Apparatus and method for automatically packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus (10) and a method for packaging wrappers (100) for smoking articles including a respective filter (101) into stacks (110) that are inserted into corresponding trays (200).

Description

[0001] “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING TUBULAR WRAPPERS OF SMOKING ARTICLES”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for automatically packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles, each tubular wrapper preferably including its own filter. The tubular wrappers are then intended to be filled with smokable products, such as tobacco or suchlike.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the smoking articles sector, there is an increasing need to produce cigarettesized wrappers, guaranteeing high productivity and complete automation.

[0006] Normally, the external wrappers for smoking articles have a substantially cylindrical or truncated-conical shape, and are made of non-toxic, smokable, very brittle and thin paper, with a thickness of the order of a few hundredths of a millimeter, and consequently difficult to treat mechanically.

[0007] In addition, a filter is arranged at a mouthpiece end of the wrapper which is made by folding and wrapping on itself a different type of paper, non-smokable, having a thickness of a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0008] To transport the wrappers, it is known to package them in stacks, each containing a predetermined number of wrappers, the stacks being arranged in a special tray configured to keep the stacks and ensure that the wrappers are not damaged during transport. When forming the stacks it is provided to arrange, in the top wrapper in each stack, a tubular insert, for example shaped like a straw, in order to distance the top wrapper from an upper wall of the package.

[0009] A problem with the state of the art is that the stacks of tubular wrappers and their insertion into the designated tray are made manually. The fact that these wrappers, which are made of very thin and therefore very fragile paper, are handled manually involves a high risk of damage, even if simply caused by folding the paper unintentionally. In addition, to avoid damaging the wrappers, handling is done at reduced speeds, which negatively impacts the productivity of these wrappers’ production process.

[0010] WG-A2-2023 / 002422 discloses an apparatus for packaging wrappers for smoking articles, and a corresponding packaging method, which provides to form stacks of wrappers and transfer them into tubular packets. The apparatus comprises a transfer device for transferring the wrappers to a packaging station. However, this document does not provide to transfer the stacks of wrappers into a tray and to orient them correctly for this purpose.

[0011] There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus and a method that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0012] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of automating the stacking of the tubular wrappers of smoking articles and the insertion of the stacks into the designated trays.

[0013] Specifically, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and develop a method for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles that allow to automatically form stacks of tubular wrappers, each comprising a predetermined number of wrappers.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and develop a method for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles that are able to insert a tubular insert, for example shaped like a straw, selectively only into the tubular wrappers that are intended to be arranged at the top of the respective stack.

[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and develop a method for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles that allow to insert, automatically and in an orderly manner, the stacks of tubular wrappers into a tray, or more generally into a container provided for the transport of the tubular wrappers of smoking articles.

[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and develop a method for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles that allow to form the stacks and arrange them in the tray in a very short amount of time, compatible with the high productivity provided in an automated packaging line capable of reaching hourly productivity of thousands of products.

[0017] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0020] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an apparatus according to the present invention for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles, preferably including a respective filter, comprises a conveyor, preferably closed-loop, configured to convey the tubular wrappers along a conveying path, the conveyor comprising a plurality of conveying seats, each configured to receive a respective tubular wrapper, a feed station configured to feed each tubular wrapper into a respective conveying seat, and a stacking station comprising a stacking drawer having a plurality of aligned stacking seats and a transfer device configured to transfer the tubular wrappers from the conveying seats into the stacking seats in order to form a layer of tubular wrappers aligned side by side in the stacking drawer, the feed station and the stacking station being arranged along the conveying path.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a transfer and orientation device configured to pick up the layer of tubular wrappers from the stacking drawer, by removing the layer of tubular wrappers from the stacking drawer in a pickup position, and transfer it into a packaging position different form the pickup position.

[0022] Doing so achieves at least the advantage of having an apparatus that is able, automatically and without operator intervention, to stack wrappers for smoking articles including a filter, as well as insert the stacks of wrappers into a dedicated tray. As well as the advantage of performing the operations quickly, the apparatus also allows to guarantee that the wrappers are not damaged, or even simply folded or crumpled, during handling.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an insert station arranged between the feed station and the stacking station and configured to selectively insert a tubular insert into the tubular wrappers received in said conveying seats.

[0024] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a method according to the present invention for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles, preferably including a filter, comprises the steps of prearranging a conveyor, preferably closed-loop, defining a conveying path and comprising a plurality of conveying seats; at a feed station, feeding each tubular wrapper to a respective conveying seat; conveying the tubular wrappers along the conveying path by means of the conveyor; at a stacking station, transferring the tubular wrappers from the conveying seats into stacking seats of a stacking drawer until forming a layer of tubular wrappers aligned side by side, the feed and stacking stations being arranged along the conveying path.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of removing the layer of tubular wrappers from the stacking drawer by means of a transfer and orientation device, in a pickup position, and transferring, by means of the transfer and orientation device, the removed layer of tubular wrappers into a packaging position different form the pickup position.

[0026] Preferably, the method is carried out by means of the apparatus described above.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises a step of selectively inserting a tubular insert into the tubular wrappers received into the conveying seats at an insert station.

[0028] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0030] - fig. 1 is a partial, schematic, three-dimensional view of an apparatus for packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles, preferably including a filter, according to the present invention;

[0031] - fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a wrapper for smoking articles, including a filter, which can be packaged using the apparatus of fig. 1;

[0032] - fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a stack of wrappers for smoking articles, including the filter of fig. 2;

[0033] - fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a tray in which the stacks of wrappers for smoking articles to be packaged are inserted;

[0034] - fig. 5 is a schematic, enlarged-scale and three-dimensional view of an operating station of the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

[0035] - fig. 6 is a top plan view of a second operating station of the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

[0036] - fig. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a device comprised in the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

[0037] - fig. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a transfer and orientation device comprised in the apparatus of fig. 1 ; and

[0038] - fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a step of inserting a stack of wrappers for smoking articles, including a filter, into a corresponding tray.

[0039] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0040] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0042] With reference to fig. I, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention for packaging tubular wrappers 100 of smoking articles is described.

[0043] Each tubular wrapper 100 is made of sheet material, for example very thin paper, or any other material suitable to make a cigarette, or other smokable product, and is provided with a filter 101 of known type (fig. 2) and optional.

[0044] The wrappers 100 have a length LI that can vary depending on the smoking article to be obtained and is comprised for example between about 50 mm and about 150 mm, preferably between about 70 mm and about 120 mm.

[0045] Furthermore, each wrapper 100 has a shape such that it can be easily stacked to form, with other wrappers 100, a vertical stack 110 (fig. 3). For example, each wrapper 100 can have a truncated-conical shape and comprise a first end 102 at the filter 101, if present, and a second open end 103, opposite the first end 102, in which it is possible to insert another wrapper 100 or, as will be explained below, a tubular insert 104, which acts as a spacer. The diameter of the first end 102 is smaller than the diameter of the second end 103.

[0046] In the example shown here, each stack 1 10 comprises a certain number of wrappers 100, in this case two. It is understood that the number of wrappers 100 comprised in each stack 1 10 may be different, for example it can be comprised between two and twenty.

[0047] To better understand the apparatus 10 and its operation, which will be described below, the tubular wrapper 100 arranged in the lowest part of the stack 110 is defined here as the first tubular wrapper 100A, while the one inserted therein is defined as the second or, in the case shown, the last tubular wrapper 100B, also being the highest one in the stack 110. If there is a larger number of wrappers 100 in a stack, the wrappers that follow the first one are progressively referred to as second wrapper, third wrapper and so on, up to the last wrapper which is the highest in the stack.

[0048] As can be seen in fig. 3, it is preferably provided that each stack 1 10 is provided with a respective tubular insert 104 inserted in the last wrapper 100B. This tubular insert 104, which advantageously has a tubular body, is configured to be inserted inside the last wrapper 100B through its open end 103 resting on the filter 101, in particular on its end located inside the wrapper 100. The length L2 of the tubular insert 104 is greater than the distance between the filter 101 and the second end 103 of the wrapper 100, so as to guarantee a minimum distance between the second end 103 of the last wrapper 100B and a wall of a package in which the stack 110 will be arranged. In the example shown, the length L2 of the tubular insert 104 is greater than the length LI of the wrapper 100 (fig. 3).

[0049] If the tubular wrappers 100 are not provided with a filter, the tubular insert 104 traverses the entire stack 110 and thus its length is greater than the length of the entire stack.

[0050] Before being introduced into a closable package, the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 are first inserted, by means of the apparatus 10, into special support trays 200 (fig. 4) configured to be arranged in the package, as will be explained below.

[0051] In particular, each tray 200 essentially comprises an upper transverse wall 201, a lower transverse wall 202 parallel to and opposed to the latter, and at least a first lateral wall 203 and a second lateral wall 204 opposed to each other and perpendicular to the upper and lower transverse wall 201, 202.

[0052] The tray 200 is shaped as a parallelepiped or cube, wherein the upper and lower transverse wall 201, 202 and the first and second lateral wall 203, 204 have a rectangular or square shape.

[0053] Optionally, the tray also comprises a third lateral wall 205 and a fourth lateral wall 206 opposed to each other, also rectangular or square in shape, and perpendicular to the first and second lateral wall 203, 204, thereby defining a lateral skirt 207 around the upper and lower transverse wall 201, 202.

[0054] Advantageously, the upper transverse wall 201 is connected to the lateral walls 203, 204, 205, 206 at their upper edge, while the lower transverse wall 202 is located at an intermediate height of the lateral walls 203, 204, 205, 206 so as to define corresponding rest feet 203A, 204A, 205A, 206A between the lower transverse wall 202 and the lower edges of the lateral walls 203, 204, 205, 206 (fig. 4).

[0055] The upper transverse wall 201 is provided with a plurality of first holes 210 defining respective housing seats for the wrappers 100. The first holes 210 are arranged according to a certain positioning matrix, for example they are aligned and equally spaced apart from each other so as to homogeneously occupy the entire surface of the upper transverse wall 201. In particular, the first holes 210 are positioned so as to form a matrix with a predetermined number of rows X and columns Y.

[0056] In the example shown, the matrix has a square shape and comprises five rows XI -X5 and five columns Y1-Y5. It is thus apparent that each row X comprises a first number nl of first holes 210 while each column Y comprises a second number n2 of first holes 210, wherein the numbers nl and n2 may differ from each other.

[0057] The first holes 210 are preferably circular shaped and have a first diameter DI (fig. 4) with a size such as to accommodate each wrapper 100 with minimum play. Specifically, in the case of wrappers 100 with a truncated-conical shape, as in the drawings, the first diameter DI has a size that is intermediate between the diameter of the first end 102 and the diameter of the second end 103.

[0058] The lower transverse wall 202 is instead provided with a plurality of deformable diaphragms 220 configured to define, when deformed, corresponding through apertures axially aligned with the first holes 210 and able to allow the insertion of a lower portion of the wrappers 100.

[0059] Each pair consisting of a first hole 210 and the diaphragm 220 shares a common central axis 210A.

[0060] The apparatus 10 comprises at least one carrier 20 movable along a conveying path A parallel to a first plane Pl. In the example shown, the conveying path A is closed-loop, in particular with an oblong shape, and the apparatus 10 comprises a conveyor T defining the conveying path A and having a plurality of carriers 20 which are the same as each other so as to optimize the productivity of the apparatus 10 (fig. 1). The carriers 20 are made to advance in the direction of advance indicated by the arrow S (fig. 1).

[0061] Each carrier 20 comprises at least one conveying seat 21 , here in the form of a longitudinal through-bore, each configured to receive a tubular wrapper 100. The conveying seat 21 has a longitudinal axis 21 A. In practice, each conveying seat 21 traverses the carrier 20 longitudinally, so that the wrapper 100 can pass through the carrier 20 from one side to the other, for example by pushing.

[0062] Advantageously, each carrier 20 comprises a plurality of conveying seats 21, which are aligned and equally spaced apart from each other by a predetermined regular pitch. Specifically, each carrier 20 comprises a number n3 of conveying seats 21 which is equal to the first number nl of first holes 210 in a row X in the trays 200, or equal to the second number n2 of first holes 210 in a column Y in the trays 200. In this way, inserting a wrapper 100 in each of the conveying seats 21 of a carrier 20 results in the correct number of tubular wrappers 100 to fill a row X or a column Y of first holes 210 of a tray 200, to the benefit of the apparatus’ productivity. In the example shown, each carrier 20 contains five conveying seats 21 , corresponding to the number of first holes 210 both in the rows X and also in the columns Y, as described above.

[0063] The conveying seats 21 have an internal diameter advantageously comprised between the diameter of the first end 102 and that of the second end 103 of the wrappers 100, so that the latter can be stably retained in the conveying seats 21 by friction. The internal surface of the conveying seats 21 is preferably smooth, so as not to damage the external surface of the tubular wrappers 100. For this purpose, the length of the conveying seats 21 is advantageously at least equal to the length L of the wrappers 100, preferably greater than it, so as to enclose the wrappers 100 completely and prevent them from being damaged during the advance of the carriers 20.

[0064] The apparatus 10 is oriented so that the conveying seats 21 are all horizontal. In particular, the first plane Pl is vertical, and the longitudinal axes 21 A of the conveying seats 21 are perpendicular to this first plane Pl. It is therefore evident that the wrappers 100 are also oriented horizontally from the moment they are inserted into the carriers 20 until at least their stacking.

[0065] The apparatus 10 also comprises a feed station 30 in which the tubular wrappers 100 are inserted into the carriers 20, more precisely one wrapper 100 into one respective conveying seat 21. At this feed station 30 there is provided a device for feeding the wrappers 100, of a known type and therefore not described further in the present application.

[0066] In the example shown, the wrappers 100 are fed and inserted individually into a corresponding conveying seat 21 ; it can however be provided to insert several wrappers 100 simultaneously, for example to simultaneously transfer a number of wrappers equal to the same number n3 of the through-bores 21, for example each wrapper 100 being inserted into one respective conveying seat 21.

[0067] The wrappers 100 are inserted into the conveying seats 21 with the filter 101 arranged toward the conveyor T, so as to avoid damaging the sheet as a result of possible impacts against the walls of the conveying seats 21.

[0068] Downstream of the feed station 30, with respect to the direction S of advance of the carriers 20, the apparatus 10 also comprises an insert station 40 at which tubular inserts 104 are selectively inserted into the wrappers 100. In the example shown, the tubular inserts are inserted individually into a respective wrapper 100 when the conveying seat 21 in which it is contained stops at the insert station 40.

[0069] The latter comprises, as a feed device 41 for feeding the tubular inserts 104, a drum 42 rotatable about a rotation axis R1 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conveying seats 21 of the carriers 20. The drum 42 contains a plurality of peripheral seats or longitudinal grooves 43, parallel to the rotation axis R1 and regularly and circumferentially distributed along its lateral surface. The peripheral seats 43 are each configured to stably accommodate a corresponding tubular insert 104 (figs. 1 and 5).

[0070] In this example, the drum 42 is positioned so that one of its peripheral seats 43 is axially aligned with a respective conveying seat 21 of the carrier 20 that is arranged at the insert station 40, so that the tubular insert 104 accommodated in the peripheral seat 43 can be inserted therein by pushing. For this purpose, the insert station 40 also comprises a pusher 44, in this example a rod 45, configured to push the tubular insert 104 into the tubular wrapper 100 received in the conveying seat 21 below.

[0071] The rod 45 is suitably aligned with the conveying seat 21 of the carrier 20 below, in which the tubular insert 104 is to be inserted, as well as with the corresponding peripheral seat 43 of the feed device 41 aligned therewith (fig. 5). The rod 45 has an external diameter that corresponds to, or is slightly smaller than, the internal diameter of the peripheral seats 43, so as to be inserted longitudinally therein without interfering with the peripheral seat 43. The latter, in turn, has an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the tubular insert 104, so that this can be retained therein stably by friction while being easily extractable by pushing. The external diameter of the tubular insert 104 advantageously corresponds to, or is slightly smaller than, the maximum diameter of the filter 101 (fig. 3), so that it can be inserted into the wrappers 100 without coming into contact with, and damaging, the paper. In some embodiments, the drum 42 can comprise a plurality of holes, terminating at the peripheral seats 43 and connected to a suction system for retaining the tubular inserts 104 in the peripheral seats 43 by suction.

[0072] The feed device 41 of the tubular inserts 104 is arranged on the same side, with respect to the first plane Pl or to the conveying path A, as the device from which the tubular wrappers 100 are inserted into the carriers 20 in the feed station 30. By doing so, the tubular insert 104 is inserted into the wrapper 100 correctly, that is, through its second end 103.

[0073] Downstream of the insert station 40, with respect to the direction S of advance of the carriers 20, the apparatus 10 comprises a stacking station 50, in which the tubular wrappers 100 are stacked to form the stacks 110 of tubular wrappers 100 (figs. 1 and 6).

[0074] The stacking station 50 comprises, in particular, a stacking drawer 51, in which the tubular wrappers 100 are accumulated until forming respective stacks 110 of the predefined number of wrappers 100, the stacks 110 in turn forming a layer 120 of tubular wrappers 100 when the stacks 110 are placed side by side to each other. The drawer 51 is positioned along the conveying path A so that it can be aligned with a carrier 20, in particular when the latter is in the stacking station 50.

[0075] In the example shown, the stacking drawer 51 comprises five stacking seats 52, that is, the same number n3 of through-bores 21 of each carrier 20. It follows that the number of stacking seats 52 is also correlated to the number nl of first holes 210 in a row X, or to the number n2 of first holes 210 in a column Y in the tray 200. The stacking seats 52 are located parallel to each other and side by side, so that when the stacks 110 are fed therein, they form a layer 120 of tubular wrappers 100. Hereafter, we will refer to the stacks 110 or layers 120 of tubular wrappers 100 without distinction.

[0076] The stacking station 50 also comprises a transfer device 53 aligned with the stacking drawer 51 and configured to displace, by pushing, the tubular wrappers 100 from the conveying seats 21 into the stacking drawer 51. In particular, the transfer device 53 is arranged on the other side of the first plane Pl with respect to the stacking drawer 51, so that when a carrier 20 reaches the stacking station 50, it is interposed between the stacking drawer 51 and the transfer device 53.

[0077] The transfer device 53 contains, as pushing members, a number of pushing rods 54 which is the same as the number of conveying seats 21 (five in this example), the pushing rods 54 being arranged so that they can be aligned with the conveying seats 21. In this way, the transfer device 53 is configured to simultaneously push all the wrappers 100 contained in a same carrier 20 when the latter reaches the stacking station 50. It is advantageous to provide that the transfer device 53 is arranged on the same side, with respect to the conveying path A, as the feed device 41 of the tubular inserts 104.

[0078] Each pushing rod 54 is also arranged aligned with a respective stacking seat 52 of the stacking drawer 51 , and configured to push one respective tubular wrapper 100 at a time from the conveying seat 21 of the carrier 20 to the respective stacking seat 52 of the stacking drawer 51.

[0079] The stacking seats 52 are advantageously open longitudinally, to allow the wrappers 100 to be picked up by taking them laterally, as will be described below. Favorably, the stacking seats 52 are open upward, to better keep the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 being formed in position. In particular, the stacking seats 52 preferably have a semi-circular shaped section.

[0080] In order to hold the layer 120 of tubular wrappers 100 in position, the stacking drawer 51 is equipped with suction elements 55 configured to be brought into contact with the tubular wrappers 100. In particular, the stacking drawer 51 comprises one suction element 55 for each stacking seat 52, each configured to retain one respective stack 110 of tubular wrappers 100. The suction elements 55, which in the example shown are apertures created in the surface of the stacking seats 52, are fluidically connected to a suction source 56 (fig. 6) and operate the retention of the tubular wrappers 100 thanks to the vacuum created by the suction. They are selectively activatable until the transfer and orientation device 70 removes the layer 120 of tubular wrappers 100 from the stacking drawer 51 .

[0081] The apparatus 10 comprises a packaging station 60, at which the stacks 110 of wrappers 100, or layers 120 of wrappers 100, are inserted into the trays 200.

[0082] At least one tray 200 is arranged in the packaging station 60, preferably a plurality of trays 200, in which the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 are to be inserted, as explained above. A receiving position 61 is defined in the packaging station 60, at which a tray 200 receives the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 when they are inserted. It can be provided that the other trays 200 are in waiting positions 62 and are automatically moved toward the receiving position 61 , for example by means of a rotatable support member 63. In this case, the receiving position 61 and the waiting positions 62 are suitably arranged along a circular trajectory.

[0083] In the example shown, the packaging station 60 is arranged on a second plane P2 perpendicular to the first plane Pl which contains the conveying path A (fig. 1). In particular, the trays 200 and the rotatable support member 63 are positioned on the second plane P2. The trays 200 are therefore arranged with the first holes 210 oriented perpendicularly to the conveying seats 21 of the carriers 20, that is, the central axes 210A of the first holes 210 are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes 21 A of the conveying seats 21.

[0084] In the example shown, the packaging station 60 is not arranged along the conveying path A, but it is understood that the person of skill in the art will easily be able to decide where to place it in the proximity of this path, based on the spaces available in the apparatus.

[0085] To bring the stacks 110 or layers 120 of wrappers 100 toward the packaging station 60, the apparatus 10 also comprises a transfer and orientation device 70.

[0086] The transfer and orientation device 70 is configured to pick up the stacks 110, at the stacking drawer 51, and to transfer them toward the packaging station 60. The transfer and orientation device 70 is also configured to orient the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 so as to align them with the central axes 210A of the first holes 210 of the trays 200. This orientation is performed by means of a rototranslation movement of the transfer and orientation device 70.

[0087] For this purpose, the transfer and orientation device 70 comprises a pickup member 71 rotatable about a rotation axis R2.

[0088] The pickup member 71 comprises at least one longitudinal pickup element 72 configured to come into contact along the lateral surface of the wrappers 100 of a stack 1 10. In particular, in the example shown, the pickup member 71 comprises five longitudinal pickup elements 72 so as to simultaneously pick up the five stacks 110 present in the stacking drawer 51, that is, the entire layer 120 of tubular wrappers 100 previously prepared (fig. 7). Because the stacking seats 52 are open at the top, it is particularly advantageous for the pickup elements 72 to be oriented downward, so as to come into contact with the lateral portion of the wrappers 100 left accessible.

[0089] The pickup member 71 is rotatable about the rotation axis R2, in particular between a pickup position, in which the pickup member 71 lies on a plane perpendicular to the first plane Pl (figs. 7 and 9), and a packaging position (fig. 9), in which the pickup member 71 lies on a plane perpendicular to the second plane P2.

[0090] In the pickup position, the pickup elements 72 are parallel to the wrappers 100 when they are stacked in the stacking drawer 51. In the packaging position, on the other hand, the pickup elements 72, and therefore the stacks 110 of wrappers 100, are parallel to the central axes 210A of the first holes 210 of the trays 200, and therefore ready to be inserted therein.

[0091] Each pickup element 72 is equipped with suction pickup means and is suitably connected to a suction source 73, as schematized in fig. 7. In particular, the suction pickup means contain suction elements 74, which in the example shown here are materialized by holes located on the surface of the pickup element 72 so as to come into contact with the tubular wrappers 100 (fig. 9). The suction elements 74 are configured to take the layer 120 of tubular wrappers from the stacking drawer 51 thanks to the vacuum. It can be inferred that the number of suction elements is advantageously equal to the number of stacks 110 of wrappers 100 to be picked up. This type of pickup means is the most effective to avoid damaging the sheet of the wrappers 100, while guaranteeing a stable grip during their movement. The transfer and orientation device 70 is movable between the stacking station 50, more specifically the stacking drawer 51, to pick up the stacks 110 of wrappers 100, and the packaging station 60. In particular, the transfer and orientation device 70 is configured to reach above the packaging station 60, in order to be able to insert the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 into the first holes 210 of the trays 200.

[0092] To do this, the transfer and orientation device 70 can provide that the pickup member 71 is installed on a pick-and-place robot having at least three degrees of freedom of movement, in particular a rotation about the axis R2 and a linear translation in at least two directions, vertical and horizontal, which are parallel to the trajectories schematized in fig. 9, so as to perform the rototranslation movement indicated above.

[0093] The operation of the apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0094] A conveyor T, preferably closed-loop, is prepared, which defines a conveying path A and comprises a plurality of conveying seats 21. The conveyor T can be of the type described above.

[0095] A first step is provided, during which at least one wrapper 100 is inserted into a carrier 20, at the feed station 30. Specifically, the at least one wrapper 100 is inserted into a corresponding conveying seat 21, so as to be completely contained therein.

[0096] In the example shown in the drawings, the wrappers 100 are inserted into the carriers 20 one by one. It is therefore provided to make the latter advance stepwise so as to subsequently arrange each through-bore 21 at the feed station 30.

[0097] In the event that the wrappers 100 inserted into the five conveying seats 21 of a same carrier 20 are the first tubular wrappers 100 A of a stack 110, or a subsequent wrapper 100 with the exception of the last tubular wrapper 100B, these wrappers 100 are made to advance along the conveying path A until they reach the stacking station 50. It should be noted that, inevitably, the wrappers 100 pass through the insert station 40, but the latter is not operated, that is, no tubular insert 104 is inserted into the wrappers 100.

[0098] This step of conveying the carrier 20, filled with wrappers 100, up to the stacking station 50 is performed for the number of times necessary to form a complete stack 110, that is, the number of times corresponding to the predetermined number of wrappers 100 in a stack 110.

[0099] In the example shown, each stack 110 contains two wrappers 100, therefore the conveying of a carrier 20 filled with wrappers 100 is repeated twice. The first time, the first tubular wrappers 100A are made to advance, and no tubular insert 104 is inserted therein. Having reached the stacking station 50, the transfer device 53 is driven to determine the displacement of the wrappers 100 into the stacking drawer 51, in particular into the stacking seats 52. At this point, the suction elements 55 are driven so as to retain the tubular wrappers 100 just displaced into the stacking drawer 51.

[0100] The last wrappers 100B of the stack 110 are then moved forward. When they reach the insert station 40, the displacement of the pusher 44 is driven so as to push a tubular insert 104, contained in a corresponding seat 43 of the drum 42, and insert it into the wrapper 100 below. When all the wrappers 100 of the same carrier 20 are provided with a respective tubular insert 104, this group of last tubular wrappers 100B reaches the stacking station 50, the transfer device 53 is driven again to displace the wrappers 100 into the stacking seats 52 of the stacking drawer 51.

[0101] At this point, the last tubular wrappers 100B are automatically inserted into the first wrappers 100A already present in the stacking seats 52. It is thus apparent that the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 are formed precisely in the stacking drawer 51.

[0102] Obviously, in the case of stacks 110 containing a different number of wrappers 100, the insertion of the tubular inserts 104 is commanded only each time a carrier 20 passes that transports what will be the last wrappers 100B of a stack 110, that is, at each nthstep, where n corresponds to the number of wrappers 100 in a stack.

[0103] Once the stack 110 in the stacking drawer 51 has been completed, a step of transferring it from the stacking station 50 to the packaging station 60 begins. For this purpose, the transfer and orientation device 70, in its pickup position, is commanded so as to bring it at the stacking drawer 51. It is commanded so as to bring the pickup elements 72, in particular the suction elements 74, into contact with the lateral part of the wrappers 100 which is freely accessible. The suction elements 74 are then activated in order to pick up the stack 110 of wrappers 100.

[0104] In the example shown, the pickup and transfer are performed simultaneously on all the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 contained in the stacking drawer 51. The transfer and orientation device 70 is then commanded so that it moves to the packaging station 60, in particular above a tray 200, according to a combined rotation and translation movement. More precisely, the transfer and orientation device 70 is positioned above a first row XI of first holes 210 of the tray 200. This movement provides a succession of movements approaching the packaging station 60 and parallel to the upper transverse wall 201 of the tray 200, these movements possibly being combined with each other.

[0105] The rotation of the pickup member 71 about the rotation axis R2 is then commanded, in order to bring it from its pickup position to its packaging position (fig. 8). And then the insertion of the stacks 110 of wrappers 100 into the first holes 210 of the first row XI is commanded, suitably moving the pickup member 71 so that it approaches the tray 200.

[0106] When the next group of stacks 110 is inserted, to therefore be inserted into the row X2 that follows the row XI of the tray 200, its movement is commanded so as to perform a first stroke Cl approaching the tray 200. In particular, this first stroke C 1 is vertical, or in any case parallel to the central axes 210A of the first holes 210. This first approaching stroke C 1 ends at a vertical height, with respect to the tray 200, higher than the height of a stack 110, in order to avoid any contact with the stacks 110 already inserted in the first row XI .

[0107] Before rotating the pickup member 71 from the pickup position to the packaging position, it is provided to move it parallel to the upper transverse wall 201 at a distance therefrom, at least toward the row X3 that follows the row X2 to be filled. In any case, the movement of the pickup member 71 is commanded so as to perform an advancing stroke CA toward a row downstream of the row to be filled (fig- 9).

[0108] Then the movement of the pickup member 71 is commanded so as to perform a second stroke C2 approaching the tray 200, and subsequently its rotation toward the packaging position. The second approaching stroke C2, also vertical or in any case parallel to the central axis 210A of the first holes 210, preferably stops when the filters 101 of the first wrappers 100A are close to the first transverse surface 201 of the tray 200.

[0109] Subsequently, the movement of the pickup member 71 parallel to the same first transverse surface 201 of the tray 200 is commanded, so as to perform a return stroke CR toward the row X2 in which the stacks 110 are to be inserted. Once the pickup member 71 is positioned above the row X2 to be filled (fig. 9), the insertion of the stacks 110 is commanded, as described above. The insertion provides, in this case, a third approaching stroke C3, that is, parallel to the central axes 210A of the first holes 210.

[0110] By doing so, any risk of damaging the wrappers 100 already inserted into the first row XI is avoided, because there is first provided an extra stroke, in which the stacks retained by the pickup member go beyond the insertion position, remaining at a vertical height such as not to interfere with the stack (or stacks) previously inserted into the tray, and subsequently a retreating stroke, in which the stacks already oriented correctly approach the insertion position so as to be inserted into the respective row.

[0111] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0112] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of apparatus and method for automatically packaging tubular wrappers of smoking articles including a filter, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0113] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (10) for packaging tubular wrappers (100) of smoking articles preferably including a respective filter (101), said apparatus (10) comprising a conveyor (T), preferably closed-loop, configured to convey said tubular wrappers (100) along a conveying path (A), said conveyor (T) comprising a plurality of conveying seats (21), each conveying seat (21) being configured to receive a respective tubular wrapper (100), a feed station (30) configured to feed each tubular wrapper (100) into a respective conveying seat (21), and a stacking station (50) comprising a stacking drawer (51) having a plurality of aligned stacking seats (52) and a transfer device (53) configured to transfer said tubular wrappers (100) from said conveying seats (21) into said stacking seats (52) in order to form a layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) aligned side by side in said stacking drawer (51), said feed station (30) and said stacking station (50) being arranged along said conveying path (A), said apparatus (10) being characterized by further comprising a transfer and orientation device (70) configured to pick up said layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from said stacking drawer (51) by removing the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from the stacking drawer (51) in a pickup position and transfer it in a packaging position different form said pickup position.

2. Apparatus (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said conveyor (T) comprises a plurality of carriers (20), each carrier (20) being provided with at least one of said conveying seats (21), each conveying seat (21) being preferably a through-bore configured to temporarily receive one of said tubular wrappers (100).

3. Apparatus (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising an insert station (40) arranged between said feed station (30) and said stacking station (50) and configured to selectively insert a tubular insert (104) into the tubular wrappers (100) received in said conveying seats (21).

4. Apparatus (10) as in claim 3, characterized in that said insert station (40) comprises a drum (42) circumferentially provided with longitudinal grooves (43) configured to accommodate a respective tubular insert (104), and a pusher (44) configured to push the tubular insert (104) into the tubular wrapper (100) received in the conveying seat (21).

5. Apparatus (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer device (53) comprises at least one pushing member (54), each pushingmember (54) being arranged aligned with a respective stacking seat (52) of said stacking drawer (51) and configured to push one tubular wrapper (100) at a time from the conveying seat (21) to the respective stacking seat (52) of the stacking drawer (51).

6. Apparatus (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer and orientation device (70) comprises a rototranslatable pickup member (71).

7. Apparatus (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer and orientation device (70) comprises suction elements (74) configured to take the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from said stacking drawer (51) by vacuum.

8. Apparatus (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each stacking seat (52) of said stacking drawer (51) comprises respective suction elements (55) selectively activatable until the transfer and orientation device (70) removes the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from said stacking drawer (51).

9. Apparatus (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transfer and orientation device (70) is configured to keep the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) lying on a plane perpendicular to a first plane (Pl) in said pickup position, and to position the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) on a plane perpendicular to a second plane (P2) which is perpendicular to said first plane (Pl), when the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) is inserted into a tray (200) in said packaging position.

10. Apparatus (10) as in claim 9, wherein said tray (200) comprises a matrix of first holes (210) in which said layers (120) of tubular wrappers (100) are to be inserted, said matrix forming rows (XI, X2, X3, X4, X5) each containing a first number of first holes (210), and columns (Yl, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5) each containing a second number of first holes (210), characterized in that the stacking drawer (51) contains a third number of stacking seats (52) equal to said first number of first holes (210) in said rows (XI, X2, X3, X4, X5) or to said second number of first holes (210) in said columns (Yl, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5).

11. Method for packaging tubular wrappers (100) of smoking articles, preferably including a filter (101), said method comprising the following steps:- prearranging a conveyor (T), preferably closed-loop, defining a conveying path(A), said conveyor (T) comprising a plurality of conveying seats (21);- at a feed station (30), feeding each tubular wrapper (100) to a respective conveying seat (21);- conveying said tubular wrappers (100) along said conveying path (A) by means of said conveyor (T);- at a stacking station (50), transferring the tubular wrappers (100) from said conveying seats (21) into stacking seats (52) of a stacking drawer (51) until forming a layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) aligned side by side, said feed (30) and stacking (50) stations being arranged along said conveying path (A), said method being characterized by further comprising the steps of removing the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from the stacking drawer (51) by means of a transfer and orientation device (70) in a pickup position, and transferring by means of the transfer and orientation device (70) the removed layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) into a packaging position different form said pickup position.

12. Method as in claim 11, characterized by repeating the step of transferring the tubular wrappers (100) from said conveying seats (21) into said stacking seats (52) a predetermined number of times in order to stack a plurality of wrappers one inside another in each stacking seat (52), so that the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) in the stacking drawer (51) is formed by stacked tubular wrappers (100) aligned side by side.

13. Method as in claim 11 or 12, characterized by further comprising selectively inserting a tubular insert (104) into said tubular wrappers (100) received into said conveying seats (21) at an insert station (40).

14. Method as in any of the claims 11 -13, characterized by comprising the steps of keeping the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) lying on a plane perpendicular to a first plane (Pl) by means of said transfer and orientation device (70) in said pickup position, positioning the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) on a plane perpendicular to a second plane (P2) which is perpendicular to said first plane (Pl) by means of said transfer and orientation device (70), and inserting the layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) into a respective row (XI, X2, X3, X4, X5) of holes (210) of a tray (200) by means of said transfer and orientation device (70) in said packaging position.

15. Method as in any of the claims 11 - 14, characterized in that the transferand orientation device (70) operates a rototranslation movement when moving from the pickup position to the packaging position.

16. Method as in any one of the claims 11 - 15, characterized in that said step of transferring said layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) comprises picking up said layer (120) of tubular wrappers (100) from said stacking drawer (51) by vacuum by means of suction elements (74) provided on said transfer and orientation device (70).

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