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).

Claims

[Claim 1] A packaging device (10) for automatically packaging smoking articles (100), Each smoking article comprises a casing (101) having at least one rear zone (Z3) configured to be closed, The aforementioned packaging device is A first closing assembly (11) which can be selectively operated 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), These are arranged in order in the working direction (X), The aforementioned packaging device is A second closing assembly (13) is located downstream of the cutting assembly (12) in the working direction (X), and can be selectively operated to close the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) according to a second closing mode different from the first closing mode. A packaging device characterized by being equipped with the following features. [Claim 2] The first closing assembly (11) includes torsion means (15, 17, 19). The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The twisting means includes a closing device (15) equipped with a rotating gripping means (17, 19) configured to rotate-drive one end of the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) to twist it. The packaging apparatus (10) according to feature 2. [Claim 4] The casing (101) is provided with a first gripping member (16) configured to grip the casing (101) and displace the casing toward the first closing assembly (11). The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 5] The second closing assembly (13) further comprises a folding means (39) configured to close the rear zone (Z3) by folding at least one flap of the rear zone (Z3). The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 6] The casing (101) is further provided with a second gripping member (40) configured to grip the casing (101) and displace the casing toward the second closing assembly (13). The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 7] Each of the casings (101) further comprises a front mouthpiece zone (Z1) and a central zone (Z2) located between the front mouthpiece zone (Z1) and the rear zone (Z3), wherein at least the central zone (Z2) is filled with a smokeable product (M). The aforementioned cutting assembly (12) is A cutting means (31) for selectively cutting the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) at a desired height, Suction means (35, 36) configured to suck up the debris generated by the cutting means (31), It has both The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 8] The system includes a control unit (56) that is operably connected to at least the first closing assembly (11) and the second closing assembly (13), and is programmed to activate only the operation of either the first or second closing assembly (11, 13) for each of the smoking articles (100). The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1. [Claim 9] A packaging method for automatically packaging smoking articles (100), Each smoking article comprises a casing (101) having at least one rear zone (Z3) configured to be closed, The aforementioned packaging method is At least one closing step in which the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) is selectively closed according to a first closing mode by a first closing assembly (11), or according to a second closing mode by a second closing assembly (13) that is different from the first closing mode, In some cases, the rear zone (Z3) is cut by the cutting assembly (12), a cutting step, Equipped with, The first closing assembly (11), the cutting assembly (12), and the second closing assembly (13) are arranged in order in the working direction (X). A packaging method characterized by the following features. [Claim 10] The first closing mode provides twisting the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) by torsion means (15, 17, 19). The packaging method according to feature 9. [Claim 11] The second closing mode provides folding of at least one of the flaps of the rear zone (Z3) of the casing (101) by the folding means (39). The packaging method according to feature 9. [Claim 12] When the cutting step is performed according to the first closing mode, the cutting step is performed after the closing step, and / or when the cutting step is performed according to the second closing mode, the cutting step is performed before the closing step. The packaging method according to feature 9. [Claim 13] When the closing step is performed according to the first closing mode, the casing (101) further comprises the step of being gripped and displaced toward the first closing assembly (11). The packaging method according to feature 9. [Claim 14] When the closing step is performed according to the second closing mode, the casing (101) further comprises the step of being gripped and displaced toward the second closing assembly (13). The packaging method according to feature 9. [Claim 15] Use of the packaging device (10) described in claim 1.

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