoking articles 100 to a packaging station 205, which may be external to the machine 200. Furthermore, the machine 200 comprises a transport device 206 having the function of transporting the smoking articles 100 from the supply station 201 to the packaging station 205 along the entire work line, for example in a work direction X, preferably linearly and horizontally.

[0036] The supply station 201, the filling station 202, the delivery station 203, the packaging station 205, and the transport device 206 may be of any known or future developed type, or may be as described, for example, in related patent applications for industrial inventions filed by or assigned to the applicant of the present patent application.

[0037] For example, the transport device 206 comprises a transport member 207 (FIGS. 1-6) having the shape and function of a shuttle and configured to slide on fixed guides 209 in a working direction X. In the example provided here, the transport member 207 comprises four hollow, through-hole seats 210, each seat 210 having a truncated cone shape with a size matching the size of a smoking article 100, or at least its lower part. In the example shown here, the size of each seat 210 is such that when each smoking article 100 is inserted into the seat 210, it not only protrudes from the upper surface of the transport member 207, but also protrudes a few millimeters from its lower surface (FIG. 6).

[0038] It is clear that the number of pedestals 210 may be other than four, with the understanding that such numbers will affect the hourly productivity of the machine 200. In fact, when a work cycle is carried out at each of the different work stations 201, 202, 203 and 205 and the device 10, or at a slower work station, a definite cycle time TC, expressed in seconds, is required, and the hourly productivity of the machine 200 is equal to 3,600 divided by the cycle time TC multiplied by the number of pedestals 210 of each transport element 207. In fact, at the four pedestals 210, work is carried out in parallel.

[0039] Each pedestal 210 is substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis Y and is configured to receive a smoking article 100 that can be inserted from top to bottom with the rear zone Z3 facing up (FIG. 6).

[0040] The distance D (FIG. 1) between two adjacent pedestals 210 is determined during the design phase of the machine 200 and is suitable for managing a plurality of smoking articles 100, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0041] As a non-limiting example, the machine 200 is capable of preparing each smoking article 100 in a very short time, i.e., a cycle time TC of about 2 seconds, and is therefore capable of producing approximately 7,000 smoking articles 100 per hour, precisely because four smoking articles 100 are worked on simultaneously in each work station 201, 202, 203, 205 and the apparatus 10.

[0042] Before describing in detail the apparatus 10 and corresponding method for automatically packaging smoking articles 100, a smoking article 100 (FIGS. 6-10) will be generally described as a non-limiting example in order to better understand the invention.

[0043] Upon arrival in correspondence with the device 10, for example from a filling station 202 (FIG. 5), each smoking article 100 comprises a casing 101 (FIG. 6), for example made of very thin and light paper or other suitable paper. Each casing 101 comprises a front mouthpiece zone Z1, possibly equipped with a filter 102, a central zone Z2, and is already filled with an incoherent substance M, such as tobacco, smokable substance, or a combination thereof, when the smoking article 100 arrives in correspondence with the device 10, and further comprises a rear zone Z3 that is adapted to be appropriately closed to prevent the incoherent substance M from escaping the casing 101. Each casing 101 has a determined initial length L1, for example comprised between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, before the rear zone Z3 is closed, while the smoking article 100, once completed, has a final length LF depending on its type, which depends both on the amount of incoherent material M inserted into the casing 101 and on the type of closure of its rear zone Z3, i.e. by twisting (Figures 7 and 8) or folding (Figure 10).

[0044] Each casing 101 has a shape that is easy to stack, for example a truncated cone shape, and flares out from the front zone Z1 to the rear zone Z3.

[0045] The device 10 (FIGS. 1 and 3) essentially comprises a first closure assembly 11, a cutting assembly 12 and a second closure assembly 13 arranged one after the other in a working direction X.

[0046] In particular, the first closure assembly 11 is arranged adjacent to the filling station 202 (Figure 5), which is configured to close the rear zone Z3 (Figure 6) of the casing 101 according to a first closure mode, i.e. by twisting them; the second closure assembly 13 is arranged adjacent to the delivery station 203 (Figure 5), which is configured to close the rear zone Z3 (Figure 10) of the casing 101 according to a second closure mode, i.e. by folding the ends of the casing 101; the cutting assembly 12 is arranged between the first closure assembly 11 and the second closure assembly 13 and is configured to cut the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 to a predetermined size.

[0047] The first closure assembly 11 (FIGS. 1, 2) comprises four closure devices 15 that are identical to one another and each are arranged along a corresponding vertical axis R. The four vertical axes R are spaced apart the same distance D as the seats 210 of the same transport member 207 are spaced apart. Between each closure device 15 and the fixed guide 209 is a first gripping member 16 that is also aligned with the corresponding vertical axis R.

[0048] Each closing device 15 comprises a rotating gripper 17 of a type known per se with jaws 19 which are lined on the inside with a grippy material, for example rough rubber.

[0049] According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawings, each closing device 15 may comprise a series of grippers with jaws to which are attached rotating elements, such as one or more rollers.

[0050] Each rotating gripper 17 is configured to clamp a rear zone Z3 of each casing 101 between its jaws 19 and twist the rear zone Z3 about a vertical axis R while the smoking article 100 is held stationary by a corresponding first gripping member 16.

[0051] A first actuator 20 (FIG. 11) is attached to a first vertical plate 21 of a fixed structure and is configured to command the four rotating grippers 17 simultaneously.

[0052] The four first gripping members 16 are arranged on the same horizontal plane in the idle position PH1 and have the function of descending to a lowered position PA1 to simultaneously pick up four smoking articles 100 contained in the base 210 of the transporting member 207, the base 210 being temporarily below the four first gripping members 16, which then take them at an elevated position PS1 corresponding to the rotating gripper 17.

[0053] The simultaneous lowering and raising of the four first gripping members 16 is commanded by a first moving device 22 comprising a first slider 23 which slides vertically relative to the first vertical plate 21 and is driven by a second actuator 26 of known type attached to the vertical plate 21.

[0054] Each first gripping member 16 comprises at least two jaws 27, the interior portions of which are shaped to have opposing mirror-finished semi-cylindrical recesses so that, when the two jaws 27 are clamped together, they form a gripping seating suitable for gripping the smoking article 100 without compromising the structural integrity of the casing 101. Again, to improve gripping strength, the jaws 27 are lined internally with a grippy material, such as rough rubber.

[0055] The opening and closing of the jaws 27 of the four first gripping members 16 is performed simultaneously by means of two substantially horizontal slides 29 and 30 mounted for axial sliding on the first slider 23. The two slides 29 and 30 are driven by command members of known type, for example electric motors or linear actuators of the pneumatic or hydrodynamic type (not shown).

[0056] The cutting assembly 12 (Figures 1, 3 and 12) essentially comprises one or more cutting members 31 (Figure 12), each consisting of, for example, a blade or shear of a known type, configured to simultaneously cut the rear zones Z3 of the casings 101 of four smoking articles 100 contained in the transport member 207 after the rear zones Z3 have been twisted by the first closure assembly 11 or before they are closed by the second closure assembly 13, as will be described in detail below.

[0057] In the example provided here, the cutting member 31 is attached to a second slider 32 of substantially the same width as the transport member 207 and is simultaneously driven by a third actuator 33 also attached to the second slider 32 .

[0058] To suck up the cut parts or scrap produced by the cutting member 31, the second slider 32 is also fitted with a known suction member 35 provided with a suction duct 36, one end of which is positioned close to the zone where the cut is made.

[0059] The second slider 32 together with the cutting member 31 and the suction member 35 is selectively movable relative to a fixed structural second vertical plate 37 between an idle position PR (FIG. 12) which is outside the overall size of the smoking article 100 present on the transport member 207, and an operating position PO in which the cutting member 31 can cut the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 to a predetermined size, and vice versa. The movement of the second slider 32 between the idle position PR and the operating position PO is caused in a direction perpendicular to the working direction X by a fourth actuator 38, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0060] As will be explained in more detail below, both the movement of the second slider 32 and the actuation of the cutting member 31 are coordinated with the movement of the transport member 207 .

[0061] The second closure assembly 13 comprises four folding devices 39 that are identical to one another and each are arranged along a corresponding vertical axis T. The four vertical axes T are spaced apart by the same distance D from one another and the seats 210 of the same transport member 207 are spaced apart by the distance D. Between each folding device 39 and the fixed guide 209 is a second gripping member 40 that is aligned with the corresponding vertical axis T (FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0062] Each folding device 39 is configured to fold inwardly a flap of a rear zone Z3 of the casing 101, the rear zone Z3 having already been cut to size by the cutting assembly 12.

[0063] The four folding devices 39 may be of any known type or of a type to be manufactured in the future capable of performing the so-called "Dutch crown" folding of the ends of the rear zone Z3, and they are commanded, for example, by a fifth actuator 41 (Figures 4 and 13) attached to a third vertical plate 42 of the fixed structure.

[0064] In the idle position PH2, the four second grip members 40 are arranged on the same horizontal plane and are configured to first descend simultaneously toward the descending position PA2, at which they can simultaneously pick up the four smoking articles 100 temporarily stored in the base 210 of the transport member 207 below, and then rise to an ascending position PS2 higher than the idle position PH2, at which the four picked up smoking articles 100 respectively correspond to the four folding devices 39.

[0065] The simultaneous lowering and raising of the four second gripping members 40 is commanded by a second moving device 43 which has a third slider 45 which slides vertically relative to the third fixed vertical plate 42 and is driven by a sixth actuator 47 of known type attached to the third fixed vertical plate 42.

[0066] Each second gripping member 40 comprises at least two jaws 49 (Figures 3 and 4) the interior portions of which are shaped to have mirror-finished semi-cylindrical recesses facing each other which, when the two jaws 49 are clamped together, form a gripping seat suitable for gripping a smoking article 100 without compromising the structural integrity of the casing 101. Again, to improve gripping power, the interior of the jaws 49 are lined internally with a grippy material, such as a coarse rubber.

[0067] The opening and closing of the jaws 49 of the four second gripping members 40 is performed simultaneously by means of two substantially horizontal slides 50 and 51 mounted in an axially sliding manner on the third slider 45. The two slides 50 and 51 are driven by command members of known type, for example electric motors or linear actuators of the pneumatic or hydrodynamic type, not shown.

[0068] According to another aspect of the invention, in order that the closure by folding can be performed correctly and the four second gripping members 40 can clamp four corresponding smoking articles 100 in the central zone Z2 of the casing 101, one or more lifting devices 52 of a type known per se, regardless of type, are arranged below the fixed guide 209 and configured to simultaneously lift the same smoking articles 100. In the example given here, there are four lifting devices 52, but it is also possible to provide a single lifting device 52 configured to perform the same function.

[0069] The lifting devices 52 are disposed on a fixed horizontal plate 53 and are simultaneously driven by a seventh actuator 55 also disposed on the fixed horizontal plate 53 .

[0070] The device 10 also includes an electronic control unit 56 (FIG. 14), for example of a programmable type, configured to control the operation of the first closure assembly 11, the cutting assembly 12 and the second closure assembly 13 to selectively operate according to a mode for closing a selected smoking article 100, or to control the operation of either the first closure assembly 11 or the second closure assembly 13, which will be described in more detail below with reference to the operation of the device 10.

[0071] In particular, the electronic control unit 56 is configured to provide commands to the actuators 20, 26, 33, 38, 41, 47, 55 and thus other mechanical means operatively connected thereto.

[0072] The operation of the device 10 described so far, which corresponds to the method according to the invention, comprises the following steps.

[0073] In an initial or idle state, the first and second gripping members 16 and 40 (FIGS. 11 and 13) are in idle positions PH1 and PH2, respectively, and the second slider 32 of the cutting assembly 12 is in the idle position PR (FIG. 12).

[0074] Before commencing the operation of closing the casing 101 and cutting the rear zones Z3 to size, the electronic control unit 56 is set to activate either the first closure assembly 11 or the second closure assembly 13. Thus, the device 10 will perform two different operations depending on whether each rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 is closed by twisting or by folding.

[0075] Indeed, when the twist-to-close mode is set, the transport member 207 is transported to a first position P1 (FIG. 1) just below the first closure assembly 11. In this position, the four vertical axes R of the closure device 15 coincide with the axes Y of the four pedestals 210.

[0076] A closing step is then carried out under the control of the electronic control unit 56, during which the transport member 207 remains stationary in the first position P1 and the smoking articles 100 are accommodated in the base 210 of the transport member 207 for a time interval (Figure 6) equal to the cycle time TC required for the first closure assembly 11 to simultaneously close the four rear zones Z3 of the casings 101 of the same number of smoking articles 100.

[0077] Next, the second actuator 26 (Figure 11) lowers the first slider 23 and the four gripping members 16 mounted thereon from the idle position PH1 to the lowered position PA1, at which point the slides 29 and 30 are driven to reciprocate relative to one another to lightly clamp the four smoking articles 100 within the seats 210 of the transport member 207 between the jaws 27.

[0078] The second actuator 26 then raises the first slider 23 together with the four smoking articles 100 gripped by the first gripping member 16, moving the first gripping member 16 from the lowered position PA1 to the raised position PS1, whereby the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 is taken up between the corresponding open jaws 19 of the four rotating grippers 17.

[0079] The first actuator 20 then closes the jaws 19 in at least a portion of the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101, The four rotating grippers 17 rotate simultaneously about their vertical axes R, thus twisting closed the four rear zones Z3 (FIG. 7).

[0080] Next, in the reverse operation to that described above, the rotating gripper stops, the jaws 19 reopen and the first slider 23 descends to return the four already closed smoking articles 100 to their initial position, i.e. inside the base 210 of the transport member 207, after which the first gripping member 16 is returned to the idle position PH1.

[0081] Once the above-mentioned closing step is completed, the transport member 207 (FIG. 1) is moved in a known manner in the working direction X towards the cutting assembly 12 by a pitch PT in order to reach a second position P2 just below the center of the cutting assembly 12, which in the example provided here is equal to four times the distance D between two adjacent pedestals 210 of the transport member 207.

[0082] The cutting step is then performed under the control of the electronic control unit 56, during which the fourth actuator 38 lowers the second slider 32 together with the cutting member 31 from the idle position PR to the operating position PO, the cutting member 31 precisely corresponding to the point in the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 where cutting is to be performed.

[0083] Then, in the operating position PO, both the third actuator 33 and the suction member 35 are driven, the third actuator 33 actuates the cutting member 31 to cut the rear zone Z3 to a predetermined size, and the suction member 35 suctions and removes the cut portion or scrap of the same rear zone Z3, so that the four smoking articles 100 have their final length LF (Figure 8).

[0084] Once the cutting step is completed, the fourth actuator 38 raises the second slider 32 together with the cutting member 31, returning them to the initial idle position PR (Figure 12). Furthermore, the transport member 207, after passing the second closure assembly 13, is moved another two pitches PT in the working direction X to the delivery station 203 (Figure 5) without stopping there.

[0085] Alternatively to the above, if the folding closure mode is set in the electronic control unit 56, the transport member 207, instead of being transported to the first position P1 (Figure 1), is immediately transported to the second position P2 (Figures 1 and 3) and cutting of the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101, which is still open and not twisted, is performed.

[0086] In this closed mode, the cutting steps are the same as those described above.

[0087] Subsequently, once the cutting is completed, the transport member 207 is transported from the second position P2 to a third position P3 (FIG. 3) just below the second closure assembly 13. In this position, the four vertical axes T of the folding device 39 coincide with the axes Y of the four seats 210 of the transport member 207.

[0088] A closing step is then carried out under the control of the electronic control unit 56, during which the transport member 207 remains stationary in the third position P3 for a time equal to the cycle time TC required for the second closure assembly 13 to perform simultaneous closure by folding (Figure 9) of the four rear zones Z3 of the casings 101 of the same number of smoking articles 100 contained in the base 210 of the transport member 207.

[0089] Next, the sixth actuator 47 (Figure 13) lowers the third slider 45 and the four second gripping members 40 attached thereto from the idle position PH2 to the lowered position PA2, and the slides 50 and 51 are then driven to reciprocate relative to one another to lightly clamp the four smoking articles 100 within the base 210 of the transport member 207 between the jaws 49.

[0090] If necessary, simultaneously with the descent of the third slider 45 to the lowered position PA2, i.e., the descent of the four second gripping members 40, the seventh actuator 55 drives the lifting device 52 to lift the four smoking articles 100 simultaneously so that the grip of the jaws 49 occurs in the central zone Z2 of the casing 101.

[0091] Subsequently, the sixth actuator 47 raises the third slider 45 together with the four smoking articles 100 gripped by the second gripping member 40, moving the second gripping member 40 from the lowered position PA2 to the raised position PS2, at which the rear zone Z3 of the casing 101 is consequently taken up to correspond to the four folding devices 39.

[0092] The fifth actuator 41 then drives four folding devices 39 which perform the folding of at least one flap of the rear zone Z3 of the casings 101 of the four smoking articles 100 (Figure 10).

[0093] Next, in a reverse operation to that described above, the third slider 45 descends to return the four already closed smoking articles 100 to their initial position, i.e., inside the base 210 of the transport member 207, and then the second grip member 40 is returned to the idle position PH2.

[0094] Once the folding closing step is completed, the transport member 207 is moved another pitch PT (FIG. 3) in the direction of operation X towards the delivery station 203 (FIG. 5).

[0095] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of components or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and method described above without departing from the field and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0096] For example, the electronic control unit 56 can be set so that after actuating the first closing assembly 11 to close the rear zone Z3 and after driving the cutting assembly 12, the second closing assembly 13 is also actuated so as to not close the already closed rear zone but to fold the portion of the rear zone that has already been twisted and cut to size.

[0097] The machine 10 therefore makes it possible to manufacture, in a very versatile manner, four different types of smoking articles 100, whose casings 101 are closed according to a first mode or a second mode.

[0098] These four types are: A: Standard closure by simply twisting the rear zone Z3 of each casing 101. B: Closing by twisting the rear zone Z3 of each casing 101 as in A (twisting) followed by cutting off the excess part of the same rear zone Z3. C: Closure by twisting as in A or B followed by folding. D: Closure by folding back zone Z3 of each casing 101 (Dutch crown), possibly pre-cut to size.

[0099] In smoking articles 100 closed as in A, B, or C, rear zone Z3 is closed by twisting, possibly cutting (B), and / or optionally folding (C), whereas in smoking articles 100 closed as in D, rear zone Z3 is closed by folding after appropriate cutting.

[0100] As is clear from the detailed description above, in the closing mode referred to at point A above, the electronic control unit 56 drives only the first closing assembly 11, in the closing mode referred to at point B above, the electronic control unit 56 drives the first closing assembly 11 and the cutting assembly 12, in the closing mode referred to at point C above, the electronic control unit 56 drives all three assemblies 11, 12, 13, and in the closing mode referred to at point D above, the electronic control unit 56 drives only the cutting assembly 12 and the second closing assembly 13.

[0101] It should further be noted that the first assembly 11 for closing by twisting, the cutting assembly 12 and the second assembly 13 for closing by folding must be arranged in sequence respecting this order, but may not be consecutive. Indeed, other devices, equipment and / or work stations of the machine 200, such as control stations, press stations, etc., may also be arranged between them.

[0102] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is clear to those skilled in the art that many other equivalent forms of devices and methods for packaging smoking articles can certainly be realised having the features recited in the claims, all falling within the scope of protection defined by the claims. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in parentheses is for ease of reading and must not be considered as limiting factors with respect to the scope of protection of the particular claims.

Claims

1. A packaging device (10) for automatically packaging a smoking article (100), each smoking article comprising a casing (101) having at least one rear zone (Z3) configured to be closed, the packaging device comprising: a first closing assembly (11) selectively operable to close the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) according to a first closing mode; a cutting assembly (12) configured to selectively cut the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101); said cutting assembly and said first closing assembly being arranged in sequence in a working direction (X); the packaging device further comprising: a second closing assembly (13) selectively operable to close the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) according to a second closing mode different from the first closing mode, said second closing assembly being arranged downstream of the cutting assembly (12) in the working direction (X). A packaging device, characterized in that it comprises the above.

2. The first closing assembly (11) comprises twisting means (15, 17, 19). The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.

3. The twisting means comprises a closing device (15) provided with rotary gripping means (17, 19) configured to be rotationally driven to twist one end of the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101). The packaging device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the above.

4. The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first gripping member (16) configured to grip the casing (101) and displace the casing towards the first closing assembly (11). The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.

5. The second closing assembly (13) further comprises folding means (39) configured to close the rear zone (Z3) by folding at least one flap of the rear zone (Z3). The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.

6. The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second gripping member (40) configured to grip the casing (101) and displace the casing towards the second closing assembly (13). The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.

7. Each of said casings (101) further comprises a front mouthpiece zone (Z1) and a central zone (Z2) between said front zone (Z1) and said rear zone (Z3), and at least said central zone (Z2) is filled with a smokable product (M). Said cutting assembly (12) Cutting means (31) for selectively cutting said rear zone (Z3) of said casing (101) at a desired height, Suction means (35, 36) configured to suck the chips generated by said cutting means (31), Both comprising The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. At least said first closing assembly (11) and said second closing assembly (13) are operably connected, and a control unit (56) programmed to activate only the operation of either one of said first or second closing assemblies (11, 13) for each of said smoking articles (100). The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. A packaging method for automatically packaging a smoking article (100), Each smoking article comprises a casing (101) having at least one rear zone (Z3) configured to be closed, Said packaging method At least one closing step in which said rear zone (Z3) of said casing (101) is selectively closed according to a first closing mode by a first closing assembly (11) or according to a second closing mode different from said first closing mode by a second closing assembly (13), Optionally, said rear zone (Z3) is a cutting step cut by a cutting assembly (12), Comprising Said first closing assembly (11), said cutting assembly (12), and said second closing assembly (13) are arranged in order in the working direction (X). A packaging method characterized by that.

10. Said first closing mode provides twisting of said rear zone (Z3) of said casing (101) by twisting means (15, 17, 19). The packaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that.

11. Said second closing mode provides folding of at least one flap of said rear zone (Z3) of said casing (101) by folding means (39). The packaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that.

12. When the cutting step is executed according to the first closing mode, the cutting step is executed after the closing step, and / or when the cutting step is executed according to the second closing mode, the cutting step is executed before the closing step The packaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that

13. When the closing step is executed according to the first closing mode, the method further comprises the step of gripping the casing (101) and displacing it towards the first closing assembly (11) The packaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that

14. When the closing step is executed according to the second closing mode, the method further comprises the step of gripping the casing (101) and displacing it towards the second closing assembly (13) The packaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that

15. The use of the packaging device (10) according to claim 1, or The packaging method according to claim 9

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